By Candice Boyle
IT could be too late to harness the logistics opportunities in Melbourne’s West if stakeholders don’t act soon, according to an international logistics expert.
Dubai Logistics City CEO Michael Proffitt told Victorian industry leaders and government officials, during a strategic workshop held earlier this month, to act now on plans to create a Logistics City in the West before it is too late.
Mr Proffitt said the Logistics City would play an important role in the future of the West.
“The advantages will show up in 10 to 15 years — it really is about benefits for the next generation, not for ourselves.
“If we miss this opportunity then we will lose the opportunity for job creation and then it would be very hard to make up that lost ground,” he said.
Mr Proffitt was one of a handful of international experts invited to share their knowledge on how networked logistics infrastructure has helped improve their country’s economy.
Plans drawn up by Victoria University’s Institute for Logistics and Supply Chain Management (ILSCM) for a Logistics City were also workshopped by government department representatives, leading logistics providers and seven municipality council representatives.
The institute’s director Dr Pieter Nagel said it would take a few weeks to consider the wide range of views brought to the table.
“One area where there was instant agreement across participants was the need for the availability of high speed broadband to make the concept work.
“There was also consensus on the need for a manufacturing strategy for Victoria — taking a long-term view looking out 30-40 years,” he said.
Dr Nagel said the next step would be to appoint a reference group, which would have an advisory role and a steering group, which would focus on the more nuts and bolts issues of a Logistics City.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas opened the workshop.
Mr Pallas said the transport, logistics and the supply chain sector was a key component of the Victoria’s economy.
“It is imperative that we invest in infrastructure across the West to ensure we provide employment opportunities and economic prosperity for local communities.
“With a growing industrial base and an increasing population, the western suburbs have the potential to play a pivotal role in meeting this objective,” he said.
