Freight to drought areas

Roads and Maritime is working with the freight and agricultural industries to support access for heavy vehicles carrying larger loads to safely and efficiently move feed, water and stock in drought affected areas. 

Information contained on this page will assist freight operators delivering to drought affected areas, including an overview of available Notices and Permits for the transport of drought relief hay. In partnership with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator we have also improved and streamlined the assessment of drought relief permit applications.

There are also hints and tips for submitting a permit application, as well as contact details to speak to our team members to get further advice over the phone.

Hear from the drivers of a hay convoy that travelled from WA to deliver hay to drought affected areas in NSW:

Access options available

View the tables below or download the Drought freight access options

General access

Vehicle type	Width	Height	Travel Conditions
Rigid truck up to 12.5m	2.5m	4.3m	Unrestricted access unless signposted otherwise
Articulated truck up to 19m	2.5m	4.3m	Unrestricted access unless signposted otherwise
Truck & Dog/Pig trailer up to 19m	2.5m	4.3m	Unrestricted access unless signposted otherwise
B-Double up to 26m			No access permitted
Road Train (A-Double only) up to 36.5m			No access permitted
Modular B-Triple, B-Triple & AB-Triple up to 36.5m			No access permitted

NSW Class 3 Baled Commodities Notice

Vehicle type	Width	Height	Travel conditions
Rigid truck up to 12.5m	2.7m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Articulated truck up to 19m	2.7m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Truck & Dog/Pig trailer up to 19m	2.6m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
B-Double up to 26m	2.7m	4.6m	Access to approved vehicle network only with some travel conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Road Train (A-Double only) up to 36.5m	2.6m	4.6m	Access to approved vehicle network only with some travel conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Modular B-Triple, B-Triple & AB-Triple up to 36.5m			No access permitted

NSW Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice 2018

    

Vehicle type	Width	Height	Travel conditions
Rigid truck up to 12.5m	2.83m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Articulated truck up to 19m	2.83m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Truck & Dog/Pig trailer up to 19m	:	:	No access permitted
B-Double up to 26m	2.83m	4.6m	Access to approved vehicle network only with some travel conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Road Train (A-Double only) up to 36.5m	:	:	No access permitted
Modular B-Triple, B-Triple & AB-Triple up to 36.5m	:	:	No access permitted

National Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice 2018

Vehicle type	Width	Height	Travel conditions
Rigid truck up to 12.5m	2.83m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Articulated truck up to 19m	2.83m	4.6m	General access with some travel and route conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only
Truck & Dog/Pig trailer up to 19m			No access permitted
B-Double up to 26m Road Train (A-Double only) up to 36.5m Modular B-Triple, B-Triple & AB-Triple up to 36.5m	2.83m	4.6m	Access to approved vehicle network only with some travel conditions. Travel above 4.3m high permitted on approved 4.6m routes only

 

Submitting your application

Heavy vehicle operators transporting drought relief hay in NSW are encouraged to utilise access available under:

• the NSW Class 3 Baled Commodities Notice or,
• the NSW Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice
• The National Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice.

The National Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice will be available for approved state roads from 21 September 2018. More information regarding the participating council roads and networks will be made available by 31 October 2018.

Applying under permit

If you do not comply with the conditions of access under the notices, operators are encouraged to apply for a restricted vehicle access permit with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) via the NHVR Portal. Please call 1800 952 292 for additional information.

In order for the NHVR to prioritise drought relief access requests, operators are advised to list the word DROUGHT in the “Create a new application Reference". The steps to do this can be found on the NHVR portal home page in the News Feed section.

The permit fee will be refunded following application.

Drought Relief Permit

Vehicle type	Width	Height	Travel Conditions (apply across all vehicle types)
Rigid truck up to 12.5m Articulated truck up to 19m B-Double up to 26m	2.83m	4.7m	Individual route assessment is required to determine suitability and individual travel conditions. Travel above 4.3m high is permitted on approved 4.6m routes only. Removes requirement for Intelligent Access Program (IAP) for 36.5m vehicles when transporting drought relief hay. Consideration will be given to access by traditional road trains on the full length of and east of the Newell Highway.
Road Train (A-Double only) up to 36.5m Modular B-Triple, B-Triple & AB-Triple up to 36.5m	2.83m	4.6m	Individual route assessment is required to determine suitability and individual travel conditions. Travel above 4.3m high is permitted on approved 4.6m routes only. Removes requirement for Intelligent Access Program (IAP) for 36.5m vehicles when transporting drought relief hay. Consideration will be given to access by traditional road trains on the full length of and east of the Newell Highway.

What other support is available to drought affected farmers?

Rego support

To give farmers and their families some much needed drought relief we’re waiving registration charges on Class 1 agricultural vehicles at the time of their next annual registration. Eligible primary producers will also benefit from a rebate on heavy vehicle registration costs for the next two years.

Find out more at Drought relief.

NSW Government Drought Hub

The NSW Government is providing more than $1 billion in drought assistance including the $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package to help farmers manage the effects of the current drought.

For more information see DroughtHub.

NSW Rural Assistance Authority

The NSW Government is providing more than $1 billion in drought assistance including the Drought Assistance Fund, Animal Welfare Transport Subsidy and Farm Innovation Fund.

For more information see the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.