Regulator's information bulletin seeks to clarify state-level restrictions for truck drivers
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released an information bulletin to clarify the operating requirements for transport of baled hay and straw.
The bulletin is designed to help operators comply with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation) and specific jurisdictional requirements.
Check out our story on what last year’s changes to the HVNL mean for farmers here
Under the Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice 2018, eligible vehicles carrying baled or rolled hay or straw for consumption by livestock in declared drought affected areas can transport material up to 2.83m in width and 4.6m in height.
However, different states operate their own legal instruments, which define separate load dimension limits.
The bulletin therefore outlines the legal requirements for NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT and South Australia and the different limits for various truck types. It also provides information for restrictions and conditions on specific routes.
NSW for example allows eligible vehicles to operate up to a width of 2.6–2.7m and a height of 4.6m, depending on the combination, while Victoria allows a width of 2.5–3m and a height of 4.6m, again depending on the type of vehicle being driven.
As well as dimension information, the bulletin describes several example methods for safely restraining baled or rolled hay.
To download the bulletin, visit: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201812-0974-info-sheet-operating-requirements-for-the-transport-of-baled-hay-and-straw.pdf