A national project to assess key assets like bridges and culverts on local government heavy vehicle routes is being expanded to include more councils.
The pilot phase of the Strategic Local Government Assessment Project (SLGAAP) involving 12 councils is now well underway, and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is moving to Round 1 of the project.
Road managers from other councils are being invited to provide information on road assets that would benefit from detailed engineering assessment.
One of the local governments taking part in the project’s pilot phase is the Toowoomba Regional Council – and according to infrastructure committee chairwoman Cr Carol Taylor, its impact has been significant.
“From agriculture to construction, the Toowoomba Region has a significant freight need at the heart of our local economy,” Cr Taylor said.
“With the recent opening of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, it’s timely to look at the best way we can use our assets and roads. Through working with the NHVR, we’ve been able to access support and expertise that would normally be out of our reach.”
For more information on the NHVR’s project, contact roadassetproject@nhvr.gov.au or call 1300 MYNHVR (1300 696 487). Or click here to nominate assets for Round 1 of the SLGAAP.
In related news, road managers can now access more up-to-date heavy vehicle consent data and access permit volumes through the NHVR portal.
NHVR Industry Engagement Manager John Gilbert said: “This is yet another tool to ensure road managers have the data to see freight movements on their network and work with the NHVR to reduce permits through route pre-approval or gazettal.
“Some road managers are also using the information to assist their bids for infrastructure funding,” he said.
The NHVR is also advising NSW local governments that a new network to support the movement of oversize and over-mass mining equipment in the Hunter Valley has been established.
The exemption notice applies to large vehicles traveling across the Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Maitland, Upper Hunter, and Warrumbungle LGAs.