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NHVR consultation starts on draft master code

The NHVR has commenced public consultation on a draft Master Industry Code of Practice developed by representatives of Australia’s heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR Regulatory Compliance Executive Director Tony Kursius said industry feedback was an important part of the NHVR’s assessment process.

“We welcome the heavy vehicle industry’s efforts, led by the Australian Trucking Association and Australian Logistics Council, to develop a Master Code of Practice which covers general risks relevant to compliance with Australia’s Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL),” Mr Kursius said

NHVR welcomes OSOM review

The NHVR has welcomed a Federal Government announcement to review the issuing of permits for oversized, over mass heavy vehicles.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the independent review would ensure a vital sector of the heavy vehicle industry would be able to get full visibility of the permit process and identify future improvements for heavy vehicle access.

“It’s important that the permit process be timely and strike the right balance between safety, protecting roads and bridges and ensuring the productive movement of freight,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Changes to bus limits and twin-steer tri-axles start July 1

A national mass increase for two-axle buses and twin steer tri-axle semitrailer combinations will be among a number of changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law and regulations starting July 1.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the changes would provide nationally consistent mass limits for the two classes of heavy vehicles.

“Two-axle buses equipped with dual tyres on the rear axle can operate up to 18 tonnes, conditional on the bus being equipped with some additional safety features,” Mr Petroccitto said.

NHVR welcomes NTC’s PBS findings

The NHVR has welcomed the outcomes of a review into Australia’s Performance-Based Standards (PBS) scheme.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the four recommendations would allow further strengthening of the PBS scheme, which makes up almost one-in-six new vehicles manufactured in Australia.

“Over the past decade the ability to design and develop innovative heavy vehicles that match a particular purpose has become a significant part of Australia’s landscape,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Further primary producer Chain of Responsibility myths busted

The NHVR has released a second round of common questions raised by primary producers about changes to Chain of Responsibility laws.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the information was gathered at a series of recent workshops for primary producers across Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.

“As we travel across regional Australia we continue to address concerns raised by farmers to explain changes to the laws and how they align with workplace health and safety laws,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Victorian Class 1 permits transferred to NHVR Portal

The NHVR will process all Class 1 heavy vehicle permit applications across Victoria from today.

NHVR Project Director Annette Finch said the NHVR had been working with VicRoads and the Victorian heavy vehicle industry to further streamline the permit process through the NHVR Portal.

"Victorian heavy vehicle operators have been using the NHVR Portal since 2016, but from today will receive additional benefits with the NHVR and VicRoads streamlining the consent process," Ms Finch said.

NHVR opens EWD applications

The NHVR will start accepting applications from Australian and international companies for Electronic Work Diary (EWD) approvals from today.

NHVR Safety Standards Director Greg Fill said the acceptance of applications was an important milestone in providing fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle drivers with a voluntary alternative to Written Work Diaries.

"I expect we'll start to see applications lodged to have EWDs approved in the coming weeks," Mr Fill said.

Changes to Chain of Responsibility laws confirmed for October 1

Reforms to the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws will be implemented from 1 October.

Timing for the changes was confirmed by Queensland Transport and Main Road Minister Mark Bailey.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the start date for the reforms follows lengthy consultation and information for heavy vehicle businesses over the past 18 months.

“The NHVR has been engaging with many of the 165,000 businesses which make up the heavy vehicle supply chain, and conducted more than 100 workshops,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Free heavy vehicle safety workshops for forestry workers

The Australian Forestry Contractors Association (AFCA) will host its next round of free safety workshops for forestry workers in regional NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

The NHVR has joined forces with AFCA, providing funding for the Forestry Logistics Safety Program under the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.

NHVR Stakeholder Manager John Gilbert said it is imperative Australia’s forestry workers have a safe environment and the training is providing much-needed support and advice, particularly in relation to truck rollovers.

EWD concepts on display

Australian and international companies will demonstrate their Electronic Work Diary (EWD) concepts to show goers and NHVR staff at MegaTrans in Melbourne today.

NHVR Executive Director of Productivity and Safety Geoff Casey said 32 technology providers and transport operators intending to develop an EWD had now registered a Notice of Intent with the NHVR.

“Seven of those companies have accepted an invitation by the NHVR to participate in an opportunity to discuss and present their products and concepts at the NHVR stand at MegaTrans,” Mr Casey said.

Heavy vehicle safety tools launched

The NHVR has launched a series of tools to help heavy vehicle operators boost the safety performance of their business.

Victorian Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan told today’s MegaTrans 2018 launch that NHVR’s Safety Management System guidance material and tools would drive a positive safety culture across the heavy vehicle industry and provide a similar systems-based approach used successfully in maritime, rail, aviation and other industries

JOINT RELEASE: PBS report highlights a decade of success

Australia’s appetite for modern technology that matches heavy vehicles to a specific task has grown to 17 per cent of all new heavy vehicles, according to a new report released today.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the joint report by the Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association (ARTSA) and the NHVR into the Performance Based Standards (PBS) scheme showed the significant penetration of PBS-approved vehicles into the Australian market.

Jacobson urges heavy vehicle drivers to Tell a mate

The NHVR has teamed up with one of Australia’s best known TV and big screen personalities to talk heavy vehicle safety.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said Shane Jacobson had agreed to front the Tell a mate heavy vehicle social media safety campaign.

“I met Shane at a heavy vehicle event in Cairns and I was impressed with his passion for heavy vehicle safety,” Sal said.

“I’m pleased someone with Shane’s profile has agreed to encourage heavy vehicle drivers to get out there and ‘Tell a mate’ about heavy vehicle safety.”

Survey to measure industry’s safety management

The NHVR will use feedback from a new safety survey to measure how the industry manages safety and provide an update on preparations for changes to Chain of Responsibility laws later this year.

NHVR Productivity and Safety Executive Director Geoff Casey said the NHVR Industry Safety Survey results would also assist in informing the development of future education and guidance materials.

Information for areas affected by ex Tropical Cyclone Nora

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised that a Flood Recovery Road Access Group (FRRAG) has been established to manage emergency and disaster heavy vehicle access to parts of Far North Queensland.

Those areas include Gulf of Carpentaria, Aurukun, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Weipa, Normanton, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Mt Isa, Ingham, Innisfail and Cairns Region.

The NHVR welcomes new Tasmanian Deputy Premier

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has welcomed the appointment of Tasmanian Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff as Infrastructure Minister.

NHVR Chair Bruce Baird said he looked forward to working with Mr Rockliff as a shareholding Minister of the NHVR to continue to deliver services to Tasmania’s heavy vehicle industry.

“On behalf of the NHVR staff and board, I congratulate Jeremy on his appointment and confirm our commitment to working with him to deliver on-going reform to heavy vehicle safety and productivity,” Mr Baird said.