THE NATIONAL Heavy Vehicle Regulator has officially assumed responsibility for the delivery of heavy-vehicle safety services in Queensland.
The transition came into effect over the weekend, on 20 April. The state’s heavy-vehicle compliance and enforcement services were previously delivered by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Queensland is the sixth and final jurisdiction to transition its services to the NHVR, following South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and NSW.
Queensland minister for transport and main roads Bart Mellish said the change promises a streamlined approach to regulation across Australia.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been working closely with the NHVR to ensure a seamless transition of heavy vehicle regulatory services, to establish a safer road network in Queensland,” Mr Mellish said.
“This marks the end of a significant reform program, and is a step forward for industry, who now have a single point of interaction for consistent information about the Heavy Vehicle National Law and any issues they face as drivers or businesses.
“We look forward to the productivity and safety benefits of having a single regulator for the heavy vehicle industry, with Queensland the final participating jurisdiction to transfer these regulatory services to the NHVR.
“By having a borderless operating model, the NHVR will be able to address the greatest risks on our roads, improving safety for everyone.”
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the integration of Queensland into the NHVR would simplify compliance for drivers by providing a more unified approach to heavy vehicle regulation.
“By taking the wheel in the Sunshine State, the NHVR will provide nationally consistent education and enforcement across participating jurisdictions and will undertake more complex chain of responsibility and primary duty investigations into duty holders across the supply chain,” Mr Petroccitto said.
“The Queensland transition is a pivotal moment in Australia’s transport landscape, and by centralising regulatory functions under one authority, we can accelerate regulatory compliance harmonisation across state borders, and drive a safer, more efficient heavy vehicle industry.”
Mr Petroccitto said the regulator’s safety and compliance officers would be working roadside and at vehicle inspection sites across the state, identifiable by their distinctive uniforms, badges and vehicles.
“The transition of heavy vehicle services will see a renewed on-road presence across Queensland, particularly in regional and remote areas,” he said.
NHVR’s new operations head office is in Townsville, a location that aims to expand the regulator’s reach and improve compliance and road safety in North Queensland.
NHVR noted its on-road officers have authority to stop heavy vehicles and check compliance against the Heavy Vehicle National Law and provide information and education to industry where needed.
