In the media

NHVR accepts enforceable undertaking for CoR education
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has accepted an enforceable undertaking from Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction that will see $249,500 contributed to Chain of Responsibility education (14 April 2020). More...

Next round of RVSA consultation commencing soon
The Department of Infrastructure has announced that it will be releasing some additional Road Vehicle Standards Act (RVSA) guidance material for review (14 April 2020). More...

Teletrac Navman offers new Telematics Monitoring Application
Teletrac Navman, have announced they are now offering the new Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) through the National Telematics Framework. TMA is being used across the country to manage heavy vehicle access arrangements across the road network (14 April 2020). More...

Map makes finding a place to rest easier
The NHVR has launched a new online tool that maps service centres, truck stops and roadhouses that remain open for heavy vehicle drivers. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said that the tool provided information about services and trading hours for service centres right across the country. The map can be accessed here and will also be available through the NHVR Route Planner (09 April 2020). More...

COVID19- Map makes finding a place to rest easier
NatRoad agrees that having access to food, showers, toilets and appropriate rest is critical for drivers to properly manage their fatigue. This tool was developed following protocols released by the government and NHVR to allow heavy vehicle drivers to continue to access these facilities (09 April 2020). More...

SAL wants subsidies for exporters and container lines
International container shipping lines (container lines) are seeking Australian government subsidies for shipping lines and exporters, along with cheap port calls, due to the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on global shipping (17 April 2020). More...

Australian exporters could have access to $50m in financial support
The Australian Federal government has announced a new financial support loan to help Australian exporters bounce back (17 April 2020). More...

Shift in import compliance approach as container chaos looms
Australia's major container ports are about to come under unprecedented strain and a leading trade body (FTA/APSA) warns that existing compliance and logistics systems weaknesses may choke them (15 April 2020). More...

Revised Dangerous Goods Tanker Standard released
Standards Australia has released the long awaited revision to two important standards that are of interest to numerous HVIA members: AS 2809.1: 2020 Road Tank Vehicles for Dangerous Goods – Part 1 and Part 2. These standards are referred to within the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, making them effectively legislated standards (15 April 2020). More...

Leading shipping group offers container storage to customers
CMA CGM announced its launching a 'delay in transit' solution to help alleviate current pressures experienced by its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meant to reduce warehousing cost, the service is available globally with container storage happening at multiple hubs around the world based on trade lanes (15 April 2020). More...

Government backs local ideas for Inland Rail interface improvements
Intermodal hubs and new freight provisioning centres are amongst 16 local project proposals to be further developed with support from the Australian Government's $44 million Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program (13 April 2020). More...

Updated quarantine arrangements for non-cruise maritime and air crew
The Australian Government and all states and territories will implement a consistent and immediate exemption for non-cruise maritime crew to provide for the transiting to and from their places of work, within and across jurisdictions with agreed documentation, and revised advice from the AHPPC in relation to air crew quarantine exemptions (09 April 2020). More...

Australian seafarers get extension for certificate renewals during COVID-19 pandemic
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is providing Australian seafarers impacted by COVID-19 with an automatic six-month extension on their qualifications (05 April 2020). More...

Published – articles, papers, reports

NHVR On the Road
On The Road - Issue 83 - 9 April 2020
Fortnightly newsletter providing important information on the heavy vehicle industry, including the latest NHVR news and events, relevant law and policy changes, and resources to help industry members comply with the HVNL.

Vehicle Registration and Driver Licensing in Australia, New Zealand and Europe: A Comparison Study
Vehicle Registration and Driver Licensing in Australia, New Zealand and Europe: A Comparison Study
AUSTROADS AP-R620-20: 14 April 2020
This report provides a comparison of vehicle registration and driver licensing practices between Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Practice and Regulation

NHVR draft productivity plan
Submitted to: NHVR, 17 April 2020
Summary: There should be a targeted, funded education campaign about COR responsibilities aimed at all parties in the livestock chain. That campaign should be followed by increased enforcement measures. More...

NTC: Road and rail transport checklist for alcohol-based hand sanitiser
This checklist has been prepared to assist those who pack, consign, load, or transport alcohol-based hand sanitisers in understanding their requirements with regard to safe and lawful road and rail transport. This checklist applies to both ethanol-based and isopropyl alcohol-based hand sanitisers, both of which are highly flammable and give off highly flammable vapours (09 April 2020). More...

SAL: Federal Government policy
The Federal Department of Health has provided updated advice on cleaning and disinfection guidelines for commercial vessels. The factsheet " COVID-19 information for the marine industry" contains information about routine environmental cleaning that should take place aboard cargo vessels (15 April 2020).

HVIA: ADR 38/05 – Trailer brake certification – Evidence submission deadline
HVIA would like to remind members supplying brake kits or Agents certifying brake kits, that that the deadline for conducting and submitting your outstanding SARN applications, must be submitted and approved by the 30 April 2020. More...

NHVR: Feedback on future safety reforms across the livestock supply chain
According to the Livestock Supply Chain Issues Paper, movement of sheep and cattle makes up about four per cent of the national freight task, but accounts for more than 10 per cent of accidents, including a significant number of rollovers. Submissions to the Livestock Supply Chain Review close on April 24, 2020. To respond to the issues raised, visit NHVR.

AMSA reminder: New requirements for vessels carrying passengers
The new changes have been made through Marine order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements – national law) Amendment 2020. From the 31 May 2020, any domestic commercial vessel that carries passengers must meet new requirements for passenger safety. Make sure your safety management system adequately addresses your passengers' safety. More....

Senate: Consultations
Importance of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry
Status: Submissions closed. Date Referred: 11 September 2019. Next Hearing: 16 March 2020. Reporting Date: 14 October 2020

AIS: Transport and Logistics Industry Reference Committee projects
The Case for Endorsement will be considered at the Committee's first meeting in 2020.
TLI Chain of Responsibility
TLI Heavy Vehicle Driver Safety
TLI Freight Forwarding

Queensland

Transport and Other Legislation (Road Safety, Technology and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2020
On 17 March 2020, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, introduced the Transport and Other Legislation (Road Safety, Technology and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2020 into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was referred to the Transport and Public Works Committee for detailed consideration. The committee is required to report to the Parliament by 29 May 2020. The closing date for written submissions is 20 April 2020. The committee is due to table its report on 29 May 2020. More...

Cases

Mitchell v Le [2020] QDC 55
SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION – WRECKS – REMOVAL OF WRECKS IMPEDING NAVIGATION – GENERALLY – enforcement order made – whether additional orders ought to be made where those orders required the court to be satisfied that the respondent had contravened an enforcement order – whether the court had power to make such orders in circumstances where the respondent had not yet contravened the enforcement order
SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION – WRECKS – REMOVAL OF WRECKS IMPEDING NAVIGATION – GENERALLY – enforcement order made – respondent contravened enforcement order – whether further orders ought be made to authorise the applicant to take action to ensure compliance with the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994
SHIPPING AND NAVIGATION – WRECKS – REMOVAL OF WRECKS IMPEDING NAVIGATION – GENERALLY – enforcement order made – respondent contravened enforcement order – further orders made pursuant to s 183GA of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 – whether costs incurred in taking the authorised action were recoverable by the applicant
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 ss 183C, 183E, 183GA, 183GB

Legislation

Commonwealth

Gazetted

08/04/2020

National COVID-19 Emergency (Public Holiday Travel Condition) Derestriction Notice 2020 (No.1)
The purpose of this Notice is to remove certain travel condition restrictions on heavy vehicle travel times during the COVID-19 Emergency. The restrictions are those relating to travel on State controlled roads during public holidays, such as Easter and Christmas, and at other specified times. These travel time restrictions normally serve to reduce heavy vehicle traffic at peak holiday travel times. This Notice suspends certain travel conditions in specified permits and Gazette Notices made under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) because of reduced access to the roads by the general public during the COVID-19 Emergency.

07/04/2020

National Heavy Vehicle South Australian Electricity Entity Work Diary Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
The purpose of this Notice is to exempt drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity from the requirement to carry and complete a National Driver Work Diary.

National Heavy Vehicle South Australian Electricity Entity Work and Rest Hours Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
The purpose of this Notice is to exempt drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity in unplanned urgent circumstances from the requirement of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Part 6.3 Division 2 Standard Work and Rest Arrangements.

National Heavy Vehicle South Australian Electricity Entity Record Keeping Exemption Notice 2020 (No.1)
The purpose of this Notice is to exempt record keepers for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles carrying out activities on the works of an Electricity Entity from the requirement to comply with stated provisions of Division 3 of Part 6.4 of Chapter 6 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

Queensland

Subordinate legislation as made – 10 April 2020
No 51 Transport Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020
This Regulation is made under the Tow Truck Act 1973, Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 and Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995. The policy objectives of the Regulation are to provide exemptions from particular transport requirements to minimise the risks to the health and safety of people caused by the COVID-19 emergency, alleviate the financial burden on people caused by the emergency, and ensure the effective and efficient regulation and administration of land transport activities during the emergency and for a period after the emergency ends.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.