HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.14)
- 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 – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.14).
- 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: 08/10/2025
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 | All Networks in New South Wales | Lockhart Shire Council | No access to Green Street/Urana Street, Lockhart. | No Access to Green/Urana Street for B Doubles due to safety concerns and inadequate geometry to support B Double movement. The proposed alternative route via Spanish Avenue, Flood Detour Road, Reid Street and East Street imposes a very minor time delay and safer turning movements. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | All B-Double networks in Queensland | Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) | Removal of portions of Captain Cook Highway, Kudakai Crossland Connection and Mossman Mount Molloy Road between Smithfield and Mount Molloy. | De-gazettal of B-Double routes due to safety concerns. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | New South Wales networks:
GML & CML 19m B-double Routes (over 50 tonnes), GML & CML 23m B-double Routes, GML & CML 25/26m B-double Routes | Transport for New South Wales | Conditional Access of Barham Bridge over the Murray River, Barham for GML vehicles only. | BN3256 Barham Bridge, Barham is conditionally approved for GML access only. CML access not permitted. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | New South Wales networks:
HML Short Combination Routes, HML PBS Level 1, HML PBS 2A, HML PBS 2B, HML PBS 3A, HML PBS 4A - Tier 1 Mass Only, GML & CML Type 1 A-double Network, GML & CML Modular B-triple, GML Type 1 Rigid Truck and 2 Dog Trailers, QML2 PBS Level 1 Reference Vehicle 1, QML2 PBS 2B Quad-Tri/Quad-Quad B, HML PBS 2B - Tier 1 Mass Only, HML PBS 2B - Tier 3 Mass - Reference Vehicle 1, HML 25/26m B-double Routes, HML PBS 2B - Tier 3 Mass - Reference Vehicle 2, HML PBS 2B - Tier 3 Mass - Reference Vehicle 3 | Transport for New South Wales | Removal of Barham Bridge over the Murray River, Barham. | Heavy vehicle access is no longer permitted over Barham Bridge due to structural concerns. |
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle National Law Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No. 14) was enacted to address safety concerns and to prevent significant damage to road infrastructure by amending and suspending heavy vehicle routes in participating jurisdictions. This notice, published under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's authority, was initiated to make immediate changes to specific routes in response to safety risks identified by local councils and transport authorities. The policy objective behind this notice is to ensure the safe movement of heavy vehicles by modifying routes that pose risks to public safety or road infrastructure. The notice allows for immediate suspension or amendment of routes to prevent serious harm, while cancellations or amendments made on the Regulator’s initiative take effect 28 days after publication. Any person affected by the amendments can make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the notice's publication.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.14) is an instrument that amends the stated networks for heavy vehicles, applying to all participating jurisdictions. It is issued under the authority of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to address immediate safety concerns and to make adjustments on the Regulator’s initiative. The Notice aims to suspend or amend routes to prevent serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure, with changes taking effect immediately upon publication or after a 28-day period, depending on the nature of the amendment. This Notice applies to all heavy vehicles and the entities that operate them within the specified networks, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland where specific route adjustments are detailed. It also allows for public representation within 14 days of publication for those affected by the amendments. The Notice does not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds but focuses on specified networks and localities, ensuring that the routes are adjusted to enhance safety and address infrastructure concerns.
Key Provisions
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.14) (sections 174 and 175) primarily focuses on the suspension, amendment, and cancellation of certain heavy vehicle routes within participating jurisdictions. The notice affects networks in New South Wales and Queensland, as outlined in Schedule 1. Specifically, it addresses safety concerns and structural issues on various roads, leading to the suspension or amendment of access to certain routes (section 4(1)(a) and (b)). For example, Green Street and Urana Street in Lockhart, New South Wales, are closed to all vehicles due to safety and geometry issues (Schedule 1, Entry 1). Similarly, parts of Captain Cook Highway and other roads in Queensland are de-gazetted due to safety concerns (Schedule 1, Entry 2).
The notice imposes specific obligations on the Road Managers and affected entities to comply with the amended routes and conditions. Road Managers, such as the Lockhart Shire Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, must ensure that the routes are updated in accordance with the notice (section 4(1)(a) and (b)). Heavy vehicle operators and other stakeholders must adhere to the new routes and conditions to avoid any legal repercussions. For instance, Barham Bridge over the Murray River is conditionally approved for GML vehicles only, with CML access not permitted (Schedule 1, Entry 3).
The notice also outlines the consequences for non-compliance with the amended routes. Any person adversely affected by the notice has the right to make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of publication, explaining why the amendment should not be made (section 4(1)(a) and (b)). However, failure to comply with the amended routes can result in serious legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the notice, non-compliance with heavy vehicle regulations can typically lead to fines, penalties, and other legal actions under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The severity of the penalties may vary based on the nature and extent of the breach.