Owner/Driver #328

“The poor condition of roads has
increased costs to communities
and the freight industry.”
Top: Not much room to pass on
this local road in western NSW
Above left: The local council has
had numerous attempts at fixing
this access road outside the Shell
Gundagai northbound on the
Hume, but it always reverts to a
corrugated and pot-holed dustbowl
Below & left: What happened to the
fog line on this local road? And
what happened to the shoulder on
this state road?
Opposite, top & bottom: Patches on
top of patches on this urban local
road; The Federal Government
will fund 80 per cent of the nearly
$13 billion allocated for the Bruce
Highway
“Roads in poor condition substantially reduce average
travel speeds – often to less than 40km/h – damage
transported livestock and horticulture, and increase
maintenance costs of heavy vehicles,” says Rawnsley, whose
brother is a truck driver.
“This creates an economic burden for farmers and the
broader supply chain.”
Rawnsley points out that regional Australia makes up 35
per cent of the economy, compared with Sydney’s almost 25
per cent and Melbourne’s nearly 20 per cent.
“However, given the size of regional Australia, it is much
more difficult to focus on key transport problems than in
Sydney and Melbourne.”
He points out it’s no good having billion-dollar roads if
B-doubles can’t get on and off them – the common “first and
last mile access” dilemma.
“Every local road is a connection to major roads which
provide a linkage to inland freight terminals, ports, and
domestic and global markets.
“Last – or depending on your perspective, first –
mile improvements and upgrading roads for higher
productivity vehicles mean that farmers and producers
can get more of their product to market in a quicker and
more productive manner.”
Local councils, poor cousins
This gets onto the issue of local government-controlled
roads, with access permits a common and often lengthy
headache for the trucking industry.
But spare a thought for the budgetary situation of many
of Australia’s more than 500 local councils, especially in
rural areas hit by the drought and bushfires and now the
coronavirus-induced effect on tourism.
“Inadequately maintained roads and bridges, which may
24 MAY 2020 ownerdriver.com.au