Crippling bridge assessment fees for operators that can run into the tens of thousands will soon be scrapped under a new permit scheme in Victoria.
Known as the Heavy Vehicle Structural Assessment Permit System, it will automate up to 85 per cent of structural assessments for Class 1 and 2 heavy vehicles, significantly reducing assessment and response times, and eliminating all fees for industry.
It is expected to be available from January 1, 2026, finally bringing Victoria into line with other jurisdictions which already have a similar system in place.
The cessation of the fees will result in easier access pathways for many heavy vehicle combinations, including innovative B-doubles, A-doubles, Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles, quad-axle semi-trailers, and combinations featuring next-generation low- and zero-emissions trucks.
Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO Peter Anderson said the news this week is a big win for industry and the collaboration between the VTA, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) and NatRoad which lobbied the state government for the change.
“We’re very grateful for the [roads] minister to understand the issues within the industry and to respond so positively and so quickly,” Anderson said.
“It just shows we have a progressive roads minister in Victoria who is doing the best for our industry.”
Anderson said it’ll take a lot of costs out of getting permits and running large vehicles on the state’s roads.
“It’ll mean we get safer trucks on our roads and means our industry will get greater opportunity to do a better job than what they do today.”
In 2021, leading enginner Robert Smedley told Big Rigs that Victoria is seeing bridge assessments as a “cash cow”, charging anywhere from $5000 to $20,000 per bridge, and sometimes up to $80,000 for a single route, and taking six months to do it.
Other states, meanwhile, are providing the same service for free and turn around applications in less than four weeks.
Anderson agreed that the industry is currently drowning in red tape and unnecessary costs, putting operators under undue financial pressures.
He cited the example of one VTA member who recently copped a fine from the NHVR of $54,000 on one load because they were one tonne over on the steer axle and 20kg over on the drive.
“This is how absurd it is in terms of trying to run a transport business, and how hard it is.
“The costs that the [federal] government puts on us are absolutely huge.
“So for the Victorian state government to not try and grab every cent they can and to actually acknowledge what the industry has asked them and say we’ll do something to help you is just a remarkable achievement.”
HVIA CEO Todd Hacking said the new permit system is an “absolute win” for industry.
“And also for the wider Victorian community, who will enjoy the benefits of a greater number of safer, more productive and more efficient trucks in the years to come.”
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark agreed that this is a great outcome for road transport operators who have been struggling with rising costs.
“We acknowledge the Victorian Government’s commitment to reducing red tape and improving the efficiency and productivity of our industry.”