Freight Policy Reform Program
Introduction
The Freight Policy Reform Program will ultimately deliver a comprehensive strategic reform agenda and action plan to optimise freight transport in NSW.
The movement of freight requires an integrated and holistic approach with seamless connections between the different aspects of the supply chain.
Now is the time to deliver a comprehensive strategic reform agenda, including identification of short, medium and long term actions for Government to optimise freight transport to benefit NSW communities.
This reform program will involve policy reviews relating to different parts of the freight system, particularly in relation to road, rail and ports. Critical facilities connecting and supporting the supply chain such as intermodals and industrial lands will also be considered, recognising they play a part in connecting the movement of goods across the network.
The NSW Government will develop guiding policy principles in relation to:
- the role of the NSW Government, Federal Government and industry
- optimising the operations of the commercial ports in NSW
- supporting metropolitan and regional intermodal terminals and other enabling transport infrastructure
- the road and rail network
- embedding freight considerations into transport planning, prioritisation and investment decisions including securing industrial land.
These guiding principles will be used to inform the development of short, medium and long-term actions that will be driven by the NSW Government in collaboration with industry and the Federal Government.
The reform program will consider the outcomes from the Independent Reviews and other priorities once published, including:
- Sydney Trains Rail Infrastructure and Systems Review
- IPART Review of the Rail Access Undertaking
- Independent Review of PAMA and PBLIS*
- Review of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy
*In relation to the recommendations of the Independent Review of PAMA and PBLIS it is noted the 16 recommendations relating to the PAMA Act will be progressed towards implementation; of the 21 recommendations relating to PBLIS, 20 are subject to further consultation before Government responds to the recommendation and 1 recommendation will not be adopted. The review was commenced in 2021 with the report received by the NSW Government in 2023. Through the Freight Policy Reform Program, industry will be consulted on 20 of the 21 recommendations of the Independent Review relating to PBLIS, except the recommendation for the administration of PBLIS to be undertaken by NSW Ports. The NSW Government has rejected this recommendation as it is considered appropriate that this function remain within Government.
Panel
To support the development of this significant freight reform program, an independent advisory panel (Panel) has been established.
The Panel has been appointed by and will report to the Minister for Transport and will be a source of independent advice and assurance on the policy reform.
The Panel will work closely with Transport for NSW in the development of all key documents and consultation as part of the policy reform.
Panel members
Dr Schott has extensive experience in transport and infrastructure. At a Board level she was interim Chair of Moorebank Intermodal, Chair of Retained Roads Pty Ltd (a NSW Government owned company that owned 49% of WestConnex), interim Chair of the Sydney Metro Advisory Board, a Director of the Advisory Board on Sydney Light Rail, and more recently (and temporarily) Chair of ARTC. As an investment banker at Whitlam Turnbull, Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank (from 1987-1999) she led the national sale of ANL freight containers to Patricks, the sale of WA Government’s Westrail Freight to Wesfarmers, conducted valuations of Queensland ports, negotiated the pricing scheme for coal freight in the Hunter, and established National Rail Freight with all the States and Commonwealth (which became ARTC). She recently reviewed the Inland Rail project for the Commonwealth Government.
At present Dr Schott is a Director of AGL, a member of Aware Super’s Direct Asset Committee, and Chair of the Australian Government’s Competition Review Panel. She has been a Director of the National Broadband Network (2012-2022), a director of NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) (2012-2019) and CEO and Managing Director of Sydney Water (2006-2011).
Dr Schott was awarded an Order of Australia in 2015 for services to business and commerce.
Dr Schott holds a doctorate from Oxford University, a Master of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England. She was also awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University and the University of New England.
Mr Di Bartolomeo is Chair of Health Infrastructure NSW and Australian Naval Infrastructure.
Since taking up full time duties in Non-Executive Director roles in mid 2006, he has held a number of positions in public, private and government businesses.
The boards Mr Di Bartoloemo has served on have spanned various industries including engineering, transport, logistics, infrastructure, energy and finance. Prior to commencing his NED roles, he was the Managing Director of ADI Limited and the Country Director for Thales in Australia.
Before his appointment to ADI in September 2002, Mr Di Bartolomeo had a 26-year career in the transport industry. During this period he held a number of senior management positions including CEO of FreightCorp, State Rail Authority of NSW and State Transit Authority of NSW.
Lucio is a qualified Civil Engineer and has a Master’s degree in Engineering Science.
Dr Parsons is currently the CEO and Managing Director of the Australian Logistics Council with more than 25 years executive management experience in public and private sector organisations with responsibility for: port landside logistics, multimodal infrastructure, competition and regulatory reform, supply chain strategy in food and agribusiness, and industry government relations.
Dr Parsons has led many projects relating to ‘whole of supply chain’ integration and complexity across Australia and internationally. Non-Executive Director of the Melbourne Market Authority and other positions held include Non-Executive Director of Export Freight Advisory Board (Austrade); Non-Executive Director Food Innovation Australia Limited; Co-Chair of Wayfinder: Supply Chain Careers for Women; and Director and Industry Professor for the Centre for Supply Chain and Logistics and Deakin and Victoria University.
Updates
Freight Policy Reform Program announced
Freight Policy Reform Program Consultation Paper Published
Consultation Paper have your say
Have your say by Friday 31 May 2024 at the Have Your Say website.
Consultation Paper information session
An information session is being held to discuss the submissions process, structure and key elements of the Consultation Paper. Please register by following this link.
Online session time is Wednesday 24 April from 12 pm to 1 pm. Please register before 12 noon on Tuesday 23 April.
An email invitation will be sent by close of business on Tuesday 23 April. If you do not receive an invitation by this time, please email freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Documents
| Document | Date published |
|---|---|
| Media release | 25 January 2024 |
| Consultation Paper (PDF, 14.51 MB) | 18 April 2024 |
Related projects
- Heavy Vehicle Access Policy
- Towards Net Zero Emissions Freight Policy
- Review of the Ports and Maritime Administration Act (PAMA) and Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS)
Keep up to date
Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date on the Freight Policy Reform Program.
We will only email you regarding matters on the Freight Reform Program. If you are having trouble subscribing, please contact us at freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Contact the team
For any enquiries or feedback relating to the Freight Reform Program, please email freight@transport.nsw.gov.au.