Council backs calls to abandon new truck freight tax

Published on 09 February 2024

Mildura Rural City Council has joined calls for the Victorian Government to scrap reported plans for a new tax on truck freight at the Port of Melbourne.

Mildura Mayor Liam Wood said the new tax would be a financial hit for the broader community, commodity groups and local growers.

Cr Wood’s comments follow reports this week the Victorian Government is considering a new road tax on trucks unloading and loading at the Port of Melbourne.

“Given the ongoing need for major upgrades to the rail network, including completion of the Murray Basin Rail Project, our region is still heavily reliant on road transport, meaning we could be among regions hardest hit by this new tax,” the Mayor said.

“This means increased costs for our local transport operators, which will then be passed on to local growers and businesses transporting goods in and out of our region.

“And of course, it’s our broader community who will then feel the impacts of these increased costs at the checkout.

“We need more information from the Victorian Government on how income from this new tax will be spent, the impact on regional areas, and how much of it will be invested in our region – whether its rail or road upgrades.”

The Mayor said Council would continue to advocate strongly to all levels of government to reduce the tax burden on regional areas, including through its membership with the Murray River Group of Councils and Regional Cities Victoria.