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Inland rail offers agricultural savings on a plate
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SIRO research into the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project has determined that shifting horticulture and processed agriculture from road to rail could reduce transport costs for the agricultural industry by an estimated $70 million per year. Australia’s national science agency conducted a pilot study in 2018 using their successful computer logistics tool TraNSIT (Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool), along with extensive industry engagement, to focus on Parkes to Narromine in Central West NSW. Researchers identified a baseline of existing freight movements in this area to estimate the
potential transport cost savings for the entire Inland Rail project, marking the first time such a detailed analysis on road to rail supply chains in Australia has been completed. They considered horticulture, and processed agriculture, such as meat, rice and dairy products. The analysis showed if existing agricultural road trips were shifted to Inland Rail, the agricultural industry could save between $64 to $94 per tonne (depending on back-loading). This equates to about $70 million in reduced transport costs per year based on the shift of 923,000 tonnes of horticultural and processed
Rail transport could provide big savings for agriculture. 178 — COTTON YEARBOOK 2019
