Study to examine HPFV network expansion issues in region
The Victorian government is pledging cash for a study on boosting freight efficiency in the Central Murray region.
A $75,000 road freight study would identify infrastructure constraints on the local road network and develop a plan to enhance access for High Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFVs), state freight minister Melissa Horne said.
The study is described as an “essential first step” to improving the freight network for local farmers and industry and will provide strong evidence for further investments required to expand HPFV access restricted by load limits.
Freight Victoria will provide specialist advice as part of this project, with National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) data to inform the study “alongside local freight industry knowledge”.
Read about last month’s Victorian HPFV network boost announcement, here
The Department of Transport is to work with Swan Hill Rural City Council and Gannawarra Shire Council, with the government contributing $50,000 to the project.
“We’ll work with the local councils to establish a stronger and safer High Productivity Freight Vehicle network by identifying works that need doing across the Swan Hill and Gannawarra region,” Horne said.
“Road freight plays a vital role in transporting Victorian exports such as fruit, grain and other agricultural products, and this work will cut costs for farmers and freight operators, delivering better outcomes to local communities.”
The announcement comes hot on the heels of progress on Gippsland rail but also at a time when Murray Basin rail freight efforts have come under Coalition fire for lack of progress.
The government notes that rail freight stimulus works on the Sea Lake and Dimboola lines have replaced more than 120,000 sleepers, removing more than 80km of speed restrictions funded under the $83 million Building Works Freight package.