Citylink & 30XY

10 December 2009

The VWMA has received the following advice from Citylink following a request to clarify the transport of 30XY wastes through the Burnley and Domain Tunnels. Below is their response:

CityLink prohibits placarded vehicles carrying dangerous good in its tunnels.

These vehicles typically require a diamond shaped class label (Figure 1) to be displayed within the Emergency Information Panel (EIP). These labels classify dangerous goods that present an immediate hazard to people, property or the environment. Types of substances classified as dangerous goods include explosives, flammable liquids and gases, corrosives, chemically reactive or acutely (highly) toxic substances. The criteria used to determine whether substances are classified as dangerous goods are contained in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code).

The UN number 30XY is used for the transportation of non-hazardous waste and does not usually require a class label. Since this type of waste is not dangerous (does not pose an immediate hazard) it is allowed within the CityLink tunnels. The presence of an EIP does not alone preclude a vehicle from entering the tunnel.

Notwithstanding all of the above, it remains the responsibility of the transport operators to understand and fully comply with requirements for transport of dangerous and hazardous goods. WorkSafe are the enforcement agency for the transport of dangerous goods and should be able to confirm the advice given above is correct.

Note: The operator of Eastlink has provided different advice that all placarded loads, including 30XY are prohibited from the Ringwood Tunnel. It is up to individual operators to ensure that they understand the difference. The VWMA will advise Eastlink of Citylink's views.