Route disruptions

This page provides information to road managers on managing access to local government roads in the event of a disruption or emergency situation.

On this page:

Closure of routes, roads or infrastructure

Infrastructure damage may require a road to be closed and a detour to be established. A detour sign or direction to detour under road rules has the power/authority to direct vehicles on a road that is not part of a route stated in a permit or a notice. A road closure or detour takes precedence over a Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) route declaration.

It is the relevant road manager’s responsibility to ensure the detour is suitable and safe for all traffic that will use it (specifically heavy vehicles) – and that it meets relevant traffic regulations. This includes approving access to meet the safety requirements of any heavy vehicle access granted under a detour.

Austroads has developed a Guide to Traffic Management that may assist road managers with managing traffic.

If for safety reasons, heavy vehicles cannot be detoured, the road manager should immediately inform the relevant state or territory road authority or the NHVR so that impacted parties can be informed.

Managing emergencies and natural disasters

An emergency under the HVNL means an event, or an anticipated event, that:

  • endangers, or may endanger, life, property or the environment; or
  • has disrupted, or may disrupt, communications, energy supply, water supply or sewerage services; or
  • is declared to be an emergency or disaster by:
    • the Commonwealth or a State or Territory; or
    • a Commonwealth or State or Territory authority responsible for managing responses to emergencies or disasters.

In the event of an emergency the NHVR can help affected parties to enable heavy vehicle access by assisting with, for example:

  • permit schemes
  • notices
  • communication material.

Exemption notices

Where supplementary access is required to address the management of emergencies for an extended period, an exemption notice may be appropriate. Road managers, road agencies, authorised agencies and emergency services can request the development of a notice that addresses the needs of emergencies before, during and/or after an event.

The time required to produce a notice depends on the NHVR being provided with the following information in a timely manner:

  • vehicle types
  • relevant heavy vehicle access conditions
  • routes.
  • affected road manager consents to use their roads.

The following are examples of exemption notices developed for disrupted networks:

Scenarios

A road manager’s response will vary greatly, depending on the cause and extent of the route disruption. Road managers are encouraged to contact the NHVR to find out the best way to proceed (sign, permit, notice). The following are examples of what may be required of a road manager in a variety of circumstances.

Scenario 1: 1–2 month disruption

Access to an approved route has been disrupted due to damage or infrastructure failure at a localised site and will take 1 to 2 months to resolve.

Examples of vehicles requiring access include:

  • Class 2 vehicles – such as B-doubles and Type 1 and 2 road trains – that meet the HVNL and Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL), or are approved to operate on the road under a notice or permit
  • Approved PBS vehicles that are approved to operate on this road under a notice or permit
  • Class 1 vehicles that are operating under a notice or permit
  • Vehicles that require access to a route that links to or is a major connector with key sites –for example, mines, processing facilities, and high-volume or well-trafficked sites.

Just indicating the detour by using road signs is generally appropriate in these circumstances, providing the detour:

  • is short-term (up to 1 to 2 months),
  • does not involve travelling a significant distance for vehicles to negotiate around the affected road/route
  • can accommodate vehicles safely.

Scenario 2: 2 month+ disruption

Access to an approved route has been disrupted due to damage or infrastructure failure at a localised site and will take more than 2 months to rectify.

Examples of vehicles requiring access include:

  • Class 2 vehicles – such as B-doubles and Type 1 and 2 road trains – that meet the HVNL and MDL requirements, or are approved to operate on the road under a notice or permit
  • Approved PBS vehicles that are approved to operate on this road under a notice or permit
  • Class 1 vehicles that are operating under a notice or permit

Vehicles that require access to a route that links to or is a major connector with key sites –for example, mines, processing facilities, and high-volume or well-trafficked sites.

In these circumstances, the road manager can:

  • Establish a signed detour.
  • Publish alternate access arrangements on approved networks. Route restrictions are to be published on state and territory traffic websites, so that heavy vehicle operators are aware of road closures and can plan alternate routing.
  • Provide the NHVR with the information for a variation letter, stating an alternate or specified route for permitted vehicles. There must be a vehicle envelope to remove the requirement to issue multiple permits to operators that may not just require access at a particular time during the disruption.

Scenario 3: Natural disaster emergency #1

Heavy vehicle access is required on state and local government roads to restore or maintain the re-supply of essential food, goods, and equipment in another state or to several local government areas impacted by a natural disaster.

Examples of vehicles requiring access include:

  • Class 2 vehicles – such as B-doubles and Type 1 and 2 road trains – that meet the HVNL and MDL requirements
  • approved PBS vehicles.

Options for providing access include the following:

  • The road manager can request the NHVR to publish a short-term exemption notice for the period of disruption or emergency for vehicles that ordinarily operate under a national or state/territory notice. This option should only be considered if the:
    • Access that is being provided is for a significant detour via another state or territory for a considerable distance using roads not ordinarily approved for the vehicle combination/s.
    • Access cannot logically be provided by a signed detour due to the length of the alternate route.
    • Supplies are required urgently in a region impacted by road closures, and larger combinations are needed to deliver the essential supplies quickly.

Scenario 4: Natural disaster emergency #2

Access is required for restricted heavy vehicles not ordinarily provided as of right access into a local government area to assist with:

  • restoring access or assisting with recovery efforts
  • evacuating flood victims
  • providing essential food, supplies, or equipment
  • relocating livestock and providing stockfeed.

Examples of vehicles requiring access include:

  • Class 1 load carrying vehicles transporting:
    • earthmoving equipment.
    • transportable homes.
    • equipment required to assist with the restoration of services– for example, gas, electricity and sewerage
  • Class 1 mobile cranes to assist with recovery efforts
  • Class 1/3 Department of Defence vehicles to assist with evacuation and recovery efforts – for example, Bushmaster People Mover, HX77, 40M load carrying combinations
  • Class 2 or PBS vehicles to supply food, supplies and equipment, or to relocate impacted livestock.

Options for providing access include the following:

  • The road manager can request the NHVR to publish an exemption notice, if widespread access is required for vehicles not normally approved for the areas requiring access. This is predominantly suited to Class 2 or PBS vehicles, where mass limits and dimensions are known.
  • Provide the NHVR with the information for a variation letter, stating an alternate or specified route for permitted vehicles. There must be a vehicle envelope to remove the requirement to issue multiple permits to operators that may not just require access at a particular time during the disruption.
  • Seek pre-arranged access from the NHVR for Department of Defence vehicles through permits or a variation letter before forecasted weather events or medium- to high-risk seasonal influences – for example, flooding or bushfire-prone regions.

NHVR emergency contact

During business hours

Calling 13 NHVR (13 64 87) during business hours (7am – 5pm AEST, Mon-Fri) will connect you to the NHVR Contact Centre. Once connected please inform the Contact Centre Officer of the emergency. Dependent on your enquiry, the Contact Centre will direct you to the Access team (permits), or the Network Access Policy team (notices).

Outside of business hours

Please call 13 NHVR (13 64 87) and select option 1 for heavy vehicle road access emergencies. This outside-of-business-hours option is for emergencies only.