The Allan Labor Government is keeping the grain supply moving well into the future with the release of the Western Victoria Grain Industry Supply Chain Study final report.
The study's findings will inform future transport network planning that will benefit industry and the freight supply chain as they continue to drive the state's $4.4 billion grain industry.
The study covered 18 Local Government Areas from Geelong to the South Australia border to map and understand grain flows in western Victoria, as well as cross-border movements from South Australia and New South Wales, to enable freight industry efficiencies and improve the competitiveness of the grain industry.
It recommended promoting rail freight to capitalise on recent network investments, and identifies a Priority A network of key freight routes and Priority B networks of supporting routes.
Our state's grains are grown on 3.5 million hectares of land and exported through commercial ports at Geelong, Portland and Melbourne - our top thee export destinations by value being China ($815m), Japan ($545m) and Indonesia ($368m).
Victoria accounted for 17 per cent of Australia's $33 billion total grain exports in 2022-23, making it the third largest exporter in the nation by value and creating thousands of local jobs.
The $250,000 supply chain study was delivered through a collaboration between the Victorian Government Regional Partnership committees of Great South Coast, Wimmera Southern Mallee and Central Highlands.
The Labor Government's $125,000 investment was funded through the Flexible Local Transport Solutions Program, which supports evidence-based transport and freight studies to inform investment decisions leading to the more efficient movement of freight at local levels.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
"We know how important it is for farmers to have a strong supply chain to markets, which is why we're looking at ways to improve access and efficiency to keep costs down."
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
"We know how important the grain industry is, which is why we're investing to keep the grain supply chain moving - not only now, but well into the future."
As stated by Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora
"We're backing the grains industry in Victoria's west, supporting thousands of local jobs."
As stated by Tim Matthews, Central Highlands Regional Partnership
"Understanding these grain supply chain freight flows helps us understand how future transport planning could help stimulate further investment in the regions.''
