The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the peak body representing local government and councils Australia-wide, has welcomed the Government’s proposed National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy in its response to Infrastructure Australia’s 15-year Plan today.
Mayor David O’Loughlin, ALGA President, said it was important for governments to work together to address and improve national productivity by removing first and last mile constraints across the national freight network.
“We know almost every freight journey starts and ends on a road built, owned and maintained by local government, so first and last mile issues are of particular concern to the sector and we are on board with this plan that aims to address supply chain problems from start to end.”
The Government’s National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy complements ALGA’s recent call for a Commonwealth investment of $200 million per year for five years to improve freight access and remove first and last mile bottlenecks which typically occur on local roads.
“ALGA’s Freight Strategy, if supported by the Government, could immediately begin to unlock local and regional productivity improvements by investing in regional planning and freight route identification, and enabling more efficient movement of freight.
“Our costings show that this investment would result in a direct cumulative GDP benefit of $1.72 billion over 3 years and create 4,100 jobs.
“That’s a great return for the freight industry, for local producers, for local communities and Australia.
“ALGA and councils right across this great nation stand ready to work with the Commonwealth and the states and territories to implement this plan.”
