2026 Harvest - Heavy Vehicle Permits
With a significant harvest expected, farmers and transport operators are reminded to check that proposed heavy vehicle routes are approved before travelling.
Following significant rainfall this year, parts of Council’s unsealed road network have sustained damage. Council is working to maintain access across the district, however some roads may require lower speed limits or other permit conditions to ensure safe and sustainable use.
Heavy Vehicle Access – Approved Routes and Permits
Council works with farmers and transport operators to support safe and efficient heavy vehicle movements across the district while protecting the local road network and ensuring the safety of all road users.
The upcoming harvest is expected to be particularly significant in terms of total tonnages, with this likely to result in a substantial increase in heavy vehicle traffic across Council roads and through Ceduna and Thevenard.
Council understands the importance of harvest to local farmers, transport operators and the broader regional economy. At the same time, Council has a responsibility as Road Manager to ensure that heavy vehicle movements occur as safely as possible for all road users during this particularly busy period.
Check whether your route is already approved
Before operating a heavy vehicle, operators should check that the proposed route is approved for the vehicle combination being used.
Approved and pre-approved heavy vehicle routes can be checked using:
NHVR Route Planner
https://www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/route-planner
The Route Planner can be used to plan a journey, identify approved heavy vehicle routes and determine where an access permit may be required.
NHVR National Network Map
https://maps.nhvr.gov.au
The National Network Map displays approved heavy vehicle networks and applicable route information and restrictions.
Operators should ensure they select the correct vehicle combination and network when checking access, as approval for one heavy vehicle combination does not necessarily mean the same road is approved for another.
What if the road is not pre-approved?
Where the proposed route is not approved for the vehicle combination being used, an access permit must be applied for before travelling.
Applications are made through:
NHVR Go
https://www.nhvr.gov.au/go
For applications involving Council-controlled roads, the NHVR will refer the relevant section of the application to Council for consideration as Road Manager.
Submitting a permit application does not automatically mean access will be approved.
Council must consider the suitability of the proposed route, including road condition, infrastructure, intersection geometry, traffic conditions, public safety and the potential impact of the proposed heavy vehicle movement.
Following the significant rainfall experienced this year, parts of Council’s unsealed road network have sustained damage and Council staff have been working to maintain accessibility across all areas of the district.
In some locations, continued access may need to be subject to lower speed limits or other permit conditions to ensure the safety of operators, other road users and the road itself.
Where possible, Council staff will work with farmers and transport operators to identify suitable access arrangements or alternative routes and minimise disruption during harvest.
Operators are encouraged to check their routes and lodge any required applications as early as possible.
Heavy vehicle speed restrictions on Council roads
Heavy vehicles operating under applicable NHVR notices and approved networks may be subject to specific Council Road Manager speed conditions in addition to the normal posted road speed.
Current Ceduna Road Manager conditions appearing across applicable heavy vehicle networks generally provide that an eligible vehicle, whether loaded or unloaded, is restricted to:
- 80 km/h on sealed Council-maintained roads where the posted speed limit is above 80 km/h;
- 70 km/h on unsealed Council-maintained roads where the posted speed limit is above 60 km/h; and
- 40 km/h on Council-maintained roads where the posted speed limit is 60 km/h or lower.
Some heavy vehicle networks express these conditions as:
- 80 km/h on sealed Council-maintained roads outside town limits;
- 70 km/h on unsealed Council-maintained roads outside town limits; and
- 40 km/h on Council-maintained roads within town limits.
Operators must always check the conditions applying to the particular heavy vehicle combination and network being used.
Where a posted speed limit, permit condition or other applicable road access condition imposes a lower speed, the lower speed must be observed.
These heavy vehicle speed restrictions are separate from the general speed limit applying to other vehicles using the road. They form part of the conditions under which eligible heavy vehicles are permitted to use the relevant approved network.
Unsealed roads and wet weather conditions
The condition of Council’s unsealed road network can change quickly following rainfall, particularly under heavy vehicle traffic.
Applicable NHVR notices also include conditions restricting heavy vehicle access to Council unsealed roads following significant rainfall. Operators must check the conditions applying to their particular vehicle and network before travelling.
Following this year’s significant rainfall, some roads may also require lower speeds or other conditions as part of an individual permit approval.
These conditions allow Council to maintain access where reasonably possible while protecting road users and reducing further damage to vulnerable road surfaces.
Important change – Hastings Road
Effective from 30 September 2026, southbound pre-approved access on Hastings Road between Keitel Road and Decres Bay Road has been removed from the following heavy vehicle networks:
- Commodity Routes
- General Mass Limits (GML) Routes
- Higher Mass Limits (HML) Routes
This change follows risk assessments undertaken by Council as Road Manager in preparation for the upcoming harvest.
Bunge has not confirmed that commodities will be received directly at the Bunge Bunkers at 183 Decres Bay Road during harvest. Council’s decision is a pre-emptive road safety measure to ensure appropriate traffic arrangements are in place should direct receival at the bunker site occur.
Council supports the use of Hastings Road as an exit route from the Bunge Bunkers to Eyre Highway. However, the intersections of Hastings Road and Eyre Highway and Hastings Road and Decres Bay Road are not considered suitable for increased movements of loaded heavy vehicles travelling southbound along Hastings Road to access the Bunge Bunkers.
The removal of southbound pre-approved access is therefore intended to manage this specific potential movement while maintaining Hastings Road as an important outbound route for heavy vehicles leaving the Bunge Bunkers and travelling towards Eyre Highway.
Before you travel
Before undertaking a heavy vehicle movement:
- Confirm the vehicle combination being used.
- Check the proposed route using the NHVR Route Planner or National Network Map.
- Check the conditions and restrictions applying to the relevant heavy vehicle network.
- If the required road is not pre-approved, apply for a permit through NHVR Go.
- Do not use a non-approved route until the required permit has been issued.
- Comply with all route, speed, weather and permit conditions while travelling.
Council recognises the significance of harvest to the district and appreciates the cooperation of farmers and transport operators in helping ensure what is expected to be a very busy harvest is also a safe one for everyone using our roads.
Further information
For assistance regarding Council roads, proposed routes or permit requirements, please contact:
Mark Skinner
Manager Infrastructure & Operations
District Council of Ceduna