Freight subsidy aiming to reduce

By MATT NICHOLLS

A MASSIVE freight subsidy has been announced to help ease the pressure on remote Queenslanders in Cape York, Torres Strait and the Gulf.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey made the $64 million announcement at Monday’s Cost of Living Summit on Thursday Island.

It’s a decision that has been welcomed by community and business leaders from across the region.

“Last year, my department conducted a review into remote community freight systems which identified the need for a more targeted, sustainable approach to managing freight disadvantage across the state,” Mr Bailey said.

“This funding will target the high price of freight that is fuelling cost-of-living pressures, delivering on a package of work that addresses the unique challenges of transporting essential goods to these remote regions.”

Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance chairman and Kowanyama mayor Robbie Sands said it was a great result.

“TCICA welcomes Minister Bailey’s announcement for a freight funding package to cover the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula, Cape York, and Gulf region of Queensland,” he said.

“Our recent freight equalisation study highlighted the cost-of- living realities faced by our people because of high transport costs, especially for those living on remote islands in the Torres Strait and on Mornington Island.

“This will go a long way to- wards helping to lower freight costs, while also finding ways to better coordinate regional supply chains and improve cold storage to keep produce fresher for longer.

“We commend the Queensland government for listening to us and we look forward to working together to find long-term solutions to the challenges our communities face.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government was pleased to be able to help.

“During last year’s Torres Strait Community Cabinet, the local community made it clear that one of the biggest challenges for the region was freight,” she said.

“We listened to the community. We’re delivering this funding package to tackle that challenge head on.

“By subsiding some of the freight costs to the Northern Peninsula, Torres Strait, Cape York and Gulf regions, we can ease pressure on local suppliers, and reduce one of the major factors making things like food, and clothing more expensive.”

Because of the timing of the announcement, Cape York Weekly was unable to get all the details on how the freight subsidy will work.

In a statement, the government said the $64 million would be spent over five years and that “funding will be directed toward targeted subsidies for multi-modal freight services”.

It also said it would include the appointment of freight coordinators to “manage complex supply chains” and the “development of community infrastructure”, such as cold storage.

“The Palaszczuk government will work closely with community, all levels of government and industry leaders to design and deliver these measures,” the statement read.