Freight

Queensland has an abundance of globally in-demand natural resources, a thriving agricultural industry, a vibrant manufacturing base, and a major import and export industry. Each contributes significant value to the Queensland and national economies. From a transport infrastructure and access perspective, these industries represent a diverse and often competing array of supply chains within the state.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads recognises that supply chains are all-inclusive and often extend beyond the state’s borders. Therefore, a holistic view of transport and social infrastructure planning and development is crucial to the future of the state. This includes recognition of the freight and logistics task as a complete end to end process.

Planning for socially-unobtrusive and self-sustaining transport infrastructure that supports the needs of the community and state, while providing opportunities for optimal movement of freight, using the most energy and cost-efficient mode(s) of transport is essential.

Industry and government need to work closely together if the overall system is to achieve optimum performance. Government has a relatively limited influence over the supply and demand for goods, related production and consumption, and the consequent strategies for managing inventory. Its major scope for influence is in the movement of freight, and the freight-related impact on supply chains. 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is focused on ensuring that Queensland is well-positioned to capitalise on growth opportunities with a strategy to ensure the safe, efficient and sustainable movement of freight. The Queensland Freight Strategy – Advancing Freight in Queensland builds on the success of the previous Moving Freight Strategy and guides the rolling 2-year Queensland Freight Action Plan by:

• setting a clear 10 year vision for Queensland’s freight system
• providing certainty for customers, industry and government through shared commitments
• defining how different stakeholders will work together to achieve the vision for freight in Queensland.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads recognises that different modes of transport are more suited to certain freight tasks and aims to optimise the mode or combination of modes used for each task.