IN AUGUST this year, responsibility for the regulation of heavy vehicles in New South Wales will transition from Transport for NSW to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
National body NHVR was established in 2013 to be the single, national regulator of heavy vehicles in Australia and to enforce heavy vehicle national law.
In recent years, under the National Services Transition program, NHVR has been working with states and territories to transition frontline heavy vehicle regulatory services to the NHVR to enable a more streamlined process to service delivery.
Tara McCarthy, deputy secretary of safety, environment and regulation at Transport for NSW said heavy vehicles travelling in and through NSW would benefit from the single, consistent national regulator for the heavy vehicle industry.
“From 1 August roadside enforcement, investigations, prosecutions, and scheduled heavy vehicle inspections currently provided by Transport for NSW, will be some of the services transferring to the NHVR, along with 340 Transport for NSW staff who currently support the industry,” she said.
Ms McCarthy said the state government has worked closely with the NHVR over the past 18 months to ensure it can maintain and improve the standard of transitioning services and heavy vehicle safety standards, supporting NHVR’s work across other states.
“This is part of a national reform program that will make the regulation of heavy vehicle movements across Australia even safer and more efficient,” she said.
The NHVR said it will continue to deliver services from more than 200 existing inspection stations, safety stations and on-road enforcement sites across NSW.
The most noticeable change for operators will likely be that the current Transport for NSW compliance operations inspectors will become NHVR safety and compliance officers.
Transport for NSW is expected to continue to provide a number of other important heavy vehicle services, including licensing, registration and tow truck investigations and compliance.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the transition of services supports the NHVR’s goal of borderless regulation of heavy vehicles and improved consistency for operators.
“This transition is another step in reducing the impact of state borders on the movement of freight across Australia. We’ll be working with industry to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible,” he said.
“With more than half of all Australian heavy vehicle movements occurring within or through NSW, this state is vital for the safety and productivity of the heavy vehicle industry.
“In particular we’ll be working with our staff to ensure a more consistent approach to compliance and enforcement regardless of where you’re intercepted.”
Queensland will be the final state to transition its services to the NHVR. The transition is expected to commence this year or in 2023.
