Task down 20 per cent from same time last year but authority bulks up resources on taking back handling load
The Victorian Government has issued almost 2,500 permits since taking back the control of permits processing in February.
VicRoads started issuing over-size, over-mass and special purpose vehicle access permits on behalf of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on February 24.
As of May 9, it has distributed approximately 2,430 permits, VicRoads Regulatory Services Director Richard Bell says.
The number of such permits issued is about 80 per cent compared with the same period in 2013, he adds.
“The number of permits issued to date may also reflect the level of business being performed by operators and the continued need to help operators understand the new arrangements,” Bell says.
“VicRoads has engaged additional resources to answer operator inquiries, process applications, seek consents from relevant road managers and issue permits.
“VicRoads is also continuing to work with NHVR, local councils and other road managers to implement arrangements to streamline permit processing and access arrangements.”
The transport industry has supported the move, he adds.
“They were appreciative of the assistance in answering inquiries and have noted the progressive improvement in permit turnaround times.
“VicRoads will continue to work with the Regulator as it develops the remediation plan for access management and will continue to support the Regulator.”
Meanwhile, crane operators will not need a permit when travelling on some 700 Victorian roads, the State Government has announced.
Over 460 metropolitan roads and 240 local roads in municipalities of Greater Dandenong, Cardinia, Hume and Hobsons Bay can now be used by crane operators without permtis.
The figure is expected to grow rapidly in coming weeks as more councils come on board, Roads Minister Terry Mulder says.
“The network will reduce the regulatory burden for the industry, with crane operators able to get out on the road when needed without waiting for a permit to be issued.
“However, permits will still be required for travel on other parts of the road network and compliance monitoring will continue.
“This initiative increases the confidence with which industry can do business in Victoria.”
VicRoads has issued around 600 crane permits each month.
Such an initiative is expected to reduce the regulatory burden on the industry, Bell says.
VicRoads has developed a user-friendly online map that can be quickly updated as additional roads are approved for inclusion in the gazetted network of cranes.
The new network adds to the existing number of approved routes that B-doubles, higher mass limit vehicles, road trains, controlled access buses and semi-trailers can use.
The Victorian Crane Association has welcomed the initiative, saying it has strongly advocated for such a network.
“This will make the day to day job so much easier for many of our operators to get to and from work sites,” its spokesman Brent Stacey says.