Grain Harvest Management Scheme Information Sheet September 2023

Introduction

The Grain Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS) improves the productivity, safety and efficiency of the grain transport task by providing eligible vehicles a 5 per cent loading concession on grain delivered to a participating grain receiver.

The GHMS operates each year from 1 October to 31 May. It is designed to eliminate gross overloading through the application of administrative compliance procedures.

What are allowable mass limits?

The GHMS allows a 5 per cent mass concession for eligible vehicles operating under general mass limits (GML).

The vehicle operator must ensure the concession

does not exceed the manufacturer’s rating.

What are the conditions of eligibility?

Participants in the GHMS must comply with the following conditions:

• Delivery to a participating grain receiver (PGR).
• A vehicle manufactured after 1 January 2002 and compliant with Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 80/00 – Emission Control for Heavy Vehicles) 2005.
• A vehicle operating within its manufacturer’s rating, gross combination mass and axle/axle group mass
• A vehicle carrying one of the following:
  • cereals that are wheat, barley, rice, oats, triticale, sorghum, maize or millets;
  • oilseeds that are canola, sunflowers, monola, or safflower; or
  • pulses that are chickpeas, faba beans, lupins, mung beans, field peas, soybeans, vetch or lentils.

What is a PGR?

A PGR is a bulk handler of grain or an end-user who has agreed in writing to the conditions of the GHMS.

PGRs are required to monitor adherence to and breaches of the GHMS and supply this data to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

A list of PGRs is shown on the network maps developed for the GHMS.

Maps for B-doubles are at Victoria's GHMS B- Double Network (arcgis.com)

Maps for rigids and semi-trailers are at Victoria's GHMS Rigid Truck & Semi-Trailer Network (arcgis.com)

Do I have to deliver to my nearest PGR?

No. A feature of the GHMS is the freedom to deliver to any PGR.

How do I join the GHMS?

If your vehicle is listed in Table 1 of the Victorian Class 3 Grain Harvest Management Scheme Mass Exemption Notice and you are not operating under a separate mass concession (e.g. Higher Mass Limits or Performance Based Standards), you are eligible to participate. You are not required to formally indicate your participation in the GHMS.

Further information on vehicle configurations is available in the document Grain Harvest Management Scheme - Mass Limits and Grain Receiver Truck Codes. It can be found on the GHMS web page.

What happens if I exceed the concession?

Vehicles that exceed GHMS mass limits will be classified a severe risk breach under Heavy Vehicle National Law. Breaches will be measured from GML (not GMHS mass limits).

For example, a semi-trailer with a GML of 42.5t can operate at 44.6t under GHMS. However, if the vehicle is detected at 46.0t, it will be viewed as 3.5t in breach (not 1.4t).

Where can I drive?

Maps for B-doubles are at Victoria's GHMS B- Double Network (arcgis.com)

Maps for rigids and semi-trailers are at Victoria's GHMS Rigid Truck & Semi-Trailer Network (arcgis.com)

Can I participate in the GHMS if I'm an interstate operator?

Yes. If your vehicle meets the conditions of participation, you may deliver your grain to any Victorian participating grain receiver with the additional 5 per cent mass concession.

Can I participate in the GHMS if my vehicle is pre-ADR80/00?

No. Mandating ADR80/00 in the GHMS ensures the broader Victorian community derives a benefit from the scheme. It also supports the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 which aims to get more modern vehicles on the road.

What if I have further questions?

Enquiries can be directed to [email protected]