LLDCN State Transport Series

Interview with the CEO of NSW Business Chamber

2010-10-11T15:12:00.002+11:00

Building and maintaining transport infrastructure is of pivotal importance for the future prosperity of NSW. We had the chance to speak with Stephen Cartwright, CEO at the NSW Business Chamber about what projects need to be delivered in order to ensure economic growth and mobility in Australia’s premier state.

Q: A recent national survey conducted by the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at the University of Sydney characterises New South Wales as “the most pessimistic [state] in terms of sentiment towards transport in Australia in the next five years”. What impact does the lack of commitment to build transport infrastructure have on businesses in the premier state?
A: If you can’t move your goods and services, if your customers can’t access your business then business will move to a city in which you can - that is why transport is so vital to business and why it’s imperative that the NSW Government delivers on new transport infrastructure. The list of priority projects that Sydney and regional centres in NSW need are only getting longer, the more delays there are in rolling our a transport infrastructure program.

The Federal Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics has estimated avoidable transport congestion cost Sydney $3.5 billion in 2005 and will hit $7.8 billion in 2020 if nothing is done to alleviate it. Business owners will be the ones who will bear the brunt of those additional costs.

Public confidence in transport promises has been shot to pieces by successive transport commitments that have only been deferred or broken outright. NSW needs to move beyond the current malaise of its start-stop approach to planning and delivering transport infrastructure. A regular pipeline of projects will provide certainty not only to business, but also taxpayers and will encourage greater private sector investment in local skills.

We proposed as part of our “10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW” pre-election blueprint the creation of an independent infrastructure body called Infrastructure NSW to prioritise infrastructure projects and propose suitable funding models to deliver them. Business and the wider community want to get politics out of infrastructure decision making and we see Infrastructure NSW as the way of doing that.

We also put forward the need for a transport demand strategy. Part of the problem in Sydney is that our transport network is sufficient but it’s the peak hour demand that grinds the city to a halt. We are encouraging the government to look at measures that will spread peak hour demand and take pressure of the transport network. We can work more efficiently with our existing infrastructure if we can change some of our behavior through proposals such as variable tolling, off-peak discounts and changing school hour start times.

Q: With the Transport Blueprint for NSW the state government has released a plan to develop strategies and actions to address transport challenges for the period to 2036. In your opinion, what transport infrastructure issues need to be address most urgently?
A: The key issue for the NSW Government to address is to deliver on its promises. Plans and strategies are useful only to a point, if you can’t break ground, if you can’t build what needs to be built; it’s a complete waste of time producing these documents. We are suffering from planning exhaustion in NSW, There is an audible groan from the community when the government announces another plan, it’s not because they don’t want plans, it’s because there is no faith it will be carried out.

We put forward several priority areas that need to be addressed to solve our transport issues as part of our 10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW pre-election blueprint. We want a Transport Tsar to take control of the State’s 15 transport agencies, which has been achieved to a point by the new Transport NSW body; an integrated electronic ticketing system for public transport that will make it more attractive and easier to use; a transport demand strategy that changes behavior patterns and uses our existing infrastructure more efficiently; and an independent infrastructure body in the form of Infrastructure NSW to prioritise new infrastructure projects and propose funding models.

Q: Can transport infrastructure help boosting regional development?
A: Transport is as much a priority for regional areas in NSW as it is in the heart of Sydney. We’ve been developing localized versions of our 10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW campaign and those local ideas always contain transport, road, rail and air upgrades, as a priority for their regions.

NSW Business Chamber has been a strong campaigner on the need to upgrade the Pacific Highway to dual carriageway from Newcastle to the Queensland border. The Pacific Highway and its dangerous reputation acts as a handbrake on the economic development of regional communities along the route. The NSW Government pointed out the advantages of improving the Pacific Highway in a submission to Infrastructure Australia. Those benefits included reduced transit times for freight and passenger vehicles of 10 to 15% with a likely decrease in freight costs as a result and the improved safety record would boost the tourism economy in regional communities.

Good transport links allows businesses to locate in regional areas and still be able to access vital business infrastructure such as ports, airports and distribution centres. In turn, encouraging businesses to set up in regional centres increases the number of jobs and strengthens communities.

Q: What areas in NSW have the biggest potential for growth?
A: Every region has its strengths, whether its tourism, mining, professional services, agriculture or manufacturing. The role for government is to support regional centres to develop those strengths and create clusters of industries that work together.

We’d like to see a competitive approach in government support for regions. We proposed a $250 million Develop Regional NSW Fund as part of our 10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW to help businesses and/or government departments relocate or expand to regional areas. We’d like to see regional communities with business putting together a proposal to be awarded that funding. Those communities can put together a case of what that business or department would bring to the region; how many jobs will be created; economic contribution to the local economy; the potential for supporting businesses to locate their as well; to determine which region should get funding.

Q: What can delegates expect from your presentation at the 5th annual Lloyd’s List DCN NSW Transport Infrastructure Summit?
A: Discussion points will show how co-ordinated approaches of transport infrastructure across the State, will support the ability of all NSW businesses to grow and thrive. This means businesses will have easy access to transport infrastructure which enables goods and services to move around the State without impediment.

Future concepts, such as high speed rail, will also be raised, as an example of nationally critical projects which are necessary to keep the State moving. What will be shown is the ongoing need for business to be consulted at every step to ensure the best outcome.

Stephen Cartwright will be speaking at the upcoming 5th Annual NSW Transport Infrastructure Summit 2010 on the 15-16 November 2010 at the Sydney Harbour Marriott. Click here for more information.

Queensland Transport Infrastructure - Exclusive Interviews!

2010-09-07T14:36:00.003+10:00

Watch Alan Tesch, Associate Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads, QLD as he talks about connecting Queensland: The State's initiatives for better roads and coordinated transport networks.

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Watch David Mepham, Manager, City Building Gold Coast Rapid Transit, Gold Coast City Council as he gave us a case study on Transport Oriented Development (TOD): Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project.

The Gold Coast Rapid Transit project is a nation building, public transport project that aims to reduce congestion and improve public transport services at the Gold Coast -- one of Australia's fastest growing cities.

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Watch John King, Infrastructure Program Director, SEQ - Program Director of QR Network as he gave us the SEQIPRAIL progress report.

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Watch Neil Findlay, Chairman of Queensland Transport and Logistics Council (QTLC) as he talks about the Queensland freight strategy in the near future.

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Watch Peter Wotherspoon, General Manager Expansions of DBCT Management as he talks about the expansion at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and responding to the opportunities and growth in the coal supply chain.

State Transport Series Interview – Neil Findlay

2010-07-19T16:25:00.000+10:00

Neil Findlay, Chairman or Queensland Transport and Logistics Council, spoke to us about developing an integrated freight movement strategy for Queensland, state and federal funding for the project and upcoming highlights of the year.

For more information, go to http://www.informa.com.au/qldtransport or contact +61 2 9080 4307.

Watch the interview below!

Wrapping up Northern Territory Transport Infrastructure!

2009-09-23T17:09:00.003+10:00

This year’s Northern Territory Transport Infrastructure Summit was held on the 5th & 6th August 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Darwin. Delegates heard about how the Territory will meet its growing transport infrastructure needs, as well as presentations focussing on the NT economic outlook, roads, ports & shipping, rail freight, aviation, workforce training, freight users, mining & resources.

The conference featured renowned industry experts who shared information on major projects and provided case studies that feedback showed were of great interest to the delegates.

Chairman Peter Goed of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia
(CILTA) NT Branch did an excellent job of engaging the audience. Peter went above and beyond the call of duty by presenting Minister Lawrie’s paper as the Minister was unable to attend as scheduled at the last minute.

Andrew Taylor of Charles Darwin University

To set the scene for the demographic future of the Territory, Andrew Taylor of Charles Darwin University provided some very interesting statistics that will assist with planning now for future population growth. Andrew looked at the big questions, why transport people should care, and how they can stay informed.

Louise Bilato of Australian Trucking Association

Louise Bilato was passionate and knowledgeable about the future of transport, and gave the delegates a look at the Australian Trucking Association ideas for overcoming freight challenges on the Territory’s roads.

Michael Nesbit of Port of Darwin Corporation

The CEO of Port of Darwin Corporation, Robert Ritchie was unable to attend and sent his apologies, however Michael Nesbit more than had it covered. Michael’s paper was well presented with great content that looked at putting infrastructure first to cater for the escalating trade at Darwin Port.

John Fullerton of FreightLink

We also had the opportunity to hear from FreightLink’s John Fullerton who examined the regional rail freight transport infrastructure needs and developments.

Shane Condon of East West Line Parks

Shane Condon of East West Line Parks Pty Ltd gave a very passionate and forward thinking presentation on the USD$12.45 billion ‘Project Iron Boomerang. This is a proposed new rail line across Australia (east to west) to connect iron ore mines in the Pilbara (WA) with the Bowen Basin (QLD) coal mines via the NT. Shane was recently featured in the Rail Express News Today online newsletter speaking about this project. For more information see: http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2009/september/september-02-09/rail-mega-project-just-a-2018matter-of-timing2019

Graeme Sawyer, Lord Mayor of Darwin City Council

We were pleased to welcome back again this year Graeme Sawyer, Lord Mayor of Darwin City Council. Graeme is presented on the proposed $8.6m Darwin City Revitalisation Project, improving Darwin's streets, building better connections, more transport movement and establishing a safe pedestrian environment.

The event was well received despite the current economic climate and we hope to see everyone back again next year!

Summing up Queensland Transport Infrastructure!

2009-09-21T11:04:00.004+10:00

This year was the 12th anniversary of the Queensland Transport Infrastructure Summit, our longest running conference in the State Transport Series. The two day conference featured an impressive speaker line up, and covered Queensland’s major projects, how to achieve environmental and economic sustainability, the growth of Queensland’s population, and a look to the future of state’s transport network.

The Australian Logistics Council’s Hal Morris chaired both days of the conference, always engaging the delegates and encouraging interesting discussion.

We were very pleased to welcome Queensland’s new Minister for Transport to the summit for the first time. The Honourable Rachel Nolan MP delivered the Ministerial address, remaining optimistic about the current economic situation, and noting that “the outlook now is totally different to what we were discussing six months ago…while there has been a really rapid change in our economic environment we are enormously fortunate to be here…Queensland more than anywhere still has very strong economic fundamentals”.

Queensland Minister for Transport The Hon Rachel Nolan MP

Following on from Minister Nolan, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads’ David Stewart continued this optimism and outlined the department’s plans to move forward in 2009 and beyond with projects such as the cross river rail project, the $700 million Ipswich motorway upgrade, the Gold Coast rapid transit project, the Houghton highway $315 million duplication, the Toowong cycle and pedestrian overpass and the Maroochy bridge upgrade.

QR Limited’s Lance Hockridge discussed QR’s plans for a population and resource boom, and the privatesation of the company. Lance noted that QR is “close to the hearts of Queenslanders…first and foremost our task is about running the business… In political terms we acknowledge that privatisation is a revolution for QR…but for those of us within the company it’s an evolution…Privatisation is a natural next step”.

Interview with Lance Hockridge of QR Limited

The afternoon consisted of a ports overview from Brisbane Ports Corporation and Gladstone Ports Corporation, an unplanned presentation from Dave Cooke from Nation Building Australia who brought us up to date with a set of rail proposals given to the Federal Government, and an update on stevedores from DP World’s Cameron Thorpe.

Day two of the conference outlined Queensland’s road plans, and the following presentations discussed where Queensland currently stands on the mining and resources front, and plans for the future of the state’s public transport network. Tim Poole, the Gold Coast Rapid Transit Project Director at Queensland Transport discussed plans to increase the use of public transport in the Gold Coast from 4% to 10% over the next ten years, to support the expansion of Australia’s fastest growing city.

Tim Poole of Queensland Transport

To conclude the second day of the conference, Shaun Drabsch from Rowland summarised how we are to finance infrastructure in a credit crisis and the opportunities for private investment in Queensland.

Shaun Drabsch of Infrastructure Association of Queensland

Delegates had the opportunity to hear about Queensland’s major projects and plans for the future over the course of the two days, and with the state’s booming growth, the next conference promises to be filled with exciting updates.

What is the LLDCN State Transport Series...?

2009-09-21T10:59:00.005+10:00

Welcome to the LLDCN State Transport Series blog!

To begin, the Lloyds List DCN State Transport Series represent the leading forums in Australia to assess the future plans for transport infrastructure development and financing across Australia.

The specific focus on individual States and their transport projects allows delegates to benefit from a close-up analysis of the areas which are of specific interest to them, with presentations from key government representatives who will influence the future of their organisation.

This blog aims to bring you up to date with the latest in Australia's transport infrastructure news and progress in making each Australian state's transport infrastructure better and more efficient in line with the growing population and increase in service demand.

The E-Newsletter
The LLDCN STS team also sends out a free bi-monthly e-newsletter that is filled with highlights from each State Transport Series conferences, packed with videos speaker presentations and exclusive speaker interviews. You can sign up to receive this e-newsletter by sending an email to the LLDCN State Transport Series team by clicking here.

Feel free to comment on the blog and ask questions!

If you would like to know more about the LLDCN State Transport Series events, you can visit the website here.