The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has taken over responsibility for heavy vehicle on-road compliance, enforcement services and vehicle inspections as of this week.
Transport and main roads minister Bart Mellish says the transition of services in Queensland promises a streamlined approach to regulation across Australia.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) 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,” Mellish says.
“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 (HVNL) 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 says the integration of Queensland into the NHVR will provide a more unified approach to heavy vehicle regulation and will strengthen Australia’s position as a leader in transport, safety and innovation.
“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,” Petroccitto says.
“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.”
Petroccitto says the regulator’s Safety and Compliance Officers will 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 says.
“Our new operations head office is located in Townsville, expanding our reach and enabling us to boost compliance and improve road safety outcomes in North Queensland.
“The NHVR’s on-road officers have authority to stop heavy vehicles and check compliance against the HVNL, and importantly, provide information and education to industry where it’s needed.”
This authority also includes checking compliance with heavy vehicle driver licensing, registration, and road rules.
On-road compliance, investigations, prosecutions and programmed heavy vehicle inspections will be some of the services currently provided by TMR to transfer across to the NHVR.
TMR will continue to be directly responsible for delivering regulatory and compliance programs for; tow truck accreditation and tow trucks, auditing schemes and accredited persons, passenger transport operator and driver authorisations and accreditation, road manager functions, sale of the National Work Diary (NWD), taxis and vehicles under 4.5t GVM.