A NEW national class 1 agricultural vehicle and combination notice is now in place, removing the need to apply for council permits when moving agricultural machinery and combinations on public roads across much of regional Australia.
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NSW Farmers president James Jackson said the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator notice was a case of "less bureaucracy, not no bureaucracy, but an incremental improvement".
NSW Farmers rural affairs and economics policy director Kathy Rankin, who has worked with the NHVR to refine the permit for years, said most NSW councils had now signed up to enable the notice.
"This is an improvement, it means contractors can move from Queensland, through NSW to Victoria and remain compliant on a single permit," she said.
The notice has been kept relatively simple, she said, and there is a operator's guide that compliments it, giving further interpretation of the notice.
A route survey is still required, but vehicles as wide as 7.5 metres can now travel in western regions without specific council permits.
"Farmers are in drought and are throwing the dice on planting, anything that can help streamline their work is really important," she said.
In force as of May 1, the notice applies to five zones across the country, down from the previous 26, with maximum machinery dimensions defined for each zone, cutting red tape and complexity for operators.
Ultimately harmonising the states and generally aligning with the Victorian notice of exemption released last year, the national arrangement will ensure mass and dimension limits and operating conditions are the same across Australia.
The notice introduces vehicle standards and operating conditions aimed at improving road safety.
This includes conditions relating to maximum operating speed, setting a maximum mass and dimension limit, vehicle standards that meet the Australian Design Rules, warning signs and lights, and pilot and escort requirements.
Increases in average machinery size, operations with multiple farms and productivity losses due to permit delays have all been drivers for the overhaul.
GrainGrowers chief executive David McKeon said he supports the initiative.
"After more than two years of negotiation with industry, state and local road managers, the new notice will enable farmers to move most of their equipment without a permit," he said.
"With the sowing of winter crops underway, the timing of this notice could not be better.."
Mr McKeon said the notice represented a genuine reduction in red tape.
