LBRCA BACKS REGIONAL ROAD INVESTMENT, URGES GOVERNMENTS TO SET OUT DELIVERY TIMETABLE
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) has welcomed the Australian and NSW governments’ commitment to upgrading key regional road corridors, while calling for a clear timetable for when works will commence and be delivered.
LBRCA President Wade Lewis said investment in regional roads was one of the most direct ways governments could improve the safety and productivity of rural freight.
“LBRCA has consistently called for greater investment in regional roads because rural carriers are seeing the deterioration of these networks in real time,” Mr Lewis said.
“This investment represents a significant opportunity to improve freight productivity, road safety and heavy vehicle access across regional New South Wales.”
The NSW Government has identified upgrades along the Newcastle to Dubbo, Muswellbrook to Armidale and Euston to Tocumwal corridors.
These routes are critical to the movement of agricultural commodities, livestock, bulk freight and other essential goods to and from regional NSW.”
“In recent months, these networks have also come under increasing pressure from oversize and overmass movements associated with renewable energy projects, and LBRCA has raised concerns directly with the NSW Government about road condition and safety impacts,” Mr Lewis said.
“Industry and regional communities have heard commitments to improve these roads before. What operators now need is clarity on when projects will start, what sections will be prioritised and when the benefits will be delivered.”
“We welcome the investment, but there will understandably be some scepticism until industry starts seeing graders, machinery and road crews on the ground.”
“For rural carriers, these roads are our workplaces. We particularly welcome the focus on road widening, overtaking opportunities, intersection improvements, rest areas, pull-over bays and heavy vehicle facilities, as it shows the government is listening to LBRCA,” Mr Lewis said.
Mr Lewis said the investment should also be used to address heavy vehicle access constraints and ensure upgraded infrastructure is designed around the freight task of the future.
“We need to make sure that when governments spend this sort of money, we are not simply rebuilding yesterday’s road network.”
LBRCA said industry engagement during planning and project prioritisation would be essential.
“Rural carriers use these corridors every day and know where the bottlenecks, unsafe intersections, narrow shoulders, inadequate rest areas and access constraints are.”
“Government should have freight operators at the table early so that every dollar invested delivers the maximum possible safety and productivity benefit.”
ENDS
Date:
07 October 2026
Media enquiries:
Scott O'Connell scott.oconnell@lbrca.org.au | 0413 424 384
About LBRCA
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association represent professional transport operators who transport goods across Australia, advocating for safe, productive and sustainable freight outcomes for regional and rural Australia.