Annual operation looks to enforce vehicle mass limits during the peak harvest season
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has announced it will enforce vehicle mass limits across New South Wales during the peak harvest season, targeting heavy vehicle operators and grain receivers.
“Operation Harvest Moon is targeting non-compliant heavy vehicles operating over-mass to ensure the safe movement and delivery of grain during the peak harvest season as part of a rolling mobile enforcement operation throughout NSW,” roads and maritime director safety and compliance Peter Wells says.
“The Grain Harvest Management scheme was introduced by the NSW Government to help farmers and transport operators move grain from paddocks to silos more efficiently.
“Under the scheme, small variances in load limits are permitted for vehicles transporting grain from farms to the nearest participating grain receiver, designed to protect roads and increase productivity during the critical harvest period.”
While the scheme allows for small variances, Wells says it will be making sure any associated risks are managed appropriately.
“Roads and Maritime inspectors will be carrying out road patrols on all major routes, visiting receiver sites and checking inbound vehicles to ensure appropriate compliance, with penalties to apply for any breaches,” he says.
According to the RMS, the penalties for any individual involved in a chain of responsibility that breaches mass, load restraint and dimension regulations is a fine over $10,000, while companies face fines over at $50,000.
To avoid compliance issues, the RMS says grain receivers should contact them to take part in the scheme.
“There are 17 participating grain receivers covering 180 sites across the state,” Wells says.
“Other grain receivers are encouraged to contact Roads and Maritime for further information on eligibility criteria to take part in the scheme.”
The operation will run until December 31.