Same freight, less trucks for Central Western NSW

The Central New South Wales council group (Centroc) is the first to support a high productivity heavy vehicle road network.

NHVR Industry Engagement Manager John Gilbert said the decision by the 14 Centroc member councils to participate in the Performance Based Standards (PBS) network for level 1 or 2A vehicles means more certainty for business.

"This will allow more flexibility in the movement for innovative heavy vehicles which are the workhorses of the freight task in the Central West for agricultural and extractive industries that support local construction jobs," Mr Gilbert said.

"These vehicles can deliver the same amount in less truck trips with reduced emissions and reduced impact on local roads for the same freight task."

Centroc represents more than 240,000 people covering an area of more than 72,500 sq kms or an area the same size as Tasmania. It includes Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Hilltops, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Upper Lachlan and Weddin Councils.

Centroc Chairman Cr Bill West said Councils have thrown their support behind the PBS network because it offers greater efficiency while not compromising on safety.

"Residents would reap the benefits through safer roads and more efficient local industries," he said.

The decision follows last week's meeting in Orange, where NHVR outlined how PBS vehicles would reduce red tape for local authorities while ensuring heavy vehicles on local roads operate safely and in compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

"Every route added to the PBS network reduces red tape by cutting the number of permits required," Mr Gilbert said.

"Centroc's member Councils have given consideration to this advice and are supporting the PBS network which means a reduction of hundreds of permits a year in central NSW. The councils involved have embraced the superior performance of the high productivity heavy vehicles administered by the NHVR under the PBS program."

NHVR have now met with more than half of all local authorities across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Contact: Jillian Bagnall | 07 3309 8605