The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) updated the Victorian Freight Plan (Plan) on August 6 2025. A copy of the Plan can be accessed here.
Developed in consultation with key industry stakeholders from the freight and logistics supply chain, the Plan responds to key operating changes and challenges since publication of the previous Delivering the Goods Plan in 2018, namely:
- higher freight speeds, mass, and volume;
- population growth;
- community demand for action on climate;
- momentum towards net-zero and decarbonising supply chains;
- increasing cost pressures; and
- a heightened dependency on effective supply chains as highlighted by the pandemic, extreme weather impacts and market volatility both locally and globally.
Strategic Objectives
The Plan canvasses four key strategic objectives to be delivered over the next five years:
- ensuring availability of a fit for purpose freight network (including rail, road, and sea) and gateway capacity to meet current and future needs;
- enabling more efficient and productive freight supply chains;
- supporting climate and sustainability goals and liveable communities and places; and
- enhancing the safety and resilience of Victoria’s freight industry.
Each objective is supported by a suite of priority actions, commitments and performance indicators. The table below canvasses strategic priorities distributed across the four objectives.
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Objective
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Strategic priority areas
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Example
uses 2
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Ensure availability of fit for purpose freight network and gateway capacity to meet current and future need
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Enable more efficient and productive freight supply chains
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Supporting climate and sustainability goals and liveable communities and places
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Enhance the safety and resilience of Victoria’s freight industry
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In delivering the above, the Plan emphasises collaboration between the Victorian Government and its governmental, industry, and First Peoples partners. A new Freight Innovation and technology Partnership will be established to bring together representatives from universities and technology companies to facilitate engagement and information sharing with industry.
Operators or stakeholders involved in freight infrastructure, operations, or logistics should be aware of the Plan’s implications for regulatory settings, operational practices and opportunities.
Please contact Larissa Buriak and Chris Mitchell for assistance or guidance.
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