Road Freight NSW says heavy vehicle toll reforms and relief must stack up for freight

Road Freight NSW is calling on the NSW Government to carry out detailed consultation and engagement following its recent tolling announcement.

 

The peak agency body says while the Government has a commitment to improving the efficiency and consistency of Sydney’s motorway network, more detail is needed before the freight industry can determine whether the proposed heavy vehicle toll reforms and future relief programs will deliver genuine long-term cost benefits.

 

Road Freight NSW Chief Executive Officer Simon O’Hara said, the announcement provided motorists with clear information on toll reductions, however the impact of the 3.15 heavy vehicle toll multiplier cannot be assessed in isolation from the heavy vehicle relief schemes that the Government has committed to develop in consultation with industry.

 

"The Government has announced a new charging framework for heavy vehicles and indicated the long-term benefits will be delivered through future heavy vehicle relief schemes, however without the supporting modelling and details of those schemes it is not possible for industry to determine whether freight operators will ultimately be better off,” he said.

 

"Road Freight NSW is seeking a thorough consultation process and detailed modelling that demonstrates how the proposed heavy vehicle toll multiplier and future relief schemes will work together to deliver genuine long-term cost relief, rather than creating a situation where freight operators simply pay more under one part of the system in order to qualify for relief under another.

 

“I think it is fair to say, we simply cannot judge a package until we see both parts together, and we look forward to being part of that consultation process.”

 

Road Freight NSW remains committed to working constructively with the NSW Government to ensure any final reforms improve freight productivity, encourage greater use of the motorway network and deliver genuine, sustainable cost relief for freight operators.