NHVR says helping operators through Covid-19 pandemic is a priority
Ongoing financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on industry have led the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to freeze operator service fees until January.
The freeze will apply to permit applications, National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) module and nominated vehicle fees.
Fees for Victorian escort services will also be frozen until January, while the cost of a new Written Work Diary will remain at $25 for 2020-21.
NHVR chair Duncan Gay says the fee freeze is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at assisting operators through the pandemic.
The regulator was recently praised on its rear marking plate flexibility
“We recognise this has been a tough period for many operators and now more than ever we want to encourage heavy vehicle businesses to focus on their safety and that of other road users,” Gay says.
“This fee freeze is a small way the NHVR can help in providing financial relief to more than 20,000 heavy vehicle businesses using NHVR’s services.”
The move has industry backing from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA).
“With the bushfires and now COVID-19, the trucking industry has been hard pressed this year,” ATA CEO Ben Maguire says.
“34 per cent of the trucking operators we surveyed have seen their business activity fall due to the pandemic.
“The NHVR freeze will provide more breathing space for operators as restrictions ease and activity increases.
“The decision demonstrates the NHVR’s support for industry and understanding of the hardship many businesses are facing.
“This year has been very challenging, but our great industry will bounce back.”
For the list of NHVR fees visit www.nhvr.gov.au/law-policies/fee-schedule