The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) is heralding a significant advocacy win with changes to roadtrain access conditions in NSW.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport, Paul Toole, confirmed that more roadtrains can use more of the roadtrain network in NSW following the recent development.
The long-awaited changes are reported to bring consistency of access for similar performing vehicles including flexibility in telematics and suspension requirements.
In response to the news, LBRCA President, Paul Pulver, commended the NSW Government for its efforts.
“This significant and critical reform will remove roadblocks that have stifled productivity and growth of many NSW operators over the years because of inconsistent roadtrain access east of the Newell Highway,” said Pulver.
“However, in acknowledging this exciting reform we must not lose sight of the last mile of the Newell Highway, through Parkes, that remains the missing link for roadtrain access on this key freight corridor.
“To truly realise the benefits of this reform, we must now focus our efforts on removing the need to divert roadtrain combinations onto secondary roads from the Newell Highway to avoid the town centre of Parkes,” he said, adding that the LBRCA is now concentrating its efforts on this final piece of the Newell Highway roadtrain access puzzle by preparing for meetings with relevant local, state and federal government authorities.
“This reform would not have been possible without the determination and leadership by Transport for NSW representatives including Susie Mckay, Executive Director of Freight and Scott Greenow, Acting Director of Freight.”
Transport for NSW has developed a range of resources and fact sheets to help industry understand and adapt to the changes to roadtrain access in NSW.