Media release

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has welcomed the appointment of Peter Gutwein as Premier of Tasmania.

NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said he looked forward to working with Mr Gutwein and his government to continue to boost heavy vehicle safety and productivity for the state.

"The Tasmanian Government will continue to play an important role in the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and I look forward to working with them on a number of projects to support the local heavy vehicle industry," Mr Gay said.

The NHVR is calling for a coordinated approach to addressing Australia’s growing road freight task.

NHVR Executive Director Freight and Supply Chain Productivity, Peter Caprioli today released a Draft Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan 2020-2025 (HVPP) for feedback.

“This is a draft blueprint for the NHVR, government and industry to work together to improve access and productivity for Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet,” Mr Caprioli said.

A recent National Heavy Vehicle Regulator-led operation targeting fatigue showed 93.9 per cent of truck drivers are complying with fatigue regulations aimed at keeping everyone safe on our roads.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Operation Wake Up intercepted 4096 drivers over an eight-day period in December at more than 80 locations and mobile patrols across Australia.

One of Australia’s best-known personalities, Shane Jacobson, is back on board with the NHVR’s Tell a mate heavy vehicle safety campaign.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed Jacobson’s passion for heavy vehicle safety, after being the face of the Tell a mate campaign over the past year.

“Initially Shane will be part of our Focus on Fatigue campaign in the lead-up to Christmas, urging drivers to chat to their colleagues and other road users about recognising the signs of fatigue,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (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 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.

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 National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and South Australia Police have commenced an investigation into allegations about the remapping of truck engines throughout Australia.

NHVR Director of Investigations Steve Underwood said that remapping allows emissions controls and speed limiters on heavy vehicles to be modified.

“Remapping engines allows trucks to exceed the speed limit unimpeded, endangering all other road users,” Mr Underwood said.

“These are very serious allegations and we are concerned about how widespread this practice may be.

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.

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.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has flagged changes this weekend, 5 – 7 October, as NSW, SA and the ACT celebrate the Labour Day public holiday and Queensland marks the Queen’s Birthday.

Operators should be aware of changes to opening hours and on-road conditions.

NHVR offices in Queensland, SA and the ACT will all be closed on Monday for the long weekend.

However, operators will still be able to get in touch with the NHVR on Monday as normal by calling 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487) for support.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has urged businesses to make safety a priority this National Safe Work Month. 

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said that the month, which runs through October, was a reminder for all workplaces to review their safety practices. 

“National Safe Work Month is a chance to shine a light on the importance of safety in our workplaces—one of the highest priorities for the NHVR,” Mr Petroccitto said. 

The NHVR has commenced an investigation into two Tasmanian heavy vehicle companies in relation to possible maintenance and mass breaches under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). 

NHVR Director Investigations Steve Underwood said NHVR officers recently entered the companies’ premises in relation to alleged breaches of safety duties under the HVNL. The companies were also required to present heavy vehicles for inspection. 

An important trial to provide a significant boost to safety in the livestock industry is underway at Kilcoy Global Foods in South-East Queensland’s Somerset Region.

A quarter of caravan and Recreational Vehicle users have stayed overnight in truck rest areas according to research released by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia today.

The NHVR is calling for feedback on the different heavy vehicle loading schemes used during grain harvest across Australia.

The NHVR has released An Introduction to Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) booklet, at today’s second Fatigue Safety Forum.

NHVR Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous said the new booklet would provide simple information for operators seeking access to more flexible work and rest hours.

“AFM can be a powerful tool that allows businesses to unlock flexibility in their operations while reducing complexity and improving safety,” Mr Blahous said.

Deakin selected to create new campaign targeting young drivers' behaviour around trucks

The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to announce that Deakin University has been selected to create a new awareness campaign #GetTruckWise aimed at young drivers and their behaviour around trucks.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has concluded a review of Improvement Notices issued to Forbes Shire Council and Dubbo Regional Council by Roads and Maritime Services NSW (RMS) under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). 

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said that the NHVR had provided the councils with guidance about their responsibilities as Loading Managers under Chain of Responsibility legislation. 

The Palaszczuk Government has announced it will slash red tape for heavy vehicles in a move set to save industry more than $1 million in fees and 3,300 hours in paperwork.

Permit durations for Class 1 Oversize Overmass (OSOM) load-carrying vehicles will now be extended to 12 months, following a review of OSOM vehicles last year.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government had worked closely with industry on the initiative, and to create national consistency for the heavy vehicle industry.

Australian Supercars star and current commentator Garth Tander will head a new heavy vehicle safety campaign which encourages all road users to give trucks space.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the We Need Space campaign would provide advice on how light vehicle drivers should act when they are around trucks.

“Recent research shows that light vehicles cause up to four-out-of-five crashes involving heavy vehicles,” Mr Petroccitto said.

NHVR welcomes the reappointment of Minister McCormack

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has welcomed the re-appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack as Federal Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister.

NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said he looked forward to continuing to work with Mr McCormack to deliver on-going heavy vehicle safety and productivity reforms across Australia.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has congratulated the Morrison Government on being returned during the recent Federal Election.

NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said he looked forward to continuing the strong cooperation between the NHVR and the Federal Government.

“The NHVR had a constructive working relationship with the Federal Government over the past term,” Mr Gay said.

“We look forward to continuing this relationship as we work toward increasing heavy vehicle safety and productivity.