Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development

The Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development is made up of 24 rural and regional Local Government Councils from Central and Western Victoria and Southern NSW. The Alliance was first formed in 1997 due to growing frustration with the lack of rail connectivity both within Victoria and with the neighbouring State's; and the lack of investment in Victoria's antiquated 19th century rail freight system. Lobbying resulted in the Victorian Government announcing a four year rail gauge standardisation program in 2001, which was to have been completed in 2005. To date, there has been no conversion of the State's broad gauge rail track to standard gauge. Tracks have deteriorated and rail freight issues grow as rail operators continue to cut their services refusing to operate with inefficient infrastructure. The Alliance has specific objectives at this time. They include to: Achieve a strong commitment from the Brumby government to improve the condition of the rail network; ensure that access pricing remains competitive; and ensure a functional rail freight service is provided to regional Victoria.

The Alliance's Mission is: To advocate for rail standardisation of all key rail lines in Victoria including those to Southern NSW and the SE of South Australia; To advocate for upgrading of all key rail lines and infrastructure in Victoria to world class transport standards; To advocate for a competitive, independent and non-discriminatory Open Access rail freight system in Victoria; and To advocate for seamless freight logistics that will facilitate the movement of bulk freight by rail, rather than by road.

The benefits for Local Government from the achievement of the above objectives will be: The facilitation of regional economic development through having an efficient, competitive and connective rail freight system. Significant social, environmental and economic community benefits derived from having fewer bulk haulage trucks on our roads.

Submissions and Reports

• Rail Alliance Submission to the Essential Services Commission of Victoria: Review of the Victorian Rail Access Regime, August 2009.
• Rail Alliance Submission to Infrastructure Australia; A National Vision for Rail, 2008
• Rail Alliance Chairman's Annual Report October 2008

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