Freight Futures - the Victorian freight network strategy

Freight Futures is the Victorian Government's long-term strategy to shape an efficient and sustainable freight network for Victoria that supports the prosperity and liveability of the State.

Information on this page

• Download Freight Futures
• Overview

Download Freight Futures (PDF, 5 MB, 104 pp.) Download by section: Introduction, goals, objectives & priorities (PDF, 1.3 MB, 11 pp.) The Freight Challenge (PDF, 1.2 MB, 12 pp.) Strategic Directions part 1 (PDF, 3.2 MB, 23 pp.) Strategic Directions part 2 (PDF, 3.2 MB, 36 pp.) Appendices (PDF, 1.8 MB, 18 pp.)

Overview
Freight Futures provides the blueprint for a secure and properly planned freight infrastructure network to support the Government's vision for Victoria, which includes a growing economy and productivity, population growth, growing our regions and building sustainable communities.

The strategy responds to the many factors that are driving changes in patterns of supply and demand. It provides industry with long term security through a clear statement of what the principal freight network is now and in the future, and a more predictable policy and regulatory environment.

The Victorian Transport Plan outlines the Government's commitment to invest in key projects outlined in Freight Futures, including:

• a Truck Action Plan for the inner west to improve freight access to the Port of Melbourne and remove thousands of trucks off residential streets
• a new interstate rail terminal at Donnybrook/Beveridge, assisting to shift unnecessary truck trips away from the Dynon area and inner suburbs
• designation of a principal freight network, to connect the major freight hubs with the Port of Melbourne and concentrate freight flows on dedicated links
• completion of key east-west and orbital links in the freeway network that services freight
• a network of metropolitan freight terminals to actively encourage more efficient freight movements within Melbourne by rail and road, with a new international terminal adjacent to the Port of Melbourne forming its central hub
• an extension of the network for High Productivity Freight Vehicles in the Green Triangle region and other limited metropolitan freeways
• additional stevedoring capacity at the Port of Melbourne
• planning for the Port of Hastings expansion, to become Victoria's supplementary container port when Melbourne reaches capacity
• planning for improved transport connections in Gippsland to open up new coal industries
• a truck access charge for the Port of Melbourne, to contribute to infrastructure upgrades, encourage off-peak truck movements and promote rail freight
• a trial of hybrid electric freight vehicles, to support a sustainable and lower emissions transport system.