After more than a decade at the wheel of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), CEO Sal Petroccitto has announced he is set to retire from the role on the 24 January next year.
Petroccitto will say farewell as CEO after successfully leading the National regulator through a labyrinth of changes and reforms that has made the Australian transport industry more efficient and competitive and hopefully safer.
Chair of the NHVR, the Hon. Duncan Gay AM said Sal Petroccitto was leaving the NHVR in great shape following an unheralded period of achievements in establishing a modern and respected National body.
“On behalf of the NHVR Board, staff and the road transport industry, I want to share my sincere thanks to Sal for his outstanding dedication and passion in championing better outcomes for the safety and livelihood of the heavy vehicle industry and all road users,” Gay said.
“Sal has worked tirelessly to build industry trust and respect to ensure the modern regulatory approach being implemented by the NHVR will achieve genuine and tangible national safety and productivity reform.
“His no nonsense and practical approach in “saying it as it is” was embraced by industry and a critical part of the partnership and trust he built.
“Sal drove the successful transition of participating state-based regulatory functions to establish the NHVR.
“Under Sal’s leadership, we are now seeing consistent enforcement and education outcomes paving the way for more on-road consistency.
“This includes leaving a legacy of achieving genuine safety behavioural change and improved culture through the establishment of an inform, educate and enforce approach to compliance.
“Sal’s hard work is reflected in the overwhelmingly positive sentiments voiced by transport operators and drivers right across the country, in his interactions with his staff and in many customer champion awards achieved by the NHVR.
“On a personal level, I have enjoyed our great professional relationships and have valued working alongside Sal and I consider him a good friend.
“I know Sal will be greatly missed by the industry and his staff.”
Petroccitto informed the NHVR Board last month of his decision to resign as the CEO.
Tributes have been paid to Petroccitto from across the transport industry since he announced his decision to retire.
The trucking industry has thanked Petroccitto for his commitment to customer service, safety and the industry’s productivity with Australian Trucking Association chair Mark Parry saying Petroccitto had joined the regulator in May 2014 at a time of crisis.
“The NHVR started full operations in February 2014, but rapidly accumulated a backlog of thousands of road access permit applications. These permits are essential for businesses that transport oversize and overmass loads,” Parry said.
“Sal dealt with the backlog and transformed the NHVR’s customer service capability. Just weeks ago, the Customer Service Institute of Australia named Sal as the Customer Service Executive of the Year.
“Other government service providers and regulators could learn from Sal’s success.”
Parry emphasised Petroccitto’s role in improving Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM), which is used by trucking businesses with sophisticated fatigue management systems.
“Under Sal’s leadership, the NHVR recognised that providing operators and drivers with the opportunity to manage their working hours more flexibly delivered both productivity gains and greater safety,” he said.
“The new NHVR CEO will need to protect this flexibility in the face of proposals to over-regulate the fatigue system for safe, sophisticated operators in the forthcoming amendments to the Heavy Vehicle National Law.”
Parry thanked Petroccitto for his willingness to engage with the trucking industry.
“One of the hallmarks of Sal’s tenure in the role has been his willingness to consult with the industry and talk at industry events about the NHVR’s plans. The incoming CEO should continue Sal’s approach,” he said.
“On behalf of the ATA and the whole trucking industry, I wish Sal all the best and every success for the future.
”Duncan Gay said an extensive nationwide recruitment process will commence over the coming weeks to appoint a new CEO to the NHVR.
