New Port Botany Operator Will Cater For Growth - Moorebank Intermodal Needed

New Port Botany Operator Will Cater For Growth - Moorebank Intermodal Needed

MEDIA RELEASE

18 December 2009

The appointment of a third stevedore at Port Botany will provide additional port capacity in the face of rapid population and economic growth says Infrastructure Partnerships Australia - the nation's peak infrastructure body.

"Australia is staring down the barrel of the biggest increase in freight volumes in history and that demands immediate action to put the right infrastructure in place now." said IPA Executive Director, Brendan Lyon.

"The third terminal will add new capacity to serve Australia's most economically significant state.

"But the expansion of Port Botany will count for little without landside improvement and a continued commitment to move more freight to rail.

"Throughput at Port Botany is expected to exceed 3.2 million containers a year by 2020.

"Sydney Ports Corporation has shown a strong commitment to growing capacity and a welcome focus on achieving a 40 per cent share for rail from Port Botany.

"But the stalled Moorebank intermodal terminal stands out as a project which requires urgent action.

"Progress on the Moorebank intermodal facility has been frustratingly slow. Agreement is now needed about the timelines for this project's commencement.

"Port reform doesn't stop at the port gates and a city like Sydney needs a modern intermodal network, including the new facility at Moorebank.

"State and federal governments also need to pitch in and complete vital road projects like the M4 East and M5 duplication to remove major bottlenecks surrounding Port Botany and the airport.

"Our modelling shows that the amount of freight moved across Australia will double by 2020 and triple by 2050.

"Sydney's population is set to soar by 54 per cent by 2050. More people means more freight on more trucks and trains.

"Transport represents a significant cost to businesses and consumers, with around 10 per cent of the final cost of goods coming from transport and logistics costs.

"An inefficient freight network impacts business, taxpayers and consumers meaning that it's in everyone' interest that we build new capacity now.

ENDS

Media contact: Tracy Ong 0438 380 464

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia is a national forum, comprising public & private sector CEO Members, advocating the public policy interests of Australia's Infrastructure Industry.


SOURCE: Infrastructure Partnerships Australia