Latest news

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has slashed nearly 25,000 permits while still maintaining a high standard of safety for Australian heavy haulage vehicles.

The Central New South Wales council group (Centroc) is the first to support a high productivity heavy vehicle road network.

NHVR Industry Engagement Manager John Gilbert said the decision by the 14 Centroc member councils to participate in the Performance Based Standards (PBS) network for level 1 or 2A vehicles means more certainty for business.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said that 90 National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme Approved Auditors would be delivering the NHVR’s high safety standards from July 1 after changes to auditing requirements over the past year.

“The operation of safe, productive and innovative heavy vehicle industry is important for all road users,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Heavy vehicle safety will be harmonised across eastern and southern Australia with the adoption of the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual from July 1 in Victoria and Queensland.

The NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said today's Heavy Vehicle Industry Reference Forum would be updated on the roll out of the Manual to the remaining participating states.

"The NHVR is committed to delivering national harmonisation for the heavy vehicle industry, as we know trucks don’t stop at the borders," Mr Petroccitto said.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released its three-year Corporate Plan which outlines an ambitious reform agenda for the heavy vehicle industry.

The NHVR Chairman Bruce Baird said the Plan, Working together for a safer and stronger industry tomorrow, highlights the Regulator’s reform priorities for a safe, efficient and productive heavy vehicle industry.

We can only achieve these outcomes in partnership with state and territory transport agencies and the heavy vehicle industry,” Mr Baird said.

The NHVR today launched a new video to further assist local government to continue to improve the efficiency and safety of the heavy vehicle industry.

NHVR today told the Australian Local Government Association Conference in Canberra that the new video titled PBS: The Big Picture was another significant step to provide better access for heavy vehicles.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has sought comment on its upcoming Notices which will have extensive benefits for heavy haulage operators across the country.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said this was the first step to removing over 30,000 permits a year while still maintaining a high standard of safety for Australian heavy haulage vehicles.

"The Oversize and Over Mass (OSOM) Notices will replace the existing annual permits for Class 1 Load Carrying Oversize and Over Mass vehicles in Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland," Mr Petroccitto said.

Heavy vehicle permit processing times by local councils have improved in three of the five participating States, during the March quarter.

NHVR Sal Petroccitto welcomed the efforts from local councils to work with the heavy vehicle industry, as part of the latest release of data showing permit consent requests and heat maps.

Queensland's peak local government association and the NHVR have signed an agreement to improve the productivity and safety of the state's road freight industry.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) would streamline heavy vehicle access to 150,000kms of council controlled roads throughout the state.

The NHVR will use a visit to regional NSW councils and industry representatives to discuss ways to improve freight movement with better local access and permits.

NHVR’s Industry and Stakeholder Manager John Gilbert said discussions between the NHVR and Southern NSW councils were aimed at assisting councils and local businesses to get products and services to where they need to be in the most productive and safe manner.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released Australia’s first gazette Notice for Performance Based Standards (PBS) truck and dog combinations.  

PBS combinations are modern vehicles designed to perform tasks more productively, safely and sustainably and are tested to rigorous safety standards.

The Notice will replace the need for state based permits for heavy vehicle combinations comprising of a three or four-axle truck, towing a three, four or five-axle dog trailer.

NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto congratulates Gary Mahon on his recent appointment as the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) CEO.

“We look forward to collaborating with Mr Mahon once he begins in his new role from 23 May 2016,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“The NHVR is excited to continue the good work we have achieved to date with the QTA.

“We would also like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing CEO, Peter Garske, who has contributed so much to the transport and logistics industry,” Mr Petroccitto said.

The NHVR has joined state and local road authorities to boost productivity and slash red tape for the construction industry.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice ensured that vehicles like mobile cranes and concrete pumps would have access to a large network of state controlled roads across Australia and we’ll continue to work with road managers across the country to expand this network.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released Australia's first gazette Notice for Performance Based Standards (PBS) truck and dog combinations.

PBS combinations are modern vehicles designed to perform tasks more productively, safely and sustainably and are tested to rigorous safety standards.

The Notice will replace the need for state based permits for heavy vehicle combinations comprising of a three or four-axle truck, towing a three, four or five-axle dog trailer.

NHVR Chairman, Bruce Baird congratulates Noelene Watson on her re-election as the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) Chair.

“It is great news to hear that Noelene will take on her second term leading an important section of the heavy vehicle industry,” Mr Baird said.

“Her experience and passion for the industry is to be commended.

“We look forward to continue working collaboratively with the ATA to provide a safer and more productive heavy vehicle industry,” Mr Baird said.

Two of Australia’s leading heavy vehicle industry groups have thrown their support behind new guidelines for nationally consistent Codes of Practice.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto welcomed the support of the Australian Logistics Council and the Australian Trucking Association for the new guidelines which will be introduced from July 1, 2016.

“The new guidelines will add further assistance by helping to educate and support industry to deliver better and more consistent safety outcomes,” Mr Petroccitto said.

Consultation is underway to assess the health of Australia’s 520,000-strong heavy vehicle fleet.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said information had been released to each state and territory to measure the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles later this year.

“For the first time in Australia, we’ll be conducting a national survey of heavy vehicle roadworthiness using trained inspectors to gather consistent safety information,” Mr Petroccitto said.

More than 400 local councils and six state and territory governments will now have access to new guidelines to better assess and apply conditions to permits for heavy vehicles, through the release of two guidance documents.

NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto said the release of two guidance documents would deliver consistency and standardise the conditions which can be applied to a heavy vehicle permit.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will target freight efficiency in a series of face-to-face meetings with councils and industry representatives in country NSW this week.

NHVR’s Industry and Stakeholder Manager John Gilbert said discussions would focus on two of Australia most important freight routes – the New England Highway and the Newell Highway.

“We need a better understanding of local freight issues and how we can assist both industry and councils to improve freight efficiency and safety, to grow local economies,” Mr Gilbert said.

The ACT and Tasmania joined South Australia this week in adopting the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual Version 2.

The ACT Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Shane Rattenbury MLA welcomed this step towards a nationally consistent approach.

"Due to the hard work of Access Canberra, the NHVR and other stakeholders, operators can start benefitting now from the improved safety outcomes that a national manual will bring," said Mr Rattenbury.

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Sal Petroccitto, says the Regulator is gearing up to meet with 220 expected delegates at the Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association (LBCA) 2016 Conference at Bathurst this weekend, 4-5 March.

“Heading into our fourth year of operation, the NHVR is a regular fixture at the LBCA Conference, because we know the vital role that livestockers and bulk carriers play in growing regional economies across the country,” said Mr Petroccitto.