A NORTH Queensland transport operator says he is keen to move on and keep trying to improve the transport industry after receiving a $60k fine for multiple defects last week.

Normanton-based Hawkins Transport made headlines recently after the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator grounded its fleet for two weeks, which left communities in the Gulf of Carpentaria without some vital services. Owner Bradley Hawkins has taken the opportunity to call for the regulator to change its ways and work more closely with industry. (see previous story here)

The fine that was issued in the Townsville Magistrates Court last week was for matters separate to the grounding of the fleet earlier this year. According to the NHVR it was for failing to present for inspections after the company’s trucks were given defect notices from a crash in 2022.

Mr Hawkins said he was keen to move on and work with the regulator to make sure the transport industry can do a better job of providing vital services.

“I am not just out talking about this for the gain of Hawkins Transport, this is about making sure the whole transport industry has a workable relationship with the regulator,” he said.

“We want drivers to feel proud of what they do, go to work and know they have support behind them. By working together we can encourage more people to remain in the industry. This will help support existing drivers, while encouraging new drivers and create a stronger future for Australian road transport.”

What was the fine for?

The fine for Hawkins Transport was about failing to present for inspections following a Supervisory Intervention Order that was imposed in November 2024. The was imposed alongside a $55,000 fine for failing to ensure its heavy vehicle fleet was adequately maintained, serviced and repaired according to NHVR.

The original investigation followed a 2022 crash in Charters Towers in which the NHVR found a heavy vehicle was to have a potentially dangerous braking system, with defects also identified on the trailer.

The 12-month Supervisory Intervention Order was imposed after the court considered the operator was, or was likely to become, a systemic or persistent offender under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

What is NHVR saying about the grounding earlier this year?

The NHVR says it stopped Hawkins fleet earlier this year after six known heavy vehicle crashes in 2026. Between 1 January 2025 and 6 August 2026, 111 defect notices were issued in relation to the operator’s vehicles, including 35 major defect notices.

Since the prohibition notice was lifted, the operator’s vehicles have continued to record a significant level of non-compliance.

As of 7 October 2026, the NHVR had completed 108 first inspections of the operator’s heavy vehicles. Of those, 92 failed and 16 passed, representing a first-inspection failure rate of 85.2 percent. This included 11 major defects involving 32 major components.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Paul Alsbury said in a press release the case demonstrated the importance of operators having effective systems in place to identify and manage heavy vehicle safety risks.

“Heavy vehicle operators have a legal responsibility to identify and manage the risks associated with their operations, including ensuring their vehicles are properly maintained and safe to operate,” he said.

“This case demonstrates the consequences when those responsibilities are not met.

“Serious and ongoing safety risks have the potential to lead to catastrophic outcomes including the loss of life, and the NHVR will take the action necessary to protect all road users.”