NSW FREIGHT AND PORTS STRATEGY 4.2 Strategic Action Program 2 – Network capacity “We have to work in today’s reality – with the flexibility to deal with tomorrow’s possibilities” Scott Charlton, CEO Transurban NSW has critical international gateways at constrain performance are numerous and are Port Botany and Sydney Airport, together with not limited to any particular region or mode. extensive road and rail networks. The optimal This Strategic Action Program sets out to performance of the network is critical for the establish and maintain a whole-of-network efficient movement of passengers and cargo approach to capacity and performance, in order across the State. to achieve the free flow of goods to the market. The physical infrastructure of the network As shown in the framework for the NSW has been built, maintained and improved Freight and Ports Strategy, the Actions in this in a fragmented manner dependent on Strategic Action Program all contribute to a 4 ownership, funding and usage patterns. The large subset of objectives and challenges. Each STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMS ACTION STRATEGIC result is a network that achieves varied levels of the planned Actions are described in further of performance. The examples of ‘missing detail in this section. links’, pinch points and weight limitations that Network capacity is a statewide issue and is not constrained to metropolitan areas. Regional transport networks serving mining and commodity exports are critical to the NSW economy. 96 NSW FREIGHT AND PORTS STRATEGY Figure 25 NSW Freight and Ports Strategy framework AIM CHALLENGES To provide a transport network in NSW that Double the NSW freight task by 2031, particularly: allows the efficient flow • Large coal task more than doubling of goods to their market • Container task more than tripling STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ACTION PROGRAMS Delivery of a Expanding network capacity to support freight network that economic development efficiently supports the projected growth • Identifying, protecting and developing strategic corridors of the NSW economy • Developing and maintaining capacity for freight on rail and road networks Network capacity Balancing of freight • Creating opportunities for intermodal terminal development needs with those • Growing port capacity to match commodity of the broader throughput demands community and the environment • Supporting regional network development 4 • Market participation PROGRAMS ACTION STRATEGIC TOOLS OF • Infrastructure investment • Management and operational GOVERNMENT • Market reform improvement STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM 2: NETWORK CAPACITY ACTION 2A: Identify and protect strategic freight corridors ACTION 2D: Develop effective port growth plans to meet • Establish corridors to meet long term freight needs freight volume growth of NSW • Develop a Port Botany growth plan • Develop a Port of Newcastle growth plan ACTION 2B: Develop and maintain capacity for freight on the road network • Develop a Port Kembla growth plan • Connect and complete Sydney’s motorway network ACTION 2E: Foster intermodal terminal network development • Prioritise road infrastructure investments • Foster intermodal terminals in metropolitan areas ACTION 2C: Develop and maintain capacity for freight on • Support the operation of regional intermodal terminals the rail network • Separate passenger and freight movements with network ACTION 2F: Coordinate regional infrastructure and enhancements and rail alignments service provision • Complete the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor • Adopt a best practice reform model for regional infrastructure • Ensure that there is sufficient rail infrastructure capacity from mine to port to meet coal demand ACTION 2G: Develop and maintain projects to support network capacity • Evaluate freight infrastructure through an investment framework • Maintain a program of projects for freight investment • Fund the infrastructure program 97 NSW FREIGHT AND PORTS STRATEGY ACTION Identify and protect strategic 2A freight corridors “ …failure to protect corridors and lands in the immediate-term for long- term projects may rule out these options in the future.” Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, Fixing NSW 2012 Identifying, protecting and developing strategic corridors Problem description both sectors to grow. Separating freight and The location of strategic freight corridors, passengers will continue through the provision incorporating both operational and buffer of dedicated freight infrastructure as part zones, is linked to future supply chain of existing or future corridors, such as the 4 movements and freight flows. However, Southern Sydney Freight Line connecting STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMS ACTION STRATEGIC freight flows have a complex interrelation with Macarthur and Port Botany. population centres and production regions. Future corridor design must consider the The recent movement of different commodities potential need for a multi-modal outcome across NSW is shown in Figure 26. involving both road and rail. Most supply chains Population centres generate freight demand, rely on both networks to reach their markets but can also impede its flow. This is one result of and customers. Increasingly, freight precincts land use change and competing requirements like the proposed intermodal terminals at for passenger and freight transport. As shown Moorebank, will support businesses that receive in Figure 27, population growth varies across and distribute goods on road and rail. NSW, but is generally occurring most rapidly in Early planning is needed to integrate future coastal areas. transport corridors and sites for new or As population grows across Sydney and regional expanding freight terminals. This planning work NSW, there is a real urgency to ensure that is also critical to maintain a future program of corridors and key freight terminals, including NSW freight infrastructure. ports, are ready to meet future growth. Impact For example, the continuing population A failure to adequately identify, preserve and and employment growth across the greater enable the development of long term transport metropolitan area will place increasing pressure corridors will compromise the ability to increase on the metropolitan shared rail network. capacity across road and rail networks. Additionally, congestion on the road and rail networks serving Port Botany highlights the need The Outer Sydney Orbital is a good example for greater separation of freight flows and an of the long term preservation of a corridor. increase in the amount of freight moved by rail. This has enabled the development of critical infrastructure, such as the M7 and M2 Proposed long term corridors such as the Outer Motorways. The M1 Freeway corridor through Sydney Orbital and Maldon to Dombarton Rail southern Sydney is another example of the Line are needed to further separate freight long term preservation of a corridor, which will and passenger rail movements, in order for secure future transport opportunities. 98 NSW FREIGHT AND PORTS STRATEGY Figure 26 Selected commodity movements 2011 4 STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMS ACTION STRATEGIC Coal Cotton Grain Wool Task 2A-1 Establish corridors to meet long For example, an Outer Sydney Orbital would term freight needs of NSW facilitate moving the interstate intermodal task from locations that conflict with the passenger Transport for NSW, with the Department of and port freight tasks to Western Sydney. This is Planning and Infrastructure and in consultation discussed in Case Study 13. with local government, will deliver a program to secure an integrated network of corridor It will be important to develop a program of alignments and strategic freight sites. corridor investigations, commencing with the dedicated Western Sydney Freight Line and Establishing long term strategic freight Western Sydney Intermodal Terminal site. corridors is essential to achieving greater Investigations have already commenced for the separation of freight and passenger movements. Maldon to Dombarton Rail Line in partnership Establishing a network of transport corridors with the Australian Government. Work is also will also support key freight precincts and proceeding on the Northern Sydney Freight terminals, including the Port of NSW. Corridor and is the subject of a submission to the Nation Building 2 program. 99 NSW FREIGHT AND PORTS STRATEGY Figure 27 Forecast NSW population growth 2011-2031 4 STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMS ACTION STRATEGIC Less than -5% (population decrease) 5 to 15% (moderate growth) -5 to 5% (stable) 15 to 25% (high growth) 25% or more (very high growth) A program of corridor investigations will Targeted outcome address the following key links: The identification of a network of long term • Lower Hunter Freight Corridor transport corridors would support separated freight movements and increase the share • Outer Sydney Orbital of freight moved on rail around the Sydney metropolitan area. A program to identify these • Bells Line of Road corridors has commenced and will deliver the • Long term Inland Rail Corridor necessary approvals for proceeding to ‘shovel ready’ stage, as additional capacity is needed to • M5 East duplication meet forecast demand. • M4 East extension By applying a strategic corridor perspective, • M2 to M1 Link individual networks and actions to improve efficiency and capacity can be evaluated • Mount Ousley Road and M1 corridor in terms of actual supply chain movements • Western Sydney Freight Line and forecast demand. Decisions regarding investment in new infrastructure can be Western Sydney