The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) is sounding the alarm regarding the absence of financial relief and support for the unprecedented challenges facing road freight transport companies delivering into North and Far North Queensland due to the current severe flood event.
During flood events in Queensland that occur every year, road freight is relied upon to deliver critical supplies to affected communities and restore normalcy for communities with continuity of deliveries.
By facilitating the timely transportation of goods, road freight aids in the overall economic recovery of affected areas as it enables the distribution of aid from government agencies, non-profits, and charitable organisations to local communities and ensures local businesses are kept operational.
The flood event in February saw every freight route flooded and closed for periods of several days halting all freight deliveries in North Queensland. This was unprecedented in Queensland, and fleets experienced long delays on flooded roadsides, incurring significant financial losses during this period.
QTA CEO Gary Mahon, said, “With daily losses of up to $100,000/fleet and hundreds of trucks driving 1000km detours, road freight transport businesses and their truck drivers were under immense pressure to deliver goods while battling adverse weather conditions, logistical barriers and bureaucracy.”
QTA is calling upon the government to provide urgent financial assistance to the road freight industry in light of the devastating impacts of the recent flood event in North Queensland. The sector, which is critical to the delivery of essential goods and services, has incurred exorbitant costs and unprecedented challenges due to this weather event.
Over those ten days in February, the road freight industry was severely disrupted, with many truck fleets immobilised. At peak times, over 200 B-doubles were stationed in Townsville, and numerous trucks were stranded on key routes due to flooding. The QTA coordinated delivery efforts with the Queensland Police Service, mobilising almost 300 trucks to facilitate the transfer of essential supplies through Ollera Creek after access was restored. Many drivers faced delays of up to seven days due to impassable roads.
The sheer scale of the impact is alarming. Businesses reported daily losses ranging from $10,000 to $130,000. Without immediate financial relief, many companies may be forced to impose cost increases on customers, further straining local economies in already vulnerable communities.
The QTA has now made formal submissions to both state and federal governments, advocating for support to help mitigate these financial impacts on the road freight industry.
Mahon said, “Trucks deliver more than just goods; they deliver vital supplies to restore economic productivity in communities. The recent floods have thrown into sharp focus how interconnected our road freight industry is with local economies.”
The QTA said it is essential for the government to recognise this and provide the necessary subsidy support to mitigate these financial losses.
Community support during this crisis was heartening, with local residents rallying to provide food and drinks to stranded drivers. This was greatly appreciated by the drivers.
The QTA emphasises that continuous operation of the road freight sector is vital not only for immediate recovery but for the long-term health of the economy. If support was extended to include the road freight industry it would provide businesses with some short-term relief to cashflows.
“We urge the government to extend the same levels of financial support to the road freight industry as they have to agriculture and small businesses. Our industry is an essential provider, and without it, the broader economic framework will be jeopardised,” Mahon stated.
The QTA is committed to advocating for the interests of its members and ensuring that the road freight industry receives the support it needs to recover and thrive in the face of natural disasters.