A national notice has been released by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to better support defence vehicles to get to communities in times of emergency or disaster.
The Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) notice provides ‘as of right’ access to eligible ADF vehicles which removes the need for permits and delivers greater efficiencies.
The response to the notice from road managers has been overwhelmingly positive, with almost 100 per cent of applicable road managers providing consent.
“The new notice will help mobilise defence vehicles to ensure essential supplies and assistance can reach those in need in a timely fashion, and without the need for a permit,” NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says.
“The notice release is at a critical time as we understand the National Emergency Management Agency and Bureau of Meteorology are predicting a higher risk weather season over the coming months.
“Along with supporting defence vehicles to access communities, the notice will remove pressure from road managers when emergency access needs to be enacted.
“For the first time, ADF personnel will be able to select networks for defence vehicles and map out the most efficient access route in the one national NHVR map, which is a huge safety boost.
“I would like to thank participating states and councils across Australia and defence for working in partnership with the NHVR to assist communities across the country.”
The following vehicle types are approved to access nominated networks, subject to compliance with all relevant conditions specified within the notice and network maps:
- HX77 vehicles with and without an attached trailer.
- 40M vehicles with and without an attached trailer.
- 42M vehicles without an attached trailer.
- PMV (Bushmaster) vehicles without an attached trailer.
The regulator also says it is planning on publishing the Australian Defence Force Class 1 and 3 Heavy Vehicle Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice by the end of the year.
The yet to be released notice will help support routine ADF movements.
All national notices can be viewed here.
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