Media releases

The NHVR is calling for feedback on future safety reforms across the livestock supply chain. 

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto told today’s Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association’s 2020 Conference in Tamworth that the review targeted several key areas where Chain of Responsibility laws applied to the movement of sheep and cattle.

“We’ve identified a range of issues including loading practices, understanding of mass management and general understanding of regulatory responsibilities,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Heavy vehicle safety services have a new home in Victoria with the official opening of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Victorian headquarters in Port Melbourne.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Jaala Pulford opened the new office today as part of the transition of state-delivered heavy vehicle services to the national regulator.

The NHVR is calling for a coordinated approach to addressing Australia’s growing road freight task.

NHVR Executive Director Freight and Supply Chain Productivity, Peter Caprioli today released a Draft Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan 2020-2025 (HVPP) for feedback.

“This is a draft blueprint for the NHVR, government and industry to work together to improve access and productivity for Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet,” Mr Caprioli said.

A recent National Heavy Vehicle Regulator-led operation targeting fatigue showed 93.9 per cent of truck drivers are complying with fatigue regulations aimed at keeping everyone safe on our roads.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Operation Wake Up intercepted 4096 drivers over an eight-day period in December at more than 80 locations and mobile patrols across Australia.

The NHVR has welcomed the release of the Productivity Commission’s Draft Report into National Transport Regulatory Reform.

NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said that the draft report highlighted the benefits that had already been achieved, while charting a path for improvement.

“We welcome the draft report and will continue to work with the Productivity Commission as they finalise their inquiry over the coming months,” Mr Gay said.
“The draft report reinforces the key safety and productivity benefits that have already been enabled through the work of industry and the NHVR.

Heavy vehicle operators should be aware of a large number of heavy vehicle movements taking place in fire-affected areas of Queensland and NSW over the coming days.

The NHVR and road managers have fasttracked a large number of permit applications over the past 24 hours to allow movement heavy vehicles in relation to firefighting operations, including Australian Defence Force vehicles.

Operators travelling in areas affected by firefighting operations should take care and be aware that delays may occur.

Stay up-to-date on road closures due to bushfires at:

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is calling for funding applications for programs that improve heavy vehicle safety on Australian roads.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Federal Government had provided $5.48 million for safety projects for round five of the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program.

“This funding is focused towards groups and projects delivering real safety benefits for the heavy vehicle industry and all road users,” Mr McCormack said.

The Federal Government has announced the extension of an initiative that will make it easier and more flexible for truck drivers to use their vehicles outside work hours.  

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the Government had worked with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to extend the Personal Use Exemption for drivers operating under Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) and Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM). 

“There are currently more than 2300 operators utilising the benefits of AFM and BFM,” Mr Buchholz said.

The NHVR has welcomed a NSW Government decision to improve access for high productivity vehicles along the Newell Highway at Coonabarabran.

NHVR Freight and Supply Chain Executive Director Peter Caprioli said the additional access for Modular B-Triples, B-Triples, AB-Triples & Type 1 Road Trains up to 36.5 metres was another step forward for industry productivity.

“These classes of heavy vehicles will now be able to travel under the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation Notice and associated NSW Higher Mass Limits Declaration.

Two new members have been appointed to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Board.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said current NHVR Board Deputy Chair Peter Garske and Board member Coral Taylor would retire this month.

“Julie Russell and Catherine Scott will replace Mr Garske and Ms Taylor when their appointments end,” Mr McCormack said.

“Ministers have unanimously agreed Ms Russell and Ms Scott should be appointed to the Board.

A national operation inspecting more than 3500 heavy vehicles, including oversize overmass and Performance Based Standards combinations, has found that 93 per cent were compliant with their permit conditions.

NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said the third Operation Kingsize was conducted over nine days in September.

“This year, officers inspected 3533 heavy vehicles which showed that 93.1 per cent were compliant with their permit or notice conditions,” Mr Salvati said.

The NHVR has commenced an investigation into two Tasmanian heavy vehicle companies in relation to possible maintenance and mass breaches under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). 

NHVR Director Investigations Steve Underwood said NHVR officers recently entered the companies’ premises in relation to alleged breaches of safety duties under the HVNL. The companies were also required to present heavy vehicles for inspection. 

An important trial to provide a significant boost to safety in the livestock industry is underway at Kilcoy Global Foods in South-East Queensland’s Somerset Region.

A quarter of caravan and Recreational Vehicle users have stayed overnight in truck rest areas according to research released by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia today.

The NHVR is calling for feedback on the different heavy vehicle loading schemes used during grain harvest across Australia.

NHVR Executive Director Freight and Supply Chain Productivity Peter Caprioli said the Grain Harvest Management Schemes Review Issues Paper called for feedback on the creation of national standards.

“There are currently a range of schemes operating nationally with allowances for mass and operational conditions that vary significantly in each state,” Mr Caprioli said.

The NHVR has released An Introduction to Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) booklet, at today’s second Fatigue Safety Forum.

NHVR Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous said the new booklet would provide simple information for operators seeking access to more flexible work and rest hours.

“AFM can be a powerful tool that allows businesses to unlock flexibility in their operations while reducing complexity and improving safety,” Mr Blahous said.