Infrastructure constraints are limiting Victoria’s mining industry and restricting Australia’s export economy, an industry expert told MINING DAILY.
“Current limitations to rail, port and road facilities will reduce Australia’s competitive advantage and may push customers to look elsewhere for resources,” Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) associate director of Victoria Megan Davison said.
Her claims follow a recent report as part of the MCA’s Vision 2020 Project to identify growth regions in Victoria and pin point areas requiring infrastructure improvements.
Davison said the report identified a number of physical and social infrastructure shortfalls in growing Victorian regions that will limit mining operations in the future.
“Chronic underinvestment to infrastructure needs to be addressed to secure the future of Australia’s mining industry and deliver new growth to the sector,” she said.
“We have some of the world’s best resources, but market share is being diminished by infrastructure constraints and other issues.”
The MCA is calling on the Federal government to improve rail and road facilities to address connectivity problems and rail gauge issues.
“There is also a need for a deep sea port outside of Melbourne to boost exports and deliver more market share for Victoria and the Australian economy,” Davison said.
Davison stressed the need for immediate action to beat lengthy time delays and approvals processes and upgrade facilities as soon as possible.
“We need to hit the ground running to get sufficient infrastructure in place so we are prepared for the next mining upturn,” she said.
Davison expects infrastructure improvements will stimulate growth to Australia’s mining industry and deliver new jobs and regional growth to Victoria.
“At the end of the day, everyone will benefit from these improvements,” Davison said.