Archive, Industry News

NHVR simplifies special purpose vehicle permits

Crane and special purpose vehicle operators will no longer need to apply to use state roads

 

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and state governments have made it easier for cranes and special-purpose vehicles to operate under a new National Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicle Notice announced today.

Affected special purpose vehicles (SPVs) will no longer need to apply for a permit to travel on state-controlled roads under the new scheme – a move that could see a potential efficiency boost for the construction industry.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the Notice provides pre-approved road access for certain vehicles and provides exemptions from the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension & Loading) National Regulation (the Regulation).

“It is great to see state and local governments working collaboratively with the heavy vehicle industry and the NHVR to provide Special Purpose Vehicles with better access right around the country,” Petroccitto says.

“The productive and safe transportation of these heavy vehicles is crucial to many industries that drive growth in local communities.”

The Notice says it only applies to a Class 1 SPV that is a motor vehicle, such as a pick and carry crane, carrier-mounted mobile crane, or truck-mounted SPV. Full vehicle requirement details are available here [PDF].

Developing the new policy in conjunction with the Australian Local Government Association, State Road Authorities, the Crane Industry Council of Australia, and the Concrete Pumping Association of Australia, Petroccitto says the change will reduce the number of permits produced annually by 4,000.

“Operators of cranes and concrete pumps that meet the strict standards will be given greater access certainty which will improve efficiency for this essential industry segment,” Petroccitto says.

“We have assessed that more than 98 per cent of the productivity gains will be related to decreased vehicle downtime and reduced administration costs.”

Welcoming the news, Queensland transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe says operators will “no longer have to complete unnecessary extra paperwork or delay progress on a construction project to wait for a permit.”

“This will bring nearly $55 million in benefits to construction businesses in Queensland over the next 20 years,” Hinchliffe says

“Under the old process business had to wait as long as 28 days for a permit to move a mobile crane or a concrete pump, which was a massive handbrake on industry productivity.

“The safe transport of these types of vehicles is vital to grow Queensland’s economy and this new ruling will drive efficiency and help accelerate building progress across the state, supporting more construction jobs.”

According to the Notice, the changes do not apply to a SPV combinations, special purpose trailers, or non-motorised SPVs.

The new Notice joins the NHVR’s decision on PBS truck and dog combinations yesterday.

Positive moves, according to the Australian Truck Association CEO Christopher Melham.

“The Notice will remove the need for 4,000 truck permits a year, which brings the total number of permits slashed this week to 6,500,” Melham says on the SPV decision.

“It’s not every week that a regulator can say it has eliminated 6,500 pieces of unnecessary paperwork, but that’s what the NHVR has achieved.”

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend