ALRTA News – 12 October 2018

BEAUREPAIRES ALRTA HARVESTING SPECIALS
Available from 10th October 2018 to 30th November 2018.

  • Offer only available at participating Beaurepaires stores.
  • Excludes government & national fleet accounts.
  • Only while stocks last.
  • No Rain Checks.
  • Service & fitting charges apply on all tyres.
  • Not available with any other offer.
  • Prices exclude GST.

NHVR FATIGUE SAFETY FORUM

Several ALRTA and State Association members attended last week’s landmark Fatigue Safety Forum in Sydney, NSW.  Only around 30 individuals were invited so it was great to have David Smith (LRTASA President), Robert Cavanagh (Former ALRTA President), Mick McCulloch (LBRCA) and Mathew Munro (ALRTA Executive Director) over the two-day event.


Photo (L-R): David Smith, Andrew Higginson (Co-Facilitator), Robert Cavanagh, Mick McCulloch.

The Forum explored the current problems with fatigue laws and potential short-term and long-term solutions.  It will not surprise you that lack of flexibility featured strongly in the discussions and it was well recognised that the current law can both prohibit safe behaviours and encourage unsafe behaviours.

Participants discussed a broad range of issues including risk factors, alternative safety measures, technology, supporting infrastructure, education and use of existing regulatory options.   At the conclusion of the event there was general agreement on many options that should be further explored now, and as part of the HVNL review.

Underscoring the importance of the Forum for informing future policy decisions, the event was closed by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack who is eager to receive a full report from NHVR in due course.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS – COUNTING TIME

With the onset of daylight savings, drivers of fatigue regulated heavy vehicles in HVNL states are reminded to record all work and rest time in 15 minute blocks relative to the time zone of your base.

MORE TAX CUTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced plans to bring forward tax cuts for small business by five years to commence in 2021-22.

The tax rate for businesses with a turnover of less than $50m would drop from 27.5% to 25%.  The total cost to the Budget is estimated to be $3.2bn.

Labor has not ruled out supporting the policy but:

  • supporting the changes in the current parliament would reduce their capacity to fund yet-to-be-announced election promises; and
  • not supporting the changes will paint them as the higher taxing alternative.

I think we can safely say that the election campaign has begun.

NATIONAL RURAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK

Rural Road Safety Week (8-12 October 2018) is a national awareness campaign promoted by the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) and supported by Federal and State Governments.

We thought that we’d do our bit by highlighting some recent research that should make you stop and think about how we can make our rural roads safer:

  • Rural populations make up 16.5% of the Australian population.
  • However, two out of every three road deaths occur on rural roads.
  • The majority of persons killed are rural residents – not city people or tourists.
  • Persons driving in rural areas are more likely to break a road rule because they feel less likely to get caught.
  • This includes speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Metro drivers are however more likely to drive while distracted.

In acknowledging Rural Road Safety Week, Deputy Prime Minister McCormack said that drivers in rural areas should take practical measures to reduce risk by never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, scanning the road ahead, knowing your limits and planning ahead, taking regular breaks on long drives, never driving through floodwater, being alert for wildlife and livestock and driving to the conditions.


Photo: Deputy Prime Minister McCormack announces field trials of fatigue monitoring technology at the NHVR Fatigue Forum.

Deputy Prime Minister McCormack has also recently announced:

RETTER LEAVES NTC

Paul Retter AM completed his tenure as CEO and Commissioner of the NTC on 8 October 2018.  Mr Retter was previously the Executive Director of the Office of Transport Security and a senior member of the Australian Defence Force.

ALRTA thanks Mr Retter for his leadership of the NTC over the past five years and wishes him all the best in future endeavours.

NTI ANNOUNCES COR HEALTH CHECK

Australia’s leading specialist insurer NTI has announced a Chain of Responsibility Health Check Tool to assist drivers and operators comply with the legislative reforms that commenced on 1 October 2018.

For more information and to access the tool click here.

FREE TRAINING: NHVR REGO MODULE

The NHVR is providing additional online training sessions for the new Registration Module.

Heavy vehicle operators are now able to access details of their registered assets for free in the new Registration Module of the NHVR Portal.

Operators will be able to:
1.      Confirm that details recorded by jurisdictions align with their own records;
2.      Check registration changes and transfers have been processed correctly;
3.      Forecast registration renewals and costs; and
4.      Download or print vehicle records to provide to other chain parties.

The free online training sessions are scheduled throughout October and November.  Operators can register their interest here.

WOMEN IN FARMING & AGRICULTURE

Building on the significant developmental momentum achieved during #100daysforchange, Women & Leadership Australia is administering a national initiative to support the development of female leaders across Australia’s transport and logistics sector.

The initiative is providing women with grants of between $3,000 and $7,000 to enable participation in a range of leadership development programs.

The scholarship funding is provided with the specific intent of providing powerful and effective development opportunities for women in the industry; however the funding is strictly limited and has to be allocated prior to the end of 2018.

Expressions of Interest
Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form here prior to 7 December 2018.

CASH FOR HEALTH & SAFETY PROJECTS

Safe Work Australia is offering between $2,000 and $20,000 to workplaces to help fund a great work health and safety project.

Proposals can be lodged here.

Successful projects will also go into the running to win an additional $5,000 People’s Choice Award.

OPENING OF CVLX VICTORIA

The first sale at the new CVLX facility at Miners Rest Victoria will commence at 10am on Friday, 19 October 2018.

CVLX has issued an information bulletin for transports that contains information about upcoming sales, curfews and operational procedures.  Click here for more information.

VICROADS HEIGHT CLEARANCE TOOL

VicRoads has launched an online height clearance map that shows the location and distance between the road surface and overhead structures.

The map applies to all arterial roads (freeways, highways and main roads).

WARNING: Do not rely solely on the map – drivers and operators remain responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient clearance.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ALRTA Council Meeting
When: 26 October 2018
Where: CANBERRA ACT