Container transport operators servicing the Port of Melbourne have welcomed the release of a new policy by the Victorian Government to allow Higher Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFV) to gain access to the Victorian road freight network at higher mass.
The Victorian Minister for Roads & Ports, Luke Donnellan, has released initial information about access for HPFV Super B-doubles at 73 tonnes (Quad/Tri configuration) and 77.5 tonnes (Quad/Quad) on metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victorian principle freight roads, and an associated online interactive map.
CTAA understands that further information and an interactive map about HPFV A-double access to 85.5 tonnes will be released before then end of June 2016.
Director of Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) Neil Chambers said: “CTAA Alliance companies and their clients have been in discussions with the Minister, his office, and VicRoads for over a year to achieve this outcome, and the announcement today is very welcome.
“The online interactive map is unique, in that for the first time, the capacity of the principal freight network and some important arterial roads to accommodate HPFV at higher mass have been made transparent, including where there are infrastructure impediments.”
“CTAA companies have been candid with the Minister and the government. Tell us what the network can handle and where the constraints are. Then we can progress important discussions about freight route & bridge infrastructure investment priorities. Hats off to the Minister for being good to his word on that.
“From a container transport perspective, this is all about freight productivity to/from the Port of Melbourne, particularity for our vital yet heavy agricultural export commodities such as grain, milk powder, hay, paper and the like. Improved freight productivity is vital if Victorian exports are to compete internationally and thrive.
“This just starts the conversations. There’s now plenty to do between industry and Government to get the best out of this sensible policy to allow HPFV to access the network towards their design payload capabilities. CTAA Alliance companies and their clients look forward to being central to those discussions,” Mr Chambers concluded.
