The challenging and much-discussed issue of improving grain freight efficiency was on the agenda yesterday at Federal Parliament with a meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Trucks, Trailers, Transport and Logistics.
Organised by GrainGrowers with the assistance of co-convenors, Senator Glenn Sterle and Nola Marino MP, the event drew together representatives from all links in the grain supply chain, from growers to industry leaders and members of parliament.
The event was well attended with guests including the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton said the gathering was an opportunity to highlight the vital role of the $31 billion Australian grain industry and the urgent need for further investment in transport infrastructure.
Mr Turton said he was pleased that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King took time out from their parliamentary schedules to address attendees.
“We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with elected representatives and working with them on issues impacting the Australian grains industry.”
Mr Turton said a vital issue for every grower across Australia was moving grain efficiently from the paddock to market.
“Transporting 40m tonnes of grain in multiple directions involving road, rail and port infrastructure and over 110,000 different grain freight routes is a complex undertaking and it is crucially important that we get it right.”
“With ABARES now predicting a growth in production of 5 million tonnes nationally for the 24/25 crop compared to the 23/24 crop, the freight network will be placed under even more pressure.”
He said CSIRO had found grain transport costs more than $2b annually.
“Supply chain costs are the largest single cost for growers, so when freight costs are high or the system is inefficient, it directly impacts their bottom line.”
“The poor condition of roads and bridges is a serious concern for growers who need a well-functioning freight system to be productive.”
Mr Turton said discussion at the Parliamentary Friends event was bipartisan and forthright, covering a range of issues that had been presented to all tiers of government for some time.
Mr Turton said the event helped build a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the grain supply chain.
“What we need now is for government, industry and communities to work together to ensure we have a freight system that supports our growers, enhances our competitiveness, promotes sustainability and drives regional development.”
GrainGrowers expressed a special thanks to Senator Glenn Sterle and Nola Marino MP who co-convened the event.
Photos of the event can be downloaded from the following LINK.