The Transport and Infrastructure Council has agreed to a range of measures to improve heavy vehicle roadworthiness under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Source: Timberbiz.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said Ministers agreed to improvements to the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, including improved auditing arrangements.
“These new arrangements are important to adopting a nationally consistent risk-based approach to heavy vehicle roadworthiness,” he said.
“Auditors will have until July 2016 to transition to the new arrangements. The changes also mean truckies will no longer be able to choose their auditor.
“Ministers have also agreed to accelerate work on the development of a heavy vehicle compliance and surveillance strategy.
“Fast-tracking this will help to focus national efforts on activities that support long-term transport safety improvements.
“The changes are important for a national framework that targets heavy vehicles for roadworthiness inspections, as well as managing and clearing heavy vehicle defects.
“The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is already making significant progress to improve access permit administration – particularly notable in boosting the number of pre-approved routes for heavy vehicles to over 500 gazetted and pre-approved routes since February 2014.”
The Deputy Prime Minister said Ministers also agreed to the National Transport Commission releasing a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on heavy vehicle roadworthiness for public consultation.
“The RIS will canvass options for improving the roadworthiness of heavy vehicles,” he said.
“Public consultation is a good opportunity for interested parties to have their say on options for a national Heavy Vehicle Roadworthiness program.”
The Regulatory Impact Statement will be available for public comment in early 2015 on the National Transport Commission website at: www.ntc.gov.au.
