HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2024 (No.9)
- Purpose
The purpose of this notice is to amend stated networks for vehicles on the Regulator’s initiative.
- Commencement date
- Suspension or amendment of the routes in Schedule 1 under section 4(1)(a) below commences immediately upon publication of this notice; and
- Cancellation or amendment of the routes in Schedule 1 under section 4(1)(b) below commences 28 days after publication of this notice.
- Title
This notice may be cited as the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Suspension and Amendment Notice 2024 (No.9).
- Authorising provision
- This notice is made under:
- Section 175, immediately suspending or amending the routes listed in Schedule 1 of this notice to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure; and
- Section 173, cancelling or amending the routes listed in Schedule 1 of this notice on the Regulator’s initiative.
- Application
This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions.
- Amendments
The specified networks in Column 2 of Schedule 1 to this notice are amended as specified in Column 4 for the Road Manager’s reasons shown in Column 5.
- Public notice of amendment
Any person affected by the purpose of the action they make written representation to the Regulator within 14 days of the publication of the notice about why the amendment should not be made.
Dated: 21/11/2024
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 – HML route (Higher Mass Limits Network) | Transport Main Roads | Restricted Access update to the following route: - Remove HML access to Surat Bridge, Carnarvon Hwy, Surat | Reason: Surat bridge is currently classified as an Operational bridge for GML routes only and therefore HML access is a risk to public safety and infrastructure. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | South Australia – B Double and Road Train Commodity Routes | District Council of Tumby Bay | Remove access to the following roads: Pub Corner Road from commodity route network map. (Pub Corner Road between Cockaleechie Hall Road and Cockleechie Road remains a permitted route) | Reason: Route requires further assessment due to a floodway crossing with restricted width and poor horizontal and vertical geometry. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | Victoria – Victorias Gazetted B Double Network | Ararat Rural Council | Restricted Access update to the following route: McCrow’s Rd, Bridge over Fiery Creek. Load Limit of 15t | Reason: An independent Level 3 inspection of this bridge has recommended a load limit of 15 tonnes be enforced on this bridge immediately. This is to prevent further deterioration of damaged sub-structure elements and associated risks to road users. |
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Suspension and Amendment Notice 2024 (No. 9) was introduced to address safety concerns and infrastructure risks associated with heavy vehicle routes in participating jurisdictions. Enacted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), this notice aims to suspend or amend specified heavy vehicle routes to prevent serious harm to public safety and significant damage to road infrastructure. The notice, which applies across all participating jurisdictions, allows for immediate suspension or amendment of routes under certain provisions and mandates a 28-day period for cancellation or amendment on the Regulator’s initiative. The changes are made based on the Road Manager’s reasons, such as bridge classifications, floodway assessments, and inspection findings, to mitigate identified risks effectively.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Suspension and Amendment Notice 2024 (No.9) applies to all participating jurisdictions within Australia, impacting the routes specified in Schedule 1 that pertain to the heavy vehicle network. This notice is enacted under Section 175 to immediately suspend or amend routes to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure, and under Section 173 to cancel or amend routes on the Regulator’s initiative. The specified networks listed in Schedule 1, including Queensland’s Higher Mass Limits Network, South Australia’s B Double and Road Train Commodity Routes, and Victoria’s Gazetted B Double Network, are subject to these amendments. The notice allows for public consultation, where any affected persons can submit written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the notice’s publication if they believe the amendment should not proceed. The changes made are aimed at enhancing road safety and infrastructure integrity by either restricting access to certain routes or updating load limits based on recent inspections and assessments.
Key Provisions
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Suspension and Amendment Notice 2024 (No.9) (Notice) primarily modifies stated networks for heavy vehicles in various jurisdictions to address safety concerns and infrastructure preservation. According to section 4(1)(a), routes specified in Schedule 1 are immediately suspended or amended to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure (sections 175). Section 4(1)(b) allows for the cancellation or amendment of routes listed in Schedule 1 on the Regulator’s initiative (section 173). This Notice comes into effect immediately for suspensions or amendments, and 28 days after publication for cancellations or amendments.
This Notice imposes obligations on affected parties to comply with the specified changes to the heavy vehicle networks. Road managers and operators of heavy vehicles must adhere to the new route restrictions and load limits as detailed in Schedule 1. For instance, in Queensland, the Higher Mass Limits Network (HML) is restricted from accessing the Surat Bridge on Carnarvon Hwy due to safety concerns. Similarly, in South Australia, certain roads are removed from the commodity route network pending further assessment. In Victoria, a load limit of 15 tonnes has been enforced on a bridge in Ararat to prevent further structural damage.
Failure to comply with the Notice's provisions may result in legal consequences. While the Notice does not explicitly outline offences or penalties, breaches of the amended routes could potentially lead to fines, prosecutions, or other civil or criminal penalties under the overarching Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). The specific penalties would depend on the jurisdiction and the nature of the breach. Operators and road managers must ensure strict compliance to avoid any adverse outcomes.