HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW
Queensland Class 2 Rockhampton Road Train Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1)
- Purpose
This notice authorises access for class 2 heavy vehicles that are Type-1 road trains transporting cattle to Rockhampton abattoirs.
- Authorising Provision
- This notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):
- section 138 – Regulator’s power to authorise use of all or stated categories of class 2 heavy vehicles.
- Title
This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 2 Rockhampton Road Train Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1).
- Commencement date
This notice commences on 16 December 2024.
- Expiry date
This notice expires on 15 November 2029.
- Definitions
- Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as in the HVNL or regulations made under the HVNL.
- In this notice, definitions from the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.3), as amended from time to time apply.
- In this notice:
Load means freight of any kind including livestock.
- Application
- This notice applies to a class 2 heavy vehicle that meets all the requirements of this section.
- This notice applies to a Type-1 road train.
- This notice applies subject to the conditions provided in the body of this notice.
- A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.
- Condition – Vehicle conditions
- An eligible vehicle with a twin-steer axle group must have load-sharing suspension.
- An eligible vehicle must not have a:
- drive axle group with more than two axles in contact with the ground; or
- quad axle group on any of its components when operating on a State controlled road.
- In this section, drive axle group means an axle group that has one or more driving axles.
- Conditions – Travel restrictions
- Subject to 2), an eligible vehicle must only operate between the hours of 7:00pm and 7:00am.
- An eligible vehicle must not operate during the periods mentioned in Column 1 of Table 1 on the dates and times identified in Column 2.
Table 1: Prohibited travel dates and times
Column 1 - Period | Column 2 - Dates and times |
Christmas | From 12:01am 19 December to 11:59pm 2 January the following year. |
Easter | From 12:01am the Thursday before Easter Sunday to 11:59pm the Tuesday after Easter Sunday. |
Note: If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday or a Monday, the Christmas holiday will commence on the Friday before Christmas Day from 12:00pm.
If New Year's Day (1 January) falls on a Friday, the Christmas holiday is extended to 11:59pm of 3 January that year.
- The driver of an eligible vehicle must drive at least 200m behind another heavy vehicle travelling in front of it.
Note: This is to ensure passing opportunities for other motorists and to assist with effective traffic signals coordination.
- Condition – Stated areas or routes
- An eligible vehicle complying with the conditions of this notice is authorised to operate on areas and routes listed in in Table 2.
- For the purposes of section 119(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route stated in this section is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.
- An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in Table 2 must comply with any of the following conditions prescribed for that area or route:
- Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and
- Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and
- Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.
Table 2: Stated routes
Stated route | Condition |
Capricorn Highway (Fairy Bower – Gracemere) Yeppen Crossing (Fairy Bower – Allenstown) Lower Dawson Road (Allenstown) Gladstone Road (Allenstown - Rockhampton City) George St (Rockhampton City) Albert St (Park Avenue - Rockhampton City) Moores Creek Road (Park Avenue) Musgrave St (Berserker - Park Avenue) Queen Elizabeth Drive (Berserker) Bridge Street (Berserker) Lakes Creek Road (Lakes Creek – Berserker) Emu Park Road (Lakes Creek – Nerimbera) Saint Christophers Chapel Road (Nerimbera) | Travel from the saleyard must commence from the Type - 1 road train network commencing at Capricorn Highway, Gracemere and follow a continuous route using the roads mentioned in Column 1, without diversion, to the Rockhampton abattoirs. Travel from the Rockhampton abattoirs must follow a continuous route using the roads in Column 1, without diversion, to the approved Type - 1 road train network at the Capricorn Highway, Gracemere. An eligible vehicle must not transport a load when returning from the abattoirs to the Type -1 road train network at the Capricorn Highway, Gracemere. |
Jose Arredondo
Manager Network Access Policy
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator
Overview
The Queensland Class 2 Rockhampton Road Train Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) was enacted to address the specific logistical needs of transporting cattle to Rockhampton abattoirs using Type-1 road trains. This notice was issued under the authority of section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which empowers the Regulator to authorise the use of class 2 heavy vehicles for specified purposes. This authorisation aims to facilitate the efficient movement of livestock to the abattoirs while ensuring road safety and minimising disruption. The notice specifies particular conditions for vehicle operation, including restrictions on travel times and designated routes, and is intended to provide clarity and legal certainty for operators and regulators alike. This measure is intended to support the agricultural industry by enabling the smooth transit of livestock to processing facilities.
The enactment of this notice by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, as part of the broader framework established by the Heavy Vehicle National Law, underscores a commitment to balancing industry needs with public safety and environmental considerations. The notice will commence on 16 December 2024 and expire on 15 November 2029, providing a temporary yet structured approach to managing the unique challenges posed by the operation of Type-1 road trains in the Rockhampton region.
Scope and Application
The Queensland Class 2 Rockhampton Road Train Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) applies specifically to class 2 heavy vehicles, particularly Type-1 road trains, that are transporting cattle to Rockhampton abattoirs. The Notice is made under section 138 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and is applicable to these vehicles if they meet the specified conditions, including vehicle and travel restrictions, and designated routes. This Notice authorises the use of such vehicles within a defined scope, ensuring that they comply with the outlined conditions and restrictions. The Notice has a jurisdictional reach within Queensland and is applicable to those operating within the specified routes and conditions, ensuring the safe and regulated transport of cattle to Rockhampton abattoirs.
The Notice specifies that eligible vehicles must adhere to certain vehicle conditions, such as the requirement for load-sharing suspension on vehicles with a twin-steer axle group and restrictions on the number of axles in contact with the ground. Furthermore, there are travel restrictions, including operating hours between 7:00pm and 7:00am and prohibitions during specific periods such as Christmas and Easter. Additionally, vehicles are required to maintain a certain distance behind other heavy vehicles and must operate on the specified routes listed in Table 2 of the Notice. This Notice ensures that the transport of cattle to Rockhampton abattoirs is conducted in a manner that adheres to safety and regulatory standards, while also accommodating the unique operational requirements of Type-1 road trains.
Key Provisions
The Queensland Class 2 Rockhampton Road Train Authorisation Notice 2024 (No.1) primarily authorises Type-1 road trains transporting cattle to Rockhampton abattoirs, as detailed in sections (2) and (3). The notice specifies that eligible vehicles must meet certain conditions to be considered compliant, such as having load-sharing suspension for twin-steer axle groups and not having a drive axle group with more than two axles in contact with the ground or a quad axle group on any of its components when operating on a State controlled road (section 4). Additionally, these vehicles must operate between the hours of 7:00pm and 7:00am, with specific restrictions during holiday periods like Christmas and Easter, as outlined in section (5). Eligible vehicles are also mandated to maintain a distance of at least 200 meters behind another heavy vehicle when travelling, ensuring safe passing opportunities and effective traffic signal coordination (section 5). The notice authorises eligible vehicles to operate on specific routes listed in Table 2, subject to compliance with road, travel, and vehicle conditions as prescribed by the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) (section 7).
Under this notice, parties and entities, specifically the operators of eligible vehicles, have several obligations. They must ensure their vehicles meet the specified conditions, including the installation of load-sharing suspension for twin-steer axle groups and adherence to the axle configuration restrictions (section 4). Vehicle operators must also comply with the operational hours and travel restrictions outlined in the notice (section 5). Moreover, when operating on the authorised routes, vehicles must adhere to the road, travel, and vehicle conditions prescribed by the HVNL, ensuring safe and compliant operation (section 7). Additionally, drivers of eligible vehicles must maintain a safe following distance from other heavy vehicles, as stipulated in section (5).
Breaches of the conditions set out in this notice may result in various penalties and consequences. Under the HVNL, operators of non-compliant vehicles or those failing to adhere to the specified conditions may face civil penalties. The exact penalties are not detailed in the notice, but they may include fines or other financial penalties as prescribed by the HVNL. Furthermore, repeated non-compliance or severe breaches may lead to criminal charges, which could result in more severe penalties such as imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the offence. The notice does not specify maximum penalties, but these would be determined according to the HVNL and related regulations.