National transport reforms

Transport for NSW works with the Commonwealth Government and other states and territories to progress a number of national transport reforms aimed at moving towards a truly national transport system that will reduce transport costs and help lift national productivity without compromising safety.

These reforms include:

National Rail Safety Regulator and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

In December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the establishment of a national regulator for rail safety to be hosted in South Australia. It also agreed to the establishment and implementation of a single National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to be hosted in Queensland and a national body of law governing the regulation of all heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes.

These national arrangements aim to remove inefficiencies arising from inconsistent jurisdictional requirements, streamline the regulatory arrangements and thus reduce the compliance burden for business, and reduce transport costs more generally. Importantly, the efficiencies to be gained in moving to a national regime will not compromise safety. Potentially, the better assessment of risk and more efficient allocation of resources through a national scheme could also improve safety outcomes.

The NSW Government takes safety very seriously. In the case of rail, the Independent Transport Safety Regulator (ITSR) - the NSW rail safety regulator - was established in 2004 in response to findings from both the Glenbrook and Waterfall Special Commissions of Inquiry that there were insufficient regulatory resources in NSW to properly regulate rail safety.

In the case of heavy vehicles expert advice, including that of the NSW Centre for Road Safety, supports our continued higher standard of heavy vehicle regulation, compliance and enforcement.

The intention is for both the National Rail Safety Regulator and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to commence operations on 1 January 2013. Until that time the detailed arrangements for how the regulator will work will be finalised, including the development of the required legislation.

Transport for NSW will continue to participate in these reforms under the fundamental principle of no diminution of current NSW safety standards and the continued protection of infrastructure assets.

Further information on the National Rail Safety Regulator is available at www.nrsrproject.sa.gov.au.

Further information on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is available at www.nhvr.gov.au.

COAG Road Reform Plan

The COAG Road Reform Plan is a project to improve the efficiency, adequacy and safety of Australia’s transport infrastructure by undertaking national transport market reforms around charges for heavy vehicles. The plan is to create more efficient pricing for heavy vehicles and funding for road maintenance and infrastructure.

NSW considers that there is a clear need to reform heavy vehicle road charging and funding to improve productivity in freight transport, given the ever-increasing freight task and the ongoing pressures to improve our international competitiveness. Creating a heavy vehicle pricing and funding system that allows road agencies to respond directly to the needs of the heavy vehicle freight industry is therefore of increasing and critical importance.

NSW is committed to a fair and equitable heavy vehicle charging system that promotes road safety and provides the incentives and accountabilities for efficient provision of, investment in, and use of road infrastructure to the benefit of the NSW and national economy.

Further information on the COAG Road Reform Plan is available at www.roadreform.gov.au.

Information on other national transport reforms is available on the Australian Transport Council website www.atcouncil.gov.au.