Australian Trucking Association Chair Mark Parry has congratulated outgoing NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto for his role in the “transformation” of the Australian heavy vehicle sector.
Earlier this week it was announced Petroccitto would be resigning from his position in January 2025 following more than a decade with the regulator.
“The NHVR started full operation in February 2014, but rapidly accumulated a backlog of thousands of road access permit applications,” Parry says. “These permits are essential for businesses that transport oversize and overmass loads.
“Sal dealt with the backlog and transformed the NHVR’S customer service capability. Just weeks ago, the Customer Service Institute of Australia named Sal as the Customer Service Executive of the Year.
“One of the hallmarks of Sal’s tenure in the role has been his willingness to consult with the industry and talk at industry events about the NHVR’s plans.
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“On behalf of the ATA and the whole trucking industry, I wish Sal all the best and every success for the future.”
Upon the announcement of Petroccitto’s pending resignation, NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said the search for the incoming CEO would be both extensive and nationwide.
Parry says whoever is selected for the role needs to follow Petroccitto’s lead in both improving the industry’s advanced fatigue management system while protecting it from overregulation.
“Under Sal’s leadership the NHVR recognised that providing operators and drivers with the opportunity to manage their working hours more flexibly delivered both productivity gains and greater safety,” Parry says.
“The new NHVR CEO will need to protect this flexibility in the face of proposals to over-regulate the fatigue system for safe, sophisticated operators in the forthcoming amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
“The incoming CEO should continue Sal’s approach.”
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