ALRTA News 17 October 2016

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ALRTA APPEARS BEFORE QLD PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

The ALRTA National Vice President (Graeme Hoare) and Executive Director (Mathew Munro) gave evidence at a hearing of the QLD Transport and Utilities Committee which is currently considering the HVNL and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016.

ALRTA has previously made a detailed submission on the Bill.

We are generally supportive of the Bill which promises to dramatically improve the effectiveness of chain of responsibility laws and enable registered industry codes of practice to be more readily recognised in court.  We have however recommended that a minor amendment be made to clarify the intended application of chain of responsibility to the livestock supply chain.

We have sought clarification to assist in education and enforcement activities.  Our proposal would not introduce additional legal duties or materially impact the move to primary duties.

To help drive home the importance of the proposed clarification, our team also met with advisors to the QLD Ministers for Transport, Agriculture, Road Safety and Environment as well as opposition members.

CROSS LOADING: DO IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE

The ALRTA reminds all member operators and drivers to only undertake cross loading activities at suitable sites where there is minimal impact on public amenity.

We have recently become aware that some operators are cross loading on the SA – WA border on a gravel area adjacent to the Border Village Roadhouse.  Not only have there been complaints about noise and odour, but tourists have also been recording the activity – it would be quite the outback spectacle for first time observers!

There are reports that some drivers are camping overnight with sheep on board.

ALRTA advises that there are two alternative options available near the site that are more suitable for cross loading and spelling activities.

Firstly, there is a large truck bay on the Eyre Highway approximately 2km from the SA side of the border.

Secondly, Mundrabilla Station, approximately 60km from the WA side of the border, has purpose built commercial cross loading and spelling facilities for cattle and horses.  You can call Colin and Bree Campbell on (08) 9039 3280 to make arrangements.

Vehicles are permitted to enter WA and proceed directly to Mundrabilla and back to SA provided they are clean when inspected at the border.  Vehicles coming out of WA can register at Eucla quarantine checkpoint and then have 72hrs to drop off and return.  For information about quarantine rules you can call Bill Gorrie BM from WA Dept. of Agriculture and Food on 0417 957 234.

Under no circumstances should dead animals be left at any roadside location.  These must be retained and properly disposed.  Mundrabilla can assist in this regard.

BEAUREPAIRES IPAD AUCTION – PLACE YOUR BID NOW!

Beaurepaires has generously donated Apple iPads to raise funds for each State Association.

The Livestock Transporters Association of Tasmania (LTAT) have put their iPad Air 2 (16GB, WiFi and cellular) up for auction. Don’t miss this chance to grab an amazing piece of technology! These models fetch well over $600 retail – so what are you waiting for?

Please email your bid and details to sponsors@alrta.org.au before 3 November 2016. The winning bid will be announced in ALRTA News on 4 November.

Apple iPad features:

  • 16GB
  • WiFi and cellular
  • 7-inch (diagonal) Retina display with antireflective coating
  • A8X second-generation chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture
  • Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • 8-megapixel iSight camera with 1080p video
  • 2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera
  • 11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO
  • Faster 4G LTE
  • Up to 10 hours of battery life
  • Two Speaker Audio

All proceeds will go to LTAT. Thank you Beaurepaires!

GROW YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Let’s face it – the world is changing.  When people want to find a product or service they just ‘google it’.  Imagine how much it could help your business if you had an online presence……but how on earth would you do that?

Thanks to our membership of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, the ALRTA is able to introduce you to The Digital Garage.

The free training platform from Google offers guidance on all things digital, including:

  • Website creation
  • Online marketing
  • Social media
  • Ecommerce and more

Access ‘The Digital Garage’ from anywhere, on any device.  Its engaging content is easy to follow and can be tailored to meet your needs.

Start Learning

Watch this video to hear from the successful businesses featured on The Digital Garage.

ATA RELEASES SEATBELT SAFETY ADVICE

The ATA has released a new safety alert to highlight the availability of truck suspension seats with integrated belts.

ATA Senior Adviser, Engineering, Chris Loose says an integrated seatbelt with the driver’s suspension seat would comfortably secure the driver and in an event of a crash, reduce the consequences.

Drivers have a range of reasons for not using a seat belt in a truck, but in the car, they would automatically put on a seat belt. Much research and studies over the years have pointed to seat belts reducing the risk of injury and fatality for all road users.

When asked, the common response for not wearing a seatbelt when driving a heavy vehicle was that drivers considered them uncomfortable. This is historically due to the use of suspension seats with cab mounted belts locking during driving over rough roads.

The safety alert lists the availability of integrated seat belts with the driver’s suspension seat for heavy vehicles.

Mr Loose says the document also highlights other important actions that drivers and owners need to be aware of including appropriate seatbelt maintenance in their regular vehicle servicing.

By providing details on what is currently available to industry, our safety alert is intended to increase seat belt use and save lives.

Read the availability of truck suspension seats with integrated belts safety alert.

REMINDER: CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY SURVEY

The NHVR is working with all parties in the logistics supply chain to help them understand their Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

On 12 September 2016, NHVR launched an online survey targeted at the logistics supply chain.  The survey has been extended until 31 October and will help NHVR build a national picture of industry’s understanding and attitudes to CoR.

All survey responses are anonymous and will help NHVR develop information and education packages tailored to each role in the supply chain.

You can find the survey here: www.nhvr.gov.au/CoRsurvey

You can find NHVR fact sheets on chain of responsibility here:

  • CoR Fact sheet 1 – It’s everyone’s business (PDF, 180KB) – Under chain of responsibility (CoR), all parties who have control or influence over the transport task are deemed responsible for complying with and for breaches of our road laws. All parties must take all reasonable steps to prevent breaches of mass, dimension, loading, speed and fatigue laws.
  • CoR Fact sheet 3 – Managing fatigue risks (PDF, 235KB) – Here are five common CoR risks for operators managing driver fatigue and how to address them. These are simple, no- or low-cost steps that any operator can take to make their operations safer and meet their COR obligations.

REMINDER: ALRTA SGM AND COUNCIL MEETING

Members are reminded that the ALRTA will be holding an SGM and Council meeting in Canberra on Friday, 21 October 2016.  Details are:

Council: 8:30am
SGM: 9:30am
Close: 3:00pm
Location: ATA Board Room, Lvl 3, Minter Ellison Building, National Circuit, Forrest, ACT.

The purpose of the AGM is to consider the ALRTA’s audited accounts for 2015-2016.

For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat.