Constance stays in place as Pavey moves to new portfolios
New South Wales has two transport ministers, a new one focused on the regions and a present one in charge of public transport and the extensive suite of freeway construction projects in greater Sydney.
But the headline term “freight” appears to have been lost during the post-election reshuffle.
Liberal Andrew Constance stays in charge of the transport and roads portfolios, along with being leader of the House, while former lands and forestry and racing minister and new Nationals deputy leader Paul Toole gains regional transport and roads.
The reshuffle sees a shift for former roads, maritime and freight minister Melinda Pavey, who now has responsibility for water, property and housing.
Early indications are that Constance will look after urban issues and Toole anything beyond the Sydney basin.
A spokesman for Toole tells ATN that high on his agenda will be road infrastructure through the Blue Mountains, particularly the Great Western Highway duplication project announced last June between Katoomba and Blackheath.
That includes tunnelling works and a figure of $2.5 billion has been mentioned.
Toole recently spruiked the project’s positives for freight access to the Central West of the state.
How rail and ports will be covered is unclear and ATN is awaiting a response from Constance’s office.
Read how the NSW Coalition’s pre-election transport plans were received, here
Former NSW freight minister and present National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) chair Duncan Gay congratulates the two men as wide range of heavy vehicle reforms loom.
“The NHVR has had a constructive working relationship with Roads and Maritime Services and I’m committed to continuing this relationship under the new teams,” Gay says.
“On behalf of the board and staff of the NHVR I look forward to working with Paul and Andrew to deliver heavy vehicle safety and productivity programs across the state and the longer term goal to transition NSW heavy vehicle services.
“With a number of large construction projects and significant freight movement within and passing through, NSW is a crucial part of our national network.”
Gay also thanks Pavey, saying: “I would particularly like to acknowledge the hard work and close co-operation with Melinda and her strong support for ongoing heavy vehicle reform and wish her well in her new portfolio.”
There is a similar message from the livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA)
“LBRCA extends our appreciation and well-wishes to former Roads Minister Melinda Pavey for her dedication and achievements over the past three years managing the NSW Roads, Maritime and Freight portfolio and wish her the best with her new portfolio of Water, Property and Housing.” president Paul Pulver says.
“Melinda was instrumental in better understanding the needs of our industry and driving LBRCA policy agenda including heavy vehicle access to the farmgate and the Inquiry into the use of technology namely IAP for HML access in NSW.”
More to come