Metro Freight Network

The Metro Freight Network Review brought together the community, industry and Government in 2001-02 to devise better ways of moving freight in the metropolitan area. A particular focus was given to the significant imbalance in freight haulage between road and rail and concerns about further development of the strategic road freight network to Fremantle Port.

The Review commenced with the first Freight Congress, held in October 2001. More than 130 people took part, involving a wide range of organisations, government agencies, community and environmental groups, businesses and other interested volunteers.

The participants considered options for managing freight demand, improving the sustainability of freight transport, reducing future problems and focusing government intervention to reduce the impact of freight.

They identified six key areas for detailed study, which were then overseen by working groups of community, industry and government representatives.

The six working papers (in order):

1. Sustainability in relation to freight (141kb pdf)
2. Master Plan for the freight network (448kb pdf)
3. Strategies to increase the use of rail (246kb pdf)
4. Role of regional ports in reducing metropolitan road freight activity (216kb pdf)
5. Capacity and limits of Fremantle Inner Harbour (210kb pdf)
6. New funding opportunities, including hypothecation of funds (264kb pdf)

The Master Plan set a comprehensive framework for policy, planning, infrastructure and commercial initiatives, while bringing together the recommendations and actions from the other detailed studies.

The 2nd Freight Congress, held in June 2002, focused on recommendations to improve the sustainability of Perth's freight system. Participants endorsed the Master Plan and identified 15 priority actions (14kb pdf).

Metro Freight Network Strategy: Priority Actions

The priority actions identified by the 2nd Freight Congress provide the framework for the Metro Freight Network Strategy.

A number of projects are under way to fulfil those actions. Others are being progressively scoped and implemented – these are related to policy matters, statutory processes and evaluation methodologies.

The projects that are under way are deemed high priority.

Collectively, these high-priority projects form the 6 Point Plan, as outlined in a list of the projects under the Plan's six points. Note that some projects relate to more than one point.

You can also see a map showing the major project areas. (gif)

Metro Freight Network Strategy: Implementation 

The Metro Freight Network Strategy Implementation Committee is overseeing the implementation. This committee is chaired by the Department for Planning and membership includes government, industry and community representatives.

Metro Freight Network Strategy: 6 Point Plan

The Metro Freight Network Strategy provides a framework to achieve a sustainable freight solution for Perth and its southern suburbs. The major, high priority actions of the Strategy are encapsulated in the 6 Point Plan.

For a brief statement of the aims of the plan and links to project updates, go to The 6 Point Plan.

Local Impacts Committee: SW Metropolitan Roads

A Local Impacts Committee has been established to identify and recommend changes to the road system to improve safety and efficiency. Operating as a sub-group of the Metro Freight Network Strategy Implementation Committee, the Local Impacts Committee has three main tasks:

1. Recommend the preferred alignment for Roe Highway Stage 7
2. Develop a strategy for managing traffic on the major roads in the south west metropolitan corridor
3. Determine measures to protect local communities from the impact of freight and general traffic

For more information on the Local Impacts Committee, see SW metropolitan roads