NHVR Bushfire Recovery Information
Bulletin 1: Released on 8 January 2020
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.
Heavy vehicle access across bushfire 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.auhttp://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
If travelling outside of these networks, please visit www.service.nhvr.gov.au for permit information.
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:
NSW https://bit.ly/371dXpg
VIC https://bit.ly/2N0VPDy
WA https://bit.ly/2N2U1tI
SA https://bit.ly/2tEFL3e
QLD https://bit.ly/2ZYfiKs
TAS https://bit.ly/2ZWSz10
ACT https://bit.ly/35hN0eS
NT https://bit.ly/2QrXynt
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: www.dfes.wa.gov.au
Public information: 133 337
Twitter: @DFES_WA