The Andrews Labor Government is supporting local jobs, businesses and communities with a substantial investment in freight, ports and piers in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.
In a boost for jobs and local producers, $181 million will be invested in critical maintenance works on freight lines in regional Victoria to increase safety, reliability and improve rail freight logistics.
A further $3.5 million will continue the Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS) that supports more than 170 freight industry jobs and removes the equivalent of 28,000 truck trips from Victorian roads every year.
It is estimated that Victoria’s freight volumes will more than double by 2051, making it vital for rail to take up a greater share of freight movement across the state and get goods where they need to go.
The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s largest and busiest port, with Victoria’s freight industry employing 260,000 workers and generating $21 billion annually for our economy.
The funding for MSIS will further support rail freight companies to make rail transport costs competitive with road – helping exporters get their goods to port more cost effectively and connecting farmers and local producers to the rest of Australia and the world.
Rail freight produces three times less carbon pollution than road freight, helping drive down emissions across Victoria.
Fewer trucks on the road also means fewer hazards for drivers across the state, adding to a safer journey for thousands of Victorians.
The Labor Government is taking trucks off local roads and ensuring freight from Inland Rail stays on trains all the way to the Port of Melbourne with an investment of $6.1 million in planning for a new intermodal terminal at Truganina.
Along Victoria’s coastline, a critical $18 million package of works will be a boon for local communities and businesses that rely on Victoria’s piers and jetties.
Rebuilding and safety works will be undertaken to piers and jetties at Hampton, Rye, Flinders, McLoughlins Beach, Raymond Island, Lakes Entrance, Williamstown and Mornington.
With many of these structures built in the 1970s or earlier, this substantial investment will keep them safe for local communities to enjoy the best of Victorian boating and fishing for decades to come.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ports and Freight and Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“Whether you’re a dairy farmer in south west Victoria or harvesting stone fruit in the north, our rail freight investments mean more dollars back into the pockets of farmers, local producers and regional communities.”
“We’re boosting rail freight network capacity and reliability to help keep Victorian producers competitive both nationally and on a global scale – and that work will support thousands of jobs across the state.”
“Piers and jetties are an iconic part of Victoria’s coastline and an important focal point for many local families, communities and businesses – we’ll keep them in the best shape so they can be enjoyed for years to come.”
Reviewed 03 May 2022