Heavy Vehicle National Law - South Australia Class 1 Opal Mining Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

South Australia Class 1 Opal Mining Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1)

1. Purpose

1)      This Notice provides road network access for vehicles or machines commonly known as blowers, noodling machines, elevators and prospecting drills used for opal mining that exceed regulation heights and widths. Access is provided under specific conditions, and only in areas specified in this Notice.

Note: This notice replaces the Notice of Approval and Exemption; Operation of Opal Mining Vehicles, published in the South Australian Government Gazette.

 The previous Notice of Approval contained detailed instructions for warning signs and travel requirement. Schedule 8 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation now applies requirements for these matters to Class 1 vehicles.

2.       Authorising Provision

1)      This notice is made under:

a)      Sections 61 and 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), and

b)      Section 69 of the Heavy Vehicle (General) National Regulation.

3.       Commencement

1)      This Notice commences on the date of its publication.

4.       Expiry

1)      This Notice expires on 31 December 2023.

5.       Title

1)      This Notice may be cited as the South Australia Class 1 Opal Mining Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2019.

6.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this Notice have the same meanings as those defined in the HVNL.

2)      In this Notice:-

Eligible vehicle means heavy vehicles that exceed 4.3m in height and 2.5m in width used solely for the purpose of mining opal, including vehicles or machines commonly known as blowers, noodling machines, elevators and prospecting drills used for opal mining.

7.       Application

1)      This Notice applies to eligible vehicles operating in South Australia.

8.       Exemptions - Dimension

1)      Eligible vehicles operating under this notice are exempt from the following dimension requirements in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation)

a)      Section 8 – Width

b)      Section 9 – Height

9.       Conditions - Dimensions (Width)

1)      An eligible vehicle operating under this Notice must not exceed 4m in width.

10.   Conditions - Height restrictions in Coober Pedy

1)      An operator of an eligible vehicle that is higher than 4.3m or wider than 2.5m:

a)      must comply with the specified route, area and structure restrictions published on the ‘Approved Areas or Routes’ section on the DPTI website, and

b)      may be required to consult and obtain consent from third party entities who manage utilities which may be impacted by over height vehicles.

Note:  Some routes in the Adelaide Metropolitan Area have height restrictions less than 4.3m.

Contact details for SAPN, Telstra and Optus are available on the NHVR website.

11.   Condition - General Conditions

1)      Travel under this Notice is only permitted in daylight.

2)      Travel is not permitted during periods of low visibility

3)      Vehicles shall only operate in dry conditions and where the road surface is not wet and holding pooled surface water.

Note: Sub-section 1) replaces the general restrictions about night travel in s7 of Schedule 8 in the MDL Regulation. Other requirements under Schedule 8 of the MDL Regulation apply to eligible vehicles operating under this Notice, including assessing routes before travel.

12.   Conditions - Stated areas of operation

1)      Travel under this Notice is only permitted in the areas specified in this section.

2)      Travel is permitted on roads within a 150 km radius of Coober Pedy, a 30 km radius of Andamooka and a 150 km radius of Marla.

13.   Exemptions - Vehicle Standards

1)      Eligible vehicles operating under this notice are exempt from the following vehicle standards requirements in Schedule 2 of the Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (VS Regulation):

a)      Sections relating to compliance with Australian Design Rules Second and Third editions

b)      Part 2 - General Safety Requirements

1. Section 5 Turning Ability
2. Section 7 Protrusions
3. Section 10 Mudguards
4. Section 14 Automatic Transmission
5. Section 22 Windscreen wipers and washers

c)       Part 6 - Lights and Reflectors

All sections

d)      Part 8 - Control of emissions

1. All sections.

Peter Caprioli

Executive Director (Freight and Supply Chain Productivity)

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator