Bulletin 1: Released on 8 January 2020
The NHVR is urging all heavy vehicle operators to take steps to ensure safe travel when operating in and around areas affected by bushfires.
Where possible operators should avoid travelling in bushfire impacted zones, however if required be aware of local emergency access arrangements.
The following Bulletin answers some of the questions we’ve received in relation to work and rest hour exemptions, access arrangements and road conditions.
The next Bulletin will be available on January 13.
If fires have interfered with your ability to lodge access or accreditation applications please get in contact with us on 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487) or info@nhvr.gov.au so we can provide appropriate support and guidance.
Heavy vehicle access across bush fire affected areas
The NHVR is working with road and emergency services authorities to ensure safe access to affected areas. Heavy vehicle operators should take a number of steps when accessing bushfire affected areas.
- Check the local road conditions through state government websites. A list of websites with the latest information about road conditions can be found below.
- If travelling in an affected area, check with local emergency services or recovery operations.
- Ensure your vehicle is able to travel on the existing network. If you’re travelling outside of these networks, you may need to obtain a permit through the NHVR Portal at www.service.nhvr.gov.au/ or call 1300 696 487 for assistance.
- Ensure you have enough food and water supplies in case of unexpected conditions, and avoid using back tracks or off-network roads to get around road closures.
Understand emergency fatigue provisions what you can and can’t do
An emergency services work and rest hour exemption may apply if working with or under the direction of emergency services. This includes transporting relief supplies or working to restore essential utilities and services.
For this exemption to apply, written or verbal direction must be received from emergency service personnel.
While the direction may exempt you from complying with work and rest limits and maintaining work diaries, they do not exempt an operator or a driver from managing fatigue.
Drivers should keep a record of any instruction given by emergency services.
Drivers should stop work and rest immediately if they are feeling fatigued at any time while operating a heavy vehicle.
Eyre Highway closure
The Eyre Highway between Norseman and Caiguna remains closed in both directions due to the impact of fire and smoke. The following alert has been issued by the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
It remains unsafe for people to travel east due to worsening fire weather, the active Balladonia fire and the potential for dry lightning.
All vehicles outside of this area are asked to stay away. Eyre Highway, Coolgardie-Esperance Highway and the border from South Australia into Western Australia will remain closed.
OSOM Networks
Operators are reporting a lot of large equipment is being moved during this period. Victoria and New South Wales have extensive Oversize, Overmass (OSOM) networks, which operators are encouraged to utilise where possible. Using these networks removes the need for a permit.
Click here for general information on OSOM networks
Local network maps are available here:
- NSW - https://bit.ly/36xoPKF
- VIC - https://bit.ly/2ZXkVZe
> Click here for general information on OSOM travel
OSOM restrictions are currently in place in Southern NSW. Please note the list of local restrictions for non-emergency vehicles HERE
If travelling outside of these networks, please visit www.service.nhvr.gov.au for permit information.
Contacts for fire information
New South Wales
- NSW RFS: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and www.fire.nsw.gov.au
- NSW Bush Fire Information Line: 1800 679 737
- Twitter: @NSWRFS
Victoria
- Victoria Country Fire Authority: www.cfa.vic.gov.au
- VicEmergency Hotline: 1800 226 226
- Twitter: @VICemergency
South Australia
- SA CFS: www.cfs.sa.gov.au
- Bushfire Information Hotline: 1800 362 361
- SA Government Recovery Hotline: 1800 302 787
- Twitter: @CFSAlerts
Queensland
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services: www.qfes.qld.gov.au
- Twitter: @QldFES
Western Australia
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au
- Public information: 133 337
- Twitter: @DFES_WA
Road Closures
There continues to be a significant amount of road closures across the country due to ongoing bushfires.
You can find up-to-date maps for each state at the links below:
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