Integrating freight systems into urban/industrial planning education

This project will design and develop accessible industry-led learning resources that build the capability of urban and land use planners to effectively incorporate freight considerations into planning processes.

Through development of learning content such as short courses, online training modules, and a micro-credential (informed by consultation), the project will strengthen understanding of the National Urban Freight Planning Principles and support their integration into strategic and detailed planning frameworks across Australia.

This program will be designed for land use planners and similar occupations to raise awareness of freight as a critical component of the urban system and to equip planners with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively plan for freight needs now and into the future.

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Participants

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
• Swinburne University of Technology

Project background

The refreshed National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy (Strategy) was released in August 2025. The Strategy acknowledges the freight task is projected to grow 26% between 2020 and 2050, increasing pressures on freight networks. Industrial land availability is extremely low in cities and is being pushed further from ports and key nodes, impacting productivity and increasing congestion and emissions in urban areas.

The National Urban Freight Planning Principles (the Principles) were developed by Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and industry in response to industry calls for improved consideration of freight in transport and land use planning. The Principles acknowledge the need to upskill planners in urban freight planning through education.

A lack of urban freight planning education was further highlighted as an issue during consultation for the Review of the Strategy. Improving freight education and awareness in urban and industrial land use planning has been included as Action 1.3 in the National Action Plan which sits under the refreshed Strategy.

Improving freight education and awareness in urban and industrial land use planning will support the preservation of key land for industrial use, improving freight productivity and ensuring better access to freight services in urban areas.

Land use planning and transport planning in Australia are often, in practice, mutually exclusive fields. Registered land use planners rarely, other than in transit precincts, plan for transport, and more rarely again for freight. There is therefore a need for training in how best to translate the best practice needs of the freight industry into the language and codification of land use planners.

The existence of iMOVE CRC, and the body of experts currently comprising its membership, presents an opportunity to extract the key messages needed for future freight planning. This, combined with Swinburne University researchers already working closely with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and Australian Logistics Council (ALC) presents a timely opportunity to draft, negotiate, and deliver this training.

Project objectives

The objective of this project is to co-design and deliver practical, accessible learning resources that build the capability of current and future land use and transport planners to effectively incorporate freight considerations into urban planning. This project will develop:

• A micro-credential course on urban freight and planning, suitable for professional accreditation and ongoing professional development.
• A series of short training modules derived from the micro-credential for use in continuing education programs.
• A best-practice guide to inform future planning practice notes and guidance materials.
• Supplementary online resources (e.g. factsheets, FAQs and presentation materials) to support broader knowledge sharing

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!