HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.3)
- 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.3).
- 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: 16/03/2026
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 | NSW Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network Approved Roads, SPV Level 1 Approved Routes, SPV Level 2 Approved Routes, SPV Level 3 axle Approved Routes, SPV Level 4 Approved Routes, SPV Level 4 and 12t axle Approved Routes, SPV Level 6 Approved Routes | Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) | Travel on the networks listed in Column 2 is restricted on following roads off the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow: Chifley Road, Darling Causeway. Eddy Street, Lithgow Street, Main Street, Mort Street, Station Street. | Due to the closure of the Great Western Highway, traffic is being diverted onto these roads. As a result of the increased traffic volumes, OSOM and SPV movements will be restricted on these routes to mitigate risks to public safety and infrastructure. |
s174 and s175 HVNL | CAB 13.5 metres CAB 14.5 metres GML & CML 19m B-double Routes (over 50 tonnes) HML Short Combination Routes ZEHV Rigid trucks (M1 and M2) ZEHV Short Combination (M1 and M2) ZEHV Short Combination (M3) GHMS network LLS Single Articulated Combination Network LLS 19m B-double Network PBS Level 1 HML PBS Level 1 40M DACC Network HX77 with Trailer DACC Network (NSW) HX77 without Trailer DACC Network (NSW) PMV DACC Network | Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) | Travel on the networks listed in Column 2 is restricted on the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow. | The Great Western Hwy is currently closed to all traffic, with all traffic being diverted onto the above route. Whilst these vehicles are unable to travel with the current traffic controls in place, and the advice displayed on NSW Live Traffic, due to the protracted nature of the closure we want to ensure we have taken all available steps to make operators aware of these restrictions, particularly noting the non compliant movements that occurred overnight and the day before. There is also a risk to infrastructure and public safety on the detour route due to the increased traffic volumes. |
Overview
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.3) was enacted to address issues arising from the closure of the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow in New South Wales. This notice was issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Jose Arredondo, and it aims to prevent serious harm to public safety and significant damage to road infrastructure due to increased traffic volumes on alternative routes. The notice modifies stated networks for heavy vehicles, restricting certain routes to mitigate risks associated with the highway closure. The changes are applicable in all participating jurisdictions and allow for public representation on the amendments within 14 days of the notice’s publication. The objective of this amendment is to ensure operators are aware of the restrictions and to safeguard both public safety and infrastructure integrity during the highway closure period.
Scope and Application
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.3) applies to all participating jurisdictions, aiming to amend stated networks for heavy vehicles in response to significant infrastructure issues and safety concerns. Specifically, this notice mandates the suspension or amendment of routes for various types of heavy vehicles, such as oversize and overmass load carrying vehicles, B-doubles, and rigid trucks, in New South Wales. The amendments are necessitated by the closure of the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow, which has caused traffic to be rerouted onto smaller, less suitable roads. The changes aim to prevent or mitigate risks to public safety and infrastructure by restricting heavy vehicle movements on these detour routes. This notice extends to all persons and entities operating heavy vehicles within the amended routes and is enforceable under sections 173 and 175 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The notice allows for written representations from affected parties within 14 days of its publication, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to voice their concerns regarding the proposed changes.
Key Provisions
The Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.3) (Gazette) primarily amends and suspends certain heavy vehicle routes in participating jurisdictions (sections 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(b)). This notice, made under Section 175 and Section 173 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), comes into effect immediately for suspensions and 28 days after publication for cancellations or amendments. The notice applies to all participating jurisdictions and modifies the specified networks listed in Schedule 1 to prevent or minimise serious harm to public safety or significant damage to road infrastructure.
The obligations imposed on parties by this Act include the immediate restriction of travel on specified roads due to the closure of the Great Western Highway between Mount Victoria and Lithgow in New South Wales. This affects various heavy vehicle networks such as Oversize Overmass Load Carrying Vehicles Network Approved Roads, SPV Level 1 Approved Routes, and others. The Road Manager, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), has provided reasons for these changes, primarily citing the need to mitigate risks to public safety and infrastructure due to increased traffic volumes on alternative routes. Additionally, any person affected by the actions taken under this notice has the right to make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of the publication of this notice.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this notice may result in significant consequences. Under Section 175 of the HVNL, serious breaches can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges. The maximum penalties for contravening the terms of this notice can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to the specified route restrictions. These penalties are intended to ensure compliance and protect public safety and infrastructure from potential harm.
In summary, the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.3) amends and suspends certain heavy vehicle routes in participating jurisdictions to prevent serious harm to public safety and infrastructure. It imposes obligations on parties to adhere to these restrictions and outlines severe penalties for non-compliance, ensuring the safety and integrity of the road network during the period of the Great Western Highway closure.