Port changes could lead to higher costs and delays in NSW freight delivery
Peak body Road Freight NSW (RFNSW)
Peak body Road Freight NSW (RFNSW) and its members have rejected a raft of recommendations for the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS) Review, warning that proposed changes could result in increased costs to the supply chain and major delays in the delivery of essential medical goods, pharmaceuticals and food products to the community.
Chief Executive Simon O’Hara said RFNSW members expressed concerns that the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) proposed freight policy reform/directive specifically favoured the use of ‘rail over road’ and risked harming the operations of small to medium-sized trucking businesses delivering and picking-up from the busy port.
“Put simply, the NSW freight community doesn’t want the proposed PBLIS reforms,” Mr O’Hara said today.
“Over the years, PBLIS has continued to achieve a range of clear-cut benefits, primarily stemming from improved truck turnaround times, which is why many landside carriers are justifiably fearful that the proposed reforms if implemented, will have a significant and detrimental impact on their operations, many of them family businesses which have been operating for generations.
“The recommendation to ‘Remove the Broad Power of Regulating Stevedore Charges’, is particularly concerning given that since 2017, there has been a staggering increase of over 900% in landside charges and two out of the three stevedores are again increasing their prices from 1 January, 2025.
“Our members are also opposed to another recommendation of a ‘Staggered Time Zone Commencement.’ It is unrealistic to suggest that Time Slots could be issued in 30-minute intervals or possibly 15-minute intervals. Truckies will still have 59 minutes to gain access for their time slot prior to penalties applying. It is hard enough now for the allocators to manage 1 hour time slot windows.
“RFNSW and its members genuinely fear that some of these proposed PBLIS reforms will result in delays to delivery schedules for essential medical and pharmaceutical goods; dangerous goods; bonded cargo and food items.
“The changes may also result in higher prices across the supply chain at a time when they’re already suffering slowdowns due to widespread cost pressures, that some say make the GFC look like a ‘walk in the park.’ Many freight businesses have already left the industry with no sale other than assets. That will only get worse if these changes are enforced.
“Freight volumes into the future will require multi-modal solutions and we believe rail should not come at the expense of efficient and cost-effective road freight movements, as there a significant and increasing need for road freight to perform services as the NSW community continues to grow.
“RFNSW has played a key role in the development and implementation of PBLIS to date and we need our Government decision-makers to listen to our concerns on these reforms. We urge the Reviewers to go back to the drawing board, analyse our feedback and truly engage with industry before any decisions are made to the current regulations – otherwise the outcomes could be devastating to the freight industry and the community in the midst of a cost of living crisis.”
Key Facts:
ABOUT ROAD FREIGHT NSW
Originating in 1893, Road Freight NSW (RFNSW) is the peak industry organisation for the road and freight industry in NSW and engages in advocacy, government and media relations on behalf of members.
Contact details:
RFNSW media contact: 0411 254 390