National Heavy Vehicle Regulator takes over from TMR to enforce laws in NQ

There’s a new sheriff in town to enforce the Heavy Vehicle National Law for motorists operating heavy vehicles weighing over 4.5 tonne. Read about their new NQ headquarters.

NHVR safety compliance officers Nicky McDowall and Brendan Ryan, and senior safety compliance officer Mick Farrow. Picture: Leighton Smith.

There’s been a changing of the guard for oversight of the state’s heavy vehicles, with a new regulator ramping up its presence on NQ’s roads after opening a custom-built building in Bohle this week.

Queensland has over 250,000 registered heavy vehicles weighing over 4.5 tonne, include semi-trailers, road trains, B-double freight trucks, passenger buses, livestock and agricultural vehicles, mobile cranes, and other special purpose vehicles weights

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) was established in 2013 to become Australia’s single, independent national regulator of heavy vehicles, applying and enforcing the Heavy Vehicle National Law – a single rule book for heavy vehicles.

In an effort to streamline the delivery of heavy vehicle regulation for industry and improve regulatory outcomes and safety, responsibility transitioned from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads to the NHVR on April 20.

NHVR chief executive Sal Petroccitto was joined by his board on Wednesday morning to soft open their brand-new Northern Region operational head office at 30 Kelli Street, Mount Saint John.

The new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Northern Region operational head office at 30 Kelli Street, Mount Saint John. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“We made the decision to establish our Queensland headquarters in Townsville, so our national office is in Brisbane, but we felt that it was because of the size of the state, having our state based office in Townsville meant that we could service the North and down,” Mr Petroccitto said.

For locals it means a stronger presence of NHVR on-road officers across the region, whose responsibilities range from on-road monitoring of load restraint, mass and dimensions, work diaries and driver fatigue, to checking the compliance of the transportation of dangerous goods.

NHVR chief executive Sal Petroccitto visited the new Northern Region operational head office at 30 Kelli Street, Mount Saint John on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied.

“Our NHVR on-road officers – easily identifiable by their distinctive uniforms, vehicles, and badges – will be working roadside as well as at vehicle inspection sites across the state,” he said.

“These officers have the authority to stop and check heavy vehicles are complying with the Heavy Vehicle National Law and, importantly, educate and inform the industry about safe practices where it’s needed.”

NHVR senior safety compliance officer Mick Farrow was impressed with the new facility's open plan office. Picture: Leighton Smith.

The office hosts approximately 25 staff, including 12 safety compliance officers, two senior safety compliance officers and a principal safety compliance officer.

“So the functions that were traditionally done by TMR inspectors are done by my inspectors,” Mr Petroccitto said.

“What it means … if they move across borders, as trucks do, there’s an intercept, we now have national data, and the way that they are intercepted is now done consistently.”

The new National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Northern Region operational head office at 30 Kelli Street, Mount Saint John. Picture: Leighton Smith.

From July 1, programmed heavy vehicle inspections will be delivered from the facility’s pit area instead of the TMR vehicle inspection centre at Leyland Street Garbutt.

Given the lack of suitable properties to suit their requirements, Mr Petroccitto said they partnered with BM Webb Industrial Property to build the unique facility.

NHVR invested just over $700,000 on the fit-out and signed a 20 year lease.

For more information visit: www.nhvr.gov.au

Originally published as National Heavy Vehicle Regulator takes over from TMR to enforce laws in NQ