NSW Transport Minister John Graham has pledged to work “hand-in-hand” with industry on freight reforms, toll relief and long-delayed rest area projects, telling operators their concerns are being heard.
Speaking at the Road Freight NSW (RFNSW) conference in Sydney today, Graham said the state’s freight review released in June had set out a pathway to grow the freight value-add in the state by $1.6 billion a year to 2061.
He said the review’s 95 recommendations lays out a “roadmap” to get the industry there, examining roads, rail, ports and intermodal facilities.
“It really did look particularly at intermodals and industrial lands. It called for better strategic planning for industrial land,” he said.
Graham stressed the need to keep intermodal hubs near ports, airports and population centres.
“We know if we don’t actively plan for freight depots, we risk seeing them pushed to the edge of the city far too often, and we know we’ve got to do better than that.”
The minister also backed efforts to shift more freight movements at off-peak times, particularly at night.
“I know there are constraints on that but the idea in Sydney that we’re moving freight right at the same time as we’re moving key commuter traffic is one of the things that we can improve if we really do the work on it.”
Graham said Dr. Kerry Schott, who led the state review panel, is now “back on the tools” to bring down some of the barriers right across the logistics chain that are stopping more freight from moving at night.
On long-running rest area shortages, Graham highlighted the $80 million joint federal-state investment in a Western Sydney facility at Eastern Creek.
Two years ago, he campaigned for office in the same room promising to fix Sydney’s reputation as the least friendly city in Australia for truckies.
“We want to turn that round. This is one of the key ways we can do it, so that’s why we’re committed to it.”
Graham also said the focus remains squarely on toll reform, describing it as “a big issue” for the government.
“We want to make sure that as we’re fixing our motorway network that it’s designed to work for trucks as well as cars.”
Graham said the review by Professor Allan Fels showed the exorbitant cost for drivers using the city’s toll network – an eye-watering $195 billion by 2060.
“A substantial proportion of that $195 billion is coming out of the trucking industry,” Graham noted.
One of the current “interventions” launched for trucking operators is the two-year trial on the M5 East and the M8 – the one-third rebate of the ‘truck multiplier’.
“What we’re trying to do is see what that does to change behaviour, getting trucks off local roads and on to the motorways.
“That’s good for residents and, of course, cuts costs for those trucks. Last calendar year, approximately $16.6 million has been returned to drivers for around 2.3 million trips.
“And the first six months of 2025 is tracking at a similar level. So far, we’ve returned $8 million for 1.1 million trips.
“They’re the early results. We’ll closely have a look at the trial. We’ll discuss that analysis with RFNSW as the trial comes to an end, and then settle on the next steps.
“We really want to know if it has worked or not, if it’s having the desired effect, or whether there’s a better way to tackle this problem.”
On Port Botany, Graham confirmed the government had adopted a staged approach to reforms under the Ports and Maritime Administration Act and the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).
He acknowledged operator concerns, saying the RFNSW leadership team had passed those on.
RFNSW had sought clarification on a number of the PBLIS recommendations, such as recommendation 6 ‘removing the power for regulating stevedore charges’.
“As a result of those concerns being expressed, I have committed to appointing an independent facilitator [NSW Small Business Commissioner’s mediation service] to assist with the reform process to make sure that this doesn’t backfire,” Graham said.
“Their role will be to invite all parties, including RFNSW and the trucking operators, as well as other parties in transport, to participate in the consultation process, and I want to make sure all voices are heard.
“The idea here is that all parties should feel able to use the independent facilitator to be able to reach a mutual agreement.”
Graham stressed that the facilitator would not have experience in port or logistics operations.
“We’re doing that deliberately so they are independent, separate from the industry. Their expertise will be in listening to parties, effectively communicating, resolving issues and facilitating an outcome.”
On the issue of stevedore charging, Graham reported to the conference that Australia’s infrastructure and transport ministers had met the previous night and endorsed the National Transport Commission guidelines for stevedore land-side charges.
“One of the things that update required was for annual price charges to be implemented on January 1.”
Ministers also agreed that the National Transport Commission will extend these guidelines to empty container park operators, and that will align with the guidelines that currently exist for the container stevedores.
“Those changes have improved transparency in the land-side pricing and charging behavior.
“We hope that will maximise freight productivity and improve efficiency of the freight supply chains.”
Graham said ministers also agreed to set up a working group to explore the response to the ACCC and the Productivity Commission’s findings on the stevedore charges.
“I want to ensure you that NSW has been leading the way here. We are going to be very active in pushing this agenda along, in particular working with the Victorian Government.
“We do want to see action on these issues.”