The Victorian Transport Association has opened registrations for the VTA State Conference 2026, calling on transport operators and supply chain leaders to secure their places early for what is expected to be a significant industry event.
The conference will be held from Sunday 22 to Tuesday 24 March at Silverwater Resort in San Remo, on Phillip Island, bringing together senior figures from transport, government, and policy and regulatory agencies.
With Victoria’s freight task projected to double by 2050, the 2026 conference theme, Freight Never Stops, reflects the increasing pace of demand and the operational, regulatory, and workforce pressures facing the sector. The program will examine how operators are balancing rising costs, efficiency requirements, customer expectations, and the need for sustainable, long-term productivity across the supply chain.
VTA CEO Peter Anderson says the challenges confronting the industry continue to intensify as freight volumes grow.
“The challenges facing our sector aren’t easing, they’re intensifying,” Anderson says. “Operators are dealing with unprecedented pressure on margins, greater regulatory scrutiny, and increasing expectations around safety, compliance, and service delivery. The freight task keeps growing, and our industry must grow stronger with it.”
Key topics on the agenda include infrastructure investment, intermodal connectivity, proposed Heavy Vehicle National Law reforms, modern industrial frameworks, sustainability strategies, and workforce capability and retention.
Productivity will be a central focus of the conference, as operators face cost escalation and increasing supply chain complexity.
“Productivity improvements are no longer optional, they are fundamental to keeping businesses viable,” Anderson says. “This conference will equip operators with strategies to lift efficiency through technology, innovation, infrastructure, and practical regulation that supports rather than hinders safe operations.”
Workforce pressures will also be a priority, with ongoing skills shortages affecting the sector’s ability to meet demand.
“For freight to keep moving, we need a workforce that is respected, supported, and sustainable,” Anderson says.
The VTA State Conference aims to provide industry participants with practical insight, policy context, and collaboration opportunities to help shape a more resilient and productive freight sector.
.jpg)
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.jpg)
