Road/rail freight in Great Southern will nearly treble by 2020 according to study

9/10/96

Road and rail freight in the Great Southern and trade through the Port of Albany will nearly treble by 2020, according to a new study.

These are some of the issues raised in a major transport planning document released for public comment in Katanning today by Transport Minister Eric Charlton.

The Southern Province Transport Strategy says future demands will present major challenges for transport planning in the region over the next 25 years.

The transport strategy was prepared by the Department of Transport in conjunction with regional development commissions and looks at transport demands in the Great Southern, South-West and Peel regions to 2020.

"This is the first time such a comprehensive review of the transport system and future demands has been made," Mr Charlton said.

"The detailed assessment of transport demands generated by economic growth and population will ensure the decisions we make today benefit the next generation of residents and meet the future needs of industry.

"In the Great Southern region, the strategy highlights the impact agriculture and forestry will have on the transport system, especially growth in export commodities such as grain and woodchips from plantation timber.

"Road and rail freight is forecast to increase from nearly three million to over eight million tonnes and Albany port trade from 1.6 to 4.5 million tonnes by 2020, with much of this increase generated in the next 10 years.

"The strategy highlights the need to ensure access to the Port of Albany is not constrained, given that a new port is not an option due to the huge capital cost and lack of suitable alternative sites.

"Unless we maximise the use of rail, new export commodities will be hauled by road to the port, with much of this traffic passing through towns and areas of high tourism activity.

"The planning proposals suggest a rail freight haulage strategy tailored for the region, such as encouraging the plantation timber industry to locate chip mills adjacent to the Great Southern line and maximising haulage of grain on existing rail lines.

"An improved strategy for rail freight haulage could have a major impact on the timing of parts of the proposed Albany Ring Road from Albany Highway and Chester Pass Road by potentially reducing the estimated 350 heavy vehicle movements per day by the year 2005 by at least 50 per cent.

"The strategy has concluded that construction of a new rail line north east of Albany is not feasible, despite potential increases in grain production in coming years.

"However, to minimise the impact of through traffic, bypass options for Denmark and Mount Barker are being investigated by Main Roads WA.

"Also, for Albany, the strategy highlights the need for the proposed Albany Ring Road, with the short term priority being to divert heavy vehicle traffic on South Coast Highway to Hanrahan Road.

"The document suggests a special focus on tourists travelling by car, particularly their interaction with heavy vehicles, the adequacy of signage and the scope to improve road links across the south coast."

Mr Charlton said the strategy was being released as a draft so industry and the community could comment on its findings and proposed directions.

A Transport Advisory Group, with local representatives, would be set up to oversee implementation of the strategy.

Copies of the Southern Province Transport Strategy are available from the Great Southern Regional Development Commission or any Transport office. The closing date for comment is December 10.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy (09)222 9595