Boom has downside says logistics expert
Wed, May 2 2007

Boom has downside says logistics expert Dr Pieter Nagel, Director of Victoria University’s Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (ILSCM) has cautiously welcomed the State Budget announcement of $20.6 million over five years,to establish a new Growth Areas Authority.

Dr Nagel said: “As the Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls, said in his announcement, it is crucial for families to have access to good jobs close to home, and to be well served by transport.”

“Three of the five growth areas over the next 25 years referred to in the announcement, are in Melbourne’s west – Hume, Melton-Caroline Springs and Wyndham.”

“However, there is little to celebrate about population growth if people have no prospects of jobs close to home”

“The Minister said that people in new communities shouldn’t have to use a litre of petrol to buy a litre of milk, and the same goes for travelling long distances to their place of employment. Jobs growth in the area will improve people’s economic and social opportunities.”

“Recently the ILSCM released its landmark Position Statement that outlined the problems that the outer west would face in the future and offers possible solutions.”

“Current projections indicate the outer west will have more than 25 per cent of metropolitan Melbourne’s population growth over the next 25 years. However, the current industry structure of Melbourne’s western region is unlikely to provide employment growth that is in line with the predicted population growth.”

“Our research showed that making Melbourne’s west a ‘National Logistics City’ could generate an economic contribution in excess of $2 billion per year and perform a critical role within the Australian national economy.”

“It is projected that the western region will have limited capacity to cope with future movements of people and goods if transport infrastructure develops according to the completion of approved and funded projects and the current pattern of work activity remains unchanged.”

“Proactive business and job development through logistics plus the associated investment in education and training are required within five to eight years – if this does not occur, the opportunity for logistics to make a difference to the western region will most likely be lost.”


Dr Nagel is available for interview
Mobile: 0412 505849

Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: 03-9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255900