MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
On behalf of the ALRTA President, Council and Secretariat, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year. May you have a well-deserved break and catch up with your loved ones.
The ALRTA National Secretariat will be closed from midday on 23 December 2015 and is re-opening on 4 January 2016. The ALRTA Executive Director will be on leave until 11 January 2016.
We look forward to working hard to improve your business in 2016. Our next newsletter will be issued on 15 January 2016 and the National Council will meet in Canberra on 29 January 2016.
CUMMINS TO CONTINUE NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP IN 2016
The ALRTA is pleased to announce that Cummins will continue as a National Sponsor of the ALRTA and our State Associations during 2016.
We have had a great relationship with Cummins in the past, and with 2016 set to be a massive year of reform for vehicle emissions standards, fuel efficiency standards and fuel quality standards, it is strategically important for the ALRTA to maintain a close relationship with engine technology experts such as Cummins.
Not only that, they make excellent products that are well-suited to the needs of the livestock and rural transport sector! Thank you Cummins and we look forward to working with you in 2016.
NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE INSPECTION MANUAL
The NHVR has launched a new edition of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.
The revised document was produced after consultations with industry and all government jurisdictions with the central aim being to promote nationally consistent inspection standards.
This is a significant step in the right direction, however a key challenge still remains – all States and Territories now need to formally adopt the manual and all inspectors will need to be trained to interpret it consistently.
Well done NHVR! Now let’s see the States and Territories respond in tune with the ‘spirit’ and intent of improving consistency.
If they can get this part right, we just might start making progress on other related issues such as minor defects and defect clearances.
NTC HOOKUP TO DISCUSS EFFLUENT
The NTC convened a teleconference this week to discuss the ALRTA proposal to clarify the application of chain of responsibility laws to persons preparing animals for road transport.
Other participants included the NHVR and jurisdictional representatives from NSW, VIC and QLD.
While unanimous agreement was not reached, there is significant support for the proposal and it will now be put to all jurisdictions for final decision.
If supported, the clarification will be included as part of a chain of responsibility reform package to be considered by the Transport and Infrastructure Ministerial Council in May 2016.
ALRTA MEETS WITH THE OFFICE OF MINISTER FLETCHER
This week the ALRTA Executive Director met with the Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government (The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP).
Minister Fletcher was appointed in September as part of the Turnbull Ministry and has carriage of a number of important issues for the rural trucking sector including:
- Charging reform;
- Emissions standards;
- Braking technologies;
- Black Spots Programme; and
- Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme.
The ALRTA looks forward to working constructively with Minister Fletcher’s Office on these issues during 2016.
PROPOSED NATIONAL CATTLE HANDLING GUIDELINES
On Friday this week the ALRTA National Animal Welfare Committee held a special teleconference to consider proposals by Safe Work Australia to develop National Guidelines for Cattle Handling.
Of particular concern to transport operators is the potential for overlap with our National Guidelines for Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards, as well as, the proposal to include crate design and operation.
The ALRTA will be making an initial submission on these and other matters and will stay involved as the project progresses.
ATA NATIONAL PERMITS REFERENCE GROUP MEETS
This week ALRTA Vice President Graeme Hoare participated in the first meeting of the ATA National Permits Reference Group. The group has been established to examine the problems with the current permits process, consider possible remedies and make recommendations for more rapid improvements.
ROUND 5 OF THE HEAVY VEHICLE SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMME OPENS
Round 5 of the Federal Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme is now open.
Applications for up to 50% of total project funding will be assessed via a competitive merits-based process with regard to the following selection criteria:
- Improved productivity and access;
- Quantified project benefits;
- Construction readiness; and
- State/Territory priority.
While applications may only be made by Local or State Governments, industry and community support is looked on favourably. So if you have a priority road project in mind, now is the time to speak to your State Association and relevant local authorities about it.
Applications close on 10 February 2016. You can find more information here: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/heavyvehicles/
TRUCKSAFE WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
The TruckSafe accreditation program is proud to welcome RJ Loveday Transport (QLD) and Mitchell’s Livestock Transport (WA) as its newest accredited members.
Established 11 years ago, RJ Loveday Transport specialises in carting certified-organic cattle around the QLD/SA border area. Owner Richard Loveday said good staff were the key to a good business.
“We run a very compliant business and have very good gear – frankly, there was no reason we shouldn’t be in TruckSafe and TruckCare,” he said.
“I’ve got a really excellent crew, and they make it worth going in to work every day. We’re always improving, and TruckSafe is just another part of that.”
A third-generation Western Australian family business, Mitchell’s Livestock Transport proudly transports more than 500,000 cattle across 1,500 pick-up and delivery locations each year. TruckCare accredited since 2001, Mitchell’s Livestock Transport endeavours to coordinate logistics, animal welfare, vehicle safety and innovation.
“There are really two things TruckSafe does – the first is that it generally raises the bar right across our business. The other is that we really try to eliminate as many risks as we can, and TruckSafe helps us do that,” CEO John Mitchell said.
“We’re really proud of our fantastic staff and the way they look after the livestock. It’s about striving to make ourselves the best we can be to look after our customers and their cattle.”
TruckSafe Chairman Stephen Marley said TruckSafe operators were some of Australia’s safest transport businesses.
“I congratulate RJ Loveday Transport and Mitchell’s Livestock Transport on achieving their TruckSafe accreditation,” Mr Marley said.
“It’s fantastic to have these trucking operators going the extra mile to make sure they run a safe, professional business.”
You can find out more about the TruckSafe accreditation program, including a full list of accredited operators, at www.trucksafe.com.au.
SPENCER GRIGGS RE-ELECTED LTAT PRESIDENT
The ALRTA congratulates Spencer Griggs on his re-election as LTAT President. President Griggs has been working hard over the past year to re-invigorate the association and to improve truckwash facilities at several sites including Powranna Saleyards in Midlands Shire Council. LTAT Members are keen to see the great work continue.