HEAVY VEHICLE CHARGING
Industry representatives from ALRTA, ATA and NatRoad met with the NTC in Canberra this week to discuss heavy vehicle charging options for 2017-18 and 2018-19.
In May 2017, Ministers considered a range of options and asked NTC to undertake further work on options to either freeze the total amount of revenue raised or freeze vehicle and fuel charges at the current rate.
Freezing the total amount of revenue means that vehicle and fuel charges would fall slightly as the number of vehicles and volume of fuel increases (i.e. a fixed total charge is divided across a broader base).
Freezing charges at the current level means there would be no change in vehicle and fuel charges.
Industry will make representations to Ministers on a preferred option in the lead up to the next Ministerial meeting in November 2017. There are no prizes for guessing which is the preferred option.
ALRTA EXECUTIVE
The ALRTA Executive met via teleconference this week to consider the NHVR’s proposals on:
The ATA Senior Adviser, Engineering, Chris Loose, also participated in the meeting to provide technical advice on the B-double and Road train notices. ALRTA and ATA are now preparing a joint submission on the notices.
ATA SAFETY COMMITTEE
The ATA Safety Committee met via teleconference this week to discuss the NHVR proposal on the Personal Use of a Fatigue Related Heavy Vehicle. ALRTA participants John Beer and Mathew Munro advised the committee about the positions adopted by the ALRTA Executive. ALRTA is preparing a submission to NHVR on behalf of member associations. ATA has resolved to tender a supporting submission.
AUTOMATED VEHICLES
The NTC is asking road transport agencies, police, and industry to provide input on how Australian governments should amend driver laws to facilitate the introduction of automated vehicles.
The NTC has released a discussion paper Changing driving laws to support automated vehicles which seeks to clarify how current driver and driving laws apply to automated vehicles and who would be legally responsible for their operation.
Submissions for this discussion paper are open until 4pm, Friday, 24 November 2017 via the NTC website. For more information on the NTC’s suite of projects relating to automated vehicles, see the Automated vehicles in Australia page.
CRAIG ROSENDER AWARD FINALISTS
ALRTA congratulates Mark Collins of Frasers Livestock Transport (LRTAQ) on being announced as a finalist for the 2017 Craig Rosender Award which recognises technical and maintenance excellence.
Nominations for the award must come from industry peers or employers. The award is open to any individual who works full-time in the Australian trucking industry for a trucking company, supplier or commercial workshop as a workshop manager, mechanic, or provides support within the maintenance field for heavy vehicles.
This year’s winner will receive a fully paid trip to Atlanta to attend the US Technology and Maintenance Council’s 2018 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition including $1,500 spending money. Complimentary registration to the 2018 ATA/ARTSA Technical and Maintenance Conference is also included.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 17 October at the Castrol Vecton Awards Dinner, part of the ATA/ARTSA Technical and Maintenance Conference from 16 to 18 October.
To register or purchase a ticket to the dinner, visit events.truck.net.au
Q FEVER – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Q Fever is an illness caused by bacteria called Coxiella burnetii. Symptoms vary for people who become infected. Most will feel like they have a bad flu for 7-10 days, but some others won’t even notice. In some people, Post Q Fever Fatigue Syndrome can develop which affects quality of life for months or even years.
The main carriers of the disease are farm animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. In rural areas, kangaroos can also be carriers. A wide range of other animals can be infected including camels, llamas, alpacas, rodents, cats, dogs, birds, wallabies and other marsupials. The bacteria can survive harsh conditions and remain in the environment for long periods of time, so hay, dust and other small particles may also carry the bacteria.
People who work with animals or materials that may carry the Q Fever bacteria should use appropriate protective equipment and be aware of measures required to stop the spread of the bacteria.
If you have not had Q Fever in the past, the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated.
Q fever is a key issue for our industry and government has recently been approached for a commitment to:
- free Q fever clinics;
- better training for health practitioners; and
- increased community awareness, including seeking for Q-VAX to be placed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The Department of Agriculture is currently providing funding of up to $514,500 to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation to carry out its ‘Taking the Q (query) out of Q fever: developing a better understanding of the drivers of Q fever spread in farmed ruminants project’.
There is an Australian Q Fever Register www.qfever.org which stores information on the Q Fever immune status of individuals. You will also find general information on Q Fever and information on the Register. The register is owned and funded by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation.
ALE ALAN (BUDDO) GRANT
It is with great sadness that LRTAQ advises the passing of Alan (Buddo) Grant of Grant’s Livestock Transport. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers are with his family at this terrible time.
For those wishing to attend, the funeral arrangements are as follows:
Saturday 7 October
10:00am
Winton Shire Hall
For internment at the Winton Lawn Cemetery
REMINDER: ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL
Members are advised that the ALRTA will be holding a Council meeting on Friday, 3 November 2017. Details are:
Start: 8:30pm
Close: 3:00pm
Location: ATA Conference Room, Minter Ellison Building, Canberra.
For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat.