❓ The WA parliamentary question and answer concern the next stage of towing industry reforms, specifically focusing on potential changes to yard infrastructure, compliance with local government planning, financial sustainability for businesses, and planned industry consultations.
AnsweredQoN 1663Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the next stage of towing industry reforms discussed in DOT's Crash Towing Industry News - Issue 26, and I ask: (a) under the next stage, could operators be required to undertake changes to existing compliant yard infrastructure; (b) is the 6 to 8 week implementation window compatible with local government planning approval timeframes, should approvals be required; (c) what consideration of financial sustainability for businesses is being made around: (i) new expenditure required by operators to comply with the next stage; and (ii) impacts of the fuel crisis and other inflationary pressures on input costs factored in to the current price cap; and (d) can the Minister please table a list of all current planned industry consultations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 June 2026
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
Response time
1 days
(a) For the purposes of the Towing Services Act 2024, there are no existing yard infrastructure requirements. The Towing Services Regulations 2025 will introduce certain requirements. During consultation, most towing businesses visited had these storage yard provisions in place.Some operators may need to make changes to their existing yard infrastructure to be compliant.
(b) There is an existing requirement for land use to comply with local government planning and zoning laws. As part of the application process, the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) will be seeking evidence of compliance with these requirements.
(c)
(i) Storage yards already provide security and the ability to receive, store and release vehicles. The cost of changes such as signage visible from the road, fencing, flood lighting, security systems and a dedicated release area are all considered reasonable, given the nature of the business.
To assist industry transition to towing business authorisations, application and authorisation fees will be waived for the first year.
(ii) From 1 July 2026, the amended Regulations will increase maximum crash towing and storage charges. These revised maximum charges reflect Consumer Price Index movements in the preceding two-year period.
(d) From 5 May 2026, DTMI commenced progressively inviting individual towing businesses to coordinate dedicated visits to their facilities and discuss the reforms. This approach allows DTMI to schedule activities in consideration of demand and resourcing, and provide a personalised service to towing businesses. On-site visits at towing premises commenced from 7 May 2026 and are continuing as requested by towing businesses.
(b) There is an existing requirement for land use to comply with local government planning and zoning laws. As part of the application process, the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) will be seeking evidence of compliance with these requirements.
(c)
(i) Storage yards already provide security and the ability to receive, store and release vehicles. The cost of changes such as signage visible from the road, fencing, flood lighting, security systems and a dedicated release area are all considered reasonable, given the nature of the business.
To assist industry transition to towing business authorisations, application and authorisation fees will be waived for the first year.
(ii) From 1 July 2026, the amended Regulations will increase maximum crash towing and storage charges. These revised maximum charges reflect Consumer Price Index movements in the preceding two-year period.
(d) From 5 May 2026, DTMI commenced progressively inviting individual towing businesses to coordinate dedicated visits to their facilities and discuss the reforms. This approach allows DTMI to schedule activities in consideration of demand and resourcing, and provide a personalised service to towing businesses. On-site visits at towing premises commenced from 7 May 2026 and are continuing as requested by towing businesses.
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