Australian Freight Councils

Australian Freight Councils Network

Each State of Australia has its own Freight Council that operates independently, with its own governance framework and a program of work unique to its jurisdiction.  To achieve freight outcomes that have broader benefits for industry and the Australian economy, they work together across boundaries and are collectively known as the Australian Freight Council Network (AFCN).

Councils provide a unique forum that brings together, at a local level key, industry representatives across all modes within the Australia’s freight and logistics industry.  A key role of the AFCN is to identify and address constraints and impediments to the efficient operation of supply chains and the Australia’s transport and logistics industry generally.  It is committed to optimising the performance of the freight network that ultimately supports economic growth consistent with the aims of the COAG national transport reform agenda.

Freight Councils add value to industry and government by facilitating the exchange of information, acting as a conduit to alert government to the concerns of industry and raising industry awareness of government initiatives and regulations.

The AFCN supports the coordinated implementation of the National Land Freight Strategy and expects to have a key role in that outcome through its members Councils across the country.

Key Freight 2010 to 2030 projections identified in the report include:

  • Truck traffic is predicted to increase by 50 per cent from 5.7 to 8.5 billion kilometres;
  • Rail freight is expected to jump 90 per cent from 235 to 445 billion tonne kilometres;
  • Number of containers crossing the nation’s wharves will increase by 150 per cent from 6.2 to 15.4 million;
  • Volume of freight flown into and out of Australia has more than doubled over the last twenty years and is expected to increase by almost 110 per cent from 5.5 to 11.4 billion tonne kilometres by 2030.

These freight projections highlight the importance of taking steps to ensure that the freight system is secure, sustainable and has the capacity to meet the demands of Australia’s future freight task

  • National Transport Policy Framework
  • National Logistics Industry Strategy
  • National Ports Strategy
  • Our Cities Our Future