Company AS 68480: fined $6,000, mass, 20 October 2026

Party

Party

Company AS 68480. The NHVR publishes court outcomes without the defendant's name.

Type

Company

Role

Role not stated

Reference

AS 68480

The proceeding

Decision

Convicted

Court

Coffs Harbour Local Court (Local or Magistrates)

Jurisdiction

New South Wales

Hearing date

20 October 2026

Law

Heavy Vehicle National Law

Provisions

s 96(1)(c)

Offence

Mass

Facts

On 27 May 2026, authorised officers of the NHVR observed a heavy vehicle travelling on the Pacific Highway, Pine Creek, New South Wales. The vehicle was carrying a general load. The heavy vehicle was driven by an employee of the accused registered operator. The authorised officers intercepted the vehicle, spoke to the driver, and inspected the vehicle, its components and its load. Upon inspection, an overloaded weight on the first axle group was identified. The vehicle's first axle group had a permitted mass of 6 tonnes but weighed 7.58 tonnes. Taking into account the applicable mass adjustment, the vehicle's assessed mass was 7.28 tonnes on the first axle group, an excess mass of 1.28 tonnes, or an overload of 121.3%. The contravention was a severe risk breach and no reasonable excuse was provided. The Court noted the serious nature of the current offence and that it was not acceptable to have drivers who are inexperienced and untrained. That the letter of apology did not outline any steps to be taken to prevent further reoffending. The Court agreed a Supervisory Intervention Order (SIO) was required so that the Accused can put in place measures to prevent reoffending. It was not onerous and unreasonable.

As reported by NHVR.

Penalty

Fine

$6,000

Orders

• Supervisory intervention order

Educational point

Identify the mass requirements that apply to each heavy vehicle and communicate this to relevant staff, including loaders and drivers. Provide relevant staff the means to weigh or verify the weight of loads on heavy vehicles (e.g. on-board scales or portable scales). Ensure that all relevant staff are trained in mass, dimension and loading requirements. Understand obligations under the HVNL and the Heavy Vehicle (Mass Dimension Loading) National Regulations by checking the weight of their load on each axle and gross weight prior to their journey. The NHVR will enforce the law to promote public safety and minimise heavy vehicle impacts on the environment and road infrastructure.

As reported by NHVR.

Sources

• NHVR: Court outcomes (read 3 November 2026)