The Queensland Government has released a five-year roadmap containing 70 actions aimed at improving freight access, connectivity, resilience and efficiency as the state’s freight task continues to grow.
The Queensland Freight Delivery Plan 2026 brings together infrastructure programs and initiatives across the freight system, with actions centred on access, efficiency, productivity, resilience and regional development.
The plan has three key outcomes: enhanced productivity, improved reliability and resilience, and safer, lower-impact freight operations. More than 500 stakeholders, including industry representatives, local governments and members of the Queensland Ministerial Freight Council, were involved in its development.
Focus on heavy vehicle productivity
Higher Productivity Vehicles (HPVs) have been identified as an important part of meeting Queensland’s future freight requirements, with HPV kilometres travelled included as one of the plan’s 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.
For heavy vehicle operators, the plan includes a number of measures aimed at improving access and reducing administrative requirements.
These include implementing the National Automated Access System (NAAS), exploring higher-load vehicle access to major trading ports and improving livestock access arrangements.
The plan also proposes an eastern-coast strategic freight spine to support more efficient freight movements between Queensland and the southern states.
Improving freight connections
The plan includes actions across road, rail and other parts of the freight network, with the government seeking to improve connections between production areas, supply chains and trading gateways.
Road freight remains an important part of the state’s freight system, while the plan also includes measures to increase the role of rail.
Among the rail initiatives are a new Rail Freight Container Incentive Scheme and discounted diesel fuel access charges on the Mount Isa Line. The plan also includes infrastructure and safety works on major freight routes, including the Bruce, Warrego and Flinders highways and Beef Road Corridors.
Queensland’s freight task is projected to grow by 20 per cent by 2032, driven by population growth, increased agricultural production, expanding critical minerals industries, global trade opportunities and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Supporting lower-emission freight
Decarbonisation is also included in the roadmap, with the government committing to work with industry on biofuels initiatives.
It will also investigate opportunities to expand the Queensland Zero Emission Heavy Vehicle Scheme network along strategic freight routes.
The measures are intended to support freight operators as the industry considers different pathways to reducing emissions while maintaining productivity and network reliability.
Industry welcomes plan
Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) Chief Executive Todd Hacking welcomed the release, saying several of the plan’s initiatives align with industry 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.”
Mr Hacking also urged the Queensland Government to support the recommendations of the recent Productivity Commission study into the impacts of heavy vehicle reform and the associated $400 million National Competition Policy agreement with the Federal Government.
“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,” he said.
Did you find this article interesting? Click the ‘heart’ button above to give it a like!
