In the media

Road authority targets hip pocket nerve in compliance strategy
VicRoads says it's going after income by grounding trucks, in an effort to ramp up compliance after discovering companies are factoring infringements into their budgets (19 October 2018). More...

NHVR: Independent expert to lead review of PBS tyres
The NHVR has appointed independent road safety expert Dr John de Pont to lead a review of PBS tyre standards and operations. The review will also look at the effects of tyre characteristics on safety performance, key tyre performance parameters, the performance of truck tyres currently available in Australia and the effects of tyre designs (18 October 2018). More...

NTC holds firm on transport reforms
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has pointed to Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review and automated vehicle regulation as two important areas of land transport reform, in its annual report (16 October 2018). More...

Key freight corridors targeted in Roads of Strategic Importance initiative
Increased productivity and regional economic growth are two key goals of the government's Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative, which is set to invest $3.5 billion over 10 years towards key freight routes in Australia (15 October 2018). More...

NatRoad criticises right-hand lane closure for trucks
National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) members have questioned the recently announced permanent closure to trucks of the right-hand lane on major highways (14 October 2018). More...

NHVR: Draft Safety Policy aligns with NHVR's expanding operational role
The NHVR has released a draft Safety Policy, to align with its expanding operational role in heavy vehicle safety. NHVR Productivity and Safety Executive Director Geoff Casey said the Safety Policy was open for comment (12 October 2018). More...

New notice helps A-double drivers
The Queensland Government, NHVR and Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) have collaborated to develop a notice for Performance Based Standard (PBS) A-doubles between Toowoomba and the Port of Brisbane. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the notice would eliminate the need for permits for PBS A-doubles operating at masses up to 79.5 tonnes (General Mass Limits) or up to 81.5 tonnes (Concessional Mass Limits) (09 October 2018). More...

ATSB: Large ships + little vessels = big trouble
Collisions at sea can endanger the lives of those on board and can cause significant structural damage to the vessels involved. The ATSB Executive Director Transport Safety, Mr Nat Nagy said that over the past 28 years the ATSB had investigated 38 collisions between large ships and small vessels. A proper and effective lookout by all is available as defined by the international collision regulations (COLREGs) (10 October 2018). More...

Freight planning must factor in population policy
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed the speech by the Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, Hon. Alan Tudge MP, which highlights the need for Commonwealth leadership in driving better planning outcomes and reducing road congestion as Australia's population grows (09 October 2018). More...

Queensland puts restricted heavy vehicles on notice
Short cuts taken by Queensland drivers of trucks weighing more than 4.5 tonnes will be monitored under a new trial announced by the Queensland Government (09 October 2018). More...

New South Wales releases Newcastle region transport plan
The New South Wales Government has identified three pivotal projects for freight in its newly released Greater Newcastle Future Transport Plan (08 October 2018). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

Motor accident injury insurance and automated vehicles: discussion paper
National Transport Commission: 17 October 2018
This paper identifies elements within existing motor accident injury insurance schemes that may act as barriers to accessing compensation for personal injuries or death caused by an automated driving system.

On the Road - Issue 45, 9 October 2018 - NHVR newsletter
On the Road provides important information on the heavy vehicle industry, including the latest NHVR news and events, relevant law and policy changes, and resources to help industry members comply with the HVNL.

In practice and courts

NTC Discussion Paper: Tackling privacy challenges of government access to data from automated vehicles
The NTC's discussion paper identifies three categories of new privacy challenges, and outlines options to address these as they relate to automated vehicle and C-ITS technology. The paper does not examine private sector access to data. Submissions can be made online via the NTC website. Submissions close on 22 November 2018, with recommendations due to Australian transport ministers in May 2019.

NHVR Consultation: draft Safety Policy
The Safety Policy is intended to promote an environment of continuous improvement that embraces safety, including the evaluation of our activities and initiatives to ensure that they are delivering the intended safety outcomes. The Safety Policy will be available on the NHVR website for comment until November 5 (12 October 2018). More...

NHVR: Drought heavy vehicle access - National Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice 2018

National Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1) - This notice exempts eligible vehicles from complying with certain dimension requirements when transporting specified commodities for consumption by livestock in declared drought affected areas.

National Class 3 Drought Relief Dimension Exemption Operators Guide Updated 11 October 2018 - This guide operates in conjunction with the national drought notice and includes important information such as network references and commodity types. Under the national drought notice, an eligible vehicle carrying baled or rolled hay or straw may operate up to 2.83m in width and 4.6m in height.

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, 60th edition
60th Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and associated products are now available for pre-order. Expected delivery is mid-late October 2018. There are a large number of changes in the new edition of the IATA DGR Manual so make sure you order your new copy to reflect these changes. Click here to view the list of the significant changes and amendments to the 60th Edition.

New Standards
 AS 22915.12:2018
Industrial trucks - Verification of stability - Industrial variable-reach trucks handling freight containers of 6 m (20 ft) length and longer (ISO 22915-12:2015, MOD) Standards Australia.

AS 22915.20:2018
Industrial trucks - Verification of stability - Additional stability test for trucks operating in the special condition of offset load, offset by utilization (ISO 22915-20:2008, MOD) Standards Australia.

AS 22915.9:2018
Industrial trucks - Verification of stability - Counterbalanced trucks with mast handling freight containers of 6 m (20 ft) length and longer (ISO 22915-9:2014, MOD) Standards Australia.

Legislation

Gazetted

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Prescribed Fees for 2018/19 Financial Year
15/10/2018 - Pursuant to s740A(4) of the Heavy Vehicle National Law, prescribed fees set by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for the 2018/19 financial year are hereby set out in Schedule 1 of this Notice. The fees in this Schedule take effect on 15 October 2018.

Heavy Vehicle National Law - South Australia Class 3 Long Prime Mover Combination Exemption Notice 2018 (No.1)
15/10/2018 – The purpose of this Notice is to provide a length exemption for combinations consisting of a long prime mover and a compliant semi-trailer up to 20m in length. Participating jurisdiction means South Australia.

Heavy Vehicle National Law - National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2015 Amendment Notice 2018 (No. 1)
15/10/2018 - The purpose of this Notice is to amend certain conditions in the Queensland Schedule of the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Road Train Authorisation (Notice) 2015 Amendment Notice 2018 (No. 1) to remove invalid speed conditions. The primary notice is amended as follows:— In Schedule 2 Queensland, omit section 16.

Heavy Vehicle National Law - Queensland Class 2 Performance Based Standards A-Double (Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane) Authorisation Notice 2018 (No.1)
09/10/2018 - The purpose of this Notice is to authorise Performance Based Standards (PBS) A-doubles to access a special PBS network running from Toowoomba to Port of Brisbane up to a Gross Combination Mass of 85 tonnes.

New South Wales

Bills introduced Government – 19 October 2018
 Road Transport Amendment (National Facial Biometric Matching Capability) Bill 2018

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.