In the media

Transport sector plan in NSW puts brakes on injuries
Reducing serious injuries and fatalities in the transport industry is at the heart of a significant new strategy, the Transport Work Health and Safety Sector Plan, launched by the state Government today (21 September 2018). More...

Stability control braking news: ATA
The Australian Trucking Association is urging truck operators to get up to speed with new braking and electronic stability control requirements that are set to be implemented soon (20 September 2018). More...

Freight as crucial as passengers says cities report
The federal parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities calls for proper planning, corridor protection and fleet age action in the released Building Up & Moving Out report (20 September 2018). More...

Size matters when it comes to loaded hay trucks
Trucking load regulations are relaxed at state borders to get animal feed to drought-affected farmers. The maximum size of vehicle now exempt from having to apply for a permit will be 4.6 metres high and 2.83 metres wide (20 September 2018). More...

ALC: Cities report underscores need for freight in planning
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) says the report of the Inquiry into the Australian Government's role in the development of cities is an endorsement of its continuing efforts to have freight movement prioritised in the nation's planning regimes (18 September 2018). More...

EPA fines Newcastle Stevedores $15,000
Newcastle Stevedores Pty Ltd has received a $15,000 fine following an unannounced inspection from the Environment Protection Authority(EPA) in August 2018 when an EPA officer observed poor environmental controls during grain unloading, which led to pollution of the Newcastle Harbour (19 September 2018). More...

Blenners director dismisses TWU calls after crash
Blenners Transport director Les Blennerhassett has brushed off Transport Workers Union (TWU) calls for an investigation into his company following the deaths of two of its drivers (19 September 2018). More...

Northbridge tunnel damaged by truck, Main Roads to pursue driver for cost of repairs
The driver of a truck carrying an excavator machine which damaged the ceiling of the Northbridge Tunnel causing traffic chaos last Wednesday, is being pursued by Main Roads over the cost of repairs (19 September 2018). More...

ALC: Progress on Sydney Gateway welcomed
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed the announcement of progress on the Sydney Gateway project, including confirmation that the new road links constructed as part of the project will be toll-free (13 September 2018). More...

ALC: Time to get serious about technology in road safety
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) says the report of the Inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy today lends further weight to the organisation's consistent call for mandatory use of telematics in heavy vehicles (12 September 2018). More...

VTA and MTAG link with Melbourne port transport plan
Trucking peak body and local pressure group need official backing for initiative (13 September 2018). More...

Toll roads inquiry hands down findings
The Palaszczuk Government has supported a Parliamentary committee's calls for toll operators to improve their customer service performance. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Parliamentary Inquiry into toll roads had attracted almost 200 submissions, with many of those focused on customer service issues and fees and charges (13 September 2018). More...

Government welcomes independent Road Safety Inquiry
An independent inquiry initiated in September 2017 by the Australian Government into the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2011-2020 has been formally released (12 September 2018). More...

'Ground is shifting' towards road pricing
Australia could be on track to adopt a user-pays system for roads, with senior bureaucrats and economists saying momentum for reform is 'beyond doubt.' (13 September 2018). More...

Boost safety tech adoption says NRSS report
Mandating proven low-cost safety technologies might help improve the situation, an independent inquiry into the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2011-20 report says (12 September 2018). More...

NatRoad slams 'reckless' fatigue stance
Keeping a fatigue regulation that prevents a rested driver from driving until they have waited seven hours is a 'poor and reckless stance', the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) says (12 September 2018). More...

ALC and ATA release safety summit action points
Eight areas identified, including boosting master code relevance to smaller operators by the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) in the wake of this month's joint Supply Chain Safety and Compliance Summit. (12 September 2018). More...

NTI commits to more NTARC crash research
National Truck Accident Research Centre to report annually. The Major Accident Research Report is a biannual examination of NTI-insured heavy truck accidents NTI-insured where the quantum of the loss exceeds $50,000. (11 September 2018). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2011-2020: Inquiry Report
Released 12 September 2018
A key finding of the inquiry is implementation failure. The lack of focus on a harm elimination agenda means that sub-optimal results are unintentionally achieved because some improvement in safety is often regarded as sufficient or is assumed.

Waiting for the green light: transport solutions to climate change
Released 13 September 2018
This report marks the beginning of a new flagship project for the Climate Council aimed at cutting greenhouse gas pollution levels from the transport sector - Australia's second largest source of greenhouse gas pollution.

Future transport and mobility - Australian capabilities and opportunities: summary report
Australian Trade and Investment Commission, ITS Australia, Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities (Australia): 10 September 2018.
Increasing urbanisation, rapid population growth and questions of environmental sustainability are forcing Australia to rethink its transport infrastructure matrix, according to this Austrade report.

On the Road - Issue 43, 10 September 2018 - NHVR newsletter
?On the Road provides important information on the heavy vehicle industry, including the latest NHVR news and events, relevant law and policy changes, and resources to help industry members comply with the HVNL.

In practice and courts

Ministerial statement: Cutting red tape for truckies carting hay
From 20 September 2018, wider and higher loads of hay and fodder will be allowed to travel on state and national-controlled roads. More... More...

NHVR: Route assessment tool free for road managers
The released Restricted Access Vehicle Route Assessment Tool (or RAVRAT) provides local governments with a consistent assessment tool and methodology when assessing heavy vehicle access requests. To register for the RAVRAT services visit here. For more information about using RAVRAT or the recent changes, please email (12 September 2018). More...

NHVR: Primary producer work diary exemption to be extended
The National Primary Production Work Diary Exemption 2018 would continue the exemption for drivers of vehicles over 12 tonnes transporting produce within a 160km radius of their base. The Notice will apply in all participating NHVR states and territories (10 September 2018). More... More...

NHVR: Changes to Chain of Responsibility laws confirmed for October 1
Reforms to the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws will be implemented from 1 October. Duty holders who assess their risks and manage them will be complying with both the HVNL and workplace safety law. The NHVR has information available including CoR Gap Assessment tools, role-specific fact sheets, Safety Management System templates and tools, and videos and podcasts. More... More...

ASMA Dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes handbook, 3rd edition, August 2018
The latest version of the dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes handbook is now available. The handbook provides theoretical and practical guidance on the rules to shipping dangerous goods by sea. It also outlines the responsibilities of shore and ship based personnel and how these requirements may be enforced (13 September 2018). More...

Legislation

Commonwealth

Bills

Shipping Registration Amendment Bill 2018
HR 13/09/2018 - The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Shipping Registration Act 1981 (the Act) to make minor technical changes that are necessary for the remaking of the Shipping Registration Regulations 1981 (the Regulations) for provisional registration certificates.

Gazetted

National Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1)
20/09/2-18 - This Notice exempts eligible vehicles from complying with certain dimension requirements when transporting specified commodities for consumption by livestock in declared drought affected areas. This Notice expires five years after commencement.

Queensland

Bills

Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2018
Introduced by: Hon M Bailey MP on 1/05/2018 Passed with amendment on 5/09/2018.
Assent Date: 11/09/2018 Act No: 18 of 2018 Commences: see Act for details.
Changes to the HVNL giving new powers to authorised officers have passed the Queensland parliament ahead of their national introduction. The new obligations will apply from October 1.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.