NHVR chief resigns

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Richard Hancock, has tendered his resignation

After a tumultuous month since the National Heavy Vehicle Law took effect on February 10, 2014, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Richard Hancock, has resigned.

Citing personal and family health reasons, the resignation has been accepted by the NHVR’s board, effective immediately. The post will be filled temporarily by the NHVR’s Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Melinda Bailey, until a permanent appointment can be made.

The NHVR’s Chairman, Bruce Baird, said the resignation would in no way alter the body’s pursuit of its objectives.

“It is essential that we all continue to work towards efficiency, safety and productivity in the heavy vehicle industry,” he said.

“The NHVR is continuing to work with industry and all levels of government to develop a longer-term plan to permanently address issues and concerns associated with the changes to the new laws and keep Australia’s heavy vehicles moving.”

The resignation follows what has been a problematic start to the NHVL, with trucking operators facing lengthy delays in the processing of road access permits for oversize and over-mass loads. After the delays spiralled out of control, the NHVR was forced to call upon state road authorities for assistance to clear the backlog.

The Chairman of the Australian Trucking Association, David Simon, has publicly thanked Hancock for his contribution, while calling on the NHVR to remedy its shortcomings.

“Richard was a breath of fresh air when he joined the NHVR because of his strong consultative approach and his willingness to try new techniques for reaching out to trucking operators,” he said.

“Richard made an important contribution to untangling many of the problems with the original draft of the Heavy Vehicle National Law. The original draft had more than 1020 issues. Many of those were fixed before the law came into effect, although there are still serious problems.

“The ATA supports the NHVR and national truck laws because we believe it will increase the industry’s productivity and safety over time. It is essential, however, that the NHVR focuses on getting its systems right.

“We will work closely with the NHVR’s Acting CEO, Melinda Bailey, and its incoming CEO when the appointment is made.”

NHVR chief resigns

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