WA Parliament is looking at legislation that would give Main Roads the power to charge tolls for heavy transport vehicles on “prescribed roads”.

The charges will apply to the proposed Perth Freight Link from Roe Highway to Fremantle Port initially.

But the legislation lets Main Roads ‘prescribe’ other roads, bringing more tolls for trucks via a simple change in regulations.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder told Parliament this week that the industry would have a say.

“I assure members that there will be extensive consultation and discussion with the community and the industry on the detail of the proposed heavy vehicle charge,” he said.

“The heavy vehicle charge is about sharing the benefits on a win-win basis with the transport industry, contributing to an even more effective road freight network.”

Mr Nalder told Parliament that a toll on heavy vehicles using the freight link from Roe Highway in Kewdale to the Fremantle Port was necessary to cover the cost of the $1.6 billion freight link.

“The funding of the Perth Freight Link is contingent upon a State Government contribution of $650 million, of which $374.5 will be recovered through a private sector contribution by way of a heavy vehicle charge,” he said.

“The charging scheme will only apply to heavy vehicles, being vehicles with a gross massive of 4.5 tonnes.”

There will also be penalties imposed for using ‘prohibited roads’.

The explanatory papers for the legislation shows the new power to charge heavy vehicles will not be limited to trucks on the Perth Freight Link.

“While the intention is for the heavy vehicle charging scheme to be applicable only in relation to Perth Freight Link, the provision allows for other roads to be included under the roads that may be prescribed in the regulations,” the documents said.

Mr Nalder said there would be regulations, but they will not be drafted until after the legislation was amended.

The as-yet unwritten regulations will specify a set of ‘prohibited roads’, which it will become an offence for heavy vehicles to use without a lawful excuse.

“For each part of the network of roads that compromise the Perth Freight Link there could be one or several other roads which are an alternative route that heavy vehicle operators could use,” the papers said.

“In order for the heavy vehicle charging scheme to be effective, it is important to provide a disincentive, in the form of a statutory penalty, for driving on other alternative roads rather than prescribed roads with the view to evade the paying the relevant prescribed charge.”

But there are more powers granted under the proposed amendments, including allowing the Minister for Transport to direct local governments on road work plans to minimise congestion.

If they pass, the new powers will let the Main Roads Commissioner make a recommendation to the Transport Minister after consulting with relevant councils.

If a council does not follow the direction, Main Roads can undertake works to ensure compliance, and then charge the cost back to council.