The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has called for targeted infrastructure investment, heavy-vehicle licensing reform and stronger freight planning ahead of Victoria’s state election in November.
The association’s 2026 Victorian State Election Policy Priorities outlines 15 areas for reform aimed at improving freight productivity, safety and supply chain resilience as freight demand continues to grow across the state.
Protecting future freight corridors
A key proposal is the protection of a corridor for a future Outer Melbourne Ring Road, which would connect regional and peri-urban growth centres with ports, airports, intermodal terminals and industrial precincts.
The VTA says the proposed corridor would reduce pressure on Melbourne’s existing orbital routes, improve network resilience and support industrial development across outer metropolitan areas.
The association is also calling for an independent Regional Roads Commissioner to monitor road conditions, report on network performance and advise the Victorian Government on regional freight priorities.
Other road infrastructure priorities include publishing pavement condition data for Victorian roads, establishing an annual rehabilitation program and developing a long-term strategy for bridge upgrades.
“Freight and logistics keep Victoria moving,” said VTA Chief Executive Officer Peter Anderson.
“Every product on a shelf, every construction project, every hospital and every community relies on the efficient movement of goods.”
Strengthening rail and intermodal networks
The VTA is also seeking improvements to Victoria’s rail freight network, including the completion of the Murray Basin Rail Project, development of Port Rail Shuttle infrastructure and better connections between freight terminals and industrial precincts.
The proposals are aimed at improving connections between major freight hubs and businesses while increasing the resilience and efficiency of the state’s transport network.
Anderson said the association’s priorities are intended to address both immediate challenges facing freight operators and the infrastructure requirements created by future demand.
Tackling the heavy-vehicle workforce shortage
Workforce shortages are another major focus of the VTA’s election platform.
The association has called for a Victorian-led review of heavy-vehicle licensing and training, with competency-based pathways and greater industry involvement in setting licensing standards.
Its proposals include allowing appropriately trained 18-year-olds to enter supervised heavy-vehicle driver pathways and introducing an accelerated eight-day licensing program for eligible candidates.
The VTA is also calling for additional heavy-vehicle rest areas along major freight corridors into and out of Melbourne, as well as dedicated facilities in metropolitan areas.
The measures are intended to help expand the pool of qualified drivers while supporting safer conditions for the existing heavy-vehicle workforce.
Supporting freight decarbonisation
The VTA is also seeking a road freight decarbonisation roadmap aligned with national reforms.
The roadmap would support investment in alternative-fuel and electric-vehicle infrastructure while ensuring the transition does not compromise freight efficiency or supply chain performance.
Other recommendations include stronger action against sham contracting, registration and accreditation of heavy-vehicle operators, improved freight data and planning, and the removal of unnecessary access restrictions on approved freight corridors.
Long-term planning needed
The VTA says decisions around freight corridors, infrastructure and network access will influence Victoria’s competitiveness for decades.
“We need a clear long-term vision supported by practical measures that address both current challenges and future demand,” Anderson said.
With freight volumes expected to continue growing, the association is calling on the next Victorian Government to take a long-term approach to infrastructure and workforce planning to ensure the state can continue moving goods safely, efficiently and sustainably.
Yvette is a Content Producer at Akolade, producing stories for Supply Chain Channel, an Australian learning ecosystem created to address the need for information, networking, case studies, and empowerment for everyone in the supply chain sector.
