Stay Updated

News

October 25, 2017

New Heavy Transport Rules Rollout Planned for March 2018

Currently there are 14 different state notices for the movement of agricultural machinery on state roads. If that’s not confusing enough, each of these notices has different specifications. To gain some clarity, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is setting up new regulations to harmonise these laws. Gary Northover, Executive Director of TMA, has been passing on industry input to ensure that there is a thorough and realistic representation of the sector.

“Currently there is general confusion as to what permits and approvals apply, and they are no longer relevant to the range of product in use and they differ from state to state. The process can prove costly and time-consuming for operators who need to cross borders daily for their business, and it’s also leading to farmers taking unnecessary risks,” he says.

“The TMA has been working extensively with VicRoads for over 12 months on the development of a set of guidelines for the transportation of oversized agricultural equipment on Victorian roads. As Executive Director, I have been personally overseeing our input which has been derived from a number of members, both large tractor suppliers, speciality product suppliers and transport providers making this a very comprehensive input,” Gary says.

It is the VicRoads Guidelines that have formed the basis of the National proposal and the TMA and VicRoads are now consulting with NHVR to finalise these regulations. Gary says that they are looking towards March 2018 to see the rollout of the new regulations.

The updated regulations will apply to states that have signed the Heavy National Vehicle Law (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania), and will include an easier approvals and permits process for all owners and operators of agricultural equipment. Gary says that the new regulations will recognise the changes in equipment size and capabilities that has occurred across the industry and help operators moving agricultural equipment navigate the roads in a safer and easier manner.

“We would expect that this simplified approach will lead to a much greater awareness of and compliance with the appropriate road rules,” says Gary.