In the media
ATA calls for vehicle inspection and defect
overhaul
The new Heavy Vehicle National Law should make significant
reforms to defect notices and national inspection policies, the
Australian Trucking Association says (20 September 2019).
More...
NatRoad throws its weight behind Senate probe
The Senate's impending road freight transport industry
inquiry has gained National Road Transport Association backing. The
review is to focus on rates, conditions, recruitment, safety,
technology and relations with government and authorities (19
September 2019).
More...
NHVR shares driver safety recommendations
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has made a number of
recommendations to support driver safety in response to the
National Transport Commission's issues paper 'Safe People
and Practices' (18 September 2019).
More...
Senate Committee should focus on customer
practices
The NatRoad has welcomed the Senate Committee inquiry into
the road transport industry. CEO of NatRoad Warren Clark said
looking at all of the fundamentals of how the industry operates and
marrying them with the expected outcome of the Heavy Vehicle
National Law will be a valuable process (18 September 2019).
More...
NatRoad Supports NSW Government road safety change
The NatRoad has welcomed the NSW Government's decision
to change the road rule requiring vehicles to slow down to 40km/h
when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing blue or
red lights. NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said light vehicle drivers
often don't understand that heavy vehicles need more time to
slow down than light vehicles (18 September 2019).
More...
HVIA calls for changes to RVSA Rules
HVIA is calling for changes to the Rules that sit under
the Road Vehicles Standards Act (RVSA) to protect against
massive cost implications for industry (18 September 2019).
More...
Cultural shift crucial to improving safety, NHVR
says
The driver and all parties in the Chain of Responsibility
can positively or negatively influence the factors that contribute
to the safe driver, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator says in a
submission to the Heavy Vehicle National Law review (17 September
2019).
More...
Sydney Gateway ramps issue unites freight bodies
A range of freight and logistics industry bodies has
called on the New South Wales government to re-instate access ramps
for heavy vehicles at Canal Road in St Peters to the design of
Sydney Gateway. It insists the move is needed so that the project
"delivers the promised safety and efficiency benefits for the
freight industry and for the local community" (16 September
2019).
More...
Two bulk carriers banned from Australian ports in one
day
In an unprecedented move, the Australian Maritime Safety
Authority has banned two bulk carriers from Australian ports for
breaching the most basic rights of seafarers (13 September 2019).
More...
Dangerous Goods Movement study
NatRoad attended a Dangerous Goods Industry Workshop on 3
September 2019 to assist with the planning of a study about
dangerous goods movements in Sydney. This work will assist with any
proposed reforms of the dangerous goods laws, including issues of
access (12 September 2019).
More...
Austroads pursues improvements to heavy vehicle
licensing and safety
Peak organisation of Australasian road transport and
traffic agencies, Austroads, is reviewing the national framework
for heavy vehicle driver competency with specific reference to
licensing (11 September 2019).
More...
Review of the National Framework for Heavy Vehicle
Driver Competency – Phase 2
Austroads has continued the program of work to pursue
improvements to heavy vehicle licensing and safety (09 September
2019).
More...
Published – articles, papers, reports
AUSTROADS rollover crashes: Road design risk factors and
infrastructure solutions
AP-R607-19 11 September 2019
Rollover crashes are an undesirable outcome in a substantial
proportion of casualty crashes on high-speed roads. Rollovers are
especially over-represented in run-off-road crashes due to their
direct interaction with the roadside geometry.
More...
NHVR on the Road - Issue 68, 16 September 2019
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.
More...
In practice and courts
Type Approvals portal - user consultation
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and
Regional Development are developing a new IT system
(ROVER) to support applications made under the
Road Vehicle Standards legislation. Amongst other things, ROVER
will eventually replace the current system (September 2019).
More...
HHVR consultation: Grain Harvest Management Schemes
Review issues paper
The issues paper looks at the various opportunities and
challenges that exist with the current schemes, and options to
achieve national consistency. Submissions close on October 18. More...
Senate Inquiries
New
Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road
transport industry
Status: Accepting Submissions. Date
Referred: 11 September 2019. Submissions Close: 17
October 2019.
Current Consultations
Performance of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 23 July 2019. Next
Hearing: 13 September 2019.
The policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding
priorities for Australian shipping
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 23 July 2019. Reporting
Date: 05 December 2019.
NTC effective enforcement issues paper September
2019
Commission to review the Heavy Vehicle National Law
(HVNL). This is one of eight issues papers that
seek your feedback on the HVNL as it is, and opportunities to
improve it. NTC will accept submissions online until 31 October 2019.
More...
NTC issues paper - Assurance models
Comments due 25 October 2019
NTC Issues Paper - Assurance models
AMSA: Proposed changes to Australian near coastal
seafarer certificates
The consultation is open until 29 September 2019. The
proposed new Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency –
national law) 2019 provides a standard for certificates of
competency and qualifications for crew and masters of domestic
commercial vessels. More...
Legislation
Acts
Road Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment Act
2019
16/09/2019 - Act No. 66 of 2019 as made - A single day to
be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provisions do not
commence before 1 July 2021, they commence on that day.
Gazetted
Heavy
Vehicle National Law - Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps - Amendment Notice
2019 (No.13)
19/09/2019 - The purpose of this Notice is to amend stated
maps for vehicles at the request of road managers.
The amendments take effect 28 days after publication of Amendment
Notice 2019 (No.13). This Notice applies in all participating
jurisdictions.
Heavy
Vehicle National Law Queensland Heavy Vehicle Standards
(Conditional Registration) Exemption Notice 2019 (No.
1)
12/09/2019 - The purpose of this notice is to exempt a
heavy vehicle to which it applies from certain requirements of the
Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation (the National
Regulation). This notice commences on 23 September 2019.
Queensland
Bills updated
Transport
Legislation (Road Safety and Other Matters) Amendment Bill
2019
Introduced by: Hon M Bailey MP on 13/02/2019
Stage reached: PASSED on 4/09/2019
Assent Date: 12/09/2019 Act No: 25 of 2019
Commences: See Act for details
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.