The forum lodged a submission to the federal government’s National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

The strategy is part of the federal government’s plans to improve freight capacity and efficiency across the country.

Neighbourhood Forum 5 lodged a submission after a recommendation by federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester following an inquiry from Cunningham MP Sharon Bird.

The submission targets two factors – “Wollongong having too many trucks hauling bulk commodities and car imports whilst road upgrades are being denied, and the need to complete the Maldon Dombarton rail link”.

The submission pointed to a 2006 federal report into the Wollongong-Sydney corridor, which found Mt Ousley Road was already at capacity in the morning peak.

Since then, the submission stated, the amount of road haulage of coal and other items has increased.

It felt the solution was to push more freight onto the rail network, which necessitated the completion of the Maldon-Dombarton line.

The neighbourhood forum felt the federal government strategy needed to develop policies that will “reduce over-reliance of heavy trucks using public roads to move bulk commodities”.

“Some acknowledgement in the final strategy of the situation facing Wollongong, with its 6900 trucks a day on Mt Ousley is requested,” it stated.

“The final strategy also needs to address safety issues along with improving road cost recovery from heavy truck, improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.”