Peak bodies declare support for 12-month extension
Permit durations in Queensland for class 1 Oversize Overmass (OSOM) load-carrying vehicles will be extended to 12 months.
Announced by the state government, it says the decision follows a review of OSOM vehicles last year and will save industry more than $1 million in fees and 3,300 hours in paperwork.
Transport and Main Roads minister Mark Bailey says the state government has worked closely with industry on the initiative with an aim of national consistency for heavy vehicles.
The reforms accompany the Heavy Vehicle Safety Action Plan earlier this year and other initiatives including better case manager communication, automatic inclusion of return trips, and multiple vehicles on permits without the need for a new application.
“Our reforms mean truckies can spend less time on paperwork, and more time driving our economy,” Bailey says.
“This change will provide significant benefits to the industry, while also balancing the importance of heavy vehicle safety.
“The heavy vehicle industry plays an important role in Queensland’s economy and provides vital employment opportunities.
“These reforms add to our $23 billion commitment to roads and transport infrastructure over the next four years and our 36-point safety action plan for heavy vehicle safety.”
Read about the reform tasks set in the OSOM review, here
The changes have received the backing from industry representative groups, including the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), which worked with government on the reform.
“The QTA acknowledges that this approach to making sensible and practical changes to reduce the burden on industry is welcomed, and supports our advocacy for reform,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon says.
“The cost of processing permits adds to the cost of transporting freight and the industry will welcome this relief in terms of reduction in red tape as well as cost.”
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) chair Duncan Gay notes it is an important change that will make a big difference to the Queensland heavy vehicle industry.
“We appreciate being able to work collaboratively with the government to support local operators’ productivity while keeping our roads safe.”
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) says it advocated for a national review of the rules governing OSOM vehicle movements a year ago.
“This is a sensible reform from the Queensland Government that will improve the efficiency of freight movement, reduce red-tape for freight operators and help keep costs under control,” ALC CEO Kirk Coningham says.
“This reform of OSOM provisions is the sort of positive outcome that can be achieved when industry and governments work together to deliver regulatory reform.”
More information on the changes can be found here.