A word from the chair

IF WE DE-RAIL AUSTRALIA, WE DERAIL AUSTRALIA.

With infrastructure firmly on the agenda of the Abbott Government’s first term of office, and key infrastructure projects currently being announced or determined in Queensland at present, the imperative to make long term decisions about Australia’s supply chain needs is critical.

In a refreshing development, the proposed Inland Rail corridor linking Melbourne with Port of Brisbane is getting new impetus with growing support from Federal and State Governments, Port of Brisbane and freight clients.

A true nation-building project, Inland Rail typifies the class of infrastructure development that will underpin Australia’s economy for the next 100 years and beyond.

Inland Rail ticks all of the right boxes in providing sustainable and expandable freight capacity for our domestic and international trade, easing pressure on our strained road networks and dramatically improving rail productivity and performance on the high volume East Coast corridor.

Australia is now at the crossroads and must face up to and make the crucial decisions on the development and funding of this intergenerational lifeline for Australia’s supply chains.

The longer it is deferred, the more costly and difficult it becomes; corridor availability becomes threatened; projected growth in the National freight task remains unaddressed; our global competitiveness comes under further pressure; and latent productivity gains in our export industries remain un-harvested.

It will take Statesman-like leadership and decisions and to create the efficient supply chains we need; supply chains that foster and support domestic and export industries; and job creation.

QTLC is supporting Government and industry in securing the best possible outcomes for this project.

Unlocking efficiency and productivity through supply chain coordination – a first in a series of Freight in Focus seminars

The QTLC is excited to bring to you the first in its series of “Freight in Focus” seminars. Unlocking Efficiency and Productivity through supply chain Coordination – a strategic response to the challenges of multiple participant supply chains and those sharing common infrastructure and services.

The Seminar Series represents QTLC’s on-going commitment to responding to the needs of industry, by creating a forum for meaningful dialogue between key stakeholders on relevant topics.

Join the QTLC and the panel of experts as they discuss the relative benefits of supply chain coordination models employed in the Hunter Valley and the Port Botany and the potential for applying coordination principles and functions to benefit Queensland supply chains.

This seminar will cover:

  • the importance of optimising capacity and performance of freight systems by aligning and coordinating supply chains
  • the benefits delivered by existing supply chain coordination models
  • the opportunities for Queensland to maximise freight opportunities by coordinating our supply chains.

Date: 9th April 2014
Venue: Victoria Park Golf Course, Quartz Room
Event type: Breakfast, 7:30am-9:30am (registration and coffee from 7am)
Cost (including GST): $60 per person, $450 – Table of 8 (including breakfast, tea and coffee)

Preparing for future growth in Central Queensland

Preparing for future growth in Central Queensland

image00The Central Queensland Supply Chain Forum held in Emerald on the 21st February proved a great success attracting 80 attendees from organisations and industries in the region. The breakfast event held by the QTLC together with the Department of Transport and Main Roads provided participants with an opportunity to assess the benefits and constraints associated with the establishment of inland port near Emerald.

The project examines the potential for a modal shift to rail for the movement of mining inputs (fuel, cement, chemicals) and agricultural exports (grain, cotton, citrus), using a standardised containerised logistics platform.

The Forum outlined the broader government policy and planning initiatives underpinning a potential intermodal terminal in the Emerald region and the ensuing discussions centred on drivers of modal choice as well as existing barriers and impediments to the efficient movement of freight. Industry knowledge shared at the forum was vital to assessing the feasibility and appetite for the proposed inland port and containerised logistic system.

The next step for this phase of the project will look to establish a Central Queensland Supply Chain Steering Committee (CQSCSC) to oversee necessary work to further assess the feasibility, operating structure and funding of an inland port located in Central Queensland.

The QTLC is working with government to define the role and terms of reference for the CQSCSC and will continue to engage with industry and local government to input into the project.

QTLC’s 2013 Annual Report released

QTLC’s 2013 Annual Report released

image01The key achievements and activities of the QTLC for the previous calendar year have been highlighted in its 2013 Annual Report. 2013 proved to be another productive year, with a strong focus on addressing many of the outcomes identified in Strengthening Queensland Supply Chain Report.

The 2013 Annual report details initiatives undertaken by the QTLC such the North Coast Rail Forums held in March and November and its involvement in the Central Queensland Transport Supply Chain Study and other activities that support and facilitate supply chain optimisation.

The QTLC looks forward to another productive year as it continues to focus on working with government and the transport and logistics industry to deliver whole of supply chain solutions that promote the sustainable movement of freight.

To peruse the Annual Report CLICK HERE

A word from the Chair

The Queensland Government has a clear Four Pillar strategy to drive our economy, with agriculture being one of the four, and key to our long term prosperity. Queensland is renowned globally for our quality, clean food products, but to play on a global stage we must be competitive. While we have some of the world’s most productive farmers, bottlenecks exist in our supply chains that threaten our competitive position and compromise farm returns.

Our freight and logistics networks are generally highly efficient on a line-haul or point-to-point basis, but the connectivity between modes, and between sectors sometimes lets us down and threatens our viability. When viewed holistically, when taking an end-to-end view, our supply chains are not as efficient as they could be. The connectivity, the ability to quickly, seamlessly and cost-effectively move our agricultural products to market is often not as efficient as it could be.

In this environment it is easy to isolate and blame high labour, fuel or other costs for our competitive challenges; but ultimately the individual elements of our supply chains are, of themselves very efficient; it is our system-wide productivity that causes the most grief. The 2013 Productivity Commission report confirms that Australia’s productivity is languishing, leaving us vulnerable globally.

Clearly there are significant gains to be had via modal, sectoral and regional cooperation, and collaboration. Our greatest supply chain benefits will be harvested via improved connectivity between supply chain elements; pursuing highest asset utilization; aligning Government policy and regulation with the needs of industries; embracing technology solutions; and simply sweating our assets harder.

Ultimately, productivity improvement is not someone else’s problem: it’s everyone’s problem.

QTLC is actively working with the Queensland & Federal Governments, rail, road and port operators to ensure we have the most efficient supply chains possible. 2013 has seen QTLC deliver on key objectives and we look forward to building on this performance in 2014.

5th Annual Queensland Transport Infrastructure Conference 6-7 May 2014

The 5th Annual Queensland Transport Infrastructure Conference provides delegates with an opportunity to discuss the topics and issues that impact delivering and maintaining Queensland’s transport infrastructure.

As an endorser of the Conference this year the QTLC looks forward to supporting an event that provides a forum for discussions around prevailing transport infrastructure issues including; evaluating prioritisation, planning and delivery of critical transport infrastructure projects.

The Conference fosters an environment where industry professionals come together to connect and share ideas on transport infrastructure in Queensland. It also provides highly valuable networking opportunities for transport professionals, operators, contractors, consultants and investors to exchange ideas and learn about the latest plans and developments across the broad transport spectrum.

Attendees will hear presentations and case studies from distinguished experts discussing the latest news and developments relevant to the transport industry.  For further information about the Conference and to register CLICK HERE