Mobile unit set up to enforce heavy haulage regulations

29/9/94

A mobile transport unit has been set up within the Department of Transport to take over the function of enforcing heavy haulage regulations in Western Australia, enabling 20 police officers to return to core policing duties with the Police Department.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton and Police Minister Bob Wiese said the new mobile transport unit would begin operations following gazettal of regulation changes on Friday, September 30.

A suitable legal framework for the transfer of the function was established with Executive Council ratifying an amendment to the Road Traffic (Wardens) regulations.

The amendment gives specially trained Department of Transport field officers assigned to the mobile transport unit all the necessary powers to enforce overloading and dimension regulations throughout WA.

"Importantly, the transfer of responsibility releases 20 fully trained police officers to undertake operational police work in the general community," Mr Wiese said.

"One senior sergeant of police will remain attached to the unit to deal with prosecutions."

Mr Charlton said the transfer of the function was an excellent example of the co-operation that could be achieved across Government to bring about increased efficiency.

"Officers with the Department of Transport have been trained for their new task and vehicles and equipment already owned by Main Roads have been released by police and returned to Main Roads," he said.

"Although in the past police have been responsible for the task of enforcing heavy haulage regulations in WA, Main Roads supplied the vehicles and equipment as well as policy support and met most of the costs for field operations of the heavy haulage branch.

"It is natural that the function should be taken over by State transport authorities."

The mobile transport unit's vehicle fleet has been converted for civilian use, complete with new identification markings.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 321 7333