Industry representative body GrainGrowers has identified additional funding to improve road, rail infrastructure as a key election priority, calling on the next federal government to invest in supply chain productivity and efficiency to secure the future of Australia’s grain industry.
The GrainGrowers election asks document, Grains for Growth, Investing in Australia's Agricultural Future details a range of focused priorities covering grain supply chains, regional Australia and the environment.
GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton said supply chains were the lifeblood of the grains industry andwas consistently identified in GrainGrowers National Annual Policy Survey as a key priority for members.
"To maintain Australia's global competitiveness, we need targeted investments to unlock productivity and efficiency of the supply chain.
“These investments include expediting increased funding for the Roads to Recovery (RTR) program to $1 billion, reinstating the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative, and targeted investments in grain rail freight corridors.”
Mr Turton said transport costs alone amount to $2.1 billion annually, making it one of the most significant expenses for grain growers.
“High supply chain costs directly impact growers, and without improved road and rail infrastructure, the Australian grain industry will struggle to compete in international markets. Reducing those costs will assist in lifting our competitiveness and directly impact the profitability of Australian grain growers.”
"While we welcome the recent commitments for regional roads by both sides, this is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed”
“Studies have shown that for every $1 million invested in our road construction industry, $2.9 million in output is contributed to the economy, and $1.3 million of value is added to Australian GDP.”
He said increased climate variability is already straining regional networks, making proactive investment in flood immunity and pavement rehabilitation more urgent than ever.
“Research shows that for every dollar invested in climate-resilient infrastructure, six dollars can be saved,” Mr Turton said.
He said beyond productivity and efficiency, poor funding for regional infrastructure poses serious safety risks for rural communities.
“Regional road users are disproportionately represented in road fatality statistics. Approximately two-thirds of road deaths occur in regional and remote areas.
For many rural Australians, unsafe and deteriorating local roads make everyday travel, whether to homes, work, or essential services, far more dangerous than it should be.”
He said targeted funding was also needed to upgrade critical grain rail freight corridors to improve environmental outcomes, drive efficiency and increase the share of grain moved on the rail network.
"While rail can effectively transport grain over long distances – producing 16 times less carbon pollution than road freight per tonne-kilometre travelled – a patchwork of track gauges, varied axle loads, and ageing infrastructure currently restricts capacity and addressing these issues must be a priority for the next federal government.”
“With Australia's grain industry contributing $33 billion in gross value of production to the Australian economy, GrainGrowers is urging all political parties and candidates to back strategic supply chain investments that will deliver long-term benefits for growers, regional communities, and the broader economy,” Mr Turton said.
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