Media Release 6 February 2017

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MEDIA RELEASE

ALRTA CONFERENCE TO TACKLE BRAKING CONCERNS

The joint ALRTA-LRTAQ National Conference to be held 17-18 February 2017 in Toowoomba, QLD, will tackle three of the biggest issues affecting rural carriers: effluent control, local road access and mandatory electronic braking including stability control.

ALRTA National President, Kevin Keenan, said that the 2017 National Conference is the best opportunity for supply chain stakeholders and operators to learn more and have their say on these important issues.

“At this year’s National Conference we will focus our discussions on three key issues that need to be resolved.  This has allowed us to bring together a broader array of experts with differing perspectives on problems and potential solutions”, said President Keenan.

Braking
“For example, the prospect of mandatory EBS with stability control has divided opinion even among our own membership.  While some operators are already choosing to use this technology, there are others who are hesitant because of concerns about performance and reliability in remote and off-road environments.  Some have discontinued using the technology because of ongoing problems”.

“Our conference session on braking technology will bring together a panel of experts including: the Federal standards authority; a technology developer; a trailer manufacturer; a roll-over expert; an insurer; the ATA; and of course transport operators”.

“Conference delegates will be able to consider the perspectives of all of these experts during one inclusive session and then have their say about the direction in which we should be heading.  This will help us progress the debate and develop an ALRTA policy on this very important issue”, said President Keenan.

Effluent Control
The conference panel session on effluent control will include a large operator, large processor, the NHVR and the NTC who will conduct a project this year seeking to clarify the application of chain of responsibility laws to animal preparation practices.

Local Access
The conference panel session on local access will centre around a special presentation by Main Roads WA on the 2016-17 Harvest Mass Management Scheme which includes innovative new access arrangements for restricted access vehicles.  The NHVR and Toowoomba Regional Council will inform delegates of the approach being taken on the east coast.

ALRTA National Sponsors BP, Beaurepaires, Cummins and Kenworth will be speaking about new technologies, regulations and practices that will affect road transport businesses in coming years.

Other Highlights
Conference attendees will hear key note addresses from:

  • QLD Minister for Transport – the Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP
  • The QLD Minister for Main Roads – the Hon Mark Bailey MP
  • Federal Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister – the Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP
  • NHVR CEO – Sal Pettrocitto
  • Founder of the ‘Heart of Australia’ mobile specialist medical service – Dr Rolf Gomes

“The joint ALRTA-LRTAQ National Conference has something for everyone”, said President Keenan.

“Scattered around the serious business of improving our operating environment, delegates can also relax with a round of golf, meet the locals at our community breakfast, grab a bargain at the fund raising auction and kick their heals up at the legendary Bull Carter’s Ball”.

“On behalf of the ALRTA and LRTAQ, I invite all transport operators, government officials, media and those interested in the rural road transport supply chain to attend this year’s joint ALRTA-LRTAQ National Conference and help us to improve our industry”, said President Keenan.

The full two-day program of events and registration brochures can be found here.

For media enquiries please contact:
ALRTA Executive Director: Mathew Munro – 0421 082 489 or mathew@alrta.org.au