Supply Chain Industry Set To Benefit From NSW Budget Promises Of Regulatory Reform
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) welcomes the decision of the NSW Treasurer announced in today’s NSW 2020-21 Budget to lead a whole of government evaluation of targeted regulatory relaxations implemented at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, so as to assess the costs and benefits of permanently removing them.[1]
ALC CEO, Kirk Coningham said the first relaxations that should be made permanent are changes to curfews that prevent the efficient delivery of freight.
“There is strong community support for permanently locking-in changes made to curfews and other restrictions around freight movement in the wake of COVID-19.”
A recent survey[2] showed strong majority support for the permanent removal of curfews that prevent overnight deliveries into supermarkets and other retail premises (71 per cent support, and only 7 per cent opposed), as well as permitting essential logistics infrastructure including ports and warehouses to operate at night to facilitate more efficient freight movement (67 per cent support, with just 7 per cent opposed).
Mr Coningham said it is essential that freight operators and retailers retain the flexibility they need to keep supply chains flowing and allow them meet demand patterns and consumer preferences that have been altered as a result of the COVID-19 experience.”
He said the increased demand for home delivery of essential items including groceries is likely to endure beyond COVID19, so it is vital that logistics operators and their customers have the capacity and operational flexibility they require to efficiently schedule deliveries and use the freight network to meet this growth in demand for delivery services.
“Given increasing congestion it also makes sense to have logistics resupply happening outside of times of peak traffic demand.”
“The move by NSW to conduct this evaluation represents national best practice. The ALC calls for other state and territory governments to follow their lead.”
The NSW Budget committed to a landmark infrastructure funding package of $84.2M over the next four years, a 17% increase on last years’ budget is also welcome. Projects include Sydney Metro West, Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, and for the Sydney Gateway project over the next four years.
ALC applauds the commitment to over $17M for planning reform including digital transformation initiatives is a significant win for the sector. An integrated ePlanning system will enable local councils and state governments to work collaboratively together to deliver improved planning outcomes and boost economic activity. The ALC has been advocating across all jurisdictions for the need for harmonized planning principles that support livable cities and consider issues faced by the freight and supply chain. win for the sector is the transition from complex stamp duty and land tax reforms to single property tax model. This signals true reform in the government’s approach to planning and investment attraction. The NSW government should be applauded for his innovative and decisive policy action.
Regional NSW will also receive a boost through the commitment of $1.8 billion to major infrastructure projects that will create new jobs, as well as transport and road projects that will make the movement of freight safer and more efficient.
New South Wales manufacturers and producers will be further supported through the creation of six new trade and investment hubs to enable attraction of trade opportunities with key international cities. ALC welcomes the funding allocated towards several key projects in and around the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, including funding to kick start business cases on the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) and the New Education Training Model (NETM). As the Prime Minister announced on 1 October 2020, supporting Australian manufacturers will be key in Australia’s economic recovery.
ENDS
[2]Survey sample included 1,205 Australians to assess community attitudes commissioned by ALC and undertaken by Newgate Research in mid-June 2020