The NHVR is now seen across Queensland, following the transition of heavy vehicle safety services, as the NHVR transitions into Queensland regulation, writes Sal Petroccitto OAM, NHVR CEO.

This year marks 10 years since the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) commenced and from this time we have worked diligently towards improving road safety across Australia, placing a major focus on building consistency in our regulatory operations on a national scale.

Beginning in 2016, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) National Services Transition program has successfully transitioned heavy vehicle regulatory services from the relevant state and territory transport agencies in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales, to the NHVR.

The program has now reached completion following the transition of services from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to the NHVR on 20 April, the final participating jurisdiction to transfer responsibility for the direct delivery of heavy vehicle regulatory services.

The transition marked the next stage of a more streamlined approach to how heavy vehicles are regulated across the country.

As a result of the transition, industry will now benefit from consistent regulation across all participating states and territory. The NHVR now has a borderless operating model, allowing more flexible deployment of resources to address the greatest risks on our roads.

As Australia’s regulator, the NHVR is providing nationally consistent education, enforcement and resources, and is committed to undertaking more complex Chain of Responsibility and primary duty investigations into duty holders across the supply chain.

As part of the Queensland transition, we have established the NHVR’s Northern Region with 14 regional homebase locations across the Sunshine State, and two satellite offices, with our operations head office located in Townsville.

Industry travelling across Queensland may have already spotted a new uniform, badge and vehicles, with NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) working roadside and at heavy vehicle inspection sites across the state.

Industry can expect an increased on-road presence across Queensland, particularly in regional and remote areas, including the far north and western areas of the state.

Industry must still meet the same safety requirements as they have done in the past, with our SCOs authorised to stop heavy vehicles and check for compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) as well as some other heavy vehicle related state-based laws. They will check compliance with mass, dimension, load restraint, vehicle standards, access conditions, driver fatigue and work diaries, as well as some state requirements like dangerous goods, licensing and registration.

We are now delivering our inform, educate, and enforce approach to Queensland roads. The NHVR is committed to this regulatory intervention strategy – we place a strong focus on educating heavy vehicle drivers and operators, whether it’s via our on-road compliance activities or industry engagement. We understand the importance of reserving our regulatory powers for those who consistently do the wrong thing, to ensure we maintain the highest safety outcomes.

However, while we believe education is a powerful tool in preventing accidents, the NHVR doesn’t hesitate to enforce the HVNL where required. We are authorised to issue infringements and prosecuting for serious offences in Queensland, in addition to issuing defect notices where heavy vehicles do not comply with safety standards.

We have formal agreements in place with jurisdictions and policing agencies to support cooperative operations. We continue to build and maintain strong relationships with police and work collaboratively to address the risks on our roads.

Following the Queensland transition, the NHVR is also responsible for collecting and analysing data relating to heavy vehicle movements, and monitoring and responding to non-compliance with the Intelligent Access Program. This means we now have the ability to improve safety through investment in technology and innovation.

As a modern regulator, the NHVR is increasingly using data to target the biggest safety risks on our roads. We now have national data to inform more targeted compliance activity, and better capability to deliver timely, national responses to critical compliance issues.

It’s safe to say the benefits of the Queensland transition are immeasurable, with the NHVR now providing industry with a more consistent approach to compliance and enforcement, from the roadside to interventions, and a single point of interaction for consistent, reliable information about the HVNL and issues facing drivers or businesses.

To ensure a seamless one-stop-shop approach for heavy vehicle regulation in Queensland, the NHVR is now also providing Programmed Vehicle Inspections (PVI) on behalf of TMR, including at regional and remote PVI locations. Industry can continue booking a PVI through existing TMR channels, but fleet bookings must be organised through the NHVR Contact Centre.

With the number of NHVR staff growing significantly through transition, so too has our collective knowledge and experience. The Queensland transition has seen 110 TMR employees transfer their employment to the NHVR, bringing with them years of expertise of the heavy vehicle industry in Queensland.

The NHVR directly employing its authorised officers means all SCOs will receive the same training, aiding the consistent delivery of regulatory service and can deliver services seamlessly across borders.

The NHVR’s focus now lies on accelerating harmonisation, as we continue working towards a safer, more productive and efficient heavy vehicle industry.

For more information on the transition, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/about-us/national-services-transition