The association says the Victorian budget provides satisfactory funding for the transport industry
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) says it’s welcoming measures in the Victorian budget to improve the state’s road and rail infrastructure.
The recently unveiled budget announced by treasurer Tim Pallas will also address transport industry skills shortages and increase skills and training through licencing reform.
Key measures coming from the state’s budget includes $780 million given to the maintenance of the state’s road network, with $101 million of it being used for regional routes and key freight routes.
The budget also handed down $383 million to operate new transport infrastructure like crossing removals and road and bridge upgrades, as well as $263 million to deliver Victoria’s 2021-2030 road safety strategy and the first three-year road safety action plan.
A further $181 million for critical freight line maintenance works in regional Victoria to increase safety and improve rail freight logistics will also be allocated along with $21.5 million for licencing reform and $6.1 million in planning for the new Western Intermodal Freight Terminal at Truganina.
The VTA says the investment in road and rail transport infrastructure is necessary to encourage new workers in the sector.
“We applaud the government for recognising and acting on the supply chain headwinds our industry is facing, particularly the need to reform our licencing system,” VTA CEO Peter Anderson says.
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“Victoria is leading the nation with its licencing reforms, which is a credit to the government’s recognition of just how important the transport industry is to the state economy.”
Anderson says these investments were vital for the health of the transport industry and welcomed support for the intermodal transport industry.
“The budget contains a raft of measures to improve infrastructure, with all operators set to benefit through productivity and efficiency gains made possible by investments in new roads and rail and stronger bridges,” he says.
“We commend the government for listening and acting on the needs of our industry.”