
Grain Harvest Management Scheme
The NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS) promotes the safe and productive movement of grain. It is designed to decrease harvest risk, protect roads and to increase productivity and efficiency for the movement of grain.
The GHMS also seeks to provide a productivity benefit for growers and a higher degree of visibility to road managers of the use of their road assets.
The GHMS also seeks to provide a productivity benefit for growers and a higher degree of visibility to road managers of the use of their road assets.
How to operate under the GHMS
Under the GHMS, eligible heavy vehicles may exceed regulated total mass limits by up to 5% when delivering the following grains to participating grain receivers in participating council areas:
- Cereals that are wheat, barley, rice, oats, triticale, sorghum, maize or millets
- Oilseeds that are canola, sunflowers, monola or safflower
- Pulses that are chickpeas, faba beans, lupins, mung beans, field peas, soybeans, vetch, or lentils.
There is no enrolment process or administration fee for eligible heavy vehicles to operate under the GHMS. All eligible heavy vehicles operating under the GHMS New South Wales Class 3 GHMS Mass Exemption (Notice) 2021 (GHMS Notice) must comply with the conditions of the GHMS Notice, approved participating council areas and approved routes for that vehicle type. Please refer to the GHMS map and approved routes.
To support delivery to a participating grain receiver operators should know their truck code and mass limit from the list of eligible heavy vehicles (PDF, 294.98 KB).
GHMS map and approved routes
The enforceable GHMS map provides details of the approved and excluded participating council areas and routes and conditions of access for eligible heavy vehicles operating under the GHMS. The map also shows participating grain receiver sites.
Eligible vehicles must operate under the conditions of the New South Wales Class 3 GHMS Mass Exemption (Notice) 2021 and must only travel on approved routes for that vehicle type and/or as per any Council consent condition as contained in the maps and approved routes list:
- Eligible General Access Vehicles operating under the scheme may operate on all state classified roads and approved local and regional roads in participating council areas. This includes rigid trucks, truck and dog combinations and single trailer combinations not exceeding 19 metres long, and 19 metre B-doubles not exceeding 52.5 tonnes.
- Eligible Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) operating under the scheme may only operate on state classified roads (roads managed by Transport for NSW) and local and regional roads in participating council areas that are approved for that type of RAV. Approved RAV routes are shown on the interactive RAV map.
Eligible heavy vehicles operating under the scheme must not operate where prohibited by a load limit specified for a road, bridge or causeway by a sign or notice.
Note: The published maps and lists of routes are the legally enforceable network in NSW.
Disclaimer
The interactive Grain Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS) map shows approved routes and restrictions as an overlay on top of Google maps. Transport for NSW has no responsibility for, and does not guarantee the accuracy of, the underlying Google maps.
Transport for NSW strives to be accurate in showing the GHMS approved routes and restrictions, however, there may be errors and omissions caused by Google maps being incorrect or out of date. Transport for NSW is not responsible for errors or omissions.
Travel conditions which apply to an approved route or area for a restricted access vehicle must be observed. This map should be read in conjunction with the list of participating councils and Participating Grain Receivers which are frequently updated to align with the map.
Compliance and enforcement
Exceeding scheme mass limits at participating grain receivers
Details of overloaded vehicles will be reported to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) by participating grain receivers and analysed for compliance management and enforcement. Additional measures may be put in place by receivers to maintain the low incidence of industry overloading.
Penalties may be imposed on one or more of the parties in the chain of responsibility for the load in the following circumstances:
- Breaches of scheme operating conditions
- Breaches of scheme axle mass limits and total mass limits
- Non-compliance with approved routes.
Vehicles or combinations found to be breaching scheme operating conditions will be assessed against the regulated mass limits and penalties will be applied accordingly.
On road enforcement
Vehicles and combinations participating in the scheme will be subject to on-road inspections by NHVR and local council inspectors and police officers.
2022/27 Participating councils
Local councils may decide to participate in the scheme for the complete period or for specific time periods and may also specify access conditions.
Participating councils, conditions of access, and excluded areas and routes
Participating Council | Participation Dates | Conditions of Access | Excluded Area(s)/Routes(s) |
ALBURY | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
BATHURST REGIONAL | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
BERRIGAN | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
| Nil |
BLAND | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | The scheme will operate until 19 September 2022 under the following conditions:
| Nil |
BLAYNEY | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
BOGAN | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Unsealed roads may be closed at time due to wet weather. | Nil |
BOURKE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
CABONNE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
| Nil |
CARRATHOOL | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
| Nil |
COBAR | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
COOLAMON | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Roads displaying excessive damage will be closed to harvest vehicles. Vehicles are to take shortest route from farm gate to sealed road network and then follow sealed network to receival centre. | Nil |
COONAMBLE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
COOTAMUNDRA/GUNDAGAI | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Approval is not given for those types of vehicles (i.e. vehicle classes) which are not approved for those routes. | Nil |
COWRA | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Consent from 24 October 2016 to 19 September 2022 Heavy vehicles are restricted to existing approved routes within the LGA. 4.6m High vehicles are allowed on all rural roads within Cowra Shire.
4.6m high vehicles are allowed on all urban roads within Cowra Shire |
|
EDWARD RIVER | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Do not drive on unsealed roads in wet weather. Do not drive on shoulders in wet weather. | Nil |
FEDERATION | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Avoid travel on unsealed roads in wet weather | Nil |
FORBES | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
GILGANDRA | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Travel is not permitted on all un-sealed roads during the following hours on ordinary school days: 7.45am - 9:00am and 3.30pm - 4.45pm. | Road trains, B - Doubles, B - Triples are permitted on Gilgandra Shire's rural local road network however the heavy vehicle movement on some portion of Newell, Castlereagh and Oxley Highways is restricted. |
GOULBURN MULWAREE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
|
|
GREATER HUME | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
GRIFFITH | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Restrictions apply to unsealed roads during periods of inclement weather. Roads subject to restrictions are signposted accordingly. | Nil |
GUNNEDAH | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
GWYDIR | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
HAY | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | 10 tonne load limit on Matthews Bridge over Murrumbidgee River at Maude Dry weather travel only on unsealed roads. | Nil |
HILLTOPS | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
INVERELL | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
JUNEE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
| Nil |
LACHLAN | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
The vehicle conditions required by Roads and Maritime Services or NHVR shall apply on Lachlan Shire Council controlled roads. This is to minimise damage to road assets and vehicles and minimise risk to road users from flood waters, dust and thrown stones. Reduce inconvenience and risk to residents from blockage of driveway access of impairment of sight to vehicles. |
|
LEETON | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
LIVERPOOL PLAINS | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | No travel during periods of wet weather | Nil |
LOCKHART | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
MOREE PLAINS | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
| Nil |
MURRAY RIVER | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | No driving on the gravel roads during wet weather. To avoid driving on shoulders of the sealed road during wet weather. | Nil |
MURRUMBIDGEE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | A maximum speed limit of 80km/h applies on all unsealed roads. No heavy vehicle movements on unsealed roads during wet weather and a minimum of 48 hours after rain has ceased. | Nil |
NARRABRI | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
NARRANDERA | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
| Nil |
NARROMINE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
ORANGE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
PARKES | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Gravel roads subject to closure during wet weather. This concession does not override the Restricted Access Vehicle Provisions for designated routes in Parke Shire Council. | Nil |
QUEANBEYAN - PALERANG | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Queanbeyan- Palerang Council is participating in the Grain Harvest Management Scheme until 19 September 2022. | Nil |
TAMWORTH REGIONAL | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | A list of load limited bridges within the Tamworth Regional Council LGA can be found on the Council website on the following link: www.tamworth.nsw.gov.au/Council/Roads -and-bridges/Load-Limited-Bridges/default.aspx This list specifies the maximum weight of vehicles that can safely traverse each bridge and advises whether a heavy vehicle side track exists. All signposted conditions at bridges must be complied with. | No vehicles approved under the Grain Harvest Management Scheme are permitted on the following structures:
Structures that permit one heavy vehicle approved under the Grain Harvest Management Scheme on the structure at any given time i.e.no passing on the structure:
|
TEMORA | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Participating in scheme between the following periods: 1ST October 2016 - 1st March 2017 1st October 2017 - 1st March 2018 1st October 2018 - 1st March 2019 1st October 2019 - 1st March 2020 1st October 2020 - 1st March 2021 1st October 2021 - 1st March 2022 | Nil |
UPPER HUNTER | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
WAGGA WAGGA | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
WALGETT | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Operators are encouraged to report any flooding damage to roads to Council | Nil |
WARREN | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
WARRUMBUNGLE | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil | Nil |
WEDDIN | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 |
Council has not assessed any of the shire roads for the safe operation of road trains, b-triples and ab - triples. | Nil |
WESTERN PLAINS REGIONAL | 20/09/2022 to 19/09/2027 | Nil |
|
202/27 Participating Grain Receivers
# | Grain Receiver |
1 | AGT Foods Australia |
2 | A.L Chalmers and Son |
3 | Arrow Commodities |
4 | Auscott |
5 | Baker Grain |
6 | BFB |
7 | Broadbent |
8 | C L Commodities |
9 | Dubbo Grain Packing |
10 | Emerald |
11 | Fletcher International Exports |
12 | GrainCorp |
13 | GrainFlow |
14 | Grainlink |
15 | Hanlon Enterprises |
16 | Kelly Grain |
17 | LINX |
18 | Louis Dreyfus Commodities |
19 | Manildra Group |
20 | MC Croker |
21 | McNaughts |
22 | Moulamein Grain Co-Operatives |
23 | MSM Milling |
24 | Murrumbidgee Grain Service |
25 | Namoi Cotton Alliance |
26 | Qube Agri |
27 | Rivalea Corowa |
28 | Riverina Oils |
29 | Sunrice |
30 | Viterra Australia |
31 | Yenda Prods Grain |
Become a Participating Grain Receiver
To sign up to the Scheme as a Participating Grain Receiver send through the following information to freight@transport.nsw.gov.au:
- Signed Undertaking form (PDF, 202.09 KB)
- Your weighbridge certificate(s)
- GPS coordinates of your receival sites.
Once we have all of this information, we will publish your receival sites on the map and notify you to commence reporting.
Participating Grain Receiver Reporting
As a Participating Grain Receiver (PGR) you must report on all vehicle deliveries to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. The data reported will be used to:
- Monitor compliance with the NSW GHMS's mass limits
- Assist in planning future improvements to the NSW GHMS
As a PGR you must also have a process in operation for managing overloaded deliveries to meet chain of responsibility obligations and discourage the transport of illegal overloads on the road network. More information can be found on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Chain of Responsibility webpage.
PGR reporting requirements
As a PGR you must report on all vehicle deliveries, including overload vehicle deliveries, irrespective of scheme or rejection to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) using the approved template. GHMS Reporting Template 2021-2022 (XLSX, 494.8 KB).
Each column in the template must be filled out and the Truck Type Code you use must be codes from the NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme Eligible Vehicle configurations and Allowable Weight Limits (PDF, 294.98 KB) chart.
When you email in your monthly reporting:
- The reporting file on all vehicle deliveries must be titled: [name of receiver] - [name of site] - [date range of data] - All deliveries Example: ABCGrain - Narrabri - 01.01.22 - 31.01.22 - All deliveries
- The reporting file on overloaded deliveries must be titled: [name of receiver] - [name of site] -[date range of data] - Overloads Example: ABCGrain - Narrabri - 01.01.22 - 31.01.22 - Overloads
The reports must be emailed to: nhvr.datascience@nhvr.gov.au
When your harvest receivals have finished email: nhvr.datascience@nhvr.gov.au to notify that there will be no more reporting for the season.
If you have any questions as a Participating Grain Receiver email: freight@transport.nsw.gov.au
2022/27 Scheme eligible vehicles
The following types of heavy vehicles are eligible to participate in the scheme:
- a rigid truck with three or more axles
- a rigid truck (with three or more axles) towing a dog trailer with not more than four axles
- a prime mover and semitrailer combination that has an overall length not exceeding 19.0m, and not more than 6 axles in total
- a B-double that has an overall length not exceeding 19.0m, and not more than 7 axles in total
- a B-double that has an overall length not exceeding 26.0m, and 9 axles in total
- a road train that has an overall length not exceeding 36.5m, and not more than 12 axles in total
- a B-triple that has an overall length not exceeding 36.5 m and consists of a prime mover and three semitrailers, and not more than 12 axles in total; and
- an AB-triple that has an overall length not exceeding 36.5m and consists of a prime mover and semitrailer combination connected, by a converter dolly, to a B-double trailer set, and that has not more than 15 axles in total.
All eligible vehicles must have dual tyres on all non-steer axles. The scheme is not available to Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles.
There is no enrolment process or administration fee for heavy vehicles to operate under the scheme. All eligible heavy vehicles operating under the scheme must carry a copy of the New South Wales Class 3 GHMS Mass Exemption (Notice) 2016 (PDF, 794.39 KB), and comply with the scheme's mass limits and operating conditions.
B-triples (except for modular B-triples travelling west of the Newell Highway) and AB-triples must comply with NSW B-triple and AB-triple operating conditions, including enrolment in the Intelligent Access Program.
View the eligible 2022/27 NSW GHMS truck configurations (PDF, 294.98 KB). (PDF, 294.98 KB)
2022/27 Scheme mass limits
Total mass limits
The total mass limits under the scheme are up to 5% above the General Mass Limits total mass limit for the vehicle or combination with tri-axle groups.
However, under no circumstances may the total mass for a vehicle exceed:
- The sum of the axle mass limits, or
- The Gross Combination Mass for the prime mover, or
- The sum of Gross Vehicle Masses of the prime mover and all trailers and dollies.
Table A - Total mass limits
Vehicle/combination | Mass limit |
Rigid truck – 3 or more axles | 23 tonnes |
Rigid truck twin steer non-load sharing | 27 tonnes |
Rigid truck twin steer load sharing | 28 tonnes |
Prime mover and semitrailer combination – 4 axles | 32 tonnes |
Prime mover and semitrailer combination – 5 axles (3 axle prime mover and 2 axle semitrailer) | 40 tonnes |
Prime mover and semitrailer combination – 5 axles (2 axle prime mover and 3 axle semitrailer) | 36.63 tonnes |
Prime mover and semitrailer combination – 6 axles | 44.63 tonnes |
Rigid truck and dog trailer – 5 axles | 41 tonnes |
Rigid truck and dog trailer – 6 axles | 44.63 tonnes |
Rigid truck and dog trailer – 7 axles | 44.63 tonnes |
B-double (up to 19m) (General Access Vehicle) – 7 axles | 52.5 tonnes |
B-double (up to 19m) (Restricted Access Vehicle)* – 7 axles | 57 tonnes |
25/26 metre B-double 9 axles | 65.63 tonnes |
Road Train – 11 axles | 83 tonnes |
Road Train (which includes a rigid truck towing two dog trailers up to 36.5m in length) – 11 axles | 83 tonnes |
Road Train – 12 axles | 86.63 tonnes |
B-triple (including a modular B-triple) – 12 axles | 86.63 tonnes |
AB-triple with tandem axle converter dolly – 14 axles | 104 tonnes |
AB-triple with tri-axle converter dolly – 15 axles | 107.63 tonnes |
* Being a B-double mentioned in clause 2 of Schedule 1 (New South Wales) to the National Class 2 Heavy Vehicle B-Double Authorisation (Notice).
Steer axle mass exception (total mass limit) condition
A heavy vehicle that complies with the requirements of Schedule 3 of the National Regulation (Steer axle mass exception limits) may exceed the mass limit in Table A by 0.5 tonnes.
Steer axle mass exception (axle or axle group) condition
A heavy vehicle that complies with the requirements of Schedule 3 of National Regulation (Steer axle mass exception limits) may exceed the 6 tonnes mass limit for a single steer axle by 0.5 tonnes.
Floating 0.5 tonne tri-axle mass limit concession
The mass on a tri-axle group of a semitrailer may be exceeded by 0.5 tonnes provided that the total mass of the combination does not exceed the applicable total mass limit.
National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) enrolment
In recognition of the accreditation of vehicles in the NHVAS mass management module enrolment, an additional 200 kilograms on the tri-axle group is permitted for six axle semi-trailers accredited in NHVAS.
Table B - Axle and axle group mass limits
Steer axle and axle groups | Mass limit |
Single steer axle | 6 tonnes |
Twin steer axle group (non-load-sharing) | 10 tonnes |
Twin steer axle group (load-sharing) | 11 tonnes |
Non-steer axles and axle groups (fitted with dual tyres) | Mass limit |
Single axle | 9 tonnes |
Tandem axle group | 17 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in a prime mover and semitrailer combination) | 21.63 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in a 25/26m B-double with 9 axles) | 21.32 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in a road train with 11 axles) | 21.5 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in a road train with 12 axles) | 21.21 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in a B-triple with 12 axles) | 21.21 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in an AB-triple with 14 axles) | 21.33 tonnes |
Tri-axle group (in an AB-triple with 15 axles) | 21.16 tonnes |
Transporting grain across borders
The NSW Scheme’s mass limits only apply within NSW Borders. Different mass limits apply in other States unless the vehicle or combination is eligible for Concessional Mass Limits (CML) or Higher Mass Limits (HML).
For more information on the Victorian scheme, please contact VICroads.
For more information on the Queensland scheme, please contact Agforce Queensland.
NSW GHMS Harvest Reports
NSW GHMS Harvest Reports
The GHMS Harvest Reports show the continuing importance of the NSW GHMS in enabling efficiency in the movement of grain while at the same time maintaining road safety and reducing the impact on the road network through reducing the total number of heavy vehicle trips.
GHMS Harvest Reports are developed from the harvest data provided by Participating Grain Receivers.
GHMS Harvest Reports:
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July 2020 - June 2021 Report (PDF, 10.91 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July 2019 - June 2020 Harvest Report (PDF, 10.91 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July - December 2019 Half Year Winter Harvest Report (PDF, 1.37 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July - December 2019 Snapshot (PDF, 426.82 KB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July 2018 - June 2019 Harvest Report (PDF, 1.97 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July - December 2018 Snapshot (PDF, 474.17 KB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July 2017 - June 2018 Harvest Report (PDF, 1.88 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July - December 2017 Snapshot (PDF, 324.4 KB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July 2016 - June 2017 Harvest Report (PDF, 3.14 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme July 2015 - June 2016 Harvest Period Report (PDF, 1.04 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme January - June 2015 Harvest Period Report (PDF, 1.82 MB)
- NSW Grain Harvest Management Scheme Report October - December 2014 Harvest Period Report (PDF, 936.86 KB)
Grain Harvest Management Scheme Consultative Committee
The GHMS Consultative Committee was established as an advisory and consultative body to draw advice on strategic issues and future directions for the effective operation of the GHMS. The GHMS Consultative Committee meet at the end of winter harvest in March and before the next season begins. GHMS Consultative Committee Terms of Reference (PDF, 367.2 KB). Any questions regarding the GHMS Consultative Committee can be emailed to: freight@transport.nsw.gov.au