The Orana International Air Freight Feasibility Study will be launched at Dubbo on Monday, along with the Orana Freight and Logistics Capability Study. Both studies were conducted by Urbis after being commissioned by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana in 2016.

The Orana International Air Freight Feasibility Study points to Dubbo becoming a gateway for air freight into Asia through investment in a cargo terminal, and IT, customs and quarantine facilities. RDA Orana executive officer Megan Dixon reports that the region currently has minimal value-added freight. “Items are packaged for processing rather than consumption,” she said.  “However, there is an opportunity for more value-adding to occur in the region, which would in turn add value capture and more employment.”

The Orana Freight and Logistics Capability Study confirms that the NSW freight task is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. Mrs Dixon said the study showed that existing Orana freight and logistics networks did not constrain regional productive capacity or impede access to markets. “However, added intensity has the ability to add issues such as deterioration of road conditions, traffic congestion and accessibility, also putting pressure on local councils to fund increased future maintenance costs,” she said.

State Member for Dubbo Troy Grant will be part of the launch during a lunch at Dubbo RSL Memorial Club from midday on Monday. Tickets are available from www.123tix.com.au.