WELCOME TO LOWES PETROLEUM
OUR NEWEST PLATINUM PARTNER
We are delighted to formally announce our partnership with Lowes Petroleum (Lowes). Today is Lowes 40th anniversary and we are excited to work with Lowes to achieve more great outcomes for our industry in the future. For forty years, Lowes has consistently provided quality products as well as better and more effective solutions for their customer’s ever changing needs.
Many of our members already use Lowes services and the good news is that any ALRTA member who signs up to or has an existing Lowes BP+ Card will be entitled to a significant fuel discount.
ALRTA MEMBER BENEFITS
- No Monthly Fees or No Transaction Fees
• Convenient Online Portal Access
• Australian Staffed Call Centre based in Armidale
• Itemised Transaction Report
• Access over 1400 BP Service Stations
• Discounts offered:
Diesel Key Site* 5.80 cpl
Diesel Preferred Site 3.80 cpl
ULP 2.30 cpl
To sign up for a Lowes BP+ card and receive your discount, simply follow these 3 steps:
Lowes BP+ Card sign-up process for
ALRTA Members
1. Open an account with Lowes Petroleum Service,
www.lowespetrol.com.au/open-an-account/
2. Enter Your ALRTA Member Number in the Promotion Code
(If you don’t know your member number, please contact your local secretariat)
3. Enjoy the benefits of the Lowes BP Plus Card
Already have a Lowes Account & BP Plus Card?
To opt into the ALRTA discounts contact your local Sales Person or Lowes
Card Team in Armidale will assist you. Email customerservice@lowespetrol.com.au or call on 1300 663 277. Please have your Lowes Petroleum Account Number at hand.
Click here to download a flyer with these instructions for future reference.
If you have any issues signing up, please contact customerservice@lowespetrol.com.au or call 1300 663 277.
Thank you to Lowes for their support of our industry and we encourage our members to consider Lowes products if you do not use them already. To find out more about Lowes, please visit www.lowespetrol.com.au/
PRIVATE USE OF A HEAVY VEHICLE
ALRTA tendered a submission to NHVR this week in response to the Notice of Proposed Rule Making: Private use of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles – Proposed work and rest hours exemption.
ALRTA strongly supports the proposal to count a limited amount of private use of a heavy vehicle as ‘rest’ during the working week and during the 24hr rest break so that drivers who can’t get home can access decent amenities. The NHVR consultation material acknowledges that it was ALRTA that formally requested that this issue be included as part of the NHVR’s work program for 2017.
We have made 17 recommendations as part of our submission which together aim to minimise red tape and maximise flexibility while also maintaining safety. ALRTA met face-to-face with NHVR in Brisbane this week to discuss our position in detail.
ALRTA thanks all of our member associations and grass-roots members who provided their views to us during the consultation period.
It is expected that NHVR will now publish a summary of comments received and a notice of final rule making in the next two weeks.
ROADSIDE EFFLUENT DISPOSAL
Regular readers will know that ALRTA has been progressing a broad campaign during 2017 to establish roadside effluent disposal infrastructure, starting with a demonstration site in south east Queensland.
This week, ALRTA representatives (Kevin Keenan, Linley Miners, Ross Fraser, Graeme Hoare, Fiona Wild, Mark Collins and Mathew Munro) met with important stakeholders including:
- QLD Department of Transport and Main Roads;
- Toowoomba Regional Council;
- Lockyear Valley Regional Council; and
- National Farmers Federation.
Overall, we are making excellent progress in raising awareness and establishing partnerships via which we can turn the dream into a reality. Stay tuned for more information in coming weeks.
A DOSE OF REALITY FOR IAP
While we were in Brisbane this week, our delegation participated in an important meeting with key stakeholders including NHVR, NSW RMS, QLD TMR and QLD Police to discuss problems with the design/application of IAP and to explore sensible alternatives.
As outlined in our recent submission on the draft 2017 Higher Mass Limits Declaration, we consider that IAP is a basket case of red-tape that has failed to improve access, protect vulnerable infrastructure or even be a workable enforcement tool.
After eight years of mandatory IAP, it was past time for a frank discussion. To their credit, the government representatives agreed that IAP is not delivering what was originally intended and are willing to work with industry to find an alternative solution that better manages route integrity.
NHVR will now facilitate an ongoing consultation process through which industry and government can work together to jointly develop an alternative proposal – a great first step in the right direction!
NATIONAL RAMP STANDARDS
ALRTA representatives Mick Debenham (LRTAV) and Mathew Munro (ALRTA Executive Director) met with Standards Australia in Melbourne this week to discuss the process for developing a national ramp standard. We were also accompanied by Kevin Simmonds who previously worked as a Worksafe Victoria inspector and was a major contributor during the development of our national ramp guidelines.
ALRTA will now submit a formal project proposal and commence consultation with key safety authorities and supply chain parties. We expect that a standard will take around two years to develop and agree.
NTC INDUSTRY ADVISORY GROUP
While in Melbourne, Mick and I also attended a meeting of the NTC Industry Advisory Group. Topics included the Load Restraint Guide, PBS review, automated vehicles and the NTC’s future work program. NTC will present two business cases for ministerial consideration in November relating to the regulation of new vehicle types (e.g. small delivery vehicles using footpaths) and minimising driver distractions.
One of the most interesting topics was a panel session of three new businesses that are using digital platforms to match up unused capacity of transport providers with potential customers in the trucking and aviation sectors. These new digital platforms raise important questions about regulation and chain of responsibility.
FATIGUE RESEARCH
The NTC Fatigue Project Steering Committee met this week in Melbourne. ALRTA was represented by Tom Allen, LRTAV member and Managing Director of TGR Transport. The Committee discussed project milestones, budget, expenditure, risks and how to better recruit and engage with industry participants.
NATIONAL & STATE SECRETARIATS MEET
The ALRTA chaired a teleconference of our National-State Secretariat staff from around the country this week. These meetings are a great way to discuss internal operational issues to ensure that we deliver excellent service to our members and corporate partners.
One of the most important issues discussed was the decision of the ALRTA National Council to develop a single national database. As member-based associations there can be no doubt that our most valuable asset is you! In the ‘information age’ expectations are rapidly changing around how we collect and manage information about our members. Basically, it is essential that we know more about your businesses and how they are changing so we can provide the highest possible level of service to meet your specific needs. We will keep you informed as this major project develops.
The Secretariats will next meet via teleconference in late November 2017.
ALRTA CONGRATULATES FRASERS
It has been a special week for Frasers Livestock Transport.
Last Saturday, Ross Fraser OAM was presented with the Industry Excellence Award at the 27th Queensland Trucking Association Annual Industry Awards. The award recognises a lifetime of achievement in his road transport business and industry associations including the ALRTA, LRTAQ, QTA and ATA.
To cap off a great week, Frasers Livestock Transport Fleet Manager, Mark Collins, was awarded the 2017 Craig Roseneder Award at the ATA Technical and Maintenance Conference. The award recognises the excellence and professionalism of the men and women who work behind the scenes in the trucking industry’s workshops.
ALRTA congratulates Ross and Mark who are both important contributors in our association’s technical and policy program – well done!
NTI URGES CAUTION DURING PEAK CLAIMS PERIOD
As a leading road safety advocate, NTI is encouraging professional drivers to take extra care on the roads during October and November due to a consistent increase in the frequency of claims.
“NTI’s data, including our 2017 National Truck Accident Research Report, shows that, year on year, October and November are amongst the worst months for claims frequency,” said NTI CEO Tony Clark.
“In 2016, we saw in increase of over 70% in the number of collision claims being reported in October and November.
“This not only included collisions with other vehicles, but also with roundabouts, power poles and more.
“At NTI, we know that the majority of truck drivers on our roads are highly skilled professionals who lead by example in sharing the road, however it’s important that all drivers are proactive and take extra care during the busy lead-up to the holiday season.”
To download your free copy of the 2017 National Truck Accident Research Report, click here.
FREE WEBINARS
Fuel Tax Credits
The ATO will hold an online webinar on how to get fuel tax credits right. The webinar will be held on 2 November 2017 and will cover:
- why and when rates change and how to work out which rate to use
- records that need to be kept
- tools and tips to help save time and get claims right, including the simplified ways to keep records and calculate claims.
You can register now to join the webinar. A recording will be available for those who can’t attend it live.
Legal Obligations for Agribusiness
Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers are holding an online webinar on 2 November 2017 covering legal obligations for the agribusiness sector including chain of responsibility.
To register click here.
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