The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has announced its support for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) draft Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan for the next five years.
Announced in late December, the plan outlines various ways the regulator wants to see introduced to bring an increase in productivity back to the sector.
In its submission to the plan, NatRoad says improving heavy vehicle access is critical to improving productivity and boosting prosperity, as well as handling a growing freight task, reducing emissions and improving safety.
“NatRoad welcomes the clear focus on actions under the draft NHVR Productivity Plan with a focus on improving access and permit elimination,” the submission reads.
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“We support the NHVR productivity vision, identification of Australia’s priorities and challenges, which have been well developed.
“Ultimately, eliminating permits and bringing the National Automated Access System online should be the core goal of the next NHVR Productivity Plan. The actions in the plan should be firmly centred on achieving this goal, in collaboration with the states, territories and the federal government.”
On top of this, NatRoad is calling for the NHVR and road managers to commit to eliminating at least 90 per cent of access permits by 2028.
Referencing a Deloitte study that found reforms to improve heavy vehicle access would save the average consumer $452 per annum, NatRoad says the economic benefits from improving heavy vehicle access are well known.
“In light of the current cost of living crisis, governments should do everything in their power to reduce cost pressures on households and improve economic security for all,” the submission says.
To see these permits reduced, NatRoad has referred to the 2022 Kanofski recommendations calling for a National Automated Access System, or NAAS.
“We welcome work which is underway towards a NAAS, but it is clear that the Kanofski timeline is not on track,” NatRoad says.
“NatRoad has repeatedly called for clear funding commitments from governments to ensure the work towards a NAAS is prioritised and achieved. NatRoad’s recommended $3 billion Clean Transport Fund included a provision for providing funding certainty for improving access decision making from a $500 million efficiency fund within the overall recommended program.
“The efficiency fund would also provide funding for research, information and practical tools for decarbonisation.”
NatRoad says the NAAS should be built on the success of the Tasmanian HVAMS model, moving away from permits to a network based access system.
“It is critical that the future NAAS is not just a layer of automation over the top of an existing, broken permit system,” NatRoad says.
“Design and development of the NAAS should enshrine the 90 per cent permit elimination target.
“All governments should commit to eliminating at least 90 per cent of access permits by 2028 across all heavy vehicle classes. This should be supported with a clear delivery plan, including resourcing required to establish the NAAS.”
NatRoad’s three key recommendations to the NHVR regarding the plan are to eliminate these permits, improve safety outcomes and shift to risk-based enforcement.
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