WATIA calls for joint civil-defence and freight planning

The Western Australian Transport Industry Association (WATIA) is advocating for a joint civil-defence and freight planning strategy to protect critical supply routes. The proposal seeks to integrate civilian freight networks with defence logistics to mitigate disruptions caused by the high-risk wet season.

WATIA CEO Cam Dumesny noted that as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) shifts its focus toward northern Australia, its forces will increasingly rely on the same long-distance routes used by civilian commerce to connect the industrial south to the north. The association argues that developing integrated transport and logistics capabilities can strengthen civilian supply-chain resilience while simultaneously supporting military requirements.

To address these vulnerabilities, WATIA will host a High-Risk Season Briefing on 15 October. The event aims to coordinate responses between industry, emergency services, and road and rail agencies across Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.