Concerns from his constituents regarding road safety has led Member for Frome Geoff Brock MP to continue to pursue the implementation of a Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme.

Mr Brock raised a Question Without Notice in Parliament on May 31 this year with the Minister for Transport, Stephan Knoll asking about the progress of Stage 2 of the scheme and when tenders would close for the procurement process of a system manager for it.

Mr Knoll responded in Parliament that the tender closed on 1 March, 2018 and procurement was underway.   “Once the tender is awarded, the government will be in a position to release further details,” Mr Knoll said.

These details will include the start date of the scheme, locations where inspections are undertaken and what vehicles will be required by what date.

Mr Brock said Stage 2 of the scheme was initially due to start on July 1, 2018 and has asked Minister Knoll that the starting date is postponed until the beginning of 2019, this will allow more time for the community to be informed prior to commencement.

“I have spoken to one regional purchaser of a second-hand heavy vehicle who has discovered, subsequent to purchase, that the truck had been in a serious accident and refurbished,” Mr Brock said.

“Under the current legislation, the seller wasn’t required to have the vehicle inspected and as a result the purchaser has been left with a vehicle which may not be roadworthy.”

As well as raising the issue in Parliament, Mr Brock has written to invite representatives of the Transport Minister’s department to visit locations in Frome to provide an update on the Scheme, costs and how and when it will be implemented.

“Minister Knoll responded, saying he will eventually be able to send staff out to the region to explain the Scheme, but it was far too early for them to answer any questions right now.

“I will continue to liaise with the Minister on these critical matters and will keep the electorate of Frome informed,” Mr Brock said.

Stage 1 of the HVIS was introduced in January 2017, requiring heavy vehicles, three years and older with a gross vehicle mass and trailers with an aggregated trailer mass of greater than 4.5 tonne to be inspected prior to the vehicle having a change of ownership.

Stage 2 involves the implementation of elements such as training of inspectors, accreditation and fitout of inspection stations.

For more information visit: https://dpti.sa.gov.au/heavy_vehicle_inspection_scheme