NHVR suspends and amends heavy vehicle networks across three states

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has suspended or amended a series of stated heavy-vehicle networks across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, acting on its own initiative to prevent serious harm to public safety and significant damage to road infrastructure. The changes take effect under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and are published in the Heavy Vehicle Stated Maps – Network Suspension and Amendment Notice 2026 (No.14), registered in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2026 under reference C2026G00597.

The notice, dated 9 September 2026 and signed by Jose Arredondo, Manager Network Access Policy at the NHVR, applies in all participating jurisdictions. Suspensions and amendments made under section 175 of the HVNL commence immediately upon publication, while cancellations and amendments made under section 173 commence 28 days after publication.

Queensland: Toowoomba and Millmerran routes removed

In the Toowoomba Regional Council area, the regulator has removed sections of three networks, citing public-safety risk through the main street of town and the need to steer heavy combinations away from developed residential areas.

• RT1 route (Road Train Type 1 network): removal of Jondaryan Evanslea Road between the Warrego Highway and Lagoon Street, with alternative access via Lagoon Street.
• B25/26 route (B-Double 25m/26m network): removal of Campbell Street between Gore Highway and Saleyards Road, with an equivalent alternative via Gore Highway to Saleyards Road.
• HML route (Higher Mass Limits network): removal of Nass Road beyond Kurth Court for RT1 vehicles only, in Millmerran.

The road manager notes that the turnaround area at the end of Nass Road is not fully formed to accommodate larger combinations, so access beyond Kurth Court by RT1 vehicles presents an increased risk of damage to road infrastructure and roadside assets.

New South Wales: restrictions at Pelaw Main

In New South Wales, Transport for New South Wales has added restrictions to the QML2 PBS Level 1 Reference Vehicle 1 network on three roads at Pelaw Main:

• Leggetts Drive, Pelaw Main
• Railway Street, Pelaw Main
• Stanford Street, Pelaw Main

The regulator warns that access along these roads may give rise to a significant risk to public safety, as the proposed vehicle size is incompatible with the existing road infrastructure. The reasons cited include insufficient lane and carriageway width for a Level 2 performing combination to safely traverse the Pelaw Main Bridge approach curves, limited bridge-approach sight distance, and the fact that the road passes over a cycleway and sits very close to a residential property.

Victoria: Murry River Road bridge load limit cut

In Victoria, the Department of Transport and Planning has amended the All Heavy Vehicle Network Map Access network by cutting the load limit on SN9266 – Murry River Rd over Burrowye Creek to 42.5 tonnes. The reduction follows further site investigations showing that scour at the eastern abutment has progressed since the previous update.

All traffic above 42.5 tonnes gross mass is immediately prohibited from the structure and is detoured. The notice warns of the likely closure of the bridge to all traffic in the near future and directs that steps to prepare for that closure begin immediately, with a further load-limit memo to be issued when the structure is to be closed.

Representations and impact

Any person affected by the amendments may make written representations to the Regulator within 14 days of publication of the notice explaining why the amendment should not be made. The changes are significant for operators and local communities alike, reshaping permitted heavy-vehicle access on key freight corridors while the regulator and road managers work to protect bridge structures and reduce conflicts between heavy vehicles and residential traffic.

Source: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Government Notices, 10 September 2026 (official reference: C2026G00597).