At the Road Freight NSW 2025 Conference and Awards, Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, acknowledged the mounting pressures on transport operators and outlined how the NSW Government is stepping in to support businesses both large and small.
Aitchison said many of the challenges facing the sector cut across multiple portfolios, creating barriers that no single operator can resolve on their own.
“Ultimately, those things are causing businesses that have been around 50 or 70 years to close their doors, which impacts on you as a transport operator,” she said.
Road funding boost
The Minister highlighted the government’s efforts to fast-track road repairs and disaster recovery funding following years of floods and other natural disasters.
“Last year we pumped out $1.024 billion — more than five times the previous funding — to councils so they could repair roads damaged by disasters,” Aitchison said.
She added that an extra $155 million had been brought forward for upgrades on the state road network to get highways “back up to standard as quickly as possible.”
Collaboration with councils and agencies
Aitchison stressed the importance of collaboration between government and industry to address bottlenecks.
“As Minister, I see one of the really critical functions I can do is bring together those other parts of government to ensure that when problems arise, they are dealt with quickly.”
She also noted that tighter accountability on council spending is improving outcomes:
“Councils now have to acquit the funds they’re given, so we are seeing much better data and transparency on road upgrades.”
Supporting freight and infrastructure growth
The government is also investing in key freight routes impacted by renewable energy projects.
“We are really investing the time and money in getting the Golden Highway right, making sure that oversized and over-mass movements can happen without compromising existing freight tasks,” Aitchison explained.
Rest areas and safety
Driver fatigue and safe facilities remain a priority, with several projects underway.
“The Western Sydney Truck Stop is an $80 million investment by the federal and state governments, and we’re working towards getting that ready to go next year,” Aitchison said.
She confirmed further rest area upgrades across the network, including new facilities at Narrabri and major works planned for the Newell Highway.
A message to operators
Above all, Aitchison said industry feedback is vital to shaping government policy.
“It’s no point government designing infrastructure we think will suit your needs. We need to hear directly from operators so we can deliver solutions that actually work for you.”
- Fuel Tax Credit Debate Reignites
The Australian Trucking Association has urged the Australian Government to reject a recommendation from the Productivity Commission that would phase out fuel tax credits for trucking operators, warning it would increase freight costs and place further financial pressure on the industry. The recommendation was included in the Commission’s final report on Australia’s net zero transformation - Top Tips for Employers to Help Apprentices SucceedAt the Australian Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Conference (TMC) 2025, a powerful message resonated across the room: the industry’s future depends on how well today’s employers train, mentor and retain apprentices. The panel session Working with TAFEs to Get Training Results brought together four experienced voices — Ashley Belteky, (Apprenticeship Mentor – Women in Male-Dominated Trades at
- Working with TAFEs to Get Training ResultsAt the 2025 Technology and Maintenance Conference, a packed session explored how employers, trade schools, and support organisations can collaborate to improve apprenticeship outcomes. Moderated by Ashley Belteky, (Apprenticeship Mentor – Women in Male-Dominated Trades at Apprenticeship Support Australia), the discussion featured Paul Chaseling (Head Teacher – Heavy Vehicles Automotive at Dubbo TAFE NSW), Dylan Jenkin (Service Manager at Tatiara
- A Leap Forward in Lubricant Performance: API’s Proposed PC-12 Oil Category Targets 2027 LaunchAt the Australian Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Conference (TMC) 2025, Castrol’s Senior Expert Technologist, Claudia Sclosa, outlined one of the most significant upcoming changes in engine lubricant standards — the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Proposed Category 12 (PC-12). Expected to launch on 1 January 2027, PC-12 represents a major advance in heavy-duty diesel engine oil formulation,
- Hydrogen’s Heavy Road Challenge: Costs, Infrastructure and Public PerceptionAt the Australian Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Conference (TMC) 2025, the discussion on hydrogen as a transport fuel shifted from theory to the practical realities of getting trucks on the road. Speaking during the hydrogen trucks and refuelling session, Nathan Pearce-Boltec, Technical Solutions Engineer at BOC South Pacific, outlined the engineering, infrastructure and market challenges that
