Heavy Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.6)

Overview

The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.6), made under Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as applied in each participating jurisdiction, was enacted to address specific concerns raised by road managers regarding vehicle access on particular bridges. This legislative instrument was introduced to provide a mechanism for modifying the stated maps, which define the permissible routes and restrictions for heavy vehicles across the nation. The primary objective of this amendment notice is to respond to the requests of road managers by easing or modifying restrictions on stated maps, thereby facilitating safer and more efficient movement of heavy vehicles. This notice, which applies in all participating jurisdictions, became effective 28 days after the publication of Amendment Notice 2019 (No.2). It aims to provide less restrictive access on specified bridges, allowing for better alignment with the operational needs and safety considerations of local road authorities.

Scope and Application

The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.6) applies in all participating jurisdictions under Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as applied in each jurisdiction. This Notice amends the stated maps for heavy vehicles, specifically targeting certain routes and network specifications as outlined in the Schedule to the Notice. The amendments are made at the request of road managers to modify the access restrictions on certain bridges, in this case, the Mahons Bridge in Carpendale. The Notice effectively revises the restrictions imposed by a previous amendment notice (Amendment Notice 2019 (No.2)), allowing for less restrictive access under specified conditions. The primary change involves restricting the maximum mass of vehicles, particularly B-Doubles, to 42.5 tonnes when crossing the Mahons Bridge. This Notice provides specific details about the localities, changes to routes, and the reasons for the modifications as articulated by the relevant road manager. The changes come into effect 28 days after the publication of the previous amendment notice, ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately informed of the updated regulations.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2019 (No.6) include the authorisation provision (Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law), the purpose of the Notice, its commencement date, the title, and its application across participating jurisdictions. The Notice specifically amends stated maps for heavy vehicles, allowing for changes at the request of road managers. These changes, effective 28 days after the publication of Amendment Notice 2019 (No.2), relax previous restrictions on the use of certain bridges by heavy vehicles. The Notice aims to modify the specified networks as outlined in Schedule 1, providing less restrictive access to certain roads and bridges. Under this legislation, the obligations for road managers and heavy vehicle operators include adhering to the revised route specifications and mass restrictions set out in the Notice. The amendments pertain to the specified networks listed in Schedule 1, which indicate the localities, changes to routes, and the reasons for these changes as provided by the road managers. Road managers must ensure that the new mass restrictions are appropriately signposted and enforced, while heavy vehicle operators must comply with these updated restrictions when travelling on the amended routes. The Notice imposes penalties and consequences for non-compliance with the amended mass restrictions and route specifications. Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law provides that any vehicle exceeding the specified mass limit may be subject to fines or other penalties as prescribed by the law. The exact penalties are not detailed in the Notice but are outlined in the broader legislative framework of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which includes both civil and criminal penalties. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and potential disqualification from driving, reflecting the importance of adhering to the specified mass restrictions to ensure road safety and infrastructure integrity.