RFNSW calls for WestConnex proceeds to ease cost of doing business
Road Freight New South Wales (RFNSW) may or may not eventually have its way with proposing a sale of WestConnex with cash directed at supporting road freight but the state Budget only sees money going into the project.
Sydney’s road network is the main, but not the only, transport infrastructure beneficiary of the deficit-building Budget.
For instance, there is to be $36 million to extend savings for primary producers on heavy vehicle registration charges until July 1, 2021 as part of the government’s drought support package.
There is $16.5 million in 2020-21 to continue the SES Fleet Replacement Program, to provide a high quality, fit for purpose and safe fleet of vehicles, vessels and trailers, with an estimated total cost (ETC) of $116 million.
The Parkes Special Activation Precinct, a pivot point for rail links including Inland Rail, gets $185.4 million for the delivery of infrastructure including roads, sewer and water connections in the precinct to promote Parkes as a major inland freight and logistics hub.
The Regional NSW Bridge upgrades see $98.4 million over the next four years to upgrade bridges including Monkerai Bridge, Clarence Town Bridge and Barrington Bridge.
Regional Freight Pinch Point and Safety Program sees $169.1 million ($603.8 million over the next four years) for pinch points and clearways, including programs such as Gateway to the South, Hunter Pinch Points and the recently announced state and federal government Pinch Point stimulus of $240 million.
Other regional spending includes:
- $312 million ($691 million over four years) for the Fixing Local Roads program, helping regional councils repair, maintain and seal the roads that matter to local communities, including a federal government funding contribution of $191 million
- $115 million ($414 million over two years) to accelerate a range of regional Transport programs and projects, including Fixing Country Bridges, regional bus services and regional road projects,
- $84.1 million ($400.3 million over four years) for NSW and federal government funded works on the Newell Highway, include overtaking lanes, flood mitigation and planning for the Parkes Bypass
- $79 million ($73.5 million over the next four years), including $2 million in 2020-21, to commence planning for upgrades to complete the duplication of Heathcote Road and planning for future upgrades of Picton Road
- $59.7 million ($202.4 million over four years) for regional road safety and mobility enhancements on the Monaro Highway, Mitchell Highway, Kings Highway and Waterfall Way, including overtaking lanes and the Nelligen Bridge upgrade.
But it is around the capital and the Pacific Highway that billions are being spent, including:
- $1.3 billion ($3.1 billion over four years) to continue construction of the WestConnex Motorway including delivery of the final stage of the project, the M4-M5 link tunnels and Rozelle Interchange by 2023
- $547.9 million ($1.5 billion over four years) for NSW and federal government funded road upgrades to support the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek including The Northern Road between Narellan and Penrith and the M12 Motorway
- $544.6 million ($4.2 billion over four years) to commence construction on the Sydney Gateway project and continue planning and preconstruction activities for the M6 Stage 1 Extension
- $431.9 million ($1.4 billion over four years) for NSW and federal government funded projects underway on the Princes Highway, including the new Nowra Bridge, the Batemans Bay Bridge, Albion Park Rail Bypass and the Berry to Bomaderry Upgrade, as well as planning for further upgrades to the Princes Highway between Nowra and the Victorian border to improve safety, journey times and freight efficiency
- $356.3 million ($5.7 billion over four years) for the planning and preconstruction for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade as part of the Western Harbour Tunnel program
- $341.9 million ($383.4 million over four years) to continue the NSW and federal government funded Pacific Highway upgrade program, including completing construction between Woolgoolga and Ballina
- $135 million ($1 billion over four years) for the planning and preconstruction activities for the NSW and federal government funded Coffs Harbour Bypass.
RFNSW has been vocal about the toll burden on road freight, here
RFNSW wants the state government to consider allocating part of the proceeds from the sale of its remaining 49 per cent stake in the WestConnex motorway for incentives aimed at assisting trucking operators struggling to pay increasing tolls and administration costs.
Whilst the proceeds from the potential transaction reportedly are to be invested in other new transport infrastructure, RFNSW chief executive Simon O’Hara, says the government must do more to financially support truckies who are increasingly being forced on to new toll-roads, such as Sydney’s NorthConnex.
“Currently, heavy vehicle tolls simply aren’t reflective of a fair and equitable ‘user-pays’ system,” O’Hara says.
“Unlike light vehicles, trucks increasingly, have no other option but to use these expensive toll-roads, due to government regulation.
“RFNSW supports the aim of diverting heavy vehicles off congested suburban, secondary roads for the benefit of the whole community, but the government and toll-operators must incentivise truckies to use toll roads and motorways.
“We’re calling on the government to utilise part of the proceeds of the future WestConnex sale to fund new measures aimed at financially supporting the transport industry, such as reducing rego fees or providing a specific cash back to freight operators. It just isn’t right that caravan and camper trailer owners have been afforded reduced rego costs, a rebate on tolls and a whole new vehicle classification structure set-up for them and not truckies.
“Light vehicle drivers also have special government cash back on certain toll roads. So why then are truckies, who are forced to use some of these toll roads, with costs increasing each year, not given some equity in the system from government?
“RFNSW is calling for, at the very least, a cap on heavy vehicle tolls to offer some level of support to hard-working truckies, who have struggled to cope with increases in tolls and landside port surcharges, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“For example, bona fide RFNSW operators have paid significant toll increases, in some cases more than double. One, who was paying $50,000 in May 2020, doubled to $97,000 in October.
“Another RFNSW operator paid $74,000 in February and in October is on the cusp of $90,000 per month. A small operator who paid $11,000 in March now owes $22,000 in October.
“Saying to NSW road freight that you did an exceptional job during Covid for the community doesn’t pay the bills.
“Now it seems, perversely, truckies seem to be the cash cow for toll-road operators, port operations and government, with no relief in sight.”