The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is calling for input on changes to regulations surrounding the transportation of dangerous goods.
Issuing the call for feedback, the EPA said the dangerous goods transport laws helped protect people, property and the environment from the risks of accidents involving dangerous goods.
“Proposed changes in the Draft Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Regulation 2022 improve safety, including the fitting of equipment to prevent rollover accidents involving dangerous goods vehicles, improved maintenance requirements, prohibited routes rules and changes that better align the Regulation with national dangerous goods Model Laws,” the EPA said.
The Authority said the proposed Regulation clarified safety requirements, including requiring roll stability systems to be fitted, maintained and operational; mirroring route restrictions from the NSW Road Rules that prohibitted transporting certain dangerous goods on certain roads and tunnels; and strengthening vehicle maintenance, testing and inspection, and incident reporting requirements.
It said other safety requirements would see adjustments made to licensing and other fees for inflation from 2023/24 and updated wording and layout to better align with national dangerous goods Model Laws.
“The Regulatory Impact Statement for the Proposed Regulation sets out the rationale and objectives of the proposed changes and assesses their costs and benefits,” the EPA said.
“Feedback from the consultation will inform the finalisation of a new Regulation, planned to be introduced from 1 September.”
The Authority said people could have their say on the proposed regulations until 13 May via an online survey or by emailing a written submission to [email protected].
The EPA’s 23-page Regulatory Impact Statement can be accessed at this PS News link and its feedback survey at this link.
