A new $11 million Heavy Vehicle Safety Station (HVSS) has opened on the Golden Highway in NSW.
This key freight route is a boost for safety and is located about 5.5 kilometres east of Ballimore between Dubbo and Dunedoo.
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The HVSS is funded by the Australian and NSW governments and is operated by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) as part of their heavy vehicle compliance program.
Transport for NSW executive director road safety Duncan Lucas says the new station will apply heavy vehicle safety regulations, reduce overloading, fatigue-related crashes, and the risk of non-compliant vehicles travelling to Dubbo.
“Work on the new safety station started in May 2023 and following some construction delays due to waterlogged ground from flooding and complications in accessing and installing some of the Intelligent Transport System ITS components, the station is now operational,” he says.
“The NHVR uses the network of Heavy Vehicle Safety Stations to intercept and inspect heavy vehicles which may be operating illegally or in an unsafe manner on NSW roads and may pose significant risk to road users, the road infrastructure and the environment.
“The new facility at Ballimore is the 10th HVSS in NSW and its opening is an important milestone in improving safety for all motorists travelling long distances on roads and highways across regional NSW.”
Now that the HVSS is operational, all heavy vehicles travelling on the Golden Highway with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) greater than 4.5 tonnes, will now be required to enter the HVSS when directed to ensure the vehicle meets safety and roadworthiness standards and the driver is complying with road transport laws.
NHVR COO Paul Salvati says HVSS operating hours and staffing levels vary to match road traffic flow patterns.
“At peak times, including weekends and public holidays, Heavy Vehicle Safety Stations can operate up to 24 hours a day,” he says.
“HVSS sites are fitted with safety software which can quickly determine a heavy vehicle’s registration status and defect status, while also accessing Safe-T-Cam sightings that along with the driver’s work diary, can assist with monitoring driver fatigue.
“The Ballimore HVSS will be operated by NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers already based in Dubbo, with support from other NHVR teams during peak periods as needed.”
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