“Logistical Nightmare” – Rural and Remote Communities Supply Chain Nightmares
Australia’s road logistics need major reform to counteract the supply chain issues that are hitting rural and regional communities hard. With 80% of Australia classified as rural or remote, our large road network cannot keep these communities supplied with basic necessities and business and industry equipment. When bad weather hits, road freight services are left stranded when their only route option is inaccessible.
Disastrous Weather Means Disastrous Roads
In the last few years, flooding destroyed a major bridge in Western Australia and bushfires closed a major highway linking South and Western Australia. Both events caused supply delays that lasted months.
With the largest state road network, Queensland is the most vulnerable to rural and remote supply chain issues. Intense rainfall is now the leading cause of road closures, leaving supermarkets empty and industries without supplies when cyclones or bushfires hit.
40% of roads in Queensland are on black clay soil, which are very susceptible to cracking and damage from the seesawing wet and dry weather. As of mid-2025, there were approximately 1200 active road restoration projects in Queensland after record-breaking flooding and landslips across the state.
Road Maintenance and Renewal Costs and Wait Times Soar
As more money and resources are poured into emergency repairs after disastrous events, long-term costs keep increasing, and roads continue to lose longevity. With road renewal and maintenance underfunded, funds needed continue to climb and backlogs intensify. An estimated $8.6 billion was needed for road renewal in the 2023 to 2024 financial year in Queensland alone.
Reform is Necessary to Keep Roads Open and Better Odds Against Climate Change
Road freight is essential to Australia’s economy, and it keeps communities connected. Because of the growing pressure, the National Road Transport Association (NRTA) is currently campaigning for the major reform to Australian roads. With a plan for the federal government from 2025 to 2026, NRTA is pushing for improved road freight standards, increased funding for rest areas, lower road tolls, safer roads and more.
Advocates are also pushing for greener and more resilient roads, through the use of recycled car and truck tyres to make crumb rubber road surfaces.
However, coordinating such change will be quite a nightmare. Finding a solution to road logistics in Australia will require the coordination of the local, state and federal governments. Currently in Queensland, the onus is most often on local governments to fund road maintenance, but they do not have the resources to do so.
Added Pressure on Road Freight Services Due to E-commerce Demands
E-commerce also puts pressure on supply chains with transport from the local hub to final destination (last mile delivery) causing major congestion in urban areas. Because there are fewer options for road freight to regional and remote areas, smaller communities will generally have to wait longer for their goods. In this technological age, there is more pressure than ever on having improved road logistics and more reliable freight services, interstate vehicle transport in particular.
Rural and Remote Communities Have Barriers to Accessing Vehicles
Especially for larger goods like caravans and cars, as well as machinery for businesses, Australia needs reliable interstate car freight companies that will go the extra mile. While these companies can do the best they can with skills and industry training, the onus is now on the government to improve road logistics and safety amid these serious climate and funding concerns.
