Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) has taken its case for a $350 million investment in the state’s freight network to the NSW Government, calling for urgent support to clear chokepoints that are costing the economy millions each year.
RCNSW is an alliance of 15 regional cities across New South Wales, including Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Goulburn Mulwaree, Griffith, Lismore, Maitland, Orange, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Tamworth, Tweed, and Wagga Wagga.
A delegation representing RCNSW members recently, including the group’s Deputy Chair Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb, met with state government and shadow ministers to push for funding to improve freight efficiency across the state.
RCNSW received State Government funding to develop a business case prioritising local road freight chokepoints and identifying viable solutions. The findings were included in RCNSW’s submission to Transport for NSW’s Freight Policy Reform: Interim Directions Paper, which will help shape future policy and investment decisions.
RCNSW Chair Cr Steve Krieg said a business case commissioned by the organisation identified 93 freight chokepoints responsible for $80 million in lost efficiencies annually.
“The Regional Transport Pinch Point Program report took a detailed look across the state to identify areas in the freight network in need of upgrading.
“It found the network’s connectivity and efficiency would be improved with a $346 million investment in 10 priority projects,” Cr Krieg said.
The group says that freight transport networks extend beyond local government boundaries and require a coordinated response to remove constraints and improve efficiency. While Transport for NSW undertakes planning for the state road network, no such planning exists for local road freight networks.
The delegation met with Minister for Transport and Roads John Graham, Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Regional New South Wales Dugald Saunders, and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Gaming and Racing, and the Arts and Heritage and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson.
Cr Krieg said the meetings were an opportunity to advocate for funding ahead of the June 2025 State Budget.
“Our RCNSW delegation also discussed with the government ways the State Government could help to address the shortage of housing in regional cities, including by assisting to speed up the development of shovel-ready land,” Cr Krieg said.
“We also recommended a range of measures to enhance water security across its member cities, including ongoing funding for at-risk regional water infrastructure,” he said.
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