APPLY NOW: SAFETY INNOVATION AWARD
ALRTA and NHVR remind members that nominations for $5,000 joint 2017 Safety Innovation Award will close on 30 June 2017.
More information and application forms are available here.
CUMMINS SOUTH PACIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The ATA has announced the winners of the Cummins South Pacific Scholarship.
The scholarship recipients will attend Trucking Australia 2017, next week to share their suggestions on how to improve safety or business viability in the trucking industry.
The 2017 Cummins South Pacific Scholarship recipients are:
- Marla Stone, Agri-Trans (Pyalong, Victoria)
- Athol Carter, Frasers Livestock Transport (Warwick, Queensland)
- Hayden Barlow, Unanderra Tanker Hire (Wollongong, NSW)
ALRTA congratulates the award recipients!
MINISTER CONSULTS ON CHARGING
On Wednesday this week, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Urban Infrastructure, hosted a roundtable in Canberra to seek industry views about how heavy vehicle charging decisions are made.
Several industry associations were represented including ALRTA, ATA, ALC, NatRoad, NFF and the Minerals Council.
The consultation follows the release of a government discussion paper on options for independent price regulation of heavy vehicle charges. The roundtable was a good opportunity to candidly explore the proposed options and gauge government perspectives around how far heavy vehicle charging reform will ultimately go.
The ALRTA is strongly supportive of independent price regulation. The main problem with the current charging system is thatMinisters do not need to accept the recommendations put forward by the NTC. This has resulted in close to $1bn of overcharging.
However, the entity that is most appropriate for making the charging determinations will largely depend on what type of system is adopted. If we stick with a PAYGO type cost recovery system, it may be appropriate for the NTC to continue its current role – but it would make binding determinations rather than recommendations.
If Ministers opt for full economic reform with a forward-looking cost base and a complex charge allocation system (e.g. mass, distance, location), then it may be more appropriate for a body such as the ACCC to make the determinations. ACCC already has a similar role for other network assets such as gas, electricity and water.
Other important topics of discussion were transitional arrangements, merits review and ensuring national consistency in charges.
ALRTA will consult with members and develop a submission by the closing date of Friday, 14 July 2017.
REVISED LOAD RESTRAINT GUIDE
The NTC has released a new draft version (the third edition) of the Load Restraint Guide which is designed to provide drivers, operators and other supply chain parties with practical advice on how to transport a load. Experience also shows that the guide is referenced by enforcement authorities.
ALRTA has provided input into developing a new section of the guide on the transportation of livestock. Importantly, for the first time, the guide now includes references to livestock preparation practices and effluent control, specifically stating that this responsibility is shared by all supply chain parties.
The revised guide is open for public comment until 4 August 2017.
You can find a copy here.
NTC INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Last Friday, Mick Debenham (LRTAV) represented ALRTA at an NTC Industry Advisory Group meeting in Melbourne. Topics included:
- Update on NTC work program for 2017-18
- The future of regulation
- Automated vehicles
- The Land transport productivity framework
Mr Debenham also took the opportunity to update NTC on the ALRTA’s recent effluent study tour of NZ and discuss options for clarifying the application of chain of responsibility under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
PROPOSAL TO REVISE REST AREA GUIDELINES
ALRTA is pleased to advise that on 6 July 2017 the Austroads Board will consider a project proposal to update the Austroads Guidelines on Rest Areas.
The project proposal was discussed by the joint Austroads Freight Task Force/Freight Industry Consultative Group meeting in February 2017 and subsequently approved ‘in principle’ by the Austroads Board.
If final approval is given, ALRTA will commence consulting with members about much needed improvements in the design, location and number of heavy vehicle rest areas.
ALRTA IS MOVING
Members are advised that the ALRTA National Secretariat is moving across Canberra to the centrally located ATA owned building in Barton. We are planning for the move to occur between 27 June and the week commencing 1 July 2017.
There may be some disruption to our normal services during the relocation due to risks associated with moving our telephones and IT platform. If you are have not received a response to an enquiry in a timely manner you can contact the ALRTA Executive Director on 0421 082 489.
Our new postal address is:
PO Box 4233
Manuka ACT 2603
All other contact details will remain the same.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Trucking Australia Conference
The ATA’s premier annual event ‘Trucking Australia 2017’ will be held 21-23 June 2017 at the Darwin Convention Centre. The program is a mix of entertainment and business activities featuring the Kenworth Legends Luncheon, chain of responsibility master class and the National Trucking Industry Awards.
Register here.
LRTAWA Conference
The LRTAWA Annual State Conference will be held 30 June – 1 July 2017 at the Light House Beach Resort in Bunbury.
For more information contact: admin@lrtawa.org.au
LRTAV Conference
The LRTAV Annual State Conference will be held 11-12 August 2017 at the RACV Resort in Torquay.
Check here for more information.