The federal government has launched the Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard, which provides detailed and interactive modelling of Australian transport and logistics supply chains.
The data captures Australia’s freight and supply chain performance over road and rail, which will help freight operators and the businesses they support to improve their operations, save on costs and grow on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developed with the CSIRO, the dashboard covers 130 commodities using data taken from 65 per cent of road and 95 per cent of rail freight trips over the last five years.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the dashboard would enable freight operators and the businesses that rely on them to improve the way they move freight, keeping supply chains open and resilient.
“The more informed industries and businesses are, the better they perform,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“That’s why the Government is investing $16.5 million over four years to improve freight data through the National Freight Data Hub and providing freely available resources such as this benchmarking dashboard,” he said.
“It provides industry with a comprehensive understanding of Australian supply chain performance that we can benchmark against international comparators to drive improvements and reduce costs across supply chains,” he explained.
He continued that the dashboard shows how we get regional exports to port, goods to market and supplies to communities across the nation.
“Access to these insights also provides exciting opportunities for research, cost-efficiencies and targeted planning, improving the overall performance of Australia’s freight system,” he said.
Benchmarking key supply chain performance against international competitors was a priority action recommended by the Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities.
Related: Federal government launches National Freight Data Hub prototype
Future enhancements to the dashboard will look at adding maritime and air freight data, as well as more commodities such as freight task costs and value, travel distances and durations, and supply chain movements between businesses.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said through the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, the Government is working with industry to prepare the freight sector for the future.
“Already monumental to our way of life and our economy, Australia’s freight volumes are projected to continue to grow by over 35 per cent by 2040,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.
“The Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard is part of our commitment to deliver an efficient, smart supply chain network that transcends borders and continues to contribute to a strong and prosperous Australia,” he said.
“A key way towards achieving this is by using data to inform better planning and coordination, which is what this dashboard is all about and will help us achieve a safer, more productive and profitable freight transport sector.”
The Supply Chain Benchmarking Dashboard forms part of the Australian Government’s National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development media release