This is the interim report of the MITEZ group — an alliance of Mt Isa and Townsville local industries and communities — on the development of a long-term, integrated plan for the key freight infrastructure for the Mount Isa to Townsville supply chain.

In 2011 Infrastructure Australia challenged the MITEZ group to bring together all parties in that supply chain — road, rail and port owners and operators, as well as many mining, agricultural and manufacturing freight customers and the local communities of the region — to examine the future demand for and supply of crucial freight infrastructure in the supply chain for the long term.

This interim report is intended to prompt wider stakeholder thinking and debate about the strategic opportunities and challenges facing the Mount Isa to Townsville supply chain and the region it supports, in the interests of maximising its contribution to national productivity.

The report isolates six strategic issues facing the region’s industries and its freight supply chain. It offers nine interim recommendations and ‘next steps’ for the development of a long-term plan for the supply chain.