National heavy vehicle regulator receives funding certainty for the 2015/2016 financial year.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has received funding certainty for at least another year, with Australia’s governments signing off on the agency’s budget for 2015/2016.
State and federal transport ministers endorsed the regulator’s budget for the coming financial year and approved its strategic direction.
NHVR chairman Bruce Baird says the decision gives the organisation an important measure of certainty and confidence.
“This endorsement speaks volumes for the work being achieved and the results realised for our stakeholders,” Baird says.
“The NHVR will continue to build on its turnaround efforts to date. [We are] determined to make the changes required to get this right for the benefit of all involved.
“We will continue to drive regulatory reform to reduce the burden of red tape for industry and strive to provide certainty through greater harmonisation across the road network.”
His thoughts were echoed by NSW roads and freight minister Duncan Gay, who says the NHVR has made strong headway in the past year.
“It is vital we continue to support the coordination of heavy vehicle access across borders to meet the growing freight task facing our nation in the coming years,” he says.
The decision to endorse the NHVR’s budget was made at the recent Transport and Infrastructure Council meeting, which brings together Australia’s federal, state and territory transport ministers.
Ministers from Western Australia and the Northern Territory – which have not yet signed up to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) – attended the meeting and had input into the discussions around the NHVR.
However, they did not participate in the final endorsing vote.