As North Queensland’s flood-ravaged freight routes slowly opened back up this week, the state’s peak trucking body has doubled down on its calls for government help for the industry.
The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) said it acknowledges and supports the Australian Government’s announcement of an additional $100 million in funding being allocated to assist primary producers and small businesses affected by the catastrophic floods in North Queensland.
But in a media statement yesterday added that the road freight industry is providing a critical and essential service in this natural disaster and is suffering exorbitant losses.
“We strongly urge the government to extend this support to the road freight sector which has been disproportionately impacted by these natural disasters,” said CEO Gary Mahon.
“The road freight industry is the backbone of Queensland’s economy, ensuring that goods are delivered safely and efficiently across the state.
“Amidst the recent flooding, road freight transport businesses are facing huge losses of $100,000 per fleet, per day due to trucks being stranded on flooded roads in North Queensland.”
Mahon said yesterday that fleets are continuing to face significant challenges, including trucks being stranded due to inaccessible routes, incurring additional costs related to extended travel distances, and unprecedented delays.
“The delays waiting for roads to open, translate to wages paid out and increased fuel and maintenance costs with no return.”
With the unpredictable nature of road access during floods, freight operators often have to reroute deliveries, resulting in longer distances, increased fuel consumption, and associated costs that are not currently supported with any existing funding measures, Mahon added.
“Business in the road freight sector deliver time and time again in natural disasters and expected to just absorb the losses and experience significant financial stress. Supporting the industry with funding subsidies would contribute in some way for their commitment to ensure that communities are supplied with food and products to survive.”
Mahon said providing financial support to the road freight transport businesses will not only ease financial stress but will also facilitate the restoration of supply chains needed to support primary producers and small businesses throughout the state.
“The QTA calls on the government to recognise the critical role of road freight in responding to this flood crisis in North Queensland.
“By including road freight in disaster assistance programs, the government will demonstrate its commitment to supporting all facets of the economy during this trying time.”
The Department of Transport and Main Roads advised yesterday the the Bruce Highway was reopening across the Seymour River at Gairloch, north of Ingham.
Children at the nearby Cardwell Primary School lined the school fence to cheer the truckies on who had been stranded in their town for days.
“I’m the partner of the second truck [in the video the school shared above] and I can tell you that seeing all the kids would have made his heart swell and put a big smile on his face 100%,” wrote one Facebook fan.
“Seeing this also makes me super proud and yup puts happy tears in my eyes. This is awesome! seeing the kids extremely happy.”
Added one driver: “Thankyou Cardwell for looking after us and making us feel welcome. If you have to get stranded …its a nice spot.”
While the Bruce Highway is now open to truckies, restrictions and closures still apply across a raft of freight routes in the state.
Earlier today, Leanne Dyer, the administrator of On The Pads “QLD EDITION”, the definitive guide for truckies wanting the most up-to-date road information in the state, advised the Gregory Highway was closed at Hibernia due to flash flooding.
For the very latest, visit On the Pads “QLD EDITION”, and/or qldtraffic.qld.gov.au.
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