Australian Forest Products Association says national heavy vehicle regulations will benefit businesses operating across borders.
The forestry sector has welcomed the start of national heavy vehicle regulations throughout parts of Australia, but warns ongoing harmonisation will be necessary to make the reform a success.
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory implemented all or parts of the Heavy Vehicle National Law on February 10 to regulate vehicles over 4.5 tonnes.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is in charge of enforcing the law and has responsibility for access permits, chain of responsibility, accreditation schemes and fatigue management.
“The forest wood and paper product industries are significant users of haulage and heavy vehicles often operating across state borders, and this important area of reform to reduce red tape has been needed for some time,” Australian Forest Products Association CEO Ross Hampton says.
“This reform will decrease the cost and complexity of compliance for operators of forest industry vehicles that regularly travel from Mt Gambier (South Australia) to export facilities at Portland (Victoria), and from Victoria to the manufacturing centres in Tumbarumba and Albury (New South Wales).”
National regulations do not apply in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Both jurisdictions have chosen to stick with their current heavy vehicle regulatory regimes, while Tasmania will continue to look after fatigue management laws in its borders.
Furthermore, the ACT has rejected provisions covering fatigue, the Intelligent Access Program (IAP), speeding and the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS).
“The ongoing effective coordination, harmonisation and implementation of the different state regulations and processes by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator relating to national vehicle standards, regulating drivers and safety practices is the key to the success of this reform and will be watched carefully by industry,” Hampton says.
The NHVR’s responsibilities do not include registration and licensing, road rules, dangerous goods or pilot and escort arrangements for oversize loads.
However, work is underway on the creation of a national pilot and escort framework. That National Transport Commission (NTC) has proposed giving the NHVR responsibility for regulating pilot and escort drivers.