Easter Travel restrictions 2020
07-04-2020
Over the Easter holiday period, a number of road transport agencies have relaxed Easter travel restrictions for agricultural, oversize/overmass and special purpose heavy vehicles due to COVID-19.
The information below outlines the Easter restrictions for each state and territory. While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, it should not be relied upon as legal advice. We recommend operators check with the relevant state and territory road transport authorities.
Due to current circumstances relating to COVID-19, heavy vehicle access arrangements may change at short notice and we strongly recommend operators check this page prior to any travel.
Australian Capital Territory
No specific Easter travel restrictions in place.
New South Wales
To facilitate the movement of freight, Transport for NSW is suspending the usual oversize overmass (OSOM) daytime travel restrictions this Easter as per National COVID-19 Emergency (Public Holiday Travel Condition) Derestriction Notice 2020 (No.1) | PDF, 734KB. This decision has been made as a direct result of COVID-19 and applies only for Easter 2020.
Generally, there is no daytime travel allowed for OSOM vehicles over the Easter long weekend from daylight on Good Friday through to sunset on Easter Monday. These restrictions will not apply this Easter.
All over-dimensional movements will be permitted to operate as ‘business as usual’ either under Permit or Notice. Please note: Movements requiring NSW Police escorts may not be possible due to Police availability during the COVID-19 response.
Further information can be found at NSW Roads and Maritime Services Oversize and/or overmass (OSOM) vehicles and loads.
Northern Territory
No specific Easter travel restrictions in place.
Queensland
During the COVID-19 disaster period only, heavy vehicle travel restrictions for wide loads during the Easter period have been suspended. All over-dimensional movements will be permitted to operate as ‘business as usual’ either under NHVR permit or notice. Further information can be found at Queensland Police Service COVID-19 – response for wide loads.
Variation to Police escort arrangements (Qld wide)
From 1 April 2020, Operators of Class 1 Oversize and Overmass (OSOM) loads, not exceeding 5.5 metres in width and 35 metres in length, may use the following temporary escorting arrangements:
| EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS | VARIATION ARRANGEMENTS | |
|---|---|---|
| No traffic control required | One QPS escort and two level two escorts | Two level two escorts and two level one pilots |
| Some traffic control required | One QPS escort and two level two escorts | Four level two escorts |
Loads exceeding 5.5 metres in width and 35 metres in length will continue to require QPS escorts. Please note that QPS availability to escort will be limited.
Operators are not required to update their permit to use the temporary arrangements, however they must keep a copy of the COVID-19 Letter of Authority – Approved temporary variation to escorting arrangements (PDF, 683KB) with their valid permit.
The temporary variation is not valid for wide loads travelling in convoy, any overheight movement, or wide load movements involving contra-traffic flows, reverse direction of travel, traffic control and other manoeuvres contrary to Queensland road rules.
For more information read the COVID-19 QPS Temporary variation to escorting arrangements info sheet (PDF, 593KB).
South Australia
Where an oversize load requires a police escort, travel will not be permitted:
on South Australian public holidays
during public holiday periods
when major events occur.
A public holiday period means a period of three or more consecutive days covering a declared SA public holiday and adjacent weekend days (for example Easter and every long weekend); and the period between 23 December and 3 January (inclusive).
Further information can be found at South Australia Oversize and overmass vehicles.
Tasmania
No specific Easter travel restrictions in place.
Victoria
Department of Transport for Victoria has suspended any restrictions to times of travel relating specifically to public holidays from 9 to 30 April 2020 (Good Friday, Easter Monday and ANZAC Day) as per National COVID-19 Emergency (Public Holiday Travel Condition) Derestriction Notice 2020 (No.1) | PDF, 734KB.
Western Australia
Easter curfews have applied to oversize vehicles in previous years due to the increased risk associated with increased traffic volumes during the Easter holiday period. Due to the current travel restrictions, the usual tourist traffic will not be able to use the roads. As such, Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS) has decided to grant an exemption to the Easter curfews for 2020, meaning oversize vehicles can continue to operate during the Easter holiday period.
This exemption applies to the Easter curfews stipulated in the following Operating Conditions:
Single Trip Oversize Vehicle – Standard Operating Conditions (clause 12.5)
Class 1 RAV Oversize Period Permit – Operating Conditions (clause 9.4)
Platform Trailer Relocation Period Permit – Operating Conditions (clause 12.4)
Agricultural Machine Operating Conditions (clause 9.3)
Rubber Tracked Agricultural Machine Operating Conditions (clause 10.3)
Agricultural Combination Operating Conditions (clause 9.4).
For further information please contact the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk on 138 486 or email hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au
