GrainGrowers has called on the Federal Government to ensure its Bruce Highway funding upgrade expands Performance-Based Standards (PBS) A-double network access to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Australia’s grain freight system.
GrainGrowers detailed that while the high-capacity PBS A-doubles could reduce truck movements, lowering costs for grain growers and cutting emissions across supply chains, Queensland’s gazetted PBS A-double network was very limited compared to New South Wales and Victoria.
GrainGrowers Policy Manager, Trade and Supply Chains, Annabel Mactier, said the additional focus on road improvements provided an opportunity to consider ways to address inconsistent network access and, importantly, ways to deliver safety and productivity benefits.
“While the Federal Government’s commitment to the Bruce Highway is welcome news, to ensure the full potential of this investment is unlocked, it is vital the funding is tied to gazetting road access to ensure PBS A-doubles must have reliable access to key freight routes,” she said.
GrainGrowers has urged the Federal Government to:
- Tie future road funding to gazetting PBS A-double network access across critical freight corridors.
- Collaborate with state and local governments to address first- and last-mile access issues that prevent growers from fully utilising PBS vehicles.
- Prioritise route upgrades that connect regional grain-growing areas to ports and processing facilities.
- Reform the National Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme to improve approval processes and better enable smaller agricultural operators to access the full benefits of the scheme.
Ms Mactier said a coordinated approach to PBS A-double access would deliver stronger regional economies, enhance road safety, and further position Australia as a leader in efficient and sustainable grain production.
In addition to their productivity benefits, PBS vehicles are significantly safer than conventional heavy vehicles. According to the National Transport Commission (NTC), PBS vehicles are involved in 46% fewer crashes than conventional heavy vehicles and the NHVR estimates that the PBS program has saved 1.2 billion litres of fuel and 3.2 million tonnes of CO2.
She said moving grain efficiently from the paddock to market was an important consideration for growers across Australia.
“With tens of millions of tonnes of grain transported across Australia each year, we must take every opportunity to improve the freight network.”
“GrainGrowers is committed to working with all levels of government to improve freight outcomes for the grain sector and ensure Australia’s transport infrastructure keeps pace with industry needs,” Ms Mactier said.
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