Heavy Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.12)

Overview

The Heavy Vehicle National Law Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.12) was enacted to amend stated maps for heavy vehicles in Australia in response to requests from road managers. This amendment notice was issued under Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Section 18 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, applying to all participating jurisdictions. The purpose of this Notice is to address specific road management concerns and ensure the safety and efficiency of heavy vehicle operations on designated routes. The Notice was issued by Jose Arredondo, Manager of Network Access Policy at the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, and it came into effect 28 days after its publication on 19 August 2019. The Notice seeks to provide tailored solutions to local infrastructure limitations and safety considerations by adjusting the stated maps for heavy vehicles in accordance with the needs and recommendations of road managers.

Scope and Application

The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.12) applies to all participating jurisdictions and amends the stated maps for heavy vehicles at the request of road managers. This Notice operates under Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Section 18 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation as applied in each participating jurisdiction. The amendments take effect 28 days after the publication of the Notice and are aimed at updating specific network routes to incorporate road manager's requirements. The Notice specifies changes to the route details for particular networks, localities, and the reasons behind these changes as cited by the road managers. The Notice extends to all roads and bridges within the amended networks in the specified localities, and the changes are implemented to comply with the structural and operational directives provided by the relevant authorities. The scope of the Notice is geographically limited to the roads and bridges within the amended networks in South Australia, particularly affecting the Hill River Road Bridge between Wenedi Road and the Goyder Highway. The Notice imposes specific restrictions such as single lane usage and a 68-tonne mass limit on the bridge, reflecting the findings and recommendations from a Structural Engineers Report. The Notice does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the geographic and jurisdictional parameters set forth, and it does not extend its application to non-participating jurisdictions. The application of this Notice is further detailed in the Schedule 1 table, which lists the specific changes to routes and the reasons for these changes as provided by the road managers.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No. 12) include the authorising provision (Section 1), the purpose (Section 2), the commencement date (Section 3), the title (Section 4), the application (Section 5), and the specific amendments to the stated maps (Section 6). Section 1 details that the Notice is made under Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Section 18 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation as applied in each participating jurisdiction. Section 2 states that the purpose of this Notice is to amend stated maps for vehicles at the request of road managers. Section 3 provides that the amendments will take effect 28 days after publication of the Notice, while Section 4 allows the Notice to be cited as the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No. 12). Finally, Section 5 clarifies that the Notice applies in all participating jurisdictions, and Section 6 specifies the changes to the routes listed in Schedule 1. The Notice imposes obligations on road managers and other relevant parties to adhere to the amended stated maps. Road managers must ensure that the specified network routes comply with the changes detailed in Schedule 1. This includes implementing the restrictions on the Hill River Road Bridge between Wenedi Road and the Goyder Highway, such as the single lane bridge restriction and the 68-tonne mass limit, as per the reasons provided in Column 5 of Schedule 1. Road managers must also ensure that all vehicles operating on these routes comply with the new restrictions and requirements outlined in the Notice. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Notice may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the Notice does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, it is likely that breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation could result in fines, penalties, or other legal consequences as prescribed by the relevant legislation. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary depending on the specific provisions of the applicable laws and the severity of the breach.