In light of the current pandemic, NatRoad is calling on the Victorian Government to postpone new regulations that will mandate costly mass technology for high productivity freight vehicles (HPV).
Under the new regulations, set to come into effect from November 1, 2021, high productivity vehicles will require smart on-board mass measuring equipment.
NatRoad expressed that feedback from its members has been that many aren’t able to meet the costs of the new technology requirement.
“Normally when regulations change to require costly technology to be introduced as a condition of on-road operation, there is some sort of regulatory impact statement or assessment of how these requirements will affect the industry,” said Warren Clark, CEO of NatRoad.
“In the instance of the requirement for on-board mass measuring equipment, consultation has not occurred.”
He added that as HPVs are safer and more productive than other heavy vehicles, their use should be encouraged, not stifled with red tape.
“We are unsure of the rationale for the lack of study before this expensive move,” Clark said.
“Why are operators required to reinvest in on board measuring equipment at great expense, when the systems that they currently operate are supplying the required data to the regulator and road authorities?
“Adding these costs during a pandemic just doesn’t make sense when we should be moving more freight through HPVs, not less.
“We have asked the Victorian Government to at least delay this new requirement during the pandemic, which has already caused many operators to reduce the scale of their operations or shut down.
“Road freight is an essential industry – governments should assist it to operate more efficiently during the pandemic rather than set up red tape roadblocks.”