ALRTA News – 26 July 2019

PACCAR Parts catalogue out now!
Check out their specials online or visit your local dealer.

HVNL REVIEW: MEMBER INTERVIEWS

The ALRTA Secretariat is currently conducting member interviews about HVNL reform.  Over the next few weeks Mat, Colleen or Sue may call to ask you questions about what you like / don’t like about the HVNL and how you would make it better. 
 
As part of the HVNL review, the NTC has released five issues papers on risk-based enforcement, fatigue, access, safe people and safe vehicles. Three more papers are expected on accreditation, managing compliance and governance issues. You can find the papers here.

We don’t expect you to read through all eight issues papers – that would take all day, and then another day to draft a response.  Instead, we can run you through the main issues and record feedback on your behalf in around 60min.  We can even do it while you are driving.
 
All surveys will be used to inform an ALRTA submission to NTC that will be lodged in late August.  This is the most important reform to heavy vehicle laws since the model national laws were created more than two decades ago.  Have your say now or forever hold your peace!
 
If you would like to participate in an interview, please contact the ALRTA office on (02) 6247 5434 or mathew@alrta.org.au and we will either do it straight away or arrange a convenient time.

ATA BOARD AND COUNCIL

LRTASA President and ATA Vice Chair, David Smith, and ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, attended a meeting of the ATA General Council in Canberra this week.  David also attended a meeting of the ATA Board.

Photo (L-R): NHVR Chair, Duncan Gay, addresses the ATA Council.

The main topics of discussion included election rules, technical advisory procedures, industry priorities, HVNL review and tolls. A special presentation was delivered by NHVR Chair, Duncan Gay and NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto.
 
ALRTA congratulates PACCAR Australia and NTI on being admitted to associate membership of ATA.

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS

ALRTA representatives caught up with two of our national sponsors in Canberra this week.  We were pleased to meet with Brooke Bainbridge from BP and Mike Edmonds, Bert Webster and Farrah Lock from NTI. 

Photo (L-R): Bert Webster, Mike Edmonds, Colleen Mays and Farrah Lock. 

COORDINATING GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO EFFLUENT IN QLD

LRTAQ President, Ian Wild, and ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, met with representatives from the Queensland Department of Agriculture to discuss options for a coordinated approach to effluent management.
 
In the past, effluent has been treated like a ‘hot potato’ and thrown between the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment – with none prepared to take on primary responsibility.  This has frustrated our efforts to bring the Queensland State Government to the table to progress solutions and identify responsibilities.
 
Livestock effluent on public roads has been highlighted in a recent risk analysis undertaken by the QLD Department of Agriculture.  The Department has now met with our state and national associations and with the other departments and will prepare an issues paper for government consideration.
 
We have highlighted our proactive efforts to improve livestock preparation, clarify legal responsibilities, improve communication along the supply chain, encourage the use of belly tanks around known hotspots, establish roadside disposal infrastructure and to educate regional councils.  Most importantly, no amount of fines will ever resolve the issue – we need government and the supply chain to work with us develop a workable solution.

SUCCESS! INNOVATIVE FRAME DESIGN

Regular readers will know that ALRTA has been working with ProWay and a large processor in SE QLD to design, construct and operate an innovative new unloading frame design to be used as part of a user-pay research trial funding under the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
 
The ProWay ‘Crate PAL’ normally swings alongside a trailer on a fixed pivot adjacent to the base of the unloading ramp.  Check out this video for a demonstration.  Unfortunately, this design would have blocked access for trucks at our trial site because the access road is also adjacent to the ramp. 

To overcome this problem, ProWay proposed an innovative new design that moves in and out while remaining parallel to the vehicle.  This provides clear access for trucks while the frame is in the retracted position.  As is often the case with research and development, it took a few attempts to arrive at a final design and control system that moves reliably and self-corrects when necessary.
 
In a recent small-scale trial, the new frame was used successfully to unload 10 trucks.  ALRTA thanks ProWay and the site host for their patience and persistence during the research and development phase.  We are now gearing up to conduct the 12-week user pay trial and will provide you with more information when we formally launch the trial.

ALRTA OUT AND ABOUT

National Saleyards Expo
ALRTA Treasurer, Fiona Wild, and ALRTA Project Officer, Sue Davies, will head to Roma, QLD this week to present at the National Saleyards Expo 23-25 July 2019.  The presentation will focus on the development of a registered industry code of practice for managing effluent in the livestock supply chain.
 
NTC access co-design workshop
LRTAQ President, Ian Wild, and LBRCA Member, Graeme Hoare, will attend the NTC Access Co-Design Workshop in Brisbane on 26 July 2019.  The workshop will inform the HVNL review.
 
LRTAWA annual conference
ALRTA National President, Stephen Marley, and ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, will present at the LRTAWA Annual Conference in Busselton, WA, 26-27 July 2019.  Mat Munro will also stop off for a tour of a live export sheep feedlot in Serpentine – Jarrahdale, hosted by representatives of The Sheep Collective.  Look out for a conference and LRTAWA AGM wrap up next week.

ANIMAL ACTIVISTS: TELL US YOUR STORIES

Has your truck been targeted by activists? It would help our cause greatly if you could tell us:

  • When;
  • Where;
  • What type of truck;
  • What you were carrying;
  • What exactly did the activists do?;
  • What impact did the activist’s activity have on you? (safety, fatigue, stress, intimidation etc).

 Please call our office (02) 6247 5434 or email mathew@alrta.org.au.

NEXT STEPS CRITICAL FOR HEAVY VEHICLE ROAD REFORM

Governments need to focus the Heavy Vehicle Road Reform agenda on supply side road funding reforms, the Chair of the ATA, Geoff Crouch said in response to the launch of the small-scale charging trial by the Australian Government. 

The ATA represents the 50,000 businesses and 200,000 people in the Australian trucking industry. 

“In November 2018 Transport Ministers agreed to develop nationally consistent service level standards for roads, to categorise roads by their functions and set customer-focussed service levels. This is intended to improve transparency and the evidence base for road funding decisions,” Mr Crouch said. 

“This is a critical reform to deliver a more productive road freight network and something that the ATA has been a long-standing advocate for. 

“As the Government takes the next step in considering change on heavy vehicle charges, they need to prioritise reforms on how roads are provided which is where the largest economic gains from reform will be found. 

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to prioritise progress on reforms to improve infrastructure investment,” he said. 

Mr Crouch said that the ultimate test for the charging trials would be if they could demonstrate an overall net benefit for industry. 

“For both the small-scale charging trial and the planned large-scale trial the ultimate test will need to demonstrate an overall net benefit for trucking operators,” Mr Crouch said. 

“Luke Vesey, Chief Financial Officer at Ron Finemore Transport and one of the Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders participants identified that 99.5 per cent of the projected economic benefits from heavy vehicle road reform were a result of supply-side, road funding reforms. 

“Only 0.5 per cent – or $17 million – was a result of changing the charging system, and it’s not clear that governments have considered all the impacts on trucking operators. This figure was drawn from and also highlighted in the July 2018 Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) prepared by Jacobs Marsden. 

“Luke’s work in this area is significant, as someone who both understands the policy arguments from governments but also understands how successful Australian trucking businesses, like Ron Finemore Transport, actually operate. 

“If the charging trials can’t demonstrate an overall net benefit then governments should not implement a direct distance-based charging scheme. The proposed changes create a significant amount of cost, complexity and risk for Australia’s heavy vehicle transport industry (and its intermediate and end-state customers) and at a time that all of Australia’s supply chain sectors need to be striving for global leadership in long-term investment, sustainability, productivity and international competitiveness.” 

Further work is also needed before the next stage of large-scale trials can proceed. 

“Direct distance-based charging is incredibly complex and it is not yet clear that the right framework in in place for next year’s proposed large-scale trial,” Mr Crouch said. 

“The Government should continue to engage and consult industry before launching the proposed large-scale trial. 

“Ultimately, if governments don’t make real progress on supply side road funding reforms then there is no case for the charging trials to continue.”

5 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO BE AT THE 2019 TMC EXPO

Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities closing soon!

The 2019 Technology and Maintenance Conference is a must-attend trucking industry event that brings together maintenance technicians, apprentices, fleet managers and technical fleet professionals.

TMC gives delegates the opportunity to learn industry best practice and see new or upcoming products and services through an interactive program of technical sessions, compliance and information forums plus hands on training workshops.

Why should you join the 2019 TMC expo?

  • you will connect with the trucking industry
  • you will engage with hundreds of decision makers from small, medium and large operations
  • you will showcase your brand, products and services
  • you will expand you professional network and 
  • you will discover new business opportunities 

Still not convinced? Check out some testimonials from past exhibitors
Download the opportunities pack.

NTI ONCE AGAIN , AWARDED BEST EMPLOYER BY AON HEWITT

Australia’s leading heavy motor insurance specialist, National Transport Insurance (NTI), is proud to have been recognised by international management experts Aon Hewitt as one of Australia and New Zealand’s top employers.  

Aon Hewitt judged 89 organisations across Australia and New Zealand with 12 acknowledged as Best Employers.

The 12 organisations recognised were credited as businesses that create a sustainable, competitive advantage by succeeding in four key areas:  

  • Employee engagement
  • Agility
  • Engaging leadership
  • Talent focus

Head of Culture and Employee Engagement for Asia Pacific and Middle East at Kincentric, Stephen Hickey, said Best Employers excel in navigating the most pressing people-related issues confronting organisations today.

“They’re building highly agile and adaptive workforces that are more likely to embrace change, innovate, and meet the evolving needs of their customers. Along with highly engaging leadership and an intense focus on talent management, Best Employers deliver to their people an experience that motivates them to contribute discretionary effort to the purpose and strategy of their organisations. This helps Best Employers deliver exceptional business results.”

NTI’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Clark, said he was humbled and proud to accept the award on behalf of NTI.

“We were recognised as a Best Employer in 2017 and the Best of the Best Employer in 2014, it’s fantastic to see that our people continue to be highly engaged and we are upholding our exceptional culture year after year.”

“I am constantly in awe of our people and their willingness to go the extra mile.” Mr Clark said.

Data collected over the past 18 years showed that Aon Best Employers had 86% higher sales growth and 71% higher operating income growth compared to average companies.

IS THE ANIMAL FIT TO LOAD? 

The 2019 edition of the national guide, Is the animal fit to load?, includes new content to ensure best practice animal welfare when preparing, loading and delivering cattle, sheep and goats.

MLA General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley, said with the industry continuing to deal with ongoing dry conditions across many livestock production regions, the release of the revised guide was timely.

“The Australian red meat industry is absolutely committed to animal welfare practices and ensuring livestock are cared for,” Mr Crowley said.

“The guide has been developed to help livestock operators meet the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock, and decide whether an animal is fit to be loaded for transport and for the entire journey by road or rail, to any destination within Australia.

“It contains new information about loading densities for livestock, managing effluent, and the chain of responsibility for all involved.

“The roles and responsibilities of consignors and transporters are clearly defined in the guide, along with checklists to help assess whether an animal is fit to load.

“Knowing who the ‘person in charge’ of animals is at different stages of the journey and the scope of those responsibilities is important for many reasons.

“If the ‘person in charge’ prepares to transport or transports an animal that is unfit, that person commits an act of cruelty upon that animal and may be liable to prosecution under state or territory legislation. As such, it is also unacceptable for any party to coerce or intimidate the ‘person in charge’ into loading an animal that is not fit for the journey.”

The new guide has been endorsed by all red meat peak industry councils, Animal Health Australia, Dairy Australia, and other peak industry bodies throughout the value chain. This includes the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association, and the Australian Livestock Markets’ Association.

ALRTA has provided all State Associations with hardcopies to distribute to members or you can download the guide by visiting: mla.com.au/isitfittoload

TRANSPORT WOMEN AUSTRALIA LIMITED 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER 2019

Remembering 20 years of Transport Women Australia Limited with a gala dinner. Honouring founding members and special guests. Celebrating women in transport past, present and future.

The dinner will be held on Saturday 16 November 2019 at 6.30pm at The Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. The cost per ticket is $180.00 and can be purchased by going to https://www.trybooking.com/BBFHE

Accommodation can be booked direct with The Windsor www.thehotelwindsor.com.au. Access code for the website – CONF2018 for a 10% discount (for dinner guests only) or by phone 03 9633 6002 or email reservations@thw.com.au.

If you have any queries about the evening, please contact Jacquelene Brotherton on 0417 422 319 or chair@transportwomen.com.au.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2019 LRTAWA Annual Conference
The 2019 LRTAWA Annual Conference will be held 26-27 July at Abbey Beach Resort, Busselton, WA.  For more information and to register click here.

ALRTA Council Meeting & AGM
An ALRTA Council Meeting & AGM will be held on 15 August 2019 at Best Western Motel and Convention Centre, ATTWOOD VIC. Contact ALRTA secretariat for more details.

2019 LRTAV Annual Conference
The 2019 LRTAV Annual Conference will be held 16-17 August at All Seasons, Bendigo, VIC. For more information and to register click here

2020 LBRCA Annual Conference  – Tamworth 6-7 March 
The LBRCA has secured the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Convention Centre (TRECC) for their 2020 Annual Conference on 6-7 March 2020.