The Queensland Government has released its Queensland Freight Delivery Plan 2026, a five-year roadmap containing 70 actions aimed at improving freight productivity, connectivity, resilience and safety as the state’s freight task continues to grow.
As well as bringing together existing infrastructure programs and initiatives, it also includes several important measures that should be welcomed by the heavy vehicle industry.
The plan clearly recognises the central role of Higher Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) in meeting Queensland’s future freight needs, with HPV kilometres travelled identified as one of four key measures of success.
The government has also committed to developing a longer-term vision for Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicle access on key freight corridors, providing greater certainty for operators investing in more productive equipment.
The plan places a strong focus on improving heavy vehicle access and reducing red tape. Commitments include implementing the National Automated Access System (NAAS), exploring higher-load vehicle access to major trading ports, improving livestock access arrangements and progressing an eastern-coast strategic freight spine to support more efficient freight movements between Queensland and the southern states.
Decarbonisation also features, with the government committing to work with industry on biofuels initiatives and investigate opportunities to expand Queensland’s Zero Emissions Heavy Vehicle Scheme network along strategic freight routes.
While the roadmap includes a significant focus on increasing rail’s share of the freight task, including through a new Rail Freight Container Incentive Scheme and discounted diesel fuel access charges on the Mount Isa Line, it also acknowledges the critical role road freight will continue to play in supporting Queensland’s economy and supply chains.
HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking welcomed the release of the plan and said it contained a number of initiatives that align with the industry’s priorities.
“Queensland’s freight task is growing rapidly, so it’s encouraging to see a plan that recognises the importance of improving heavy vehicle productivity, streamlining access and supporting practical pathways to decarbonisation,” Mr Hacking said.
“We’re particularly pleased to see commitments around PBS access planning, the rollout of NAAS, expanding opportunities for higher productivity vehicles and exploring the role renewable fuels and zero-emission technologies can play in the freight sector.”
“We also urge the Queensland Government to support the recommendations of the recent Productivity Commission Study on Heavy Vehicle Reform, and the associated $400m National Competition Policy agreement with the Federal Government to support a step-change on road freight productivity improvements”.
” HVIA looks forward to working closely with the Queensland Government and other stakeholders to help shape and deliver the plan’s objectives over the coming years.”