Livestock Transporters

LIVESTOCK B DOUBLE TRAILERS - EXEMPTIONS FROM 18.8 METRE RULE AND CONCESSIONAL LOADING ACCESS

As you would be aware, the regulations governing the trailer length available for the carriage of animals on B Double combinations has been in place in Western Australia since November 2002.  The basic premise of the deck length provisions is to provide a level of confidence to Government regarding the loads that B Doubles can carry.  Using the loading controls (i.e. animal densities) prescribed by the Australian Livestock Transporters Association means that the road and bridge network will be protected and loads will be within acceptable levels to ensure the safety of road users.

Prior to the last State Election, the current State Government committed to the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Panel in relation to the heavy vehicle transport sector.  The Minister for Transport is currently establishing this Panel and has indicated that he wants the Panel to consider a number of issues including the 18.8 metre rule and livestock concessional loading.  It is anticipated the Panel will be established during January 2009 and that a review of these regulations will be completed by April 2009.

While this process is underway the Minister for Transport has granted exemptions from the 18.8 metre deck length rule for the period through to 30 June 2009, for combinations including long A-trailers licensed prior to November 2002, and that no trailers in the combination breach the 12.5 metre deck length rule.  The Minister has also granted access to the Livestock Concessional Loading Scheme for these long A-trailers subject to rating.

The exemptions are available to all operators with trailers meeting the above criteria.  Should you believe that you are eligible for this exemption you will need to write to Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Operations with the registration and rating details of your long A-trailers and affected prime movers.  This will allow a specific combination permit to be issued for these non-compliant B-double combinations.

If you require further information please contact Mr John Rossiter on telephone number (08) 9311 8434. 

Yours sincerely

Menno Henneveld
COMMISSIONER OF MAIN ROADS
28 January 2009