The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) together with the South Australian state and local governments have delivered on a set of heavy vehicle productivity initiatives to support safer and more efficient heavy vehicle movements in the state.
Starting today, the NHVR will introduce three Oversize Overmass (OSOM) trial notices to replace the need for the heavy vehicle industry to apply for permits on key routes.
South Australian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said he was pleased to see the changes come into effect after making the request to the NHVR to reduce heavy vehicle access permits in South Australia.
"Streamlining heavy vehicle access by transitioning permits to notices will allow operators to travel more efficiently, and I thank the NHVR for their enthusiastic response to improve access to routes subject to multiple heavy vehicle access permits," Minister Koutsantonis said.
"Today's announcement is part one of a multi-stage plan to drastically reduce the need for thousands of heavy vehicle permits in South Australia.
"These outcomes show how the NHVR and state and local government are listening to industry about what needs to be done to continue to achieve improved heavy vehicle safety and productivity outcomes."
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said the new OSOM trial notices would allow access to load-carrying vehicles with greater mass and dimension limits than previously authorised.
"What this will mean is a more streamlined process for operators, with larger and heavier movements of indivisible loads now either requiring no permit, or consent from less road managers than before," Mr Petroccitto said.
"I'd like to thank Minister Koutsantonisfor his continued support of the heavy vehicle industry, and his recognition of the important contribution it makes to the South Australian economy and the communities."
Over the next 12 months, the NHVR, the South Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and other participating road managers will assess how effective the trial notices have been in supporting heavy vehicle productivity and safety.
Future stages of the multi-stage plan will focus on reviewing South Australia's Performance-Based Standards (PBS) combinations, livestock transport mass exemptions, and tri-drive prime mover access arrangements. The review will also address special-purpose combinations, ensuring alignment with evolving industry needs.
