Remote transport company resumes operations after safety concerns resolved

Hawkins Transport, a crucial logistics provider for remote Indigenous communities in Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria, is back on the road after a significant shutdown was lifted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). The company, which operates around 70 road trains delivering essential goods like cattle and groceries, had its entire fleet grounded earlier this month.

“

[NHVR] has lifted prohibition notices issued to Hawkins Transport following an agreement on a pathway to address identified safety and compliance concerns.

The NHVR's decision to suspend operations stemmed from identified safety and compliance issues. This move was costly for Hawkins Transport, with owner Bradley Hawkins stating the shutdown was bleeding the business of half a million dollars weekly and threatening vital freight services to isolated areas. The company had planned to contest the regulator's decision in Brisbane's Supreme Court.

However, the NHVR announced it had lifted the prohibition notices overnight, allowing operations to resume immediately. Paul Alsbury, the NHVR's executive director of statutory compliance, stated the decision followed an agreement on a clear pathway for Hawkins Transport to address the identified safety and compliance concerns. He emphasized that the NHVR carefully considered the safety risks, the company's remediation efforts, and the critical importance of reliable freight services to the affected communities.

“

The NHVR has carefully considered both the safety risks identified, Hawkins’ ongoing work to remediate, and the importance of reliable freight services to the communities affected.

Being one of only two operators servicing the remote top end of Australia, the grounding of Hawkins Transport's fleet had raised concerns among community members about potential surges in grocery prices. The prohibition was initially issued after a series of missed inspections, which Mr. Hawkins attributed to a misunderstanding of regulations and staffing shortages. To avoid further action, the company's entire fleet will still need to undergo inspection at the nearest NHVR facility in Mount Isa.

“

The prohibition notices were issued in response to identified safety issues. Since that action was taken, Hawkins Transport has engaged with the NHVR and agreed to a pathway to address those concerns.