The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has opened consultation for its latest Heavy Vehicle Productivity Plan (HVPP).
NHVR Chief Safety and Productivity Officer David Hourigan said the latest plan focussed on challenges affecting the trucking landscape into the next five years.
"We are open to feedback on what we see as contemporary challenges for Australia's heavy vehicle industry," Mr Hourigan said.
"This includes issues like growth in the freight task, ongoing road fatalities, environmental and health impacts, the shift from asset management to optimisation, and finally, the increased frequency of unplanned supply chain disruptions.
"As the heavy vehicle sector evolves and the freight task changes, we too are evolving and changing by continually seeking new ways to refine our approach.
"Our goal is to be a modern regulator that has a deeper understanding of the issues, priorities and needs of our industry and government customers so we can create the most effective regulatory environment."
Since the release of the first HVPP in 2020, the NHVR - in partnership with industry and government stakeholders - has achieved many of its productivity targets, including:
- Easing the permit burden by delivering 49 national notices and 50 state and territory notices,
- Launching the National Network Map, marking Australia's first harmonised mapping system for heavy vehicles, improving route planning and operational efficiency for the industry,
- Opening up network opportunities through assessment of more than 770 structures across 106 local councils through the Commonwealth-funded Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project, and
- Establishing permanent electric vehicle networks in New South Wales and Victoria, with trial networks in Queensland and South Australia, supporting industry decarbonisation.
Mr Hourigan said the new HVPP represented a fundamental shift in how heavy vehicle productivity would be defined moving forward.
"Productivity is not a trade-off with safety, sustainability and infrastructure," he said.
"From our perspective, productivity also has the potential to save lives, reduce carbon emissions and prolong the life of our roads and structures.
"We are consulting on this new plan so that all those who play a part in the heavy vehicle industry, such as drivers, operators and road managers, can help shape our direction and achieve meaningful and tangible outcomes.
"We want to know we are implementing the right initiatives to support industry and keep Australia moving."
To provide feedback on the HVPP 2024-2029, please refer to information on the NHVR website.
Consultation closes on 31 October 2024.
The final plan will be released to industry and government in December 2024.
