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South Australia Class 1 Opal Mining Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice Operator's Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The South Australia Class 1 Opal Mining Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) provides exemptions to dimension and vehicle standards requirements for Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) used for opal mining, commonly known as blowers, noodling machines, elevators and prospecting drills.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2023G00857 |
| Starts: | 28 July 2023 |
| Expires: | 27 July 2028 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 1, SPV, blowers, noodling machines, elevators, prospecting drills |
| Exemptions: |
Dimension requirements (width, height) Vehicle Standards (VS) |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL, VS Regulation |
| 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 1 Opal Mining 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):
Vehicle standards exemptions
These vehicle standards exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are applied.
Eligible vehicles are exempt from the following vehicle standards applied by section 3 and schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (VS Regulation):
- Sections relating to compliance with Australian Design Rules Second and Third editions.
- Part 2 - General safety requirements:
- section 5 - Turning ability;
- section 7- Protrusions;
- section 10 - Mudguards;
- section 14 - Automatic transmission;
- section 22 - Windscreen wipers and washers.
- Part 6 – Lights and reflectors - all sections.
- Part 8 – Control of emissions - all sections.
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 1 heavy vehicle |
A heavy vehicle is a Class 1 heavy vehicle if it, together with its load, does not comply with a prescribed mass requirement or prescribed dimension requirement applying to it, and:
|
| Special Purpose Vehicle | A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a motor vehicle or trailer, other than an agricultural vehicle or a tow truck, built for a purpose other than carrying goods such as a mobile crane, a concrete pump or drill rig. |
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 1 SPV that is used for the purpose of opal mining. The Class 1 SPV must be a:
- blower;
- noodling machine;
- elevator; or
- prospecting drill.
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
Dimension conditions
An eligible vehicle must not exceed 4.0m in width.
The width of a heavy vehicle must be measured in the same manner as set out in section 8 of the VS Regulation.
The height dimension exemption is subject to any limitation placed by a structure.
General conditions - Click to expand
General conditions
Eligible vehicles are required to travel in daylight and are not permitted to travel during periods of low visibility.
Eligible vehicles must only operate in dry conditions and where the road surface is not wet and holding pooled surface water.
Eligible vehicles operating under this Notice must comply with Schedule 8 of the MDL, including assessing routes before travel.
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 public roads within the following specified areas:
- within a 150km radius of Coober Pedy;
- within a 150km radius of Marla;
- within a 30km radius of Andamooka.
Eligible vehicles travelling on a road within these specified areas must comply with height restrictions prescribed by the Height Clearances On and Under Structures map maintained by South Australia Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
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
There are no related 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 29 January 2024 | Updated the conditions section of the Operator's Guide to replicate the Notice. | |
| 28 July 2023 | South Australia Class 1 Opal Mining Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) commenced. | C2023G00857 |
www.nhvr.gov.au
E info@nhvr.gov.au
P 13 NHVR (136 487)
PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006