Meeting told of need for 'intermodal' freight terminal in metro area

9/7/97

Transport Minister Eric Charlton has told a gathering of Government and industry transport executives in Perth of the need for an 'intermodal' freight terminal in the Perth metropolitan area.

The one-day forum initiated by Transport was the first of its type to be held in Australia and brought together key speakers to debate the intermodal terminal issue.

Intermodal terminals are freight junctions for road and rail and often have direct links to ports and airports. They facilitate the efficient movement of freight between the different modes of transport.

The terminals play a vital role in local economics by facilitating trade and have major relevance to Western Australia, where more than 60 per cent of the freight entering or leaving the State is moved by rail.

Mr Charlton told the forum that much decision-making in the past appeared to be the result of evolution rather than good 'macro' planning.

"This forum marks the beginning of a blueprint for the future and it is time for industry participants to put ideas on the table," he said.

"We have to look at the whole issue of rail freight on a national basis and that is why I have initiated the National Rail Summit to be convened by the Federal Government and held in October this year.

"Each State will have input and together we will aim to come away with a co-ordinated approach to upgrading the efficiency of freight and passenger movement around the national rail network."

The Minister said intermodal terminals were a key component for efficient freight movement.

Executive director of Transport Greg Martin said that although the issue of planning for intermodal terminals had not gained prominence, there was a growing need for action.

"There are a number of important decisions facing a number of Government agencies, as well as investment initiatives being taken by private sector rail operators," Mr Martin said.

"Together these moves will determine future transport policy, set public and private sector commitments for providing transport infrastructure and impact on the operations of all freight transport sectors.

"Westrail is considering future land use at its Kewdale rail yards, redeveloping the old Forrestfield yards and is also examining potential new intermodal facilities at Kwinana.

"At the same time, a private sector operator is attempting to establish its own interstate intermodal terminal in Canning Vale and the needs of the national rail operators, which are facing privatisation, are changing. All of these moves will present a series of challenges for State and local government planning authorities."

Keynote speaker at the forum was the vice president of the In-Terminal Services Corporation, Thomas J Stangl. In-Terminal Services Corporation is one of the largest US operators with 55 intermodal terminals in North America, Mexico and Central America. In recent years, the sector in those regions has seen strong and sustained growth in the rail trade despite increased competition.

Mr Stangl said the biggest problem for the intermodal industry was finding suitable land adjacent to rail tracks because of community concerns.

"WA is at a critical point in planning for the future, but there are good sites available around Perth," he said.

National Rail's general manager corporate services Mr Fred Affleck said land was just about the most valuable and inflexible resource for rail terminals because of the size and length of the sites required. "We should not consider disposing of land currently dedicated to rail use," he said.

Other speakers at the forum were the manager-development at Specialised Container Transport, Peter Mason, Westrail commissioner Ross Drabble and executive general manager of TNT Australia Colin Eggleston.

Most delegates considered the debate on intermodal terminal was being virtually ignored in other States and praised Transport for taking the initiative in organising the forum.

Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333