The NSW Government is boosting freight efficiency to keep goods moving and help reduce pressure on fuel supply in NSW, working closely with the Commonwealth and other states under the new National Fuel Security Plan.
In line with Level 2 of the Plan - Keeping Australia Moving - these measures will increase access to the road network for larger trucks that can carry more goods in a single trip, and ease restrictions on operating hours.
This will help move more goods with fewer trips and less fuel, keeping vital supply routes running across NSW, especially to regional communities.
The National Fuel Security Plan maps out a staged, coordinated approach across all levels of government to support Australians in response to the unprecedented shock to global oil and gas supply.
While fuel continues to arrive in Australia and overall supply remains stable, it's the responsibility of all governments to plan for every scenario.
New measures include adjusting load limits to freight to allow for bigger and longer freight to travel on our road network, and where applicable to allow more freight to travel, load and unload at night, while providing for flexibility for hours of operation and curfews.
These longer trucks will use at least 18 per cent less diesel per ton of payload and can carry 33 per cent more additional freight.
These temporary measures will ensure freight can continue to move safely and efficiently, keeping essential goods flowing to communities and businesses across NSW.
Efforts to monitor, forecast and manage fuel shortages are ongoing at the Liquid Fuel Emergency Operations Centre in Parramatta, in collaboration with industry partners and national stakeholders.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"The conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global fuel supply and driving up prices, and that's being felt here in NSW.
"By allowing larger trucks and extending operating hours, we can move more goods around the state with fewer trips and less fuel.
"This is about acting early, working with the industry and making sure our supply chains stay strong."
Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:
"Fuel continues to arrive in Australia but we know that distribution challenges mean we're seeing localised petrol and diesel shortages.
"In a time of global uncertainty, these actions are sensible and support our communities and industries by keeping supply chains running, especially in regional areas.
"Taking action now means better fuel availability for people across NSW."
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
"These changes are about keeping goods moving across NSW, especially to regional communities.
"By allowing larger trucks and extending operating hours, we can move more with less fuel.
"It's a practical step to support supply chains and ease pressure on the system."
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"Keeping supply chains moving helps families who are feeling pressure on their household budgets.
"It ensures freight reaches its destination and food gets delivered to tables across the state.
"In a time of uncertainty, this is a decisive measure designed to benefit the entire NSW economy."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"This is a commonsense measure which will make sure the distribution of vital goods across NSW is not interrupted.
"Making this change will make supply chains across the state more fuel efficient so there's more fuel at the bowser."
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said:
"Roads are the backbone of our supply chain and NSW is acting early to keep freight moving and reduce pressure on fuel supply.
"We know that when fuel supply is under pressure, regional communities feel it first and hardest.
"That is why we are taking practical steps now to keep freight moving efficiently across NSW.
"These temporary changes are about making sure more essential goods can get where they need to go, with fewer trips and less fuel."
