High productivity freight vehicle

Policy Statement 

1. The VFF supports the increased use of performance based standard accredited high productivity freight vehicles which have the potential to substantially improve freight efficiency, increase safety and reduce emissions.
2. The State Government should continue to invest in the expansion of the existing Victorian high productivity freight vehicle network by strengthening and upgrading bridges and intersections. 
3. It is critical high productivity freight vehicle compliance and administration requirements including infrastructure assessments and road access permits are streamlined in order remove barriers for smaller operators. 
4. Performance based standards should accommodate the unique requirements of agricultural freight. 
5. Operators must not be penalised for not being able to adopt new technologies, recognising that it isn’t appropriate for all operators to adopt newer technologies or newer models of vehicles. 
6. Recognising the significant cost associated with purchasing a performance based standard accredited high productivity freight vehicle, the State Government should explore ways to incentivise agricultural freight operators to adopt new technologies. 
7. The State Government should work with neighbouring jurisdictions and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to ensure greater harmonisation of high productivity freight vehicles regulations to facilitate the efficient movement of cross-border freight. 
8. It is critical high productivity freight access is incorporated into the design of future infrastructure including roads, bridges and intersections, as well as private commercial freight receival sites and locations where appropriate. 
9. NHVR and the State Government should work with local government to increase high productivity freight vehicle access on local roads. 
10.  The State Government should reduce redtape for high productivity freight vehicles crossing rail lines.