A refreshed NSW Heavy Vehicle Access Policy roadmap will reportedly deliver a fit-for-purpose road freight network.
Announced by NSW Minister Jo Haylen at the NatRoad Connect in Coffs Harbour, the policy outlines a new and updated strategic approach to heavy vehicle access in NSW for state, regional and local roads.
Under the roadmap, access for the safest, most sustainable and productive heavy vehicles is optimised while data and technology support greater efficiencies in the freight and supply chain system.
The Policy will support an efficient road freight network that is connected to local NSW communities and commercial hubs, and is integrated with railways, intermodal terminals, ports and airports.
Since the Policy’s original release in 2018, significant improvements in heavy vehicle access have been achieved.
This includes key freight routes being unlocked and greater access for higher productivity vehicles.
The Heavy Vehicle Access Policy was refreshed in 2024 to ensure Transport remains responsive to:
- the needs of NSW’s growing population
- impacts of climate change and net zero emission targets
- shifting global trends including the rise of e-commerce
- increase in innovation, technology and data available for heavy vehicles.
- The Policy sets out a five-year roadmap and actions to optimise access for the safest, and most sustainable and productive heavy vehicles on NSW state roads.
The Policy, according to Transport for NSW, was developed based on extensive research and consultation with freight operators and industry, academia, and all parts of government.
The updated Policy is one of the immediate actions recommended by the NSW Freight Policy Reform Panel in its recently released Interim Directions Paper.
“This Policy is our new strategic approach to managing heavy vehicle access on our roads, ensuring the goods we need can move through the state in the safest, most sustainable and productive manner,” said Bianca Slack-Smith, Director Policy and Regulatory Reform Transport for NSW.
“The Policy outlines our five-year action roadmap to streamline access for the highest performing heavy vehicles on the network.
“The launch of the updated Policy is one of the immediate actions recommended by the NSW Freight Policy Reform Panel in its recently released Interim Directions Paper.”