Local government Fleet Managers, Operations Managers and executives have been urged to view every decision affecting heavy vehicle operations through one lens — public risk.
Speaking to an audience for procurement professionals, Karen Bow, Principal Chain of Responsibility (CoR) Adviser at the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), emphasised that under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), the primary duty is clear:
“Each party in the chain of responsibility must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of their transport activities.”
Who’s in the Chain — and When
Bow reminded attendees that the CoR isn’t just about drivers — in fact, drivers aren’t legally considered a party in the chain. The chain covers ten defined functions spanning the driver, vehicle, and goods, including operators, consignors, consignees, loaders, schedulers and prime contractors.
“If anyone in your council performs one of those functions, you’re in the chain,” Bow said. “Your responsibilities begin the moment you influence any part of the heavy vehicle task.”
Public Safety, Not Just Compliance
Bow explained that CoR is not about ticking compliance boxes but about eliminating or minimising risks to the public. This extends beyond traditional workplace safety to include:
- Safety of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists
- Protection of property and infrastructure
- Preventing environmental damage from heavy vehicle operations
She warned councils to be wary of practices that can indirectly cause breaches, such as tight delivery time slots that might pressure drivers to speed.
Transport Activities Go Beyond the Obvious
Many councils mistakenly think CoR only applies when trucks are physically moving. In reality, transport activities include:
- Planning and development approvals
- Contracting and procurement decisions
- Policies and procedures for drivers and contractors
- Scheduling, routing, loading and maintenance
Bow shared a real-world example of a council subdivision design that left waste trucks unable to safely collect bins due to narrow streets and parked cars — a risk that should have been addressed at the planning stage.
Executive Due Diligence
For executives (manager level and above), Bow stressed the duty to exercise due diligence, which includes:
- Knowing the risks and hazards in council transport activities
- Allocating and ensuring use of appropriate resources
- Responding to issues promptly and verifying information
- Monitoring the effectiveness of safety controls
“The courts will look at the likelihood and consequence of a risk and whether there was a known solution,” Bow said. “If a known fix could prevent a serious injury or fatality, it’s hard to argue cost as a reason not to implement it.”
Practical Steps for Councils
Bow encouraged councils to:
- Identify hazards in all heavy vehicle interactions
- Assess risks and how council practices may contribute
- Implement controls to eliminate or minimise risks
- Plan for contingencies — have a “Plan B” for when things don’t go as expected
- Communicate openly with all parties in the chain
- Foster a safety culture where staff speak up about risks
She also urged local governments to take advantage of NHVR resources, including the Master Code, regulatory advice library, and upcoming local government training packages, which will feature online modules for executives, workers and contractors.
Key takeaway: When it comes to CoR, think public risk first — and manage it at every stage of council planning, operations and procurement.
For more resources, visit: nhvr.gov.au
- Why Europe is moving faster on truck emissions and technology
Europe is accelerating the transition to cleaner and safer commercial vehicles through legislation and policy support, while Australia is moving at a slower pace due to infrastructure gaps and different regulatory priorities. According to Glen Dyer, Managing Director at IVECO Australia, the European market has advanced more quickly in areas such as emissions reduction, alternative - How Latin American Fleets Are Lifting Efficiency and ComplianceFor many fleet operators, route planning has traditionally been viewed as a back-office function — a daily exercise in allocating vehicles, assigning customers and setting estimated time windows. But leading transport operators in Latin America are reframing route planning as a frontline safety and efficiency strategy. Recent discussions at Geotab Connect 2026 with fleet leaders
- Euro 6 and Multi-Combination Trucks: The Emissions Lever Hiding in Plain SightAs debate continues around battery electric and hydrogen trucks, Craig Lee, Executive General Manager – On-Highway at Penske Australia & New Zealand, believes Australia may be overlooking a far more immediate emissions opportunity. “If you actually want to make the single biggest emission reduction that you can in Australia,” Lee said, “provide significant incentives to
- Breaking Barriers and Raising Standards in the WorkshopTransit Systems Victoria has appointed Ellearn Savvidis as Workshop Assets Manager at its Footscray depot, highlighting both her career progression and the growing diversity within Australia’s mechanical and public transport sectors. The appointment reflects a broader shift across the industry, where technical expertise, data capability and leadership skills are increasingly combined to manage modern fleets.
- Lift off for new Scania Air-OIs it a bird? Is it a Ute? No, it’s the new Scania Air-O Scania Australia today introduces a new diesel-free, zero-emission last-mile delivery solution that will drive forward the shift to a sustainable transport system and reshape the local logistics industry. Motivated by the sky-high rises in the price of diesel, Scania will begin
