discowhite
22nd April 2009, 07:36 AM
Hi All,
Just to keep you all up to date with the latest news. NCOP = National Code of Practice – I have spoken about this with you before.
I attended on behalf of the ANFWDC a AA AA (National 4 Wheel Drive Council) meeting on Friday and obtained the latest news on the NCOP. Over all I am happy with the approach of the AAAA – and also very encouraged as to the comments made at that meeting by the Qld Transport reps.
AA AA – will be undertaking a demonstration (international lane changing test /Braking test) on 4 vehicles – both in OEM and in after market setup. The AA AA position is to use a standard 2” suspension lift as this is the majority of suspension lifts made in Australia, and obviously the most likely one to pass the test. I have been assured that I will get an invitation to this as a representative of the ANFWDC – (ANFWDC is the member and not FWDQLD). The international land changing test /Braking test are quite severe but it is hoped that the OEM vehicles may not pass the test but the modified vehicles will. Vehicles will be supplied by members of the AA AA. All testing is paid for by the AA AA. Qld Transport indicated that if the modified vehicles pass the test then there will be no issue from them about the 50mm suspension lift and 2” tyre change size. All sounds very encouraging.
Also on Friday it was reported that VERSION 2 of the new NCOP VSB 14 was now released for public comment on early Friday morning.
Most of the states are like us, pretty happy if we get the 2” suspension lift and 1” tyre lift giving a total of 3” lift without further approval – but FWDVIC want to go for a 5” over all lift. (Ambit claim to say the least)
However we need to keep our members informed about this issue as we really do not know which way it will go. Now that we know the out come of the Election Murray will make contact with the New Transport Minister once his name is released, and have some discussion on this NCOP with him because it does not just relate to suspension and tyres.
I think that this needs to go out to all member Clubs in the mail out Jeff. David you need to bring this up with the Reps on Thursday night as well, as I will not be there, please.
To all 4WDrive Club Members, (also if you have friends who own 4wdrivers but are not members please pass onto them)
The purpose of this email is to bring to your attention a code of practice that has been drafted and being pushed through, by transport departments from around Australia. This draft if accepted will impinge on your day to day activities of 4wdriving including the undertaking of those planned trips whether you are doing bush trips or heading into the remote areas of Australia.
The NCOP VSB 14 (Now recently released Version 2) is a document to put in place a national code of practice (NCOP) restricting you in how you modify your 4wdrive vehicle. This code of practice if put into place in it’s present form will restrict the use and function of your 4wdrive vehicle as you would like it to be. (within reason).
To modify your vehicle to meet those challenging trips you will be put through the ringer and at a financial burden to get the permit(s) necessary to have those modifications
You as a responsible 4wdriver are encouraged to express your views and or present them to your local politician.
The following is just a brief overview on VSB 14.
Just the opening statement to NCOP VSB 14 is quite scary:
“The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP) has been prepared by members of the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board Working Party in consultation with industry, user groups, government agencies and individuals with an interest in light vehicle construction and modification”.
This statement is an outright lie at the worst, and misleading to all stakeholders, the general public including the legislators themselves, at the least.
1. The key stake holders, namely the 4wdrive owners were never consulted.
2. There was never any consultation with user groups i.e. 4wdrive association, tour operators or individual 4wdrive clubs.
3. The industry groups such as AA AA were not contacted or asked to participate either.
4. Apparently VSB 14 is currently now being practiced in WA by that state transport body without any legislative involvement from the government, but according to the document it is still open for public comment. (So what gives?)
Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board Working Party is a fancy name for the State Transport departments from around Australia who meet regularly together to discuss transport issues. Some of these State transport departments want the Very strict European rules implemented without change in Australia. Now we all know that we are not Europe and our conditions are much different to theirs.
Those affected:
Mining companies, fisherman, recreational drivers, farmers, in a nutshell anyone who owns a 4wdrive vehicle. The modifications include and notwithstanding anything or item you attach/fit to your 4wdrive vehicle that was not fitted to the vehicle during manufacture as per the ADR (Austrlian Design Rules).
Those not affected:
Government organisations that depend heavily on vehicle modifications such as ambulances, FESA fire-fighting units, 4wdrives used by indigenous communities and other government agencies (just to mention a few), - because they will have exemptions in place beyond the reach of ordinary 4wdrive owners, irrespective of how the legislators define certain modifications to 4wdrive vehicles being unsafe, which we know in most cases with the average 4wdriver is a falsehood.
Items defined as modifications:
Drawer systems; snorkels, wheel carriers, dual battery systems, spotlights, heavy duty springs and shock absorbers (in particular these items, as they will increase vehicle height as will light truck tyre as the profile of these tyres will exceed vehicle height).
It has been pointed out that under the current proposed NCOP VSB 14 just by fitting an ordinary Australian or American tyre 275x65x16 will exceed the proposed vehicle height by 8mm.
The above is just a few of the many items that are fitted to our 4wdrives, to meet the challenging conditions in the remote areas of Australia that we travel in, we fit these items to ensure maximum driver/passenger safety, vehicle durability over the rough terrain, and extend our fuel carrying capacity to alleviate the high risk in carrying extra jerry cans of fuel between the remote fuelling points. Another modification that comes to mind is your expanded or additional fuel tank that will be illegal.
For more information the link to the NCOP VSB 14 is below. Please look for Version 2, as this is just a recent update from the original.
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx (http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx)
Review of NCOP Version 2 (VSB14)
Please note that Version 2 of the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP) which was published as VSB14 is now open for public comment. The Version 2 draft documents can be found on the following website under the menu heading, NCOP V2 Public Comment: www.pharosalex.com.au (http://www.pharosalex.com.au/).
More detailed information about the review can be found under the menu heading Invitation to Comment whilst major amendments to Version 2 are summarised under the menu heading Summary of Changes.
Comments on Version 2 must be received on or before Thursday, 30 April 2009.
FWDQLD encourages you all to review the material and become aware and get involved.
Please do not treat this with usual apathy as we need action and urgently from all of the key stake holders which is you as a 4wdrive owner.
Please go onto the website and provide email comment submission back by the closing date of Thursday the 30th April 2009.
I have made my own personal submission as below.
I have only a very basic comment and that is as follows.
There has been NO consultation with any user groups or industry groups and as defined in the opening statement of “The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP)
· The key stake holders, namely the 4wdrive owners were never consulted.
· There was never any consultation with user groups i.e. ANFWDC Australian National Four Wheel Drive council – FWDAUSTRALIA, 4wdrive State association, Tour operators or individual 4wdrive clubs.
· The industry groups such as Australian Automotive After Market Association (AA AA) or the 4 wheel drive Council of Australia were not contacted or asked to participate either.
· There is no supporting evidence as to the need for these radical changes.
Local State Transport Ministers are unaware of what this group is doing?
I hereby submit:
In view of the impact on 4 wheel industry, user groups and aftermarket industry and the potential Negative implications to the employment of the Australian workforce, and the potential negative impact to the tourism industry and the potential negative impact in relation to the leisure and legitimate past time of the users of the 4 wheel drive vehicles. I do not support the introduction of the proposed legalisation with respect to VSB14.
I also submit that this process must be put on hold immediately, until the real proper consultation and mediation has taken place between real consumer user groups such as ANFWDC Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council – FWDAUSTRALIA, 4wdrive State association’s and industry bodies such as AA AA and the 4WD Council of Australia.
I also submit that there is no real evidence of the need for any such radical changes to the existing laws in relation to the modification of vehicles.
S Crawford.
Just to keep you all up to date with the latest news. NCOP = National Code of Practice – I have spoken about this with you before.
I attended on behalf of the ANFWDC a AA AA (National 4 Wheel Drive Council) meeting on Friday and obtained the latest news on the NCOP. Over all I am happy with the approach of the AAAA – and also very encouraged as to the comments made at that meeting by the Qld Transport reps.
AA AA – will be undertaking a demonstration (international lane changing test /Braking test) on 4 vehicles – both in OEM and in after market setup. The AA AA position is to use a standard 2” suspension lift as this is the majority of suspension lifts made in Australia, and obviously the most likely one to pass the test. I have been assured that I will get an invitation to this as a representative of the ANFWDC – (ANFWDC is the member and not FWDQLD). The international land changing test /Braking test are quite severe but it is hoped that the OEM vehicles may not pass the test but the modified vehicles will. Vehicles will be supplied by members of the AA AA. All testing is paid for by the AA AA. Qld Transport indicated that if the modified vehicles pass the test then there will be no issue from them about the 50mm suspension lift and 2” tyre change size. All sounds very encouraging.
Also on Friday it was reported that VERSION 2 of the new NCOP VSB 14 was now released for public comment on early Friday morning.
Most of the states are like us, pretty happy if we get the 2” suspension lift and 1” tyre lift giving a total of 3” lift without further approval – but FWDVIC want to go for a 5” over all lift. (Ambit claim to say the least)
However we need to keep our members informed about this issue as we really do not know which way it will go. Now that we know the out come of the Election Murray will make contact with the New Transport Minister once his name is released, and have some discussion on this NCOP with him because it does not just relate to suspension and tyres.
I think that this needs to go out to all member Clubs in the mail out Jeff. David you need to bring this up with the Reps on Thursday night as well, as I will not be there, please.
To all 4WDrive Club Members, (also if you have friends who own 4wdrivers but are not members please pass onto them)
The purpose of this email is to bring to your attention a code of practice that has been drafted and being pushed through, by transport departments from around Australia. This draft if accepted will impinge on your day to day activities of 4wdriving including the undertaking of those planned trips whether you are doing bush trips or heading into the remote areas of Australia.
The NCOP VSB 14 (Now recently released Version 2) is a document to put in place a national code of practice (NCOP) restricting you in how you modify your 4wdrive vehicle. This code of practice if put into place in it’s present form will restrict the use and function of your 4wdrive vehicle as you would like it to be. (within reason).
To modify your vehicle to meet those challenging trips you will be put through the ringer and at a financial burden to get the permit(s) necessary to have those modifications
You as a responsible 4wdriver are encouraged to express your views and or present them to your local politician.
The following is just a brief overview on VSB 14.
Just the opening statement to NCOP VSB 14 is quite scary:
“The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP) has been prepared by members of the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board Working Party in consultation with industry, user groups, government agencies and individuals with an interest in light vehicle construction and modification”.
This statement is an outright lie at the worst, and misleading to all stakeholders, the general public including the legislators themselves, at the least.
1. The key stake holders, namely the 4wdrive owners were never consulted.
2. There was never any consultation with user groups i.e. 4wdrive association, tour operators or individual 4wdrive clubs.
3. The industry groups such as AA AA were not contacted or asked to participate either.
4. Apparently VSB 14 is currently now being practiced in WA by that state transport body without any legislative involvement from the government, but according to the document it is still open for public comment. (So what gives?)
Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board Working Party is a fancy name for the State Transport departments from around Australia who meet regularly together to discuss transport issues. Some of these State transport departments want the Very strict European rules implemented without change in Australia. Now we all know that we are not Europe and our conditions are much different to theirs.
Those affected:
Mining companies, fisherman, recreational drivers, farmers, in a nutshell anyone who owns a 4wdrive vehicle. The modifications include and notwithstanding anything or item you attach/fit to your 4wdrive vehicle that was not fitted to the vehicle during manufacture as per the ADR (Austrlian Design Rules).
Those not affected:
Government organisations that depend heavily on vehicle modifications such as ambulances, FESA fire-fighting units, 4wdrives used by indigenous communities and other government agencies (just to mention a few), - because they will have exemptions in place beyond the reach of ordinary 4wdrive owners, irrespective of how the legislators define certain modifications to 4wdrive vehicles being unsafe, which we know in most cases with the average 4wdriver is a falsehood.
Items defined as modifications:
Drawer systems; snorkels, wheel carriers, dual battery systems, spotlights, heavy duty springs and shock absorbers (in particular these items, as they will increase vehicle height as will light truck tyre as the profile of these tyres will exceed vehicle height).
It has been pointed out that under the current proposed NCOP VSB 14 just by fitting an ordinary Australian or American tyre 275x65x16 will exceed the proposed vehicle height by 8mm.
The above is just a few of the many items that are fitted to our 4wdrives, to meet the challenging conditions in the remote areas of Australia that we travel in, we fit these items to ensure maximum driver/passenger safety, vehicle durability over the rough terrain, and extend our fuel carrying capacity to alleviate the high risk in carrying extra jerry cans of fuel between the remote fuelling points. Another modification that comes to mind is your expanded or additional fuel tank that will be illegal.
For more information the link to the NCOP VSB 14 is below. Please look for Version 2, as this is just a recent update from the original.
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx (http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx)
Review of NCOP Version 2 (VSB14)
Please note that Version 2 of the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP) which was published as VSB14 is now open for public comment. The Version 2 draft documents can be found on the following website under the menu heading, NCOP V2 Public Comment: www.pharosalex.com.au (http://www.pharosalex.com.au/).
More detailed information about the review can be found under the menu heading Invitation to Comment whilst major amendments to Version 2 are summarised under the menu heading Summary of Changes.
Comments on Version 2 must be received on or before Thursday, 30 April 2009.
FWDQLD encourages you all to review the material and become aware and get involved.
Please do not treat this with usual apathy as we need action and urgently from all of the key stake holders which is you as a 4wdrive owner.
Please go onto the website and provide email comment submission back by the closing date of Thursday the 30th April 2009.
I have made my own personal submission as below.
I have only a very basic comment and that is as follows.
There has been NO consultation with any user groups or industry groups and as defined in the opening statement of “The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP)
· The key stake holders, namely the 4wdrive owners were never consulted.
· There was never any consultation with user groups i.e. ANFWDC Australian National Four Wheel Drive council – FWDAUSTRALIA, 4wdrive State association, Tour operators or individual 4wdrive clubs.
· The industry groups such as Australian Automotive After Market Association (AA AA) or the 4 wheel drive Council of Australia were not contacted or asked to participate either.
· There is no supporting evidence as to the need for these radical changes.
Local State Transport Ministers are unaware of what this group is doing?
I hereby submit:
In view of the impact on 4 wheel industry, user groups and aftermarket industry and the potential Negative implications to the employment of the Australian workforce, and the potential negative impact to the tourism industry and the potential negative impact in relation to the leisure and legitimate past time of the users of the 4 wheel drive vehicles. I do not support the introduction of the proposed legalisation with respect to VSB14.
I also submit that this process must be put on hold immediately, until the real proper consultation and mediation has taken place between real consumer user groups such as ANFWDC Australian National Four Wheel Drive Council – FWDAUSTRALIA, 4wdrive State association’s and industry bodies such as AA AA and the 4WD Council of Australia.
I also submit that there is no real evidence of the need for any such radical changes to the existing laws in relation to the modification of vehicles.
S Crawford.