Toole says exemption notice will cut red tape as TfNSW eyes IAP flexibility
Almost one-third of New South Wales over-size over-mass (OSOM) permits will be removed under updated Class 1 notices.
NSW regional transport and roads minister Paul Toole states that the updated Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension and Mass Exemption Notices would cut red tape and allow increased mass and dimensions in both NSW and South Australia.
“In New South Wales, the mass has been increased up to 115 tonnes and the width has been increased up to 5.0 metres,” Toole says.
“In New South Wales, the number of Class 1 OSOM permits will reduce by 30 per cent for operators, based on the current volume of permit requests for 4.6m to 4.8m width movements.”
“Transport for NSW, NHVR and Local Councils have worked closely with industry to deliver reliable access while reducing administrative costs and easing the burden on all during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The release of the notices readies the NHVR, TfNSW, councils and industry for the upcoming return of delegation for Class 1 OSOM vehicles in NSW,” Toole says.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has also released updated Operator’s Guides for New South Wales and South Australia, as well as supporting information sheets to assist in meeting the requirements of the Notices.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the notice also delivered improvements in South Australia with an increase in mass up to 100 tonnes and an increased width of up to 4.6 metres.
“We would also like to thank the NSW Hunter Region OSOM Working Group and Road Freight NSW for contributing to the success of the updated Notices and the ongoing support for improving heavy vehicle access,” he said.
For more information on the Notices, the Operator’s Guides or network maps can be found here.
Read about the easing of OSOM rules in southern NSW, here
Meanwhile, while Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has previously required all vehicles operating at Higher Mass Limits (HML) in NSW to be enrolled in the Intelligent Access Program (IAP), that has changed.
“After a review of the benefits and costs of IAP to industry, road managers and road asset owners; TfNSW have provided a more flexible approach to telematics requirements for HML,@ the department says.
“Vehicles operating at HML now have the option to enrol in the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) with a certified service provider or they can elect to remain enrolled in the IAP.
“TMA provides greater visibility of heavy vehicle network usage.
“This visibility enables data driven evidence-based decisions for road access, road investment, road maintenance and compliance activities.
“While IAP continues to provide evidence of non-conformance activity measured against an approved route.
“The flexibility to use either TMA or IAP enables industry to select the telematics application that suits their operational needs and reduces regulatory burden and cost where possible.”
The option to use TMA began on April 2, with the NSW Higher Mass Limits Declaration 2020.
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) of NSW notes that, in a statement, TfNSW director of freight Scott Greenow says: “I would particularly like to thank Paul Pulver, President of the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association for his tireless efforts, patience and good humour in describing a case for change with telematics in NSW.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support and guidance of TCA and in particular Gavin Hill, General Manager Strategy Delivery, who ensured this reimagining of telematics in NSW was achieved with as little disruption as possible to industry.”
A TfNSW fact sheet in the change can be found here.
A TCA factsheet can be found here.