The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will launch Operation Melbourne Market this month in a bid to drive down significant non-compliance, with loading, mass and mechanical breaches identified over the past two years.
NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said Operation Melbourne Market first ran in December 2022, and then again at the start of 2024, with more than 70% of heavy vehicle drivers intercepted during both operations found to be non-compliant.
"The number of drivers and operators found to be doing the wrong thing in some capacity during the previous operations conducted at the Melbourne Market is a major cause of concern," Mr Salvati emphasised.
"The NHVR is taking swift action after discovering these high levels of non-compliance, by launching Operation Melbourne Market for a third time.
"The aim of this crucial operation is to reinforce safety and regulatory adherence for industry who are coming and going from the Market, and to prevent potential serious incidents from occurring.
"We are finding many operators who attend the Market don't realise that they are part of the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and aren't aware they need to comply with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL)."
Mr Salvati said during last year's operation, NHVR officers issued 32 infringements and 28 defect notices over the course of two days, mainly in relation to load and mass offences.
"These serious violations present significant risk - and by failing to comply with regulatory requirements, drivers and operators are not only compromising their own safety but are threatening the safety of all those working at the Market," he explained.
"We are urging all operators - small or large - to review their practices and ensure they are fully aware of, and compliant with, all safety obligations under the HVNL.
"With around 2,750 businesses located at the Market and more than 2,000 individual fruit and vegetable buyers, it's imperative operators maintain the highest safety standards to ensure everyone is kept safe."
NHVR Director Southern Region Paul Simionato said one of the main issues is that operators primarily involved in trading, such as farmers or fruit shop operators, are not experienced in the transport industry.
"The previous operations we have conducted at the Market have revealed that a concerning number of operators are failing to meet their obligations under the HVNL," Mr Simionato said.
"Results from these operations have identified rigid trucks as the most non-compliant vehicle type, specifically 3-axle and 2-axle rigids, reinforcing the fact that it's mainly smaller operators transporting produce into and around the Market area who aren't aware of their duties as parties in the CoR.
"Load security and mass compliance are two of the most prevalent issues, with some operators trying to fit as many pallets as possible or goods on to the truck, to minimise the number of journeys they need to take."
Mr Simionato said of the 46 intercepts that resulted in loading checks during the operation last year, NHVR officers found a 49.2% rate of loading non-compliance.
"Improperly loaded heavy vehicles, inadequate load restraint systems, and inappropriate packing methods can result in loads shifting," he explained.
"This is dangerous not only for the driver, but also creates a risk for the loader, unloader, other road users and members of the public at the Market.
"I would like to reiterate to operators that implementing and maintaining stringent controls to ensure full compliance with the HVNL and CoR requirements, should be a top priority.
"These laws are designed to keep everyone in the supply chain, from the business that employs a driver or owns a vehicle, to the business that sends or receives goods, safe."
