A REVIEW of the NSW Roads Act 1993 has been welcomed by the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) as a step towards meeting the needs of modern freight operations.
In its submission to the New South Wales government, the ALC said while many freight-critical routes were managed by local government, they still performed essential state and national economic functions—connecting ports, intermodal terminals, manufacturing precincts and distribution hubs across NSW.
Ensuring these roads remained safe, efficient and reliable required clear responsibilities, shared data, and consistent access standards between state and local authorities.
“Freight networks are integrated systems – not isolated local roads,” said ALC chief executive Hermione Parsons.
“A modernised Roads Act must reflect this by strengthening shared decision-making, embedding transparent access principles, and protecting key freight corridors for the long term.”
Dr Parsons said the objective was not centralisation, but coordination and clarity.
“This is about coordination and alignment, not control,” she said.
“Local government plays a vital role – and a clearer, more consistent framework will support councils, industry and the community. When we coordinate well, we maintain liveable places, support housing and economic growth, and keep freight moving safely and efficiently.”
Recent public commentary from the NSW Premier about the need for coordinated state-wide decision making reinforced the value of structured mechanisms to resolve issues where local decisions had state-level impacts.
Dr Parsons said the ALC’s submission recommended a balanced governance approach.
She said the ALC’s submission called for modernisation of the Act to ensure freight access decisions align with NSW’s Freight and Ports Plan and the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.
Key reforms include:
Dr Parsons said the review is a timely opportunity to equip NSW for supply chain decarbonisation, technology deployment and climate-resilience challenges.
“NSW needs a future-ready legislative framework – one that enables low- and zero-emission freight trials, supports automation, and ensures resilient detour routes when disasters strike,” she said.
“Better coordination today will support safer, cleaner, more efficient freight networks tomorrow, while protecting the amenity and liveability of local communities.”