Queensland Multimodal Freight Council folds

At its recent board meeting, the directors of the Queensland Multimodal Freight Council Ltd. decided to wind up the council.

The directors regretted the need for this decision, however, the Queensland Government’s change of funding priorities over the last three years made the decision necessary.

The directors noted the history of the council going back to 1999 and its many achievements over the intervening 12 years.

The council has relied upon the voluntary efforts of its directors over that time and the support given to the directors by their employers. Conservative analysis indicates that the value of this contribution by the companies and the directors was in excess of $250,000 per year, excluding the many expenses that the companies paid for when directors travelled intrastate to conduct forums and workshops.

The council is very appreciative of the support of these companies and the individuals who volunteered to assist the industry.

The council, predominantly through its CEO, made numerous presentations and speeches at forums around the country on subjects such as:

- Establishing & Maintaining Harmony Between Industry & Government.

- The Future of Queensland’s Freight Logistics Industry.

- Can Coastal Shipping Save the World?

- The SARS Pandemic – A Personal Perspective.

- Logistics – Alternative Transport with Coastal shipping / Green shipping.

- Environmental and Social Responsibilities in Port Planning.

- The need for reforms in our coastal shipping and transport system - the “MV Pacific Adventurer” incident.

- Coastal Shipping overview - Finding the right market & Impacts on the industry.

- Future Supply Chains 2020.

The council was a unique opportunity in Queensland for the various elements of the supply chain suppliers, and users of the transport & logistics industries, to meet to address areas of common interest and concern.

For many years, the council’s main efforts were directed towards being an enabler of small to medium enterprises as those companies sought to begin, and expand, their exporting activities. The council operated around the state with such companies and was relied upon by both companies and government departments to assist companies to export efficiently and cost-effectively.

Over recent years, the council broadened its activities to address, with other similar organisations around Australia, issues concerning supply chains that are better addressed at an industry, rather than enterprise, level.

The board regrets the necessity of the decision to wind up the council and hopes that the work it has done over the years is followed on by other organisations.

The board would like to express its appreciation for the support of the Federal Government from 1999 to the present and for the support of the Queensland Government to 2008. Similarly, the council is deeply appreciative of the support it has received from industry and the many government entities it has worked with over the years.

Source: http://www.tandlnews.com.au/