Minister for Roads, Michael Daley, reminded heavy vehicle operators to sign up for the Intelligent Access Program before Tuesday, June 30 or risk losing access to Higher Mass Limit routes – a comment that was slammed by the National Road Freighters Association.
The Intelligent Access Program (IAP) is a new compliance system that uses satellite-based technology to track heavy vehicles to ensure they are only using approved routes when carrying heavy loads.
“The program gives heavy vehicles access to 14,000 kilometres of the state road network,” the minister said.
“There are also significant economic benefits by allowing transport operators to safely carry heavier loads on approved routes.
“Eligible vehicles include semi-trailers, B-doubles, road trains, B-triples, AB-triples and car carriers.
“The program is only available to transport operators under strict regulatory conditions which means safer, more modern and efficient trucks on NSW roads.
“The program is a win-win situation for the heavy vehicle industry and the community by allowing operators to increase productivity while improving road safety,” he said.
Mr Daley said IAP was a national approach that was agreed to by all Australian Transport Ministers to improve access and compliance.
“So far more than 3,500 heavy vehicles in NSW have registered their interest in signing up for IAP. However, operators must sign a contract with a service provider, have the technology installed, and receive their permit before the end of June to maintain HML access,” he said.
However, the President of the National Road Freighters Association, Mr Mick Pattel, has slammed Minister Daley over the new Intelligent Access Program that will be forced on to transport operators from June this year. Mr Pattel said that the IAP is for higher mass limits and is creating a crevice between large and small operators and will hurt the industry.
“This is another example of the NSW government getting it wrong,” Mr Pattel said.
“They are taking away competition and that is just pathetic – they just look after fat-cats,” he said.
“The IAP is another government 'leg up' for the National Carriers.
“The small operators will not be able to compete against them if extra mass is available to IAP-compliant operators only, the qualification criteria alone will exclude most small operators, this whole scheme is designed eliminate competition in the marketplace, and the ‘powers that be’ think we are too dumb to see it.
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