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New South Wales Class 3 Cotton Module Chain Bed Semitrailer Combination Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
New South Wales Class 3 Cotton Module Chain Bed Semitrailer Combination Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide
National
Heavy
Vehicle
Regulator
The New South Wales Class 3 Cotton Module Chain Bed Semitrailer Combination Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) exempts a Class 3 heavy vehicle transporting cotton modules on a chain bed semitrailer from height and rear overhang prescribed requirements of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL).
Please note: The Notice is an exemption from heavy vehicle height and rear overhang limits for combinations consisting of a prime mover and a semitrailer with a chain bed specifically built for carrying cotton modules.
This instrument does NOT exempt these vehicles from other requirements of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), including mass and other dimension requirements.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Gazette Notice: | C2023G01103 |
| Starts: | 22 September 2023 |
| Expires: | 21 September 2028 |
| Vehicle types: | Class 3, prime mover towing a chain bed semitrailer |
| Exemptions: |
Dimension requirements (height by load, rear overhang) |
| Law: | HVNL, MDL |
| Coverage: | NSW |
| 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 New South Wales Class 3 Cotton Module Chain Bed Semitrailer Combination Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) (the Notice) operates, to assist in complying with it. It is important to remember this Operator’s Guide is instructional only and it is the Notice that 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
About the Notice
This Notice enables a heavy vehicle operator to transport cotton modules from farms to cotton gins.
Exemptions
These exemptions only apply to the extent to which conditions are granted.
Dimension exemptions – all eligible combinations
An eligible combination operating under this Notice is exempt from the following dimension requirements of Schedule 6 of 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 |
|---|---|
|
ADR |
Means the Australian Design Rule. |
|
Chain bed |
Means a conveyor belt arrangement situated on the floor of the trailer designed to pick up and unload cotton modules from a farm to a gin. |
|
Class 3 heavy vehicle |
A heavy vehicle is a Class 3 heavy vehicle if— (a) it, together with its load, does not comply with a prescribed mass requirement or prescribed dimension requirement applying to it; and (b) it is not a Class 1 heavy vehicle. |
|
Cotton module chain bed semitrailer combination |
Means a combination consisting of a prime mover and a semitrailer with a chain bed specifically constructed to transport cotton modules. |
Eligible vehicles
To be eligible to operate under the Notice, approved combinations must comply with all requirements of the MDL.
An eligible vehicle under this Notice is a Class 3 heavy vehicle combination consisting of a prime mover towing a chain bed semitrailer.
Conditions
Notices are subject to various conditions to ensure public safety, protect assets 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
Eligible combinations and their loads must not exceed the dimension limits described in Table 1.
|
Rear overhang (m) |
Loaded height (m) |
|---|---|
|
4.2 |
4.6 |
Schedule 8 conditions - Click to expand
Conditions from MDL Schedule 8
An eligible vehicle must comply with the following conditions from Schedule 8 of the MDL.
Note: These conditions apply to the Class 3 vehicles operating under this Notice, despite the MDL otherwise, only applying them to Class 1 vehicles.
The applicable conditions from MDL Schedule 8 are:
- From Part 1:
- Division 1 – Section 11 (assessing routes)
Before an eligible vehicle is driven along any route, its driver and operator must be satisfied that the route has been assessed and that the vehicle can be driven along it without:
- disrupting telecommunication, electricity, rail, gas, water or sewage services; or
- damaging a road (including a bridge), structure, rail crossing or tree.
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
To meet the loading requirements, the heavy vehicle must be loaded:
- in a way that load placement does not make the heavy vehicle unsafe or unstable
- in a way that the load is not likely to fall or be dislodged from the vehicle
- using an appropriate system to restrain the load.
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.
National Network Map
The Notice may refer to state or territory government websites for the publication of networks. From 20 December 2023, certain authorised heavy vehicle road network maps for the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria are published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, through the NHVR National Network Map. Additional information and guidance can be found on the National Network Map webpage.
Approved routes covered by the Notice
The following routes are approved for travel for vehicles eligible under this Notice.
Approved routes covered by the Notice - Click to expand
An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this Notice is authorised to access all roads in a participating local government area listed below:
- Balranald Shire Council
- Bland Shire Council
- Bogan Shire Council
- Bourke Shire Council
- Brewarrina Shire Council
- Broken Hill City Council and Un-incorporated Far West area south of Broughman’s Gate Avenel, Lynray, Fowlers Gap and Gnalta
- Carrathool Shire Council
- Central Darling Shire Council
- Cobar Shire Council
- Coonamble Shire Council
- Dubbo City Council
- Forbes Shire Council
- Gilgandra Shire Council
- Griffith City Council
- Gunnedah Shire Council
- Gwydir Shire Council
- Hay Shire Council
- Lachlan Shire Council
- Liverpool Plains Shire Council
- Moree Plains Shire Council
- Narrabri Shire Council
- Narromine Shire Council
- Parkes Shire Council
- Tamworth Regional Shire Council
- Walgett Shire Council
- Warren Shire Council
- Warrumbungle Shire Council
- Wentworth Shire Council
Traffic advisory services - Click to expand
Prior to commencing any journey, operators should review traffic alerts, road closures, travel delays, and other traffic advisory information for participating jurisdictions.
Table 1 provides details and links to official traffic advisory services for each participating jurisdiction. For more information about a particular service, contact the relevant jurisdiction or department via the contact details listed on the service webpage.
|
Jurisdiction |
Website |
Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
New South Wales |
View live information about incidents and changes in New South Wales traffic conditions. |
Applying for a permit - Click to expand
Access permit applications are required for heavy vehicles that don’t comply with the conditions set out in a notice and when accessing routes that aren’t covered on an approved network.
The following pages provide useful information and resources for submitting access permit applications:
- Do I need a permit?: Information and resources for determining whether a road access permit, or a Notice is required to operate on Australian roads.
- Access permit application process: Information, resources, and instructions for submitting a valid access permit application.
Related notices
In this tab, you will find a list of state and territory notices related to the New South Wales Class 3 Cotton Module Chain Bed Semitrailer Combination 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
| Jurisdiction | Notice |
|---|---|
| New South Wales |
New South Wales Class 3 Baled Commodities Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1) Provides an exemption from height and width dimension requirements for certain configurations of heavy vehicle while they are transporting baled commodities. Please note the following supporting document for this Notice |
Resources
All information about the Notice is contained in this Operator’s Guide. Please refer to the tabs for more information about the Notice, or contact us with your specific questions.
Note: If you have any feedback on the information provided, please contact us at info@nhvr.gov.au
Participating jurisdiction heavy vehicle resources
For more information about operating a heavy vehicle in participating jurisdictions, refer to the following sites:
- New South Wales: Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) - Heavy vehicles
Changes and updates
| Date | Summary | Links to resources and communications |
|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2023 | New South Wales Class 3 Cotton Module Chain Bed Semitrailer Combination Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) commenced. | C2023G01103 |
www.nhvr.gov.au
E info@nhvr.gov.au
P 13 NHVR (136 487)
PO Box 492, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006