Transport Minister Chris Bishop has rejected the trucking industry's request to allow heavier truck loads, citing road damage and repair costs.
Bishop announced the decision at Transporting New Zealand's conference on Friday. He said permitting increased weight limits would lead to infrastructure damage worth $150 million over six months, while delivering diesel savings equivalent to just 1.5 days of national consumption.
Bishop's prepared remarks stated "I want to be very clear about the Government's position: we are not in the business of subsidising the freight sector". He softened the message when speaking, saying instead "I want to make clear, the government's position is: we want to make sure we get the policy right".
He added that "any changes we make will need to ensure the effects on infrastructure are properly accounted for and managed through the system".
Transporting New Zealand chief executive Dom Kalasih strongly disagreed with the minister's position. "That's just a gross misunderstanding of how bloody productivity works," Kalasih said. "That's a shocking position to take."
Kalasih disputed the official analysis behind the $150 million damage figure. "We would like to see the officials' analysis, because I don't believe they're correct in saying the benefit cost doesn't stack up," he said.
He argued that heavier trucks already pay higher road user charges to compensate for additional wear. "I actually disagree with that completely, because those trucks are paying road user charges, so if they're heavier, they pay a higher charge, right?" Kalasih said. "The road is there to connect communities and get freight between it, the road is a consumable asset."
Transporting New Zealand has long called for heavier load limits, with pressure increasing during the fuel crisis as the industry argues fewer trips would use less fuel.
Bishop and Regulation Minister David Seymour confirmed that previously announced fuel crisis measures will take effect from 6 August. Those changes expand the number of drivers permitted to operate heavier electric vehicles and eliminate permit requirements for 50MAX trucks.