LRTAV launches High Productivity Livestock Vehicle Network

Victoria’s livestock transport industry has entered a new era with the launch of the High Productivity Livestock Vehicle (HPLV) Network, a major advancement for industry transport.

The HPLV Network delivers a step change in productivity while also acting as a model for how targeted design, operator accreditation and sound regulation can be combined to strengthen both safety and animal welfare outcomes.

For the Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV), the organiser which spearheaded the scheme’s development, it represents years of dedicated advocacy and technical collaboration.

The HPLV Network, created at the beginning of this year, is the product of a unique partnership between industry leadership, technical experts and government regulators. The LRTAV was joined by engineering consulting firm, Tiger Spider, the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) – each who contributed their own expertise to deliver a safe, practical and productivity-focused outcome.

At the livestock industry level, LRTAV President, Russell Borchard, along with LRTAV COO, Alina Hawkins, provided steadfast direction for the project. The two executives ensured the HPLV Network’s design and accreditation framework were firmly grounded in real-world livestock transport operations.

Russell and Alina guided the project’s outcomes to focus on delivering genuine value for operators while maintaining high road safety and animal welfare standards. This direction was heavily supported by technical and regulatory efforts from Tiger Spider founder and Managing Director, Marcus Coleman, who worked closely with DTP Manager of Freight Victoria, Ian Fond, and NHVR Manager of Heavy Vehicle Network Access Policy, Jose Arredondo, to translate complex vehicle modelling into practical access solutions.

Tiger Spider’s role focused on stability assessments for representative livestock combinations to inform the network’s vehicle reference framework, in addition to working with the LRTAV to develop the HPLV scheme’s operating conditions and business rules. According to Marcus, developing these solutions with productivity in mind also impacts safety for the HPLV Network.

“By increasing the productivity of livestock fleets, you actually improve safety,” he says. “Higher productivity vehicles mean fewer trips, less trucks on the road, reduced fatigue and better outcomes for all road users.”

The HPLV scheme adapts proven heavy vehicle productivity principles to the real-world operating environment of livestock transport. It combines modern telematics, road friendly suspensions, ADR 80/02 emissions, maintenance management accreditation and Performance-Based Standards (PBS)-compliant braking systems to ensure performance and safety go hand in hand.

Maintenance accreditation was introduced specifically to add an extra safety layer to the HPLV Network. A load management plan was also developed to strengthen compliance with penning density guidelines and help operators manage deck loading and livestock weight more efficiently.

A major strength of the HPLV Network is the clarity of which combinations can operate within it. This was achieved by developing generic high productivity reference vehicles for the scheme based on livestock trailers built to consistent volumetric loading lengths.

The network allows operators to enrol all compliant equipment into the scheme and operate any combination of prime movers and trailers under that single reference approval. This flexibility represents a major step forward compared to traditional PBS Vehicle Approval or Design Approval processes which are often more rigid.

Operating in the HPLV Network grants livestock carriers greater freedom to match equipment to their task and route. This improves efficiency without compromising compliance.

This efficiency is further bolstered by the HPLV scheme’s different accommodating routes. The 36-metre-long HPLV Network supports A-double and B-triple combinations, while the 42-metre-long section of the network in the Victoria’s northwest region is purpose-built for AB-triple combinations. This longer configuration unlocks even greater payload potential, with the network designed to expand further as additional infrastructure and route assessments come online.

“By allowing the use of A-double and B-triple combinations on key livestock corridors, operators can move approximately 30 per cent more livestock per trip, depending on the configuration and species being carried,” Alina says. “While these longer combinations use slightly more fuel, the increase is far outweighed by the additional payload. This means that the fuel used per tonne of livestock transport improves by anywhere between 15 and 25 per cent.”

In addition to increased carrying capacity, fuel efficiencies and safety measures, the HPLV Network provides a greater route certainty across Victoria’s livestock passageways. Together, these advantages demonstrate how industry-led innovation, supported by technical expertise and regulatory cooperation, can deliver real-world results.

“This is a proud moment for Victoria’s livestock transport industry,” Russell says. “The HPLV Network shows what can be achieved when government and industry work together. It’s smarter, safer and more productive for everyone involved.

“The Victorian High Productivity Livestock Vehicle Network is giving livestock transport operators access to Victoria like never before.”