Rail Conference a Major Success

The Rail Freight Alliance, formerly The Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development, held its annual Rail Freight Conference in Melbourne last week.

The Alliance also took the opportunity to launch a new look brand and formally launch Rail Freight Alliance as its new name.  Rail Freight Alliance, Chair, Cr Mark Byatt also officially launched the new Website at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne last week at the conference.

The program featured the ‘who’s who’ in the Rail Freight Industry.  Tim Fischer AOM provided the opening keynote address and provided an insightful presentation outlining the importance of building rail infrastructure to a standard as opposed to focussing entirely on the balance sheet.

Presentations were also provided by Government and Opposition spokespeople outlining their vision for Rail Freight in the future.  Rail Freight Alliance Deputy Chair, Cr Geoff White said that, “next week is the last sitting week of this Victorian Government and the conference was well placed to hear the views of both sides of government”.

Mr Peter Winder, ARTC, General Manager, Major Projects presented an update on the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project.  Cr Byatt said, “the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project is a Nation Building Project, and it is vital that the standard of the build for future rail infrastructure will service future generations”.

History, vision and future infrastructure projects were followed by a series of industry stakeholders including  Mr Geoff Smith (Managing Director SCT Logistics), Mr Ken Wakefeild (Wakefeild Transport, Group Manager), Mr Neil Johns (Grain Corp, General Manager, Storage and Logistics), Mr Jim Cooper, (CEO Port of Portland) and Mr Rory MacManus (General Manager Business VLine).

“As the freight task increases across the nation, there will be increased reliance on Rail as a effective transport option.  It is the most efficient and cost effective method of moving freight over large distances, Cr Byatt said.  As further investment is made in rail infrastructure, rail will improve in its capacity t o cater for increased freight volumes.  The Rail Freight Alliance will continue to advocate to Government for future Rail Freight Investment.”