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South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck and Dog (Stobie Pole) Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck and Dog (Stobie Pole) Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) provides exemptions to dimension requirements for a Class 3 heavy vehicle consisting of a rigid truck and a dog trailer that is transporting Stobie poles.
This Notice enables a heavy vehicle that is transporting Stobie poles and is operated by SA Power Networks or is contracted to SA Power Networks to perform Stobie pole installation or maintenance activities. These Stobie pole installation or maintenance activities assist SA Power Networks to ensure the continued supply of electricity in South Australia.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2023G00768 |
| Starts: | 7 July 2023 |
| Expires: | 6 July 2028 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 3, rigid truck towing an extendable dog trailer |
| Exemptions: | Dimension requirements (single vehicle length, combination length, rear overhang) |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL |
| Coverage: | SA |
| To be carried: | No |
- Overview
- Definitions
- Eligible
Vehicles - Conditions
- Network and
Mapping - Related
Notices - Resources
- Changes and
Updates
Overview
The information in this Operator’s Guide is intended to do two things:
- Explain how the South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck and Dog (Stobie Pole) Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) operates, to assist in complying with it. This Operator’s Guide should be read in conjunction with the notice which provides the exemption or authorisation. If there is a difference or misunderstanding between the Operator’s Guide and the notice, the notice has priority and must be followed. The only exceptions are the requirements or conditions set out in the Network and Mapping section explained below.
- Provide additional information referred to in the network requirements of the Notice. This includes links to network maps and other information such as vehicle, travel and road conditions. Networks and their conditions published in the Network and Mapping section of this Operator’s Guide are not general advice and must be treated as conditions of the Notice.
Please read the Notice and this Operator's Guide together. To download or print this guide, use the print or PDF buttons on the top right of this page
Exemptions
Dimension exemptions
These dimension exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are applied.
Eligible vehicles are exempt from the following dimension requirements under schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL):
Please note that other mass or dimension limits are as per the MDL.
Definitions
Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Operator’s Guide have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL and the Notice.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Class 3 heavy vehicle |
A heavy vehicle is a Class 3 heavy vehicle if—
|
| Extendable dog trailer | A two axle dog trailer where the rear of the trailer, behind the rearmost axle, can extend up to a maximum of 3.7m. |
| Low visibility |
When circumstances such as fog, heavy rain, smoke, dust, or insect plague cause—
|
| Rear extension | The part of the trailer that can extend beyond the main fixed body of the trailer. |
| SA Power Networks | An entity trading as SA Power Networks or contracted to SA Power Networks. |
| Stobie pole | A pole intended for the purpose of supporting overhead electricity transmission lines, telecommunications lines, or other form of communication or power transmission cable. So named after James Cyril Stobie who invented the Stobie pole in 1924. |
Eligible vehicles
To be eligible to operate under the Notice, approved combinations must comply with all requirements of the MDL.
The Notice applies to a Class 3 heavy vehicle operating in South Australia that is:
- a rigid truck towing an extendable dog trailer; and
- transporting Stobie poles and operated by SA Power Networks; and
- performing Stobie pole installation or maintenance activities.
An eligible vehicle must not exceed 21.0m in length when transporting Stobie poles.
Conditions
Notices are subject to various conditions to ensure public safety, protect road infrastructure and prevent adverse impacts on the community, such as noise, emissions and traffic congestion. See the sections below for specific conditions related to this Notice.
Dimension conditions - Click to expand
General dimension conditions
An eligible vehicle must not exceed 21.0m in length when transporting Stobie poles.
Delineator conditions
When the rear extension of an extendable trailer is extended more than 1.0m, a delineator must be attached to the outer edge of the trailer on each side for the full distance along the rear extension.
The delineator must meet the following requirements:
- be made of stiff or flexible weatherproof material and display 100mm wide alternate red and yellow reflective stripes at an angle of 45 degrees; and
- the surface must be vertical and face outwards and be at least 300mm high; and
- must comply with Class 1 or 2 of AS 1906 ‘Retro-reflective Materials and Devices for Road Traffic Control Purposes’.
An eligible vehicle that complies with section 3 of Schedule 8 of the MDL may use that section as an alternative to the requirements above.
In addition to side marker lights required under Schedule 2, Division 9 of the VS Regulation or Australian Design Rule 13; side marker lights must be displayed, not more than 2.0m apart, along the total length of the trailer, except for the section where the delineators are fitted.
Stobie pole conditions - Click to expand
Stobie pole conditions
A Stobie pole carried by an eligible vehicle must not exceed 12.0m in length.
Stobie poles must be loaded centrally on the trailer and the overall collective width of a load of Stobie poles must not exceed 1.0m.
Stobie poles must be delineated with a least 3 sight boards as follows:
- On the rear of the pole, one sight board displaying a vertical surface 750mm long and 300mm high to the sides and a vertical surface 400mm square to the rear.
- Along the length of the pole, two sight boards each displaying a vertical surface of 350mm long and 400mm high to the sides.
- All vertical surfaces of the sight boards to display 100mm wide alternate red and yellow reflective stripes at an angle of 45 degrees.
- At night or during periods of low visibility the section of pole(s) that extends past the rear of the trailer must be delineated at the end with a red stop/tail light facing to the rear and side marker lights which display an amber light to the front and a red light to the rear. Side marker lights shall be spaced no greater than 2.0m apart.
For the purpose of this Notice, low visibility means the same as specified in section 8 of Schedule 8 of the MDL.
Other conditions and additional information
Third party approvals
Gazette notices, permits and some jurisdictional laws may require third parties and other entities to provide permission for a vehicle to travel if it exceeds certain mass or dimension limits.
Operators must secure all approvals from third parties such as electricity/utility companies, rail authorities and other third parties as part of their heavy vehicle operations.
For more information, visit the Third party approvals page.
Loading requirements
A load on a heavy vehicle must:
- not be placed in a way that makes the vehicle unstable or unsafe
- be secured so it is unlikely to fall or be dislodged
- be restrained using an appropriate restraint method
- be placed, secured or restrained in a way that meets the loading performance standards listed in Schedule 7 of the MDL.
Visit the NHVR loading page for more information on load requirements.
Complying with the HVNL
Unless otherwise exempted by the Notice or this Operator's Guide, operators must ensure their vehicle or combination complies with ADRs, HVNL, MDL and VS Regulation.
Using or permitting another person to use a defective heavy vehicle or a heavy vehicle with unapproved modifications on a road may be an offence.
Failure to comply may result in the driver and/or operator being liable for an offence. Penalties can include infringement notices or prosecution.
Chain of Responsibility (CoR)
Under the HVNL, every party in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) has a positive duty to ensure the safety of their activities in relation to a heavy vehicle. This duty, known as the “primary duty”, applies to the scheduling, loading and consigning of a vehicle, as well as to its operation on a road.
Safety is broader than the safety of drivers and other road users. It also includes protection of road infrastructure, preventing damage to other vehicles or property, and minimising environmental harm. Substantial penalties may be imposed upon parties who breach this obligation and upon their executives.
For more information on your CoR obligations visit Chain of Responsibility on the NHVR website.
Our Regulatory Advice offers guidance, tips and tools for managing a range of heavy vehicle safety risks.
The requirement to carry the Notice
Drivers do not need to carry a copy of the Notice.
Network and mapping
For the purposes of s121 of the HVNL, an area or route specified in the 'Network & Mapping' section of this Operator's Guide is a stated area or route to which this Notice applies. In addition to complying with the conditions stated in this Operator's Guide, operators must ensure compliance with the specific road manager access requirements set out below or in network maps.
Approved routes covered by the Notice
Eligible vehicles complying with the conditions of the Notice are authorised to operate on all roads in South Australia.
Eligible vehicles may only cross a railway crossing that is on the South Australia 23m B-double (GML) network unless an access restriction is published to that network on the RAVnet Online Map system.
An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in this Notice must comply with the following conditions as specified for that route and area under the HVNL:
Related notices
In this tab, you will find a list of national, state and territory notices related to the South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck and Dog (Stobie Pole) Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1).
A related notice may be comparable with this Notice or provide alternatives for operators to find the appropriate notice under which to operate.
Related state and territory notices
Supporting documents
All information about the Notice is contained in this Operator’s Guide. Please refer to the tabs for more information about this Notice, or contact us with your specific questions.
Resources
There are no additional resources for this Notice. However, operators are reminded of ongoing maintenance and other road infrastructure works across South Australia and are advised to refer to the South Australia Government’s Addinsight app and the TrafficSA website to ensure their route is not impacted by works.
Note: If you have any feedback on the information provided please contact us at info@nhvr.gov.au
Changes and updates
| Date | Summary | Links to resources and communications |
|---|---|---|
| 7 July 2023 | South Australia Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck and Dog (Stobie Pole) Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) commenced. | C2023G00768 |
www.nhvr.gov.au
E info@nhvr.gov.au
P 13 NHVR (136 487)
PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006