Additional regional services for REX

The Port of Fremantle and the landside transport network that supports it are critical to keep Western Australia running, and never more so than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Western Australians are depending on the port, comprising the Fremantle Inner Harbour and five bulk jetties in Cockburn Sound, to ensure the supply of goods and services and the continued export of WA products.

In March this year, Fremantle Ports was quick to act in setting up a Port Eco System Coordination Group, comprising key stakeholders of the port container supply chain. It meets weekly and is chaired by Fremantle Ports’ Manager Logistics Sue Hellyer.

Sue Hellyer said the purpose of the Coordination Group was for stakeholders to work together to keep supply chains running as efficiently as possible throughout the COVID-19 emergency.

“The Coordination Group considers resolving, through collaboration, impediments to the successful delivery of road, rail and sea freight transport operations through Fremantle Port to ensure critical supply chains are maintained,” she said.

This follows the COVID-19 Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program announced by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), the Hon Michael McCormack, on 28 March 2020. Under the program, regional airlines will be provided assistance to maintain a minimal weekly schedule to regional and remote ports.

Regional Express (Rex) has announced the confirmation of additional regional services funded by both Federal and State Governments. In total, Rex will now be operating 88 weekly return services under the various funding arrangements.

In addition to the Federal Government funding package, three State Governments, Queensland, Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA), have also committed to funding additional services.

Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM said, “Regional Australia owes the DPM Michael McCormack and the Morrison Government a great debt of gratitude for providing funding to ensure that it continues to receive minimal essential air links to the capital cities for medical, professional and other essential travel needs. Without this intervention, many smaller regional communities would risk not having any air services at all for at least six months.

“The group’s main aim is to address issues as they occur across the network, with a focus on the port container supply chain, to minimise the impact of the emergency on the efficiency of container movements through the port.”

Freight and Trade Alliance Head of Business Operations John Park said the Coordination Group was a great initiative by Fremantle Ports.

“The weekly meetings bring together all sectors of industry to work through not

“With the Commonwealth assistance packages for regional carriers in place, we are confident that we will be able to help all regional communities who are willing to work in partnership with us to rebuild their regional air services to their full potential over the next two years. Rex will stand by all regional communities that have stood by Rex during this global and national crisis.”