HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.11)
- 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 2026 (No.11).
- 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: 22/07/2026
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 B23 route (B-Double 23m network) B26 Route (B-Double 26m network | Department Of Transport And Main Roads (TMR) | Removing access from Bath Tce and Stewart Tce Gympie. | This existing route is a legacy route from when the rail yard on Tozer St use to be operational. Removal of this B double route will allow for better road design outcomes for a number of road upgrade projects currently being investigated. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | Queensland B23 route (B-Double 23m network) B26 Route (B-Double 26m network RT1 route (Road Train Type 1 network) RT2 route (Road Train Type 2 network) | Charters Towers Regional Council | Add the following restrictions to Scartwater Road Bridge Chainage 50.500 (-21.073256, 146.854080). - Maximum vehicle mass: 2.5 tonnes
- Maximum speed over the bridge: 5 km/h
| Following a recent inspection, the bridge has been identified as significantly damaged. To protect the structure and ensure public safety, Council has resolved to apply the following restrictions with immediate effect: - Maximum vehicle mass: 2.5 tonnes
- Maximum speed over the bridge: 5 km/h
These restrictions are intended to remain in place until the bridge is replaced, as interim repair works are unlikely to provide a satisfactory long‑term outcome. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | New South Wales - GML & CML 19m B-double Routes (over 50 tonnes)
- GML & CML 23m B-double Routes
- GML & CML 25/26m B-double Routes
- HML PBS Level 1
- HML PBS 2A
| Lake Macquarie City Council | Add Restrictions to York St & Racecourse Rd, Teralba Road closure to all traffic during bridge demolition and installation of temporary bridge. | The proposed changes are required for a full road closure to occur, allowing demolition of the existing bridge and installation of a temporary bridge. The temporary bridge will be in place during construction of the new bridge and will maintain access for B-doubles during the works. The road closure is to restrict access to heavy vehicles and all vehicular traffic for a short period, currently scheduled for Monday 17 August 2026 to Friday 21 August 2026. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | Victoria - Victoria's Gazetted B-Double Network
- PBS Level 1
- PBS Level 2A Networks
- Victoria's Oversize/Overmass (OSOM) Network
- PBS Level 2B Cubic Networks
- PBS Level 3A Networks
- Victoria's Emergency Response Combination Network (78.5t, 4m wide, 5m high & 26m long)
- Victoria's Grain Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS) Rigid Truck & Semi-Trailer Network
- Victoria's Grain Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS) B-Doubles
- Victoria's Higher Mass Limits (HML) Network
- Victoria's Emergency Preparation Combination Network (78.5t, 4m wide, 5m high & 26m long)
| Hindmarsh Shire Council | Restrict/Remove access to Ellerman St Dimboola | They believe this crossing in Ellerman Street is high risk due to the following variables - Visibility – Vehicles do not have a stop sign before the crossing when exiting Ellerman Street into Dimboola-Rainbow Road. Which means they are more likely to slow down at the Give Way sign after the crossing, but they will be fully stopped at the tracks.
Heavy vehicle operators will not be able to see trains approaching the crossing traveling north bound (on the way to Rainbow). - Short Stacking – In the agreements with RIM to allow Cross With Caution for certain dimensions outside the ODL Gazette notice is access should not be granted to any railway crossing that contains this variable for the vehicle’s length. The distance between the Dimboola-Rainbow Road intersection and the safe zone near the crossing is about 6.5 metres.
- Risk – There are two types of control at the crossing: signs and flashing lights, which are just above minimum. But not enough for vehicles above 19 metres.
The risk band in ALCAM indicates a 50% likelihood of an event at this crossing. I believe this could increase dramatically if we allow longer heavy vehicles to use this route, as the factors above, along with the road's geometry, do not support smooth entry and exit from the feeder road. |
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.11) was enacted to address the need for immediate and strategic amendments to heavy vehicle routes within participating jurisdictions. This notice, issued under the authority of Section 175 and Section 173 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, aims to prevent serious harm to public safety and significant damage to road infrastructure by suspending, amending, or cancelling specified routes. It applies across all participating jurisdictions, with the amendments detailed in Schedule 1, which outlines the reasons and specifics for each route change, such as bridge damage, road upgrades, or railway crossing safety. The notice allows for public representation within 14 days of publication for any party affected by the proposed changes. The overarching policy objective is to ensure the safe and efficient movement of heavy vehicles while addressing critical infrastructure needs and safety concerns.
This notice was issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and is intended to facilitate the management and protection of road infrastructure and public safety by making necessary adjustments to heavy vehicle routes. The changes include the removal of legacy routes, restrictions on vehicle mass and speed over damaged bridges, and temporary road closures for bridge construction. These amendments reflect the Regulator's commitment to mitigating risks associated with heavy vehicle traffic and ensuring the longevity and integrity of road infrastructure. The notice underscores the importance of timely and informed adjustments to heavy vehicle routes to accommodate both infrastructure projects and safety imperatives.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.11) applies in all participating jurisdictions and is enacted under Section 175 to immediately suspend or amend routes listed in Schedule 1 to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure, and under Section 173 to cancel or amend the routes on the Regulator’s initiative. This notice amends the specified networks as per Column 4 of Schedule 1 for reasons outlined in Column 5, which include road upgrade projects, bridge damage, and safety concerns at railway crossings. The amendments cover various routes in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, addressing specific local issues such as bridge damage or safety risks at railway crossings. Any person affected by these amendments has the right to make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the notice's publication, explaining why the amendment should not proceed. The notice extends its application through subordinate instruments to ensure comprehensive coverage of all relevant routes and safety considerations in the participating jurisdictions.
Key Provisions
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.11) (sections 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(b)) outlines the suspension, amendment, or cancellation of specified heavy vehicle routes across various participating jurisdictions. The notice takes effect immediately for suspension or amendment actions and 28 days after publication for cancellation or amendment actions. This notice applies in all participating jurisdictions and amends the stated networks as specified in Schedule 1, based on reasons provided by the respective road managers. The notice allows for public consultation, where any affected person can make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the notice's publication, explaining why the amendment should not proceed.
The obligations imposed by this notice require road managers to provide justifications for the changes to the heavy vehicle routes. For example, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Queensland has removed access from Bath Tce and Stewart Tce in Gympie to allow for better road design outcomes for ongoing road upgrade projects. Similarly, Charters Towers Regional Council in Queensland has imposed restrictions on Scartwater Road Bridge due to significant damage, requiring maximum vehicle mass and speed limits to protect the bridge structure and ensure public safety. Lake Macquarie City Council in New South Wales has imposed restrictions on York St and Racecourse Rd, Teralba, to allow for the demolition and installation of a temporary bridge during the construction of a new bridge.
There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned in this notice. However, failure to comply with the specified route restrictions and amendments could potentially result in legal action under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) or other relevant legislation. The notice's purpose is to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure, and any breach of these requirements could lead to enforcement actions by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The maximum penalties for breaches of the HVNL are set out in the legislation and could include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach.