Victoria Suffering from Shortage of Truck Drivers
Source: Pixabay.com
The Victorian trucking industry is facing a shortage of drivers as the state builds its major infrastructure projects.
According to the Victorian Transport Association, while the industry has been suffering from the effects of lower driver numbers for a long time, the problem has been made worse by major projects underway in the state. They say more young people are needed.
Peter Anderson, VTA CEO said the industry struggles to attract people despite the fact that it can provide a good livelihood for drivers.
He said at the height of the excavation of the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel project, a truck is due to leave the Footscray construction site every 2 minutes. That’s an additional 125 truck drivers for one project alone.
He said additional high-rise towers, subdivisions, housing estates and commercial areas as well as upcoming major projects such as The North East Link and Metro Tunnel will require a lot of resources.
The VTA expects more than 350,000 trucks a year will fill the streets around the CBD during the West Gate Tunnel and Metro Tunnel projects.
The Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan said the State Government’s projects were putting resources and suppliers under pressure. The government is investing driver training and conducting a major review into how more young people can be attracted to the trucking industry.