Freight
The current Victorian economy is expanding in freight-producing
activities and the Port of Melbourne is Australia's largest container
port. 70% of all freight passing through the port is transported
by road and places considerable demands on the road network throughout
the state.
Furthermore, national freight growth forecasts published for Auslink
showed high growth in freight-producing activities, exacerbated
by globalisation and just-in-time processing. Deregulation can also
generate additional trucks on the road as a single region can be
serviced by more than one collection or distribution agencies (e.g.
raw milk collection). Consolidation and vertical integration can
likewise mean materials travel further to fewer larger processing
sites.
A freight and logistics strategy for Victoria is currently being
developed. Information and associated reports can be found in the
Freight Information Library. Road freight and the consequent amenity
pressure are issues local governments will need to address in integrated
transport plans.
Recently larger vehicles have been approved for Victorian roads,
described as Higher Mass Limits and implemented in 1999. Known as
high productivity vehicles, these B-doubles and Higher Mass Limits
vehicles are important to efficiency of the freight task, and the
greater capacity can reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Access in Victoria is allowed where these vehicles can operate safely
with other traffic and where road infrastructure is suitable. Details
of vehicle dimensions and approved roads can be found in the Freight
Information Library.
Local governments will need to reconcile the efficiency and economic
value of freight traffic against amenity, safety, noise and pollution
impacts in the local environment. Ideally freight movements can
be contained on the arterial network; however local businesses and
destinations will generate freight trips, and in established suburbs
and regional areas the arterial network and designated truck routes
will move through residential areas and activity centres.
The role of local government could include:
- Acknowledge the role of freight in the Victorian economy and
seek to balance industry requirements against local amenity
- Establish a local freight management group with broad representation
to support the development of solutions that accommodate the needs
of all stakeholders
- Monitor freight volumes on local arterial network
- Make contact with local businesses that generate freight trips
and establish a data set of truck movements, frequency and time
of day
- Develop a network of preferred routes and consider infrastructure
works to facilitate this
- Accommodate local business needs through kerbside loading zones
- Use the planning scheme to direct freight producing activities
to preferred locations
- Use planning permits to monitor and direct network access
- Maintain contact with state agencies to contribute to debates
and policy processes
These activities could be coordinated into a local freight management
strategy which can guide local action and position local governments
as a significant contributor to the debate on optimal freight management
in the Victorian economy.
The following information library has more information and links
on freight issues:
What local governments can
do
Local governments can find themselves extending their role in
transport when acting in community best interest. Additional activities
may not be expensive and can provide a real local benefit.
Institutions and agencies
A summary of the roles of federal, state and other agencies
Available tools and resources
There are a number of useful resources to help local governments
Learn from others
Look at work done elsewhere to get ideas for your area.
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