NSW: Great Western Highway closure: important update on permits and detour access for PBS 2B and Class 1 heavy vehicles

Great Western Highway remains closed 

The section of the Great Western Highway between Little Hartley and Mount Victoria remains closed to all traffic.

The detour along Main Street, Mort St, Chifley Road and Darling Causeway remains suitable for general access vehicles, Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles up to 20 metres long which pass PBS level 1 low speed swept path requirements and have a minimum startability performance of 13.2% for eastbound access, and Class 2 Vehicle Carriers with a laden length up to 21.4 metres. 

Changes to Performance Based Standards (PBS) Level 2 access permits 

Since the detour route was implemented in March due to the closure of the Great Western Highway, to retain access on the detour route, operators of Performance Based Standards (PBS) Level 2 vehicles (up to 20 metres long) have been required to submit documented evidence confirming the requested vehicle meets the following performance requirements:

• Level 1 Low Speed Swept Path (LSSP) and

• 13.2 per cent startability for eastbound travel.

Operators who have not yet provided this supporting evidence have until 1 July 2026 to submit this evidence to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) via the NHVRGO portal to retain approved access to the detour. The NHVR will advise of the outcome as soon as the evidence has been reviewed.

If you do not submit this evidence to the NHVRGO portal by 1 July 2026, or the vehicle does not meet the above requirements, your permit will be amended to remove access on this detour route.

If your permit has been amended to remove these roads and you subsequently acquire the evidence stating you are able to meet the access requirements, you will need to submit a new application (with applicable permit fee) in NHVRGO.