ALRTA News – 7 July 2017

ALRTA WELCOMES OUR NEWEST PLATINUM SPONSOR: BYRNE TRAILERS

ALRTA is delighted to announce a national partnership with Australia’s leading manufacturer of specialised Livestock and Bulk Transport Equipment – Byrne Trailers.

A proud family owned and operated business, Laurence Michael (Mick) and Teri Byrne founded Byrne Trailers in 1974 in Peak Hill, NSW.  Today, Mick takes an advisory role while Teri continues to actively work in the business.

In 1998, Byrne Trailers established extensive manufacturing facilities in Wagga Wagga and in 1993 added an additional manufacturing and service depot in Toowoomba.  There is also a sales office in Noosa.


Photo: President Keenan and David Byrne at the Byrne Head Office in Wagga Wagga.

Over the years, Byrne have been credited with designing and commercialising a number of revolutionary monoque trailers including the 4×2 convertible livestock trailer and the 2 deck cattle trailer.  Byrne were the first in the industry to introduce airbag suspensions.

This innovation continues today with the introduction of an amazing stainless steel product range.

Byrne also operate a rental service with a range of trailers available including flat tops, road train dollies, tippers, drop deck and walking floor.

We encourage all members to consider Byrne Trailers when you need a new trailer, rental, service or repair.

Click here to learn more about Byrne Trailers, including contacts and detailed product information.

 

SELF CLEARING DEFECT NOTICES

The NHVR has introduced a new category of vehicle defect notice known as a ‘Self-Clearing Defect Notice’.

From 1 July 2017, authorised enforcement officers will have the option of issuing a self-clearing defect notice for non-safety related defects such as a cracked light lens, chipped windscreen (outside the normal field of vision), obscured number plate, or a failed brake light (when all others are working).

Operators will have 28 days to rectify the defect and will not have to present the vehicle to an approved person to clear the notice.

Authorised officers will be able to check on past self-clearing defect notices at future intercepts and a $3,000 fine will apply if the defect has not been rectified with the 28 day period.

The new defect notice option will reduce red-tape and unnecessary cost.  In most cases, the cost of taking vehicle off the road for inspection far outweighed the cost of rectifying a minor defect.  Operators in remote areas should especially benefit from the change.

The NTC recommended the change following the 2015 Review of Heavy Vehicle Roadworthiness.

The ALRTA applauds the NTC and NHVR for the change, even though it might be said that it is long overdue.

 

LRTAWA CONFERENCE

The ALRTA National President and Executive Director attended the LRTAWA Annual Conference held in Bunbury last weekend.  The conference was opened with a special video message from Prime Minister Turnbull after which operators had a chance to ask questions during a forum with Main Roads WA.

There were certainly a lot of questions asked and suggestions made about further road improvements.  The new self-clearing defect notices in the Eastern States hadn’t gone unnoticed and operators pressed Main Roads WA to follow the NHVR’s lead as soon as possible!

Dr Rod Thompson gave an important presentation about the role of heavy vehicle drivers being aware of and reporting unusual livestock disease symptoms.  There is a lot on the line when a foot-and-mouth outbreak could effectively shut down our industry for a minimum of two years.

There was a strong focus on new technology and how this will impact on our transport future.  Mr Craig Rispin gave a thought provoking keynote address in which he told us that the Uber of freight has already started…are you ready for the changes? NHVR advised delegates about work underway to establish an AFM template that can allow WA drivers to operate seamlessly in Eastern States.

Sometimes the best entertainment you can have at a function is a great MC, and Mr Tiny Holly certainly delivered that on Saturday night.  There were times when I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but the man truly knows how to play a crowd.

I’d also like to make special mention of LRTAWA members and supporters who put themselves on the line to raise more than $5,000 to help kids with cancer.  Who would have thought that a dunking machine could make such a difference in just 30min?

ALRTA congratulates the LRTAWA Executive elected at the AGM:

·         President: Stephen Marley

·         VP Livestock: Shannon Dawson

·         VP Bulk: Darren Power

·         Treasurer: Mark Sullivan

 

BRAKING WORKING GROUP

An ALRTA Working Group met via teleconference this week to discuss the Federal Government’s proposal to mandate electronic stability control on all new trucks and trailers.  While we are generally supportive of the proposal, the working group is refining our position by discussing options for exempting road train dollies and voltage issues for longer combinations.

ALRTA and ATA are working on a joint submission ahead of a regulatory impact statement expected next month.

 

POP INTO OUR NEW OFFICE

The ALRTA National Secretariat has officially moved into our new office in the ATA owned building.  If you are in or around Canberra, please come and say hello!  You will find our door right between the ATA and NatRoad.

You can find us at:

Level 3, Minster Ellison Building
25 National Circuit
Forrest ACT 2603

 

REMINDER: LOAD RESTRAINT GUIDE 

The NTC is consulting on proposed changes to the Load Restraint Guide.

Check out the revised version here.

If you spot any problems or have any suggestions, please contact the ALRTA Secretariat.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.