Hawkins Transport resumes operations after NHVR lifts fleet grounding

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has lifted prohibition notices against Hawkins Transport, allowing the Queensland-based company to resume operations. The notices, issued on August 14, had grounded the company’s entire fleet of 359 vehicles, including prime movers, trailers, and dollies.

Based in Normanton, the transport business provides essential services to remote Aboriginal communities, properties, and stations across the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Cape. The grounding also impacted the company’s cattle transport and council work in northern Queensland.

NHVR Executive Director of Statutory Compliance Paul Alsbury stated that the notices were issued in response to identified safety issues. Following engagement between the company and the regulator, a pathway was agreed upon to address these concerns, leading to the lifting of the notices on August 26.