ALRTA News – 19 October 2018

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INDUSTRY LEADERS MEET NHVR CHAIR

National leaders from the trucking sector met informally with the incoming Chair of the NHVR Board, Duncan Gay, and NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto, in Canberra this week.


Photo (L-R): Mathew Munro, Duncan Gay, Sal Petroccitto, Scott McDonald. 

ALRTA was represented by Scott McDonald (National Vice President) and Mathew Munro (Executive Director).  Other associations in attendance included ATA, NatRoad, ALC and the Truck Industry Council and Independent Contractors Federation.

Mr Gay has previously owned a trucking company and was the NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight when the NHVR was established.  It was clear during the discussions that he understands both the industry and the regulator well and intends to be more engaged in NHVR strategic direction than the previous Chair.

ALRTA took the opportunity to discuss three primary concerns:

  • Access: The NHVR still has a long way to go to improve the access system and advocate for better performance from local road managers;
  • EWDs: We reiterated our position that mandatory EWDs are not viable under current access and fatigue rules.
  • Chain of Responsibility: We advised that the concerns raised publicly by stakeholders in the agricultural supply chain are a good sign that they are finally taking notice of CoR laws.

ALRTA has been invited to meet face-to-face with Mr Gay to discuss a broader range of issues in more depth in the near future.

COR BITES SALEYARDS

Representatives from ALRTA, the Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA) and the feedlot sector met with the NHVR CEO and senior officers in Brisbane this week to discuss the application of chain of responsibility laws.  The catalyst for the meeting was improvement notices issued to Forbes and Dubbo Saleyards by RMS in NSW alleging over mass breaches and insisting that reliable weighing devices are installed.

ALRTA was represented by Lynley Miners (LBRCA President), Ian Wild (LRTAQ President), Fiona Wild (ALRTA Treasurer), Gavin O’Sullivan (LRTAV) and Mathew Munro (ALRTA Executive Director).

It is fair to say that ALRTA and ALMA have differing views concerning the extent to which saleyard owners should be included under the definition of ‘loading manager’ in CoR laws.  Although the premises may be operated by third party agents on sale days, we believe that the saleyard infrastructure is under the control of the owner and the nature of the infrastructure is a significant influence on loading practices and other regulated matters such as fatigue.  It is a clear-cut case from our perspective.

We do however sympathise with the ALMA view that RMS should not be demanding particular types of solutions to loading risks.  It is a matter for chain stakeholders to jointly consider and decide the most appropriate controls – and the meeting was a good opportunity to do just that.

The crux of the problem is not CoR laws per se, which are applied consistently across all HVNL states. The fundamental problem lies in differences between the state-based livestock loading schemes.  We believe that the over mass offences detected on the middle triaxle of B-doubles in NSW would not constitute an offence in either Victoria or Queensland.

All parties agreed that more data is required to better understand the problem in the context of exploring operational and regulatory solutions.  Efforts will be made to acquire existing enforcement data and to generate new data as part of voluntary trials.

There was also general agreement that a code of practice would be useful for defining the role of chain parties in managing this issue.  NHVR is considering whether or not resources can be made available to support rapid development.

ALRTA state member associations will further consider the issue at the ALRTA National Council meeting next week.

WENTWORTH BY-ELECTION

All eyes will be on the Wentworth by-election this Saturday.  Polls are predicting that Independent Kerryn Phelps will narrowly win the Blue Ribbon Liberal seat (formerly held by Malcolm Turnbull with a margin exceeding 17%).

A Liberal loss will cause the Morrison Government to lose its one seat majority in the House of Representatives.  Compromises would then need to be made with independents on all new legislation in both houses and it is difficult to see the Government getting anything much done in the lead up to the next Federal election that must occur next year.

REVISED FIT-TO-LOAD GUIDES

ALRTA has provided further comments to Meat and Livestock Australia on a revised ‘Fit-to-Load’ Guide.  While it could always be better, the guide has certainly improved on the original version.

We expect that the new guide will be available in mid-November 2018.  ALRTA will post one hard copy to all members as part of our upcoming mailout.  Additional copies will be available from your state association.

NATIONAL RAMP STANDARD A STEP CLOSER

Standards Australia has approved the formation of a committee to progress a National Ramp Standard.  We expect a formal invitation to nominate representatives will be issued within two weeks and look forward to commencing the process.

ROADS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

The Australian Government will invest $3.5 billion over the next decade through the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative, to ensure that key freight roads efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs.

On 13 October 2018, the Government released the ROSI Investment Principles. In summary:

  • Delivering via a corridor approach to support network improvements (i.e. upgrade the quality and capacity of the whole corridor not just a few bottlenecks).
  • Funding for corridors should primarily deliver improvements to freight movements, based on a solid evidence base (such as CSIRO’s TraNSIT Tool).
  • The corridors should support regional economic growth (tourism and other key industries).
  • The upgraded corridors will also improve safety for all users.
  • The initiative should support partnerships between all governments and industry, including shared funding responsibilities, appropriate recognition and improve data sharing.
  • Where appropriate, projects should support targeted freight road reforms (i.e. higher charging for higher service).
  • Projects should support wider national reforms, such as Indigenous employment and supplier-use participation.

Concerningly, it would appear that the Federal Government is now taking Land Transport Market Reform (mass-distance-location charging) as a given in general policy development – before it as even been agreed by Ministers….or has it?

NATIONAL TELEMATICS NETWORK

Transport Certification Australia (TCA) has release four videos explaining the National Telematics Network.  To find out more click here.

TMC AWARDS

The Australian trucking industry has honoured two of its most outstanding technical contributors at the Castrol Vecton Awards Dinner in Melbourne this past week.

The dinner, held in conjunction with the Australian Trucking Association’s 2018 Technology and Maintenance Conference, celebrated the professionalism and dedication of Tony Wright (Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage, Goulburn, NSW) and Trevor Dickson (PACCAR Parts Australia).

“As an industry, we are very fortunate to have such committed, skilled professionals going the extra mile,” ATA Chair Geoff Crouch said.

Mr Wright received the 2018 Craig Roseneder Award, an honour that recognises technical and maintenance excellence in the workshop. Promoting a healthy and safe workpace culture at Divall’s, Mr Wright also demonstrates impeccable maintenance application, maintenance records and technical ability.

“Our judging panel received an unprecedented number of nominations for this award. I would like to thank the panel and its chair Trevor Martyn for taking the time to carefully pore over each nomination in deciding this year’s deserving winner,” Mr Crouch said.

“Mr Wright has been influential in the modernisation of workshop equipment and cost saving measures and is recognised by industry peers as a ‘book of knowledge’, having mentored and managed more than 20 apprentices throughout his career,” he said.

Thanks to Castrol Vecton, Mr Wright will be sent on an all-expenses paid trip to Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to attend the US Technology and Maintenance Council’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition.

Mr Dickson was honoured with the 2018 Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement Award, an accolade that recognises technical innovation and achievement within the Australian trucking industry. Working with PACCAR Australia for the past 37 years, Mr Dickson is committed to improving industry safety and meeting the needs of service people and customers.

“Mr Dickson is passionate about the transport industry and has a keen interest in new technologies and their applications,” Mr Crouch said.

“He is well-known in the industry, having been actively involved with TMC since it first began in 1996 and as a member of the program committee. The event would not be the same without his commitment and involvment,” he said.

Mr Crouch said the awards are a valuable opportunity to acknowledge those who have shown outstanding leadership and commitment, with a particular focus on innovation and industry involvement.

“I congratulate Mr Wright and Mr Dickson, our award finalists and all the unsung heroes in the industry who work hard every day to ensure our industry remain safe, professional and viable,” he said.


Photo (L-R): Justin Fleming (TruckSafe Manager), Gary Willoughby (LRTAQ) and Athol Carter (TruckSafe Board). 

ALRTA also congratulates GB & AR (Gary) Willoughby Livestock Transport who was honoured with an award for maintaining a TruckSafe accreditation for 20 years.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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