HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW

Queensland Class 3 Cotton Module Transportation Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1)

1. Purpose

1)      This notice grants exemptions from height requirements for a class 3 heavy vehicle that is transporting cotton modules.

2)      This notice also grants an exemption from rear overhang requirements for some chain bed semitrailers, whether transporting cotton modules or not.

2.       Authorising provision

1)      This notice is made under the following provision of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL):

a)      section 117 – Regulator’s power to exempt category of class 1 or 3 heavy vehicles from compliance with mass or dimension requirement.

3.       Title

This notice may be cited as the Queensland Class 3 Cotton Module Transportation Dimension Exemption Notice 2024 (No.1).

4.       Commencement date

This notice commences on 10 February 2024.

5.       Expiry date

This notice expires on 9 February 2029.

6.       Definitions

1)      Unless otherwise stated, words and expressions used in this notice have the same meanings as those in the HVNL and its regulations.

2)      In this notice, definitions specified in the following notice apply:

a)      National class 2 B-Double Authorisation Notice, as amended from time to time.

3)      In this notice:

Guide means the Queensland Class 3 Cotton Module Transportation Dimension Exemption Notice Operator’s Guide published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, and as amended from time to time.

Chain bed semitrailer means a semitrailer equipped with a chain bed designed for the transport of cotton modules.

Cotton module means a packed and compressed cotton bale.

7.       Application

1)      This notice applies to a class 3 heavy vehicle that meets all the requirements in this section.

2)      This notice applies to a heavy vehicle that is:

a)      a prime mover towing a semitrailer; or

b)      a B-double.

3)      This notice applies to a vehicle:

a)      in the case of a vehicle that has a chain bed semitrailer, whether it is carrying cotton modules or not; or

b)      in the case of any other vehicle, only when the vehicle is transporting cotton modules.

4)      This notice applies in Queensland.

5)      A heavy vehicle to which this section applies and that complies with the conditions of this notice is an eligible vehicle.

8.       Exemption – Prescribed dimension requirements

1)      An eligible vehicle is exempt from the following dimension requirements under Schedule 6 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension and Loading) National Regulation (MDL Regulation):

a)      section 5 – Length (rear overhang)

b)      section 8 – Height

2)      An exemption in 1) only applies to the extent that specific conditional dimension limits are provided in section 9 of this notice.

3)      The exemption in (1)(a) only applies to chain bed semitrailer that was constructed or modified before 1 January 2007.

9.       Condition – Dimension limits

1)      For a parameter given in Column 1 of Table 1, an eligible vehicle must not exceed the dimension given in Column 2.

Table 1: Maximum dimensions

10.   Condition – stated areas or routes

1)      An eligible vehicle is authorised to access the stated routes and areas specified in this section.

2)      An eligible vehicle that is a prime mover towing a semitrailer has general access.

3)      An eligible vehicle that is a compliant B-double, but for the exemption provided in this notice, may operate on networks in the following Gazette notice as though it were a compliant class 2 B-double subject to all conditions of that notice:

National Class 2 B-Double Authorisation Notice

4)      For the purposes of section 119(1)(a) of the HVNL, an area or route specified in this section is a stated area or route to which this notice applies.

5)      An eligible vehicle may operate on the routes or areas shown in the following networks:

1. “QLD - Cotton Module Transportation Prime Mover and Semi-trailer Network” and
2. “QLD - Cotton Module Transportation B-double Network”

6)      Regardless of any access granted under this section, an eligible vehicle must comply with any conditions or restrictions applied to a given area or route by the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements in the Guide.

7)      In this section, general access means access to all roads except as restricted by the Specified Road Manager Network Requirements in the Guide or as stated in the map.

8)      An eligible vehicle operating on an area or route specified in this section must comply with any of the following conditions prescribed for that area or route:

a)      Road conditions pursuant to section 160 of the HVNL; and

b)      Travel conditions pursuant to section 161 of the HVNL; and

c)       Vehicle conditions pursuant to section 162 of the HVNL.

11.   Condition – Travel restrictions

1)      The transportation of cotton modules on a vehicle is restricted to the safest direct route from the farm of origin to a cotton gin nominated by the producer of the cotton.

2)      An enclosed eligible vehicle that has a chain bed semitrailer may only travel unladen:

a)      to farm sites for the purpose of loading cotton modules, or

b)      for the purpose of carrying out maintenance on the trailer, or

c)       for a return trip to the vehicle’s base.

Peter Austin

Director, Policy Implementation

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator