The property, infrastructure and logistics sectors came together yesterday in Sydney at the Property Council of Australia’s Navigating the Future of Freight Infrastructure Breakfast to chart the next wave of investment across New South Wales’ freight network.
Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson said the event came at a pivotal moment, following the release of the NSW Government’s new freight roadmap, Delivering Freight Policy Reform in NSW, which outlines a potential $131.5 billion economic uplift and 235,000 new jobs by 2061.
“The freight sector keeps goods moving, cities functioning, and businesses growing,” Ms Stevenson said.
“The NSW Government’s reform agenda shows what’s possible when we get the policy settings right – across land use, infrastructure, investment and planning.”
She said the report reflects many of the Property Council’s long-standing advocacy priorities, including urgent action to address Sydney’s industrial land shortage and improve connections between freight precincts, ports, intermodals, and the future Western Sydney International Airport.
“Unlocking land and investment for freight infrastructure is central to NSW’s economic future,” she said.
Speakers at the event included:
- Marika Calfas, CEO, NSW Ports
- Steven Woodlands, Executive Manager – Cargo & Commercial, Western Sydney Airport
- Andrew Simons, Head of Development – Industrial & Logistics, Charter Hall
- Scott Falvey, General Manager NSW, ESR Australia
- Jacqueline Parker, Director, Urbis
Ms Stevenson said coordinated planning and investment in freight infrastructure would be key to enabling long-term growth and improving the efficiency of freight movements.
“The challenge is moving more goods, more efficiently – reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and supporting urban development,” she said.
“Our ports, airports and freight corridors are the arteries of the NSW economy. This discussion was about ensuring they’re equipped for the decades ahead.”