Trucking stakeholders call for review into Australia’s OSOM system

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Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Australian truck operators continue to suffer costly delays in oversized freight approvals as a result of the national heavy vehicle permit system, according to Road Freight NSW (RFNSW).

The peak body today joined other transport and logistics industry groups  including the Western Roads Federation, Australian Logistics Council (ALC) and Australian Trucking Association (ATA), calling for a Senate inquiry or similar wide-ranging review into the Oversize Overmass (OSOM) system under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

“Given the impact on business, RFNSW believes there is an urgent need for a comprehensive review of the rules and regulations governing the issuing of permits for oversized vehicles on Australian roads,” said Simon O’Hara, chief executive of RFNSW.

“Cam Dumesny from Western Roads Federation in WA has long been advocating for change and calls for an independent review of the OSOM system.

“The current OSOM system has been nothing short of a debacle, with carriers forced to apply for a new permit, on a case by case basis, even though they’re seeking approval for the same type of load, for the same vehicle and for the same destination.

“It’s a ludicrous process which is seeing truck operators forced to endure long, costly delays whilst their application is being assessed by the regulator."

O’Hara said the findings of a review into the OSOM system should be part of the federal government’s 20-year National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.