HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2022 (No.1)
- Purpose
The purpose of this Notice is to amend stated maps, routes, and areas for heavy vehicles at the request of road managers.
2. Authorising provision
1) This Notice is made under:
a) Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as applied in each participating jurisdiction.
b) Section 18 of the Heavy Vehicle National (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (HV(MDLR)NR).
3. Commencement date
The amendments take effect 28 days after publication of this Notice.
4. Title
This Notice may be cited as the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2022 (No.1).
5. Application
This Notice applies to the amended networks routes or areas set out in Schedule 1.
6. Amendments
A network route or area stated in Column 2 of Schedule 1 to this Notice is amended as specified in Column 4 for the Road Manager’s reasons given in Column 5.
Dated: 28 April 2022
Jose Arredondo
Manager Network Access Policy
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Schedule 1: Table of amended networks, routes, or areas
Column 1 Authorising Provision | Column 2 Network, Route, or Area | Column 3 Road Manager | Column 4 Amendment | Column 5 Reason |
s174 HVNL | New South Wales PBS Level 1 Network | Leppington | Remove the following road: Raby Road, Leppington (from Camden Valley Way to Camden Council Boundary) | Desktop assessments have indicated that the existing bridge on Raby Road (-34.000854, 150.793362) over the Sydney canal is in poor conditions and will require a detailed structural assessment. Until, the assessment is complete and appropriate upgrades are carried out, Council considers that giving access to restricted vehicles is likely to result in significant damage to road infrastructure, presenting an unacceptable risk to the public with regards to road safety. |
s174 HVNL s18 HV(MDL)NR | South Australia 19m Network (HML) PBS Level 1 Network | Coffin Bay | Remove the following road: Esplanade, Coffin Bay (from Lear Street to Jubilee Drive) | The section of the road is not an industrial area. No requirement for heavy vehicles to travel beyond the industrial area. |
s174 HVNL | New South Wales Up to 25/26m B-double Network (GML/CML) | Griffith | Remove the following roads: Railway Street, Griffith (from Tranter Place to Bonegilla Road) Bonegilla Road, Griffith (from Railway Street to Banna Avenue) | B-double vehicles turning left from Tranter Place into Railway Street significantly encroach onto the incorrect side of the roadway therefore posing a safety risk to road users. The use of Railway Street by B-doubles was due to the existence of an NSW Ambulance Station on Tranter Place which was in close proximity to an intersection. There was insufficient stacking on Tranter Place for B-double vehicles which would block the exit of ambulance vehicles on urgent duty from the station. NSW Ambulance have now relocated therefore the site no longer requires emergency access and B-doubles can return to Tranter Place. |
s174 HVNL | South Australia 23m B-Double (GML) Network 26m B-Double (GML) Network | Loxton | Remove the following road: Dorsch Avenue, Loxton (from Bookpurnong to 13 Dorsch Avenue - entrance to PIRSA Research and Development Institute) | Road Manager advises that it pose significant risk to public safety arising from heavy vehicle use that is incompatible with road infrastructure or traffic conditions and the risk cannot be mitigated by applying conditions. The approach to Bookpurnong Road via Dorsch Avenue is on a reverse camber, approaching a hill with the intersection sight lines being restricted. Access is still maintained to residents and the research facility via Gratwick Road. Local operators do not utilise this segment due to these issues. |
s174 HVNL | South Australia B-Double Commodity Networks | Conmurra/ Lochaber | Remove the following roads: Monfries Road, Conmurra (from Old Robe Road to Beggs Road) Lochaber South Road, Lochaber (from Tresant Rd to Lochaber Lane) | Lochaber South Road - Southeast Water Conservation Drainage Board – From the recent assessment done by the council, it is determined that the vehicle loading exceeds the load capacity and are too heavy for Lochaber South Road Drain E. Monfries Road, Conmurra is classed as a Rural Access Road within Naracoorte Lucindale Council. It is Unsealed, the length is 6.937km, approx. 3kms and is only 5m wide. According to the LG Heavy Vehicle Assessment Guidelines the minimum width of 6.1m is required for B doubles. Therefore, Monfries Road is not suitable for B-Doubles. These vehicles are also likely to pose significant risk to public safety arising from heavy vehicle use that is incompatible with the road infrastructure. |
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2022 (No. 1) was enacted to address specific concerns regarding the access and safety of heavy vehicles on certain roads within participating jurisdictions, in accordance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and the Heavy Vehicle National (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (HV(MDLR)NR). This Notice was issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator under the authorisation of Section 174 of the HVNL and Section 18 of the HV(MDLR)NR. Its primary objective is to make necessary adjustments to the stated maps, routes, and areas for heavy vehicles based on the recommendations of road managers, in response to safety concerns and infrastructure conditions. The amendments outlined in this Notice became effective 28 days after its publication, with the aim of ensuring that heavy vehicle access aligns with safety standards and infrastructure capacities, thereby mitigating potential risks to public safety.
The Notice specifies amendments to various network routes and areas across different states, including New South Wales and South Australia, to remove certain roads from heavy vehicle access due to factors such as poor bridge conditions, unsuitable road widths, and safety risks posed by heavy vehicle use. These changes were implemented following desktop assessments and consultations with relevant road managers, who cited reasons such as the need to protect road infrastructure from damage, maintain public safety, and accommodate the relocation of emergency services. The amendments reflect a commitment to enhancing road safety and infrastructure integrity by restricting heavy vehicle access to roads that do not meet necessary safety and structural standards.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2022 (No.1) applies to the amendment of specific network routes or areas designated for heavy vehicles as outlined in Schedule 1, which lists the routes and the reasons for their amendment by relevant road managers. This Notice is enacted under Section 174 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as applied in each participating jurisdiction and Section 18 of the Heavy Vehicle National (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (HV(MDLR)NR). It applies to amended network routes or areas specified in Schedule 1, which include adjustments to the PBS Level 1 Network in New South Wales and South Australia, as well as specific B-double network adjustments in both states. The Notice is designed to respond to road managers' concerns about infrastructure integrity and public safety, particularly in areas where heavy vehicles pose a risk due to road conditions or structural limitations. The amendments take effect 28 days after the publication of this Notice, providing a clear timeline for compliance with the new restrictions.
Key Provisions
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2022 (No. 1) amends certain routes and areas previously designated for heavy vehicles, in response to requests from road managers. These amendments are intended to address safety concerns and infrastructure issues that have been identified through assessments and feedback from local authorities and stakeholders. Under Section 6, the Notice specifies the particular network routes or areas in Column 2 that are being amended, as detailed in Column 4. The changes are justified by the road managers in Column 5, citing reasons such as poor road conditions, safety risks, and inappropriate vehicle loadings for specific routes.
The Notice imposes specific obligations on road managers and other entities responsible for the administration of heavy vehicle routes and areas. They must provide detailed reasons for any proposed amendments, ensuring that these reasons are based on assessments, stakeholder feedback, and safety considerations. For example, the removal of certain roads from heavy vehicle routes must be supported by evidence of potential risks to road infrastructure, public safety, or vehicle capacity. Furthermore, the Notice requires that these changes are implemented in a manner that balances the needs of local communities and the logistics requirements of heavy vehicle operators, while maintaining safety standards.
The Notice does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with its provisions. However, non-compliance with the underlying Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Heavy Vehicle National (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (HV(MDLR)NR) can result in significant penalties. Under Section 174 of the HVNL, penalties for non-compliance can include fines and imprisonment. For example, contravening the mass and dimension regulations can lead to fines up to $5,500 for individuals and $27,500 for corporations, with higher penalties for repeated offences. In addition to financial penalties, operators may face other consequences such as vehicle impoundment or disqualification from operating heavy vehicles.
In summary, the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Amendment Notice 2022 (No. 1) provides a framework for modifying heavy vehicle routes and areas based on safety and infrastructure assessments. Road managers are required to justify any proposed changes with detailed reasons, ensuring that the modifications are in the public interest. While the Notice itself does not specify penalties for non-compliance, the broader legislation under which it operates imposes significant fines and other sanctions for violations.