The Australian trucking industry has begun thanking National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto after he announced earlier this week that he will depart the regulator.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA), through chair Mark Parry, has joined the chorus, thanking Petroccitto for his commitment to customer service, safety and the industry’s productivity after joining the regulator in May 2014 “at a time of crisis”.
“The NHVR started full operations in February 2014, but rapidly accumulated a backlog of thousands of road access permit applications. These permits are essential for businesses that transport oversize and overmass loads,” Parry says.
“Sal dealt with the backlog and transformed the NHVR’s customer service capability. Just weeks ago, the Customer Service Institute of Australia named Sal as the Customer Service Executive of the Year.
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“Other government service providers and regulators could learn from Sal’s success.”
Petroccitto is set to leave the regulator in January 2025, with Parry emphasising Petroccitto’s role in improving Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM), which is used by trucking businesses with sophisticated fatigue management systems, as a key benefit from his leadership.
“Under Sal’s leadership, the NHVR recognised that providing operators and drivers with the opportunity to manage their working hours more flexibly delivered both productivity gains and greater safety,” he says.
“The new NHVR CEO will need to protect this flexibility in the face of proposals to over-regulate the fatigue system for safe, sophisticated operators in the forthcoming amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law.”
Parry thanked Petroccitto for his willingness to engage with the trucking industry.
“One of the hallmarks of Sal’s tenure in the role has been his willingness to consult with the industry and talk at industry events about the NHVR’s plans. The incoming CEO should continue Sal’s approach,” he says.
“On behalf of the ATA and the whole trucking industry, I wish Sal all the best and every success for the future.”
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