ATA and NTRTA in remote roads call as states burnish productivity credentials
With the nation seeking to waken an economy put to sleep to overcome Covid-19, industry and the states are looking at way to get cash circulating and improve transport and logistics productivity.
The productivity side gained impetus from prime minister Scott Morrison’s comments pointing out that the halt on truck curfews helped the grocery supply chain with minimal downside.
This was met with broad endorsement, not least by transport and logistics peak bodies, though deregulation does not feature hugely in responses ATN has gained.
NTRTA/ATA
Industry representatives, noting state and territory attraction to infrastructure projects to help keep the economy ticking over, are looking for attention on neglected places.
So it is that Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chair David Smith and the NT Road Transport Association (NTRTA) executive officer Louise Bilato are amplifying calls for new infrastructure funding needs to fix poor quality roads in remote and regional areas,.
“Remote and regional communities and transport operators have been subject to poor quality roads for too long. They must not be overlooked,” Smith says.
The ATA points out that Australian and state and territory governments have announced new and brought forward infrastructure funding in response to the economic impact of Covid-19.
“It’s vitally important that accelerated infrastructure funding addresses the long-term needs for remote and regional roads,” Smith says.
ATA member NTRTA has long been lobbying for such investment, including upgrading routes such as Tanami Road and the pressing short-term need to upgrade dirt roads.
“The ATA backs NTRTA calls for dirt roads to be upgraded with more than a simple grade and actually include ripping up the corrugations and recompacting the road,” Smith says.
“The unacceptable condition of the remote and regional roads is a serious safety issue.”
The ATA points out that last year’s Australian Infrastructure Audit found that Northern Australia faces distinct challenges and parts suffer from low quality infrastructure.
The audit also found that the economic prosperity of a community is linked to its access to markets.
“An investment in freight can unlock, and be a catalyst for, regional development,” Smith says.
Bilato wants government to show support for northern Australian infrastructure projects and ensure the needs of communities are properly met.
“Seventy per cent of the Northern Territory’s road networks are unsealed and some almost impassable,” Bilato says.
“These roads can be extremely dangerous, yet are used by some of the most vulnerable Australians.”
The ATA is urging governments to invest in improving the standard of key freight routes, seal additional routes, improve flood resilience and ensure future road safety funding includes remote roads.
“Areas of remote Australia must be properly recognised in funding decisions, ensuring communities receive the same opportunities and services as those of metropolitan and urban areas,” Smith says.
Queensland
Asked by ATN what his state is doing to help trucking help the country, Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey points to a range of measures both reflecting the pandemic response and more broadly through co-operation with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
“Truck drivers, transport and logistics workers and the freight industry have played a critical role in Queensland’s response to the Covid-19,” Bailey says.
“To support the freight industry at the height of the health crisis, Queensland introduced short-term regulatory changes to allow around the clock deliveries to supermarkets.
“Earlier this month, we extended the relaxation of delivery curfews until 31 October 2020.
“Queensland also pushed the case for a national freeze on the Road User Charge at current levels until 30 June 2021.
“The freeze on registration fees for heavy vehicles in Queensland will also continue until 30 June 2021.”
In a point that could have been a response to the ATA/NTRTA call had it not been made earlier, Bailey highlights recent road spending pledges.
“Last month, we announced a $400 million state-funded roads package, and in March we also announced $185 million in joint funding to target 22 priority upgrades on inland highways,” he says.
“The majority of that funding is targeting projects that can start quickly to seal, widen and improve safety on regional and rural highways, which will deliver major benefits for the freight industry through safer and more efficient roads.
“These are all measures that will reduce industry costs and boost productivity over the coming 12 months.
“The jointly-funded $1.6 billion Toowoomba Bypass that opened last year has cut travel times for trucks heading to the Port of Brisbane.
“We’ll start road upgrades in the coming weeks to prepare for a new decoupling station at Gatton, which will allow longer truck combinations to reconfigure east of the Toowoomba Bypass when travelling to and from the Port of Brisbane.
“We’ve also extended road train and B-triple access from Toowoomba to Gatton on the Warrego Highway
“A $30 million jointly-funded project to upgrade local roads and bridges in Rockhampton is nearing completion, and will allow road trains better access and reduced travel times to meat processors there.”
Read how the PM’s comments on reviving the economy were received, here
On links with the NHVR, Bailey says they work on a range of initiatives to reduce red tape and promote road safety for drivers and greater awareness of their role on the roads.
“Last year we extended permit durations for Class 1 Oversize Overmass (OSOM) load-carrying vehicles to 12 months – a move expected to save industry more than $1 million in fees and 3,300 hours in paperwork,” he says.
Other initiatives nominated as under way to boost the productivity of the trucking industry are:
- transitioning from permits to National Notices (i.e operators do not need to apply for permits) and operations are harmonised between jurisdictions
- extended duration of permits to 12 months for low loader and heavy load platforms
- development of a Port of Brisbane freight precinct which enables several mass and dimension concessions for industries linked to the port
- increased safe access for agricultural vehicles in Queensland under the new agricultural vehicle notice
- maximising the use of pre-approved routes, resulting in improved permit assessment and consent timeframes.
Victoria
Below the Murry River, the Victorian government nominates several initiatives aimed at improving the lot of transport and logistics in that state.
“We’re working hard on a comprehensive plan to improve the efficiency of the state’s road freight while encouraging more goods to be transported on rail,” government spokesperson
“This work includes developing a plan which will reduce red tape for heavy vehicle operators through initiatives like expanding pre-approved routes for High Productivity Freight Vehicles.”
“We’re also working closely with exporters, importers, land transport operators, stevedores and other port businesses to deliver a more cost-effective and efficient port supply chain.”
The government points to discussions with the industry this year on improving the efficiency of Victoria’s road freight network including by temporarily lifting all time-based truck curfews until September 21, to be reviewed as part of National Cabinet talks.
Rail
Other freight transport modes are also looking for efficiency-supportive action from government and there is advice from the rail sector on attitude and focus.
“The equation for Australian governments – local, state and federal – to deliver critical transport and freight infrastructure as part of the Covid-19 economic recovery phase is very simple,” Pacific National CEO Dean Dalla Valle tells ATN.
“Global capital flows along the path of least resistance, particularly in uncertain and challenging times like this.
“If planning systems and processes are too complex and convoluted, if engagement with private companies is poor, if different levels of government fail to work together to provide clear directions and feedback to proponents in a timely fashion, then capital will be directed elsewhere – to other sectors.
“Every company recognises and appreciates there is a certain cost to doing business, but costs in the planning process must be controlled.
“Confusing and open-ended planning systems are kryptonite to investment certainty.
“The NSW Government’s initiative to establish special activation precincts in the regions – e.g. Parkes National Logistics Hub – is a superb example of what can be achieved with innovative thinking.
“The initiative is about clarifying and streamlining planning processes to help form productive working relationships between potential investors and government.
“It’s a model which should be copied throughout the country.
“I also applaud the Prime Minister for recognising the urgent need for every level of government to work hard and smart to deliver a planning framework which is ‘fit for purpose’ in this Covid-19 environment.”
ATN aims to have a more comprehensive view of the responses in the July edition of the magazine