Issues around compliance breaches and chain of responsibility come to fore
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Roads and Maritime Services called for action higher up the supply chain
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The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced a review into heavy vehicle safety around New South Wales saleyards following issues regarding mass limits in areas such as Dubbo and Forbes.
Following a number of mass breaches, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) sought action higher up the supply chain, suggesting weighbridges be installed at saleyards and calling for saleyards and councils to be responsible for matters such as fatigue management and banning repeat offenders for overloading.
Councils were angered by being burdened with the additional responsibility, arguing costs would be unsustainable and inevitably passed on to local business, while vehicle weight compliance is normally handled by the state.
Forbes Shire Council general manager Steve Loane recently called on the NHVR to resolve the issue and work towards harmonised regulation.
In a statement, NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto acknowledged the role saleyards play in the economies of regional Australia and says the regulator has been listening to those affected by the issue to try reach consensus.
“The NHVR recently met with parties concerned about recent heavy vehicle breaches at saleyards across New South Wales,” Petroccitto says.
“Issues have arisen in relation to the movement of heavy vehicles operating in excess of their allowable mass limits around saleyards in Dubbo and Forbes.”
Read about Echuca Rural Transport’s camera system to monitor livestock while on the move, here
Petrocitto says that, as the compliance events pre-dated changes to Chain of Responsibility (COR) laws, the NHVR will now conduct a review to determine the most appropriate response.
“It’s important that we maintain productivity without compromising the safety of other road users and transport workers,” he adds.
“This review will also be undertaken in conjunction with the supply chain for the livestock sector.”