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The NHVR has made a number of recommendations to the National Transport Commissions review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, including the issues paper Easy Access to Suitable Routes.

NHVR Strategist Fiona Brophy said the NHVR’s response was based on the current and past permit approval system.

“We’ve looked at a range of significant reforms to the process for heavy vehicle operators to obtain access, which incorporate the latest updates to the NHVR Portal, while also allowing for education and training for road managers on their role,” Fiona said

The final NHVR Performance Based Standards (PBS) demonstration day for 2019 was held in Bundaberg last week.

NHVR Stakeholder Officer Dan Casey said the event was another successful day attended by more than 50 people representing six local councils and industry.

“These events rely on the support of local councils and businesses. 

“It was great have enthusiastic input from Bundaberg Regional Council, the Mayor Jack Dempsey and local businesses Isis Sugar Mill and Hawe Earthmoving, as well as Qube Logistics,” Dan said.

An NHVR survey of close to 40 heavy vehicle operators using Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) has found that those taking advantage of the flexibility offered by AFM had fewer fatigue-related incidents, an improved safety culture and higher productivity than other operators. 

NHVR Principal Safety Assurance Advisor Andreas Blahous said that the study followed calls for the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to allow for increased flexibility when effective fatigue management systems are in place.

National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme services will be available in the NHVR Portal from 2 December 2019.

Operators will be able to manage their NHVAS tasks including:

A new permit scheme for crane operations began across Queensland in late November as part of the on-going transition of Class 1 permits.

NHVR Program Director Annette Finch said the new Queensland Class 1 Crane Permit Scheme was the result of work undertaken by the NHVR, Local Government Association Queensland and the Crane Industry Council Australia.

“This scheme will increase productivity and reduce the burden for the crane industry operating across Queensland,” Annette said.

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.

Three of the 60,000 access permits processed through the NHVR this year were for giraffes.

The latest was Kamili who last week completed the trip from Perth to Melbourne, transported by Melbourne-based operator L Arthur Transport Services.

The NHVR coordinated the oversize, overmass access arrangements in place to ensure Kamili’s safety on the 3400 km journey.

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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.

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 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.

The NHVR will provide heavy vehicle on-road compliance and enforcement services in Victoria from 8 December 2019, with 54 staff currently employed by VicRoads in on and off road heavy vehicle compliance roles joining the NHVR.

Grapegrowers and wine producers, together with carriers, harvest operators and drivers, must ensure they take all reasonable steps to comply with the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws. 

NHVR Manager Stakeholder Relations and Customer Experience John Gilbert said a recent Wine Industry Day in South Australia was an important opportunity for grape growers to understand their obligations under Chain of Responsibility legislation.

“Grapes spilling off the back of heavy vehicles can make our roads slippery and dangerous for other motorists,” John said.

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.

The NHVR has released a top tips guide to the Portal to help operators reduce their application processing times.

NHVR Access Manager Roger Garcia said the short guide was aimed at addressing common errors and questions when applying for access permits.

“Following these simple tips makes it faster and easier for us to process your permit applications,” Roger said.

The NHVR has announced that the Vehicle Standards service will be available in the NHVR Portal from 4pm Wednesday 16 October.

This is another step towards giving industry a single source of business information, streamlining interactions and linking NHVR’s services.

Vehicle Standards applications for In-Principle Support, Exemption Permits and Modifications will be able to be lodged through the NHVR Portal.

You will also be able to attach:

A reminder that feedback on the Grain Harvest Management Schemes Review Issues Paper closes this week.

NHVR Executive Director Freight and Supply Chain Productivity Peter Caprioli said the paper addressed the different heavy vehicle loading schemes used during grain harvest across Australia. 

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.