The announcement of $720million for the Inland Freight Route (IFR) by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in last night’s budget has cemented the future for road freight in Queensland.
The Inland Freight Route is now confirmed a reality with funding available immediately to commence the build of this key freight route in Queensland. With the reinstatement of the 80/20 funding principle and further $200million already committed by the Queensland Government, this mean a total infrastructure investment of $1 billion dollars.
Gary Mahon, Chief Executive Officer, QTA said, “Last night’s commitment by the Federal Government to the Inland Freight Route is a significant step towards a progressive future for road freight in Queensland.”
“Importantly for Queensland, it will provide an alternative all-weather route for road freight in the State which will ensure that in times of natural disaster, regional and remote communities can be supplied with essential goods and products.”
This is one of the most significant advocacy achievements for the Queensland Trucking Association Limited (QTA) since lobbying commenced for the IFR in the 2020 Budget Election Blueprint.
After the Infrastructure Review in 2023, the IFR was moved to ‘review’ status and through the QTA’s strategic and consistent advocacy, this funding is now on the investment schedule.
“As the most decentralised state in the country and as we look to the future, governments need to accept that the road freight industry must have reliable, productive and safe roads built for trucks to keep our most regional and remote communities replenished. Complimented with rail freight, this funding will provide more certainty that imports and exports will be more efficiently delivered to and from our ports for years to come. This funding confirms they are listening.” Mr Mahon said.
This is a game changing initiative for a substantial uplift in the progressive use of safer, more efficient multi-combinations that will support the industries transition to low emissions targets. This is critical to an industry who will require the use of diesel-powered trucks for some years while waiting for the progression of zero emission heavy vehicle technology advancements and the investment of alternative fuels infrastructure in the State.
Gone are the days where you can make a speech about wanting to be carbon neutral when not really understanding what the reality is.
“The journey towards real progress starts with a freight network that provides for the safest and most efficient truck trips which means maximum utilisation of multi-combinations. If industry wide productivity does not improve then price pressures will be persistent and eat at the sustainability of road freight.” said Mr Mahon
This does not diminish our continuing expectations for sustained investment in the Bruce Highway but is an important and valuable investment for Queensland and the establishment of a National All-weather Freight Route.
The progressive charter of the QTA and determination to get outcomes for members means it will now be tackling and looking toward its next advocacy challenge of connecting Toowoomba Second Range Crossing to the Port of Brisbane. This will require a multi-modal approach with critical thinking by key stakeholders to achieve an innovative, safe and efficient solution to connect the entire freight supply chain in Queensland.
With road freight being a significant contributor to the economy and productivity of the State, the Queensland Trucking Association will continue to forge ahead to represent its members through high level strategic advocacy that is focussed on growth, sustainability and safety.
In other news from the Budget as reported by many, the changes for business were insignificant compared to the spending on the household sector, with little to promote substantial ongoing reform to power up productivity which has been flattening for road freight since 2007.
Investment in workforce gaps were encouraging, including 20,000 additional fee-free TAFE and VET places to train construction workers but yet again, no provisions for any priority for road transport and the heavy vehicle apprenticeship.
Tax incentives were welcome for Queensland industry, with tax credits for Hydrogen Energy and Critical Minerals and, more broadly, an extension of the instant asset write-off for small businesses.
These measures fall well short of the incentives we need for road freight productivity-enhancing investments and the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law continues to lack any ambition as a reform program which will impede any progress in the regulatory space for road freight.
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Contact Gary Mahon - 0418 736 802.