Heavy Vehicle National Law
Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Suspension and Amendment Notice 2020 (No.7)
1 Authorising provision
1) This Notice is made under the following provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law:
a) Section 175, immediately suspending or amending the routes listed in Schedule 1 of this Notice to prevent or minimize serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure; and
b) Section 174, cancelling or amending the routes listed in Schedule 1 of this Notice.
2 Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to amend stated maps for vehicles at the request of road managers.
3 Commencement Date
1) Suspension or amendment of the routes in Schedule 1 under s1(1)(a) above commences immediately upon publication of this Notice; and
2) Suspension or amendment of the conditions in Schedule 2 under s1(1)(a) above commences immediately upon publication of this Notice.
4 Title
This Notice may be cited as the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2020 (No.7)
5 Application
This Notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.
6 Amendments
The specified networks in Column 2 of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to this Notice are amended as specified in Column 4 for the Road Manager’s reasons shown in Column 5.
Dated: 20/11/2020
Jose Arredondo
Manager Network Access Policy
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Schedule 1: Table of Amended Routes
COLUMN 1 Authorising Provision | COLUMN 2 Network | COLUMN 3 Locality | COLUMN 4 Changes to Route | COLUMN 5 Road Manager Reasons for Change |
s174 and s175 HVNL | Queensland Access of certain Major Roads in Queensland | Zone 3 Coastal | Addition of new condition Dimension limits on certain identified Major Roads in the Coastal Zone 3 Area as identified in table 21 of the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combinations Operators Guide v5.5 | The level of risk has not changed on these roads and the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) request that 4.0m access be specified for Major Roads in the Zone 3 Area from Gympie to Rockhampton (inclusive) due to traffic safety concerns. TMR has developed a table detailing Major Roads between Gympie and Rockhampton. It will specifically manage access on these roads up to 4.0m in width and will be required for inclusion in the Operator’s Guide. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | Queensland Access of certain Critical Areas and Critical Roads in Queensland | Gold Coast City Council | Addition of new condition Dimension limits on certain identified Critical Roads in the Coastal Zone 3 Area as identified in table 22 of the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combinations Operators Guide v5.5 | Both TMR and the Queensland Police Service (QPS) have agreed the maximum width of an agricultural vehicle operating in the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) area on a Critical Road should be returned to 3.5m in width due to traffic safety concerns. The risk posed by vehicles encroaching on into oncoming lanes in high traffic volumes is significant. Further exacerbating the risk is that agricultural vehicles travel at speeds significantly lower than general traffic, the effect of this is, motorists will expose themselves greater risk trying to pass these vehicles with limited lane width to safely perform this manoeuvre. |
Schedule 2: Table of Amended Conditions
vCOLUMN 1 Authorising Provision | COLUMN 2 Notice | COLUMN 3 Locality | COLUMN 4 Changes to conditions | COLUMN 5 Road Manager Reasons for Change |
s175 HVNL | National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice | Zone 3 and Zone 3 Coastal | The use of pilots instead of roadside signage Previous condition Critical Road • A minimum buffer zone of 0.5m from the centre line at all times (unless turning across a roadway). • Travel no more than 5km travel for a single journey. • Must be accompanied by one pilot vehicle. • Portable roadside warning signs must be placed: ― at least 350m in advance of the travel zone in both/all directions; and ― at any critical or major road intersecting with the road being travelled. New condition Critical Road (unless otherwise conditioned) • A minimum buffer zone of 0.5m from the centre line at all times (unless turning across a roadway). • Travel no more than 5km travel for a single journey. • Must be accompanied by one pilot and one Level 1 pilot: ― Pilot vehicle must be positioned forward of the agricultural vehicle; and ― Level 1 pilot must be positioned between 500m–1,000m rearward of the agricultural vehicle to assist in mitigating the speed differential of traffic approaching from the rear; or • Must be accompanied by one pilot vehicle; and portable roadside warning signs must be placed: ― at least 350m in advance of the travel zone in both/all directions; and ― at any Critical or Major Road intersecting with the road being travelled. | This request for change was initiated by the Queensland Canegrowers Association, raising safety concerns in the deployment of the portable roadside warning signs. The change introduces the use of Level 1 pilots as an option for roadside signage on critical roads in the Coastal Area of Zone 3. The use of a Level 1 pilot has been introduced to mitigate a safety risk associated with the speed differential between agricultural vehicles and other traffic on Critical Roads. |
s175 HVNL | Zone 4 | Changes to Cotton harvesters piloting conditions and access to the Warrego Highway (between Henningsen Road Oakey and Dalby) Previous conditions Table 10 Dimension | Road | Escort requirement | Width greater than 5.0m | Warrego Highway (between Mitchell and Charleville) | Three level 2 escort vehicles that are positioned: • 1.0–1.5km ahead of the combination; • 500m ahead of the combination; and • 300m behind the combination. | Burke Development Road (between Dimbulah and Chillagoe | Kennedy Highway (between Mt Garnett and intersection of Tumoulin Rd) | Tumoulin Road (between Ravenshoe and Evelyn) | Width greater than 5.0m (excluding cotton harvesters) | Major Roads in Zone 4 Major Roads are identified on the Map | Combination length greater than 30m and up to 35m | Any road | • One Level 2 escort vehicle located at the front of the combination; and • One pilot vehicle. If the combination already requires two pilot vehicles due to its width, the pilot ahead of the combination is to be substituted with a Level 2 escort vehicle. This Level 2 escort vehicle is required to direct traffic as necessary, due to potentially significant swept path. |
New condition Table 13 Dimension | Road | Escort requirement | Width greater than 5.0m up to 5.55m for eligible cotton harvesters | Warrego Highway (between Henningsen Road Oakey and Dalby) | One Queensland Police escort that is positioned: • 500m ahead of the combination; and Two Level 2 escort vehicles that are positioned: • 1.0–1.5km ahead of the combination; and • 300m behind the combination. | Width greater than 5.0m up to 5.55m for eligible cotton harvesters | Approved Major Roads for eligible cotton harvesters in Zone 4 – Major Roads are identified on the Map | Two Level 2 escort vehicles that are positioned: • 500m ahead of the combination; and • 300m behind the combination; and One pilot vehicle that is positioned: • 1.0–1.5km ahead of the combination. | Width greater than 5.0m | Warrego Highway (between Mitchell and Charleville) | Three Level 2 escort vehicles that are positioned: • 1.0–1.5km ahead of the combination; • 500m ahead of the combination; and • 300m behind the combination. | Burke Development Road (between Dimbulah and Chillagoe | Kennedy Highway (between Mt Garnett and intersection of Tumoulin Rd) | Tumoulin Road (between Ravenshoe and Evelyn) | Width greater than 5.0m (excluding cotton harvesters) | Major Roads in Zone 4 Major Roads are identified on the Map | Width greater than 5.5m up to 6.5m | Major Roads in Zone 4 Major Roads are identified on the Map | One Queensland Police escort that is positioned: • 500m ahead of the combination; and Two Level 2 escort vehicles that are positioned: • 1.0–1.5km ahead of the combination; and • 300m behind the combination. | Combination length greater than 30m and up to 35m | Any road | • One level 2 escort vehicle located at the front of the combination; and • one pilot vehicle. If the combination already requires two pilot vehicles due to its width, the pilot ahead of the combination is to be substituted with a Level 2 escort vehicle. This Level 2 escort vehicle is required to direct traffic as necessary, due to potentially significant swept path. |
| The exclusion of cotton harvesters under the 'width greater than 5.0m up to 5.5m', means cotton harvester restrictions on Major Roads in Zone 4 would be the same as any other agricultural vehicle of the same width (that is, the requirements for 'width greater than 3.7m' – 1 pilot; and 'width greater than 4.5m' – 2 pilots). This then leaves a gap in the requirements for cotton harvesters between 5.0m and 5.5m on Major Roads (>5.5m to 6.5m on Major Roads covered in Table 10); and no access on Critical Roads in NHVR Zone 4. The previous Queensland Notice (the now revoked Form 14) required Police and 2 escort vehicles for cotton harvesters >5.0m up to 5.5m on Critical Roads in the previous Queensland Notice Zone 2 (these roads remain Critical Roads in the National Notice Zone 4 in Queensland). |
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle National Law Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2020 (No.7), enacted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, addresses the need to amend stated maps for heavy vehicles at the request of road managers to ensure public safety and protect road infrastructure. This legislative instrument was introduced to amend routes and conditions for heavy vehicles in participating jurisdictions, with a focus on enhancing safety by adjusting dimensional limits and escort requirements. The Notice provides the flexibility for road managers to request changes to stated maps to mitigate risks associated with heavy vehicle operations, particularly in areas with high traffic volumes or critical infrastructure. The Notice commences immediately upon publication, and it applies across all participating jurisdictions, ensuring a consistent approach to heavy vehicle regulation.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2020 (No.7) is an instrument made under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, specifically sections 174 and 175, to address concerns regarding public safety and significant damage to road infrastructure by amending the stated maps for heavy vehicles. This Notice applies to all participating jurisdictions, where it regulates the suspension, amendment, or cancellation of stated maps for heavy vehicles at the request of road managers. The Notice immediately comes into effect upon publication, with the changes to routes and conditions detailed in the schedules. The changes primarily focus on dimension limits and escort requirements for certain roads to address safety concerns, particularly in high-risk areas like the Gold Coast City Council area and roads in Queensland Zone 3 and Zone 4. The Notice amends specified routes and conditions, such as the introduction of Level 1 pilots on critical roads and the adjustment of escort vehicle requirements for cotton harvesters. The amendments reflect the road managers' reasons, which include mitigating risks related to traffic safety and the speed differential between agricultural vehicles and other traffic.
Key Provisions
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2020 (No.7) provides for the suspension or amendment of routes and conditions for heavy vehicles in participating jurisdictions under Section 175 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) (1). This Notice, made under Section 174 and 175 of the HVNL, allows for the suspension or amendment of routes to prevent or minimize serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure (1). The Notice specifies amendments to routes listed in Schedule 1 and conditions in Schedule 2, as requested by road managers. The Notice commences immediately upon publication and applies to all participating jurisdictions (3, 5).
The Notice imposes several obligations and requirements on parties governed by it. Firstly, it mandates the suspension or amendment of specific routes and conditions as outlined in Schedules 1 and 2, respectively, to address safety concerns and manage the deployment of heavy vehicles (1). Road managers must provide detailed reasons for the requested changes, which are then considered and implemented by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Additionally, the Notice requires operators of heavy vehicles to adhere to the amended routes and conditions, ensuring compliance with the specified dimension limits and escort requirements. Operators must also ensure that their vehicles and operations meet the new conditions, such as the use of Level 1 pilots or additional escort vehicles, as applicable.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Notice can result in various civil and criminal consequences. The Heavy Vehicle National Law imposes penalties for breaches, including fines and potential disqualification from operating heavy vehicles. The maximum penalties for contravening the law can vary depending on the severity of the breach. For instance, operating a vehicle that does not comply with the specified dimension limits or escort requirements could result in fines of up to $5,500 for individuals and $27,500 for bodies corporate, as well as potential disqualification periods. More serious offences, such as causing death or grievous bodily harm due to non-compliance, could lead to imprisonment and higher fines.
In summary, the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2020 (No.7) provides for the suspension and amendment of routes and conditions for heavy vehicles to address safety concerns and manage vehicle deployment. Road managers must request these changes, which are then implemented by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. Operators are required to comply with the amended routes and conditions, including specific dimension limits and escort requirements. Breaches of the Notice can result in penalties under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, including fines and potential disqualification from operating heavy vehicles.