Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1)

Overview

The Heavy Vehicle National Law Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1) was enacted to facilitate the efficient harvest of sugar cane in Queensland by providing an exemption from certain mass requirements for cane haulout trucks fitted with flotation tyres. This notice was made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and was issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The policy objective is to streamline the operational requirements for these trucks, enabling them to perform their functions more effectively without the constraints of strict mass limitations. The notice was issued to ensure that these vehicles can operate within the specified conditions while maintaining safety standards and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and operating manuals. The exemption is set to commence on 1 July 2016 and will expire on 30 June 2017, providing a temporary measure to address the logistical challenges faced by cane haulout trucks in Queensland.

Scope and Application

The Heavy Vehicle National Law Queensland Class 3 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1) applies specifically to cane haulout trucks in Queensland that are equipped with flotation tyres. These vehicles are used for transporting sugar cane from the field to a mill or transport facility, covering unladen return trips within a 40km radius, as well as for other activities such as returning to a home base, commencing new operations, travelling for maintenance or repairs, and travelling for inspections or registration, provided the vehicle is unladen and adheres to the tyre manufacturer's recommendations. This notice provides exemptions from certain mass requirements to facilitate the efficient harvest of sugar cane. The exemption is contingent upon compliance with specific conditions, including adherence to the maximum mass limit for the drive axle group, compliance with the mass and speed limit ratings for flotation tyres, and the use of flotation tyres that meet UNECER standards and are rated for road use at a minimum of 100kph and suitable for non-cyclic duty. The notice also mandates that operators of such vehicles must follow the "2013 Road Safety Operating Manual for Sugarcane Haulage Trucks Using Flotation Tyres" and carry a copy of Attachment B of the Operating Manual along with a certificate of compliance from the tyre manufacturer.

Key Provisions

The key sections of the Queensland Class 1 Tandem Drive Axle (Cane Haulout Truck) Flotation Tyres Mass Exemption Notice 2016 (No. 1) provide exemptions for certain mass requirements for cane haulout trucks in Queensland, facilitating the efficient harvest of sugar cane. This notice, which commences on 1 July 2016 and expires on 30 June 2017, is made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and applies to eligible vehicles within Queensland. Eligible vehicles include cane haulout trucks fitted with specific flotation tyres, used for transporting sugar cane from the field to a transport facility or mill, or for unladen return trips of not more than 40km. These vehicles are exempt from certain axle mass limits as set out in Schedule 1 Part 2 under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. This notice imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, the maximum mass limit for the drive axle group must not exceed 16.5 tonnes or the lesser of the vehicle component or tyre ratings. Secondly, cane haulout trucks must comply with the mass and speed limit ratings for flotation tyres as outlined in Appendix 1 of the notice. Additionally, the vehicles must be fitted with a dual drive tandem axle group and flotation tyres rated for road use, complying with United Nations Economic Commission Europe Regulation (UNECE) 54/00. Operators must adhere to the “2013 Road Safety Operating Manual for Sugarcane Haulage Trucks Using Flotation Tyres” and manage operational risks by documenting and managing the vehicle's operation according to the manual. This includes managing tyre inflation pressure, axle mass loading, and speedometer and speed limiter calibration when flotation tyre diameter differs from the original vehicle certification. There are civil and criminal consequences for breach of this notice. Operators who fail to comply with the specified conditions, such as exceeding the maximum mass limit or not adhering to the operating manual, may face penalties. While the exact penalties are not specified in this notice, they would likely be determined under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which could include fines or other enforcement actions. Additionally, failure to comply with the UNECE Regulation 54/00 or to carry the required documents, such as the certificate of compliance and the operating manual, could result in further penalties.