The National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) has expressed its concerns about a series of changes set to hit Melbourne’s inner west transport network.
The NBTA anticipates that the changes will impose steep new costs on the freight industry nationwide, especially those hauling fuel and chemicals.
While the long-overdue completion of the West Gate Tunnel is expected to greatly ease traffic congestion following years of roadworks and chaos, the NBTA fears that problems are about to get worse.
The association claims that several new 24/7 no-truck zones will block long-used suburban routes in the area, essentially forcing trucks onto the West Gate Freeway and or Tunnel.
As a result, heavy vehicles using the existing West Gate Freeway could face a new $19.78 toll each way from late 2025.
“For vehicles considered to be ‘longer heavy vehicles’ – which includes all 26m B-doubles – the toll is steeper still ($29.67), despite cars remaining toll-free,” NBTA Chairman, Justin Keast, told Trailer.
“The problem is compounded further for tankers carrying Dangerous Goods (DG) who will be barred from using the new Tunnel, but yet will still be subject to tolls for using the West Gate Freeway and Bridge that they have no choice but to use.
“This means DG tankers will be forced to use the old freeway and pay tolls for infrastructure they can’t even access.
“Imagine the public outcry if they tolled cars on the West Gate Bridge. But if you do it to heavy vehicles, you don’t hear a yelp.”
The NBTA sees this leading to a dramatic increase in transport costs and major disruptions to the safe delivery of fuel and chemicals.
According to the association, the changes won’t just hit bulk tankers but all freight companies relying on inner-west connections.
The NBTA has called on the Victorian Government to undertake an urgent review of the situation.
With tolling starting in November, it is calling for urgent clarification.
The NBTA has outlined its concerns in a written statement to Freight Victoria which calls on the Victorian Government to:
- clarify if safe DG routes exist;
- exempt DG tankers from the new tolls on the West Gate Bridge route; and
- exclude road tankers from the no-truck zones if serving key terminals.
“We’re asking for clear alternative DG routes to be published, toll exemptions for DG vehicles using the old freeway, and a fair go for operators who can’t legally use the new infrastructure,” Keast told Trailer.
“As families grapple with the cost-of-living crisis across Australia, these impending changes risk seeing price rises pushed on to consumers to cover the shortfall created by the new West Gate tolls.
“As a result, from the day the new toll road opens, nearly every item the consumer buys will increase in price given the industry now has no alternative routes other than tolled ones.
“Transport companies will on-charge those fees to their customer base, who in turn will add this to the public’s purchase price.”
In other news, Linfox has completed what it claims is one of the biggest moves in Australia’s elephant history.
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