Frequently asked questions about last-kilometre freight
This page provides solutions to commonly found issues or concerns with the last kilometre freight movements.
What do I do if residents are affected by the noise from night deliveries at the local shopping district?
Local government normally manages noise from deliveries via planning permits or local laws that follow EPA guidelines or standards. There are a range of management and design measures that can be applied. See section Noise Guidelines and Regulations.
Who do I contact if I need to move freight on a local road?
This is dependent on the mass of the freight you are transporting and whether the road has been mass limited (has a sign that indicates the maximum mass allowed on the road).
For the most part, rigid trucks and articulated combinations transporting freight at up to 42.5 tonnes, 4.3 metres high and 2.5 metres wide, may operate on all roads except those that are mass limited or have a mass limited bridge or height restriction.
Combinations in excess of 42.5 tonnes, such as B-doubles or semi-trailers operating at Higher Mass Limits, are restricted as to where they can travel. However, VicRoads, in consultation with the local government, has produced a list of over 1,000 local roads where these heavier vehicles can operate. This list, Local Roads Approved for B-doubles and Higher Mass Limits Trucks can be found on the VicRoads website.
For travel on roads that are not covered by this list, the operator will be required to contact the relevant council for written permission and then get a permit from VicRoads approving this access. Frequently asked questions and other information on this process can be found on the VicRoads website.
Further information and links are available in sections Urban Planning and Network Access and Permits.
Has any company successfully used electrical vehicles to deliver freight in Victoria?
Diesel-electric hybrid vehicles are already used to deliver freight in Victoria by companies such as TNT.
The Victorian Government through the Electric Vehicle Trial is looking to examine the use of electric vehicles for some forms of freight delivery. It is intended that data from the trial will be made publicly available once the trial is complete.
See also section Electric Vehicles and Freight.
How can I get more flexibility to deliver freight late at night?
If local amenity issues can be addressed, it might be possible to at least trial extended delivery hours for freight to commercial or retail centres. This would need to be discussed with the relevant local council and address EPA guidelines.
The measure of successful night deliveries will be that all statutory noise requirements are met and impacts on residents' sleep are negligible. See sections on Night freight and Noise Guidelines and Regulation.