Governments should take bold action to boost productivity, reduce cost of living pressures, improve safety and lower emissions by eliminating most heavy vehicle road access permits by 2028, said NatRoad.
The recommendation to slash heavy vehicle access permits was made in the peak body’s submission to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Productivity Plan 2024-2029.
NatRoad CEO, Warren Clark said removing access permits just makes sense.
“Reforming heavy vehicle access would provide much-needed relief in today’s cost-of-living crisis,” Clark said.
“Removing access barriers enhances heavy vehicle sector productivity, which is vital for Australia’s economy and supply chains.”
“By improving access for heavy vehicles, we can move more freight in fewer individual vehicle trips meaning lower costs, improved safety and reduced emissions.”
The NatRoad submission stressed the NHVR’s Productivity Plan must focus on the core goal of eliminating permits and implementing the National Automated Access System.
NatRoad argues the successful development of NAAS should be modelled on the effective Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Access Management System and should prioritise a transition from permits to network-based access.
Tasmania first introduced the management to the over-size over-mass industry in 2016, with great success. Since that time, development of the system has continued to ensure that the same, and greater benefits can be delivered to the heavy vehicle industry more broadly in the state.
“Automated access is not about applying a layer of automation over the top of a broken and inadequate permit system,” Clark said.
“We need a new approach to network-based access that slashes red tape for industry and removes administrative burdens for governments.
“While governments have begun to move towards introducing automated access, we need to see a stronger commitment to delivery and make sure we don’t just end up with never-ending reform without real outcomes.”
Costs and red tape on the road freight sector impact a wide range of industries across the economy.
Previous modelling has shown that improving heavy vehicle access would save the average consumer over $450 annually.
In its draft productivity plan released earlier this year the NHVR said it is committed to the development of the National Automated Access System to ease the burden of permits.
It’s already developed the NHVR Portal, a digital platform that brings together a number of key regulatory services and transactions for the heavy vehicle industry and road managers, such as the National Network Map, and is the entry and exit point for heavy vehicle access permit applications.
The NHVR Portal will also serve as the central point to the NAAS, which provides dynamic network access under notice for individual vehicles which would otherwise have to apply for a permit.
Maybe government should sell diesel at cost price for freight companies and some traders too reduce cost of living crisis
There are places where big rigs just should not go. Look at the increasing number of deaths elderly couple in there house wbool teacher in ore school grounds UNFORGIVABLE …LARGE TRUCKS LARGE ROADS