The transport industry wants the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to ‘have some teeth’, according to its Project Director Richard Hancock
By <a href="mailto:rzivkusic@acpmagazines.com.au“>Ruza Zivkusic | February 21, 2011
The transport industry wants the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to ‘have some teeth’, according to its Project Director Richard Hancock.
Speaking at the 2011 Australian Logistics Council Forum in Melbourne today, Hancock says it is open to feedback over the next year before establishing a single national system of laws for heavy vehicles.
Sixteen public forums will be held across the country before the national heavy vehicle regulation comes into effect in 2013.
A body corporate, which will be formed in the next nine months, will analyse data on a national level, he adds.
“We need to be flexible and deal with geographical issues in the country but at the same time increase productivity in the states,” Hancock says.
National Project Director Julie Bullas from the National Rail Safety Regulator says national transport regulatory reform needs to be coordinated nationally but delivered locally.
With
its national office to be located in Adelaide, regional offices will be based across the country.
“It’s still a matter of three years before real benefits are seen from the process,” Bullas says.
“The national rail safety regulator will do what the state regulators have done, which is facilitate operation of rail transport in Australia.
“We need to exhibit independence, rigour excellence in carrying out its regulatory functions.
“Legislation, accreditation, process, procedures and operation need to be led and coordinated nationally but delivered locally.”