The NHVR has partnered with South Australian state and local governments to deliver a set of heavy vehicle productivity initiatives aimed at supporting safer and more efficient heavy vehicle movement throughout the state.
Starting on January 23, the regulator will introduce three Oversize Overmass (OSOM) trial notices to replace the need for the heavy vehicle industry to apply for permits on key routes.
The NVHR, South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and other road managers will assess the trial’s effectiveness over the next 12 months.
South Australian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis says the trial has come as a result of the government seeking solutions to reducing the need for heavy vehicle access permits in the state.
“Streamlining heavy vehicle access by transitioning permits to notices will allow operators to travel more efficiently,” Koutsantonis says. “I thank the NHVR for their enthusiastic response to improve access to routes subject to multiple heavy vehicle access permits.
“Today’s announcement is part one of a multi-stage plan to drastically reduce the need for thousands of heavy vehicle permits in South Australia.”
Future stages of the plan will focus on reviewing the state’s PBS combinations, livestock transport mass exemptions and tri-drive prime mover access arrangements.
The review will also address special-purpose combinations, ensuring alignment with evolving industry needs.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the new OSOM trial notices will allow greater mass and dimension limits on key routes than previously authorised.
“What this will mean is a more streamlined process for operators,” Petroccitto says. “With larger and heavier movements of indivisible loads now either requiring no permit, or consent from less road managers than before.
“I’d like to thank Minister Koutsantonis for his continued support of the heavy vehicle industry, and his recognition of the important contribution it makes to the South Australian economy and the communities.”
The new notices and more information on the changes is available here.
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