NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says the government's announcements have created confusion for transport workers.
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) says the Victorian Government has announced the reintroduction of truck delivery curfews amid mixed messages from its Department of Transport (DoT).
NatRoad says it has sought clarification of what it terms “a Clayton’s announcement” which appears to exempt deliveries to and from hospitals and supermarkets.
NatRoad reports that last month, DoT broadcast an email announcement that curfews would re-apply from the following day, saying it had consulted with supermarket and road transport representatives.
It said supermarket and transport industry representatives understood the Ministerial Order that had suspended “No Truck” and “Loading Zone” signs for vehicles transporting food and personal hygiene products would not be extended.
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It then said the ongoing Omicron COVID-19 variant and ‘Super Flu’ mean that “trucks are taking longer to load and unload” and “will need to operate outside normal hours to keep supermarket shelves stocked”.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says his organisation had questioned the logic in saying flexibility was needed as well as announcing that curfews were back – only to be told that they did not apply to supermarket and hospital deliveries.
“This is a confusing situation that the Victorian Government needs to fix as soon as possible,” says Clark.
“DoT says supermarkets and hospitals have planning provision exemptions in place that are tied to the Pandemic Orders.
“Given uncertainty about new COVID variants and the terrible influenza season, it makes sense to exempt hospitals and supermarkets but what about pharmacies?
“Who do the curfews affect and why announce an end to them in the first place?”