Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.6)

Overview

The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.6) was introduced to address safety and infrastructure concerns related to heavy vehicle routes in participating jurisdictions across Australia. This notice, published on 8 May 2025 by Jose Arredondo, Manager of Network Access Policy at the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, serves to suspend, amend, or cancel specific routes to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure. Made under sections 173 and 175 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, the notice applies to all participating jurisdictions and allows for the immediate suspension or amendment of routes to prevent imminent risks, with other changes taking effect 28 days after publication. Affected parties have the opportunity to make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the notice's publication if they believe the amendments should not proceed.

Scope and Application

The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.6) is a legislative instrument issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, designed to suspend, amend, or cancel specified heavy vehicle networks across participating jurisdictions to address public safety and infrastructure concerns. This notice applies to all jurisdictions participating in the Heavy Vehicle National Law, thereby impacting entities and individuals involved in heavy vehicle transportation. The scope of this notice is geographically broad, encompassing networks in New South Wales and Victoria as detailed in Schedule 1, where specific routes are either restricted or have load limits altered due to safety or structural concerns. The notice mandates immediate suspension or amendment of routes for safety reasons and sets a 28-day window for the cancellation or amendment of routes initiated by the Regulator. Any affected parties have the right to make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the notice’s publication if they wish to contest the amendments. The notice’s authority stems from Sections 173 and 175 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which empowers the Regulator to make these changes to prevent serious harm or significant damage.

Key Provisions

The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2025 (No.6) amends the stated networks for heavy vehicles as outlined in Schedule 1. This notice is effective immediately for suspensions or amendments under section 4(1)(a) and 28 days after publication for cancellations or amendments under section 4(1)(b). The notice applies to all participating jurisdictions and aims to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure. The changes to the routes in Schedule 1 are detailed in Column 4, with reasons provided by the Road Managers in Column 5. Under this notice, various obligations are imposed on the parties involved. The Transport for New South Wales is required to restrict access over Millthorpe Rd at Millthorpe, following consultation with UGL, the structure owner. Similarly, the Department of Transport and Planning in Victoria must restrict access in Euroa for Scott Street and Anderson Street, with a road closure scheduled from 4.30pm on Thursday, 8 May 2025, for 18 months. Transport for New South Wales is also required to reduce the load limit on Hampden Bridge on Moss Vale Rd in Kangaroo Valley from 43.5t to 23t. These changes are made to address public safety concerns and to mitigate the damage to road infrastructure caused by heavy vehicles. Breach of the provisions set out in this notice may lead to various consequences. While the notice does not explicitly outline specific penalties or offences, breaches of related heavy vehicle regulations can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties. For instance, under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, failure to comply with load limits or access restrictions can result in fines and penalties. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the specific provisions of the law that are contravened. It is essential for all affected parties to adhere to the amendments to avoid any potential legal repercussions.