Tasmania Class 1 & 3 Heavy Vehicle Special- Purpose Logs Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

Overview

The Tasmania Class 1 & 3 Heavy Vehicle Special-Purpose Logs Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) was enacted to address the need for flexibility in the transportation of special-purpose logs, such as those used for wire carrying poles, jetty piles, or sawn-timber applications, without compromising road safety. This exemption notice was made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law as in force in each participating jurisdiction, with the objective of allowing for the transportation of these specific logs while ensuring that they do not exceed certain safety and visibility requirements. The Notice applies only in Tasmania and pertains to combinations consisting of a prime mover and a single semitrailer or a pole erector truck and a pole-type trailer, provided they are used to transport the defined special-purpose logs. This exemption is effective from 10 February 2024 and will expire on 9 February 2029, unless otherwise revoked or amended.

Scope and Application

The Tasmania Class 1 & 3 Heavy Vehicle Special-Purpose Logs Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1) is designed to exempt certain heavy vehicle combinations from specific dimension requirements under the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, applying specifically within the state of Tasmania. This Notice applies to combinations consisting of a prime mover and a single semitrailer, or a pole erector truck and a pole-type trailer, used for transporting special-purpose logs such as those intended for use in wire carrying poles, jetty piles, or sawn-timber applications, but excluding logs that are to be processed by chipping, shredding, or grinding. While the Notice exempts these vehicles from certain dimension limits, it imposes various conditions to ensure safety and visibility, such as a maximum permissible length of 30m, a rear overhang limit of 6.5m, and requirements for coloured flags and markers depending on the time of use. This Notice also mandates additional safety measures, including oversize warning signs and pilot vehicles for longer combinations, and prohibits the use of these vehicles under conditions of low visibility. The Notice, made under section 117 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, applies solely in Tasmania and comes into effect on 10 February 2024, expiring on 9 February 2029. It provides clear guidelines and restrictions to balance the exemption from certain regulations with necessary safety measures, ensuring that special-purpose log transportation adheres to a framework that prioritises both operational efficiency and public safety.

Key Provisions

The main sections of this Notice provide exemptions from certain dimension requirements for special-purpose log carrying combinations in Tasmania, as outlined in section 10. These exemptions apply to combinations consisting of either a prime mover and a single semitrailer, or a pole erector truck and a pole-type trailer, as described in section 9. The Notice exempts these combinations from the dimension limits specified in section 3(1)(a) and section 5(1) of Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation. However, these exemptions are subject to specific conditions, which are detailed in sections 11 through 17. The Notice imposes several obligations on the parties using the exempted combinations. Firstly, the combination, including its load, must not exceed a length of 30 metres, as per section 11. The rear overhang of the trailer, inclusive of its load, must not be more than 6.5 metres, according to section 12. If the combination is used during the daytime, it must have a brightly coloured red flag affixed to the rearmost point of the load, as required in section 13. If used at night, it must be equipped with side and rear markers, complying with section 5(1)(a) and (b) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation, as stated in section 14. For combinations longer than 22 metres, an oversize warning sign must be displayed at both the front and rear, as per section 15(a). If the combination is used at night, a warning light must also be attached, in accordance with section 5(1)(c) of Schedule 8 of the Regulation, as outlined in section 15(b). These combinations must not be used if visibility is less than 250 metres in the daytime or if the headlights of an approaching vehicle within 250 metres cannot be seen at night, according to section 16. If the combination, including its load, is longer than 26 metres, it must be accompanied by a pilot vehicle, as required in section 17. Failure to comply with the conditions of this Notice can result in various civil or criminal consequences. The Notice does not explicitly state the penalties for breaches, but it is implied that non-compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law and its Regulations could result in penalties under the law. These penalties may include fines, licence suspension, or prosecution, depending on the severity and nature of the breach. The specific penalties would be determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and any participating jurisdiction's regulations.