The federal government has released two interactive maps detailing key transport and logistics data
The digitalisation of Australia’s key freight routes, discussed by ministers at the Transport and Infrastructure Council last month, has been unveiled by the federal government.
Described as lying a “cornerstone … to help Australia’s freight logistics industries to cost effectively connect regions and cities to the world,” by infrastructure minister Warren Truss, the interactive maps allow users to pick and choose infrastructure and routes to display.
“The map provides a detailed picture of the road and rail routes connecting Australia’s nationally significant places for freight, including ports, airports and intermodal terminals,” Truss says.
“The interactive map will help people develop a greater understanding of our national land freight system and the online format allows users to overlay other base-maps and datasets, and zoom in to a high level of detail.”
Backing the maps’ release in November, the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) called for the data to be central when making spending decisions.
“How governments select, prioritise and ultimately fund infrastructure projects is critical to Australia’s economic growth, and the key freight route map, which was provided … to ministers at their TIC meeting, has the potential to support better decision making,” ALC managing director Michael Kilgariff says.
Its place in decision making conversations has been acknowledged by Truss.
“Future development of the maps will further support planning and investment decisions, regulatory purposes and customer service features for the transport and logistics industry,” Truss says.
Under the maps’ transport options, users can view key road and rail freight routes; secondary freight road routes; intermodal terminals; road train assembly areas; major seaports; and major airports.
The map also includes airfields and heliports; bridges, both rail and road; ferry routes; road routes, defined by state and national labels; rail routes, including stations and crossings; and utilities.
The maps are available on the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development’s website and the NationalMap website.