NatRoad hails heavy vehicle changes as they pass milestone
The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) congratulates the New South Wales government for putting a final piece of the jigsaw into place in the long process of reforming operations of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said this week’s passing by the NSW Parliament of the Heavy Vehicle Legislation Amendment (National Regulator) Bill 2021 came after a 10-year journey.
“The Bill is the final step in the transfer of NSW’s heavy vehicle regulatory functions to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator,” Clark says.
“The aim of the reform process was to improve safety, and reduce costs and regulatory burden for Australian transport companies by creating a national regulatory regime for heavy vehicle safety and productivity”.
Read how the NHVR was involved in the NSW farm gate access initiative, here
Regional transport and roads minister Paul Toole introduced the Bill in March.
“The principal objectives of the bill are to provide for the transfer of certain members of staff from Transport for NSW to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and to safeguard their employment conditions, as well as to enable the minister to direct by written order that specified assets, rights or liabilities of Transport for NSW be transferred to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator,” he says in Tuesday’s second reading speech.
“The Bill will also enable Transport for NSW to obtain and use, in the exercise of its statutory functions, information held by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and to provide the regulator with certain information to enable it to undertake its functions in New South Wales.”
The Bill passed the legislative council yesterday and brings NSW into line with other states and territories, with the exceptions of Northern Territory and Western Australia.
“I congratulate NSW for joining them after seeking additional assurances that the NHVR would implement measures moving us towards a risk based regulatory approach for heavy vehicles,” Clark says.
“The transfer of the heavy vehicle inspection service to the NHVR means that the regulator will acquire additional mechanically qualified sources that will enhance its regulatory capability.
“We lobbied hard to accelerate the transition process so we’re chalking this up as a win for common sense and for our members.”