'Not good enough:' Truckies demand action as vital funding stalls

Truckies are warning that without a financial lifeline, local businesses will vanish within months, triggering a collapse of regional jobs and the supply chains the country relies on.

The nation's peak body representing freight drivers is urging the federal government to fast-track a $1 billion funding package, as fresh data lays bare an industry at breaking point.

Earlier this month, the Economic Resilience Program was trumpeted as a safety net for local industries smashed by global market disruptions, offering zero-interest loans to businesses, including fuel and fertiliser providers.

READ MORE: 'Looksmaxxing' influencer Clavicular breaks silence after suspected overdose during livestream

NatRoad has flagged that the 'Economic Resilience' promised on April 2 has yet to materialise beyond an online registration page.

"That is not good enough," NatRoad chief executive Warren Clark said.

"Without access to cash now, we are going to see trucks parked up and supply chains disrupted within weeks."

A survey of operators across the country found more than 70 per cent do not expect to remain viable beyond six months if conditions hold.

Among owner-drivers running one or two trucks, that figure rises to 78.1 per cent.

Confidence across the sector has also taken a hit, with a 91 per cent drop in positive outlook compared to before March.

The data shows smaller fleets are already feeling the impact, with businesses running fewer than 20 trucks reporting a drop in available work of between 10 and 50 per cent.

About one in four surveyed have stood down staff.

READ MORE: Firefighters continue to battle huge blaze at Geelong oil refinery

Clark said the findings reflect what operators are already dealing with day-to-day.

"Small operators and owner-operators are the backbone of Australia's freight task. If they cannot afford to put fuel in their trucks next month, the consequences will be felt right across the supply chain," he said.

NatRoad is calling for immediate action, including the release of program guidelines and a simple application process to get funds to operators quickly.

"Implementation of this program needs to happen within days, not weeks or months," Clark warned.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres told nine.com.au that the program would be ready to support companies "very shortly."

"The ERP, along with the fast-tracked delivery of the Net Zero Fund and the Forestry Growth Fund within the NRF, is complementing work currently underway across government to shield Australians from the worst effects of supply chain shocks and ease cost pressures on Australian firms and households."

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here