Tasmania Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Unladen Low Loader and Low Loader Dolly Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 (No.2)

Overview

The Tasmania Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Unladen Low Loader and Low Loader Dolly Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 (No.2), enacted under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in Tasmania, was introduced to address specific logistical and operational challenges faced by the heavy vehicle industry, particularly for those operating Class 1 unladen low loaders and low loader dollies. This Notice serves to exempt these vehicles from certain width requirements and conditions outlined in the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation, while simultaneously replacing an earlier exemption notice issued in 2021. The overarching policy objective is to facilitate smoother and more efficient operations for these vehicles, thereby enhancing productivity within the freight and supply chain sectors. This Notice applies to heavy vehicle combinations operating within Tasmania and stipulates certain dimensional and operational conditions to ensure safety and compliance with broader regulatory standards. The Notice exempts eligible vehicles from prescribed width requirements and certain conditions in Schedule 8 of the National Regulation, provided they adhere to specified dimensional limits and other operational conditions. These conditions include a maximum length of 26 metres and a maximum width of 2.7 metres for eligible vehicles. Furthermore, the Notice dis-applies specific provisions concerning night travel and the width of low loader dollies, while maintaining certain other conditions to ensure safety and compliance. Eligible vehicles must also comply with the Tasmanian Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Network Map and adhere to the road and travel conditions outlined therein. This Notice aims to provide regulatory relief and operational flexibility to the industry, facilitating more efficient movement of heavy vehicles within Tasmania.

Scope and Application

The Tasmania Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Unladen Low Loader and Low Loader Dolly Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 applies to heavy vehicle combinations consisting of a prime mover towing an unladen low loader, an unladen 2.7m low loader, or a low loader dolly in combination with an unladen low loader or an unladen 2.7m low loader, or a 2.7m low loader dolly in combination with an unladen low loader or an unladen 2.7m low loader. These vehicles must operate within Tasmania. This Notice exempts eligible vehicles from prescribed width requirements and certain conditions in the National Regulation, provided they meet specific dimensional conditions and other requirements outlined in the Notice. The Notice includes exemptions from dimension requirements and dis-application of certain conditions from Schedule 8 of the National Regulation, while imposing specific conditions regarding length, width, night travel, and permissible routes and areas. Eligible vehicles must comply with the road and travel conditions set out in the Tasmanian Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Network Map published by the Tasmanian Department of State Growth. This Notice supersedes the Tasmania Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Unladen Low Loader Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 (No.1) and is in force from 1 December 2021 until 30 November 2026.

Key Provisions

The Tasmania Class 1 Heavy Vehicle Unladen Low Loader and Low Loader Dolly Dimension Exemption Notice 2021 (No. 2) (referred to as the Notice) primarily exempts certain Class 1 unladen low loaders from specific prescribed width requirements in Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (the National Regulation) (sections 7 and 8). It also removes certain conditions regarding towing a low loader dolly and night travel from Schedule 8 of the National Regulation (section 11). The Notice applies to eligible vehicles, defined as heavy vehicle combinations consisting of a prime mover towing either an unladen low loader, an unladen 2.7m low loader, a low loader dolly and an unladen low loader, a low loader dolly and an unladen 2.7m low loader, a 2.7m low loader dolly and an unladen low loader, or a 2.7m low loader dolly and an unladen 2.7m low loader, operating in Tasmania (section 7). The Notice imposes several conditions and requirements on eligible vehicles. Firstly, the length of an eligible vehicle must not exceed 26 metres (section 9). Secondly, the width must not exceed 2.7 metres (section 10). Additionally, eligible vehicles longer than 22 metres travelling at night must be accompanied by a pilot vehicle (section 12). Eligible vehicles can only operate on the Tasmanian Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Network Map: Unladen Low Loader Combinations published by the Tasmanian Department of State Growth, and must comply with any road and travel conditions set out in that network (section 13). It is also specified that a pilot vehicle, a low loader dolly, or a jinker does not count as a load when determining if the low loader semitrailer is unladen (section 14(1)). The Notice does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches of the Notice. However, it is likely that breaches of the National Regulation, which the Notice exempts certain provisions from, would be subject to the penalties outlined in that legislation. It is advisable for parties to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation to avoid any potential penalties or consequences.