NHVR and NTC in Talks Over 28 Day Permit Deadline

Government agencies have flagged a number of potential options to fast track heavy vehicle permit applications, according to an article featured on Fullyloaded.com.

Whether or not the 28 day deadline given to government road agencies to approve heavy vehicle permit applications will continue or not is still under discussion. There are a number of changes that have been identified which are under consideration.

One of the issues discussed at this year’s Trucking Association Conference was the ongoing talks between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the National Transport Commission (NTC). The NTC and NHVR are apparently is talks, trying to find alternatives to the existing system, NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto recently stated.

According to Petroccitto, the trucking industry has lobbied for the changes to be implemented in the past, attempting to have the 28 day time limit adjusted. The 28 day limit is currently enshrined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).  Mr Petroccitto also explained:

“The discussion we’ve been having is what is the right outer limit and should it be 28 [days], should it be 14 [days], should it be seven [days] or should it be different for each types of classes,” Petroccitto says.

“So that is one thing we are exploring as part of the reform program. Do we need to have an amendment on the outer limit date?”

Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

The reason the industry has been lobbying to have the deadline amended is because they say some government agents are using the 28 day limit as a guide and are not processing permits as quickly as possible. One of the organisations lobbying for the change is The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA).

There are also talks underway about amending the clause in the HVNL which gives road managers the deciding power on whether trucks can use their network or not. Discussions centre around whether the regulator should have the ultimate power to overrule this decision, Mr Petroccitto said:

“The discussion around whether the regulator should have the ability to override a road manager or not is still going to need further discussion,” he tells ATN.

“I respect the provisions the road managers have. What we are doing is working collectively with them to work out what’s the right way to do it. Whether we will get a change to that provision, I’m not sure but it is something that is being discussed with industry.”

Source: http://www.fullyloaded.com.au

Fullyloaded.com notes that the NHVR CEO expressed concerns about the clause last year when he made an appearance at the Australian Local Government Associations (ALGA) Local Roads and Transport Congress.