SETTING A COURSE FOR 2018
Welcome back to the first ALRTA newsletter of 2018. We do hope that you have taken some time to catch up with your loved ones over the Christmas and New Year period and are feeling refreshed and energetic.
2018 promises to be another big year in rural road transport. The ALRTA is looking forward to building on our achievements in 2017 and tackling the next wave of regulatory reform that we know is heading our way.
Here is a summary of how your national association travelled in 2017:
Effluent Management
- Sent a delegation to NZ to examine effluent management policies and infrastructure.
- Worked with NTC to develop options for improving chain of responsibility.
- Developed a new livestock section in the Load Restraint Guide.
- Secured a grant to develop an industry code of practice for effluent management.
- Lodged a grant application to establish Australia’s first roadside effluent facility.
Fatigue
- Achieved more flexible driving hours via the National Livestock Welfare Work and Rest Exemption Notice 2017 (No.1).
- Worked with NHVR to develop a formal proposal to allow limited Personal Private Use of a Heavy Vehicle, including lodging a formal submission in response.
- Participated on a major fatigue research steering group.
Safer Infrastructure
- Secured a grant to establish a user-pay pivot access landing frame demonstration project.
- Applied to develop a National Standard for Livestock Ramps and Forcing Yards.
Safer Vehicles
- Published a Guide to Braking and Stability Performance for Heavy Vehicle Combinations.
- Adopted a clear policy position supporting mandatory ESC on trucks and trailers.
- Wrote to Safe Work Australia seeking a National Crate Standard.
Mandatory Minimum Rates and Taxation
- Assisted LBRCA to ensure that rural carriers remained exempt from mandatory minimum rates under proposed changes to the NSW General Carriers Contract Determination.
- Assisted LRTAV to respond to proposed changes to the Victorian Owner Drivers and Forestry Contractors Act.
- Worked with ATA to overturn reductions in the amount of travel expenses that can be reasonably claimed without receipts.
Fairer Charging
- Lobbied Ministers ahead of 2018-19 and 2019-20 charging decisions.
- Issued media statements in response to disappointing decision.
- Lodged a formal submission seeking independent price regulation.
Productivity and Regulation
- Achieved more flexible options for road train and long vehicle signs via the Heavy Vehicle Standards (Warning Signs) Exemption Notice 2017 (No.1).
- Lodged submissions on proposed national notices for HML, B-doubles and road trains.
- Facilitated a meeting between ALRTA, NHVR, NSW RMS, QLD TMR and QLD Police to discuss sensible alternatives to IAP.
- Participated in an interview with NTC on regulatory telematics.
- Responded to the Australian Government Inquiry on National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities seeking greater investment in regional agricultural and tourism roads.
- Nominated John Beer to the Steering Committee to review the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.
- Worked with the Australian Government and NHVR to establish a National Registration Database.
Better Accreditation Systems
- Worked with ATA to review the TruckSafe Animal Welfare Module.
General Advocacy
- Observed two meetings of the Transport and Infrastructure Ministerial Council.
- Participated in Ministerial Roundtables on Road Safety and Charging.
- Met with the Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister on two occasions and liaised with Advisors regularly.
- Met with more than 15 other Federal Ministers and parliamentarians.
- Four meetings of the ATA Council.
- Two meetings of the NHVR Livestock and Rural Industry Operators Group.
- Four meetings of the NHVR Industry Reference Forum.
- Two meetings of the NTC Industry Advisory Group.
- Met with ATA, NatRoad, NFF and more than 40 other associations, local governments or supply chain stakeholders on specific issues.
- Issued formal media statements and participated in interviews.
- Published 48 weekly newsletters.
Events
- Held a joint National-State Conference with LRTAQ.
- Contributed to conferences for all other member state associations.
- Attended ATA conference.
- Attended Federal Nationals Conference.
- Held four ALRTA National Council meetings, plus many teleconference of our committees (Executive, Member Chapter, Animal Welfare, Marketing and Secretariats).
Recognising High Achievers
We congratulate our national award winners in 2017:
- Liz Schmidt (LRTAQ) – ALRTA Life Membership.
- Dean Clarke (LBRCA) – NHVR-ALRTA Safety Innovation Award.
- Mark Collins (LRTAQ) – Craig Roseneder Award for Technical and Maintenance Excellence.
- Marla Stone (LRTAV) and Athol Carter (LRTAQ) – Cummins Scholarships.
- Smith Haulage (LRTASA) – Woolworths Carrier of the Year (small Transport Partner).
Strengthening Your Association
- Secured new partnerships with Byrne Trailers and Lowes Petroleum.
- Expanded membership of our National Member Chapter to include five of the largest rural carriers in Australia (Frasers, O’Sullivan’s, StockMaster, Trans Australian Livestock and StockTrans).
- Assisted in the election of Lynley Miners (LBRCA) and John Beer (LRTAV) to the ATA Council.
- Moved the ALRTA office into the ATA Building.
- Conducted a major review of our financial arrangements.
- Commenced work on a national member database.
The ALRTA is already off to a flying start in 2018.
Our National Executive will meet via teleconference next week to consider responses to:
- A Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement on the National Heavy Vehicle Braking Strategy Phase II – Improving the Stability and Control of Heavy Vehicles; and
- A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for EWD Policy Framework and Standard.
We are also working closely with LBRCA to prepare for the joint National-State Conference in Coffs Harbour 23-24 March 2018.
With so many irons in the fire from 2017 we know that 2018 will be another big year. Not only will be dealing with a raft of government driven reforms, we will also be progressing our own major projects on user-pay charging, chain of responsibility, codes of practice, effluent infrastructure, ramp standards and developing a national database.
Look out for more announcements and opportunities to have your say in coming editions of the ALRTA Weekly News.
HEAVY VEHICLE BRAKING
The Australian Government has released a regulatory impact statement (RIS) relating to the National Heavy Vehicle Braking Strategy Phase II – Improving the Stability and Control of Heavy Vehicles.
The RIS identified six possible options:
- Option 1: No intervention.
- Option 2: User information campaigns.
- Option 3: Fleet purchasing policies.
- Option 4: Codes of practice.
- Option 5: Mandatory standards under the Competition and Consumer Act.
- Option 6: Mandatory standards under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act.
After initial analysis of benefits, costs, savings and technical considerations, the RIS concludes that only Options 1, 2 and 6 are viable. Options 1 & 2 do not meet the government’s safety objectives and so Option 6 is identified as the preferred option.
Three variants of Option 6 are then examined:
- Option 6a: Mandatory ESC for new trucks over 4.5t GVM. ABS for trailers over 4.5t GTM, with the addition of Roll Stability Control (RSC) for trailers over 10t GTM.
- Option 6b: Mandatory ESC for new trucks over 12t GVM. ABS for trailers over 4.5t GTM, with the addition of RSC for trailers over 10t GTM.
- Option 6c: Mandatory ESC for new prime movers (i.e. not including rigids) over 4.5t GVM. ABS for trailers over 4.5t GTM, with the addition of Roll Stability Control (RSC) for trailers over 10t GTM.
The following implementation dates are proposed for trucks and trailers:
- 1 Nov 2019 for new model vehicles; and
- 1 Nov 2021 for all new vehicles.
The ALRTA National Council has previously adopted a policy supporting mandatory ESC with an exemption for converter dollies. All of the Option 6 variants include an exemption for converter dollies and therefore align with our established policy.
The variants differ significantly with regard to the application of mandatory ESC on trucks. At one end, Option 6a would apply ESC to all trucks (including rigids) while Option 6c would apply only to prime movers.
Broader coverage of mandatory ESC results in the best safety outcome, however the high costs associated with including rigid vehicles greatly reduces the expected net cost:benefit ratio.
The ALRTA is currently considering the proposal and is consulting with all member state associations. We would welcome your feedback on the proposals, either directly to the ALRTA or via your state association.
Consultation closes on Friday, 2 February 2018.
ELECTRONIC WORK DIARIES
The NHVR has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for EWD Policy Framework and Standard.
It is important to note that at this stage, EWDs will be a voluntary alternative to a written work diary.
There are currently no approved EWDs that can replace a written work diary. The NHVR notice of proposed rulemaking will establish the rules and standards under which technology providers can apply to NHVR for approval.
The notice explores three possible options:
- Option 1: Retain the current embargo on approvals.
- Option 2: Centralised EWD System Manager Model (i.e. like IAP).
- Option 3: Adopt the EWD Policy Framework and Standards.
As the saying goes ‘The devil is in the detail’ and it is fair to say that both the proposed policy framework and standards are complex documents. They system will also need to be supported by additional policies, not the least of which is the compliance and enforcement policy which has yet to be released.
One the primary considerations will be whether or not adopting an EWD will leave a driver and operator more exposed to prosecution. After all, any system that makes it easier for the driver and record keeper to see potential non-compliances will also make it easier for enforcement officers.
The ALRTA is currently considering the NHVR proposal and is consulting with all member state associations. We would welcome your feedback on the proposals, either directly to the ALRTA or via your state association.
Consultation closes on Friday, 9 February 2018.
FATIGUE RESEARCH: VOLUNTEERS WANTED
The ALRTA is seeking volunteers to be involved in ground breaking fatigue research.
The research will use alertness and sleep monitoring devices, as well as driving impairment indicators, to measure sleeping patterns, driver drowsiness and driving performance both on the road during work shifts and off the road in a laboratory setting. Utilising the expertise of the Alertness CRC allows for the collection and analysis of data to determine if there are measurable differences in fatigue impairment and operational safety risks.
The research is being undertaken by the Co-operative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity (Alertness CRC), in partnership with the National Transport Commission (NTC). Partners in the Alertness CRC include Monash University, Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Victorian Workcover Authority, Transport Accident Commission and the CSIRO.
Click here for more information on how you can participate.
MAKE SURE IT IS FIT TO LOAD
Drivers and operators are reminded that the Land Transport Standards stipulate that:
SA4.1 Livestock must be assessed as fit for the intended journey at every loading by a person in charge. An animal is not fit for a journey if it is:
i) unable to walk on its own by bearing weight on all legs; or
ii) severely emaciated; or
iii) visibly dehydrated; or
iv) showing visible signs of severe injury or distress; or
v) suffering from conditions that are likely to cause increased pain or
distress during transport; or
vi) blind in both eyes; or
vii) known to be, or visually assessed to be near (within two weeks)
parturition, as specified in the species requirements, unless time off
water and journey is less than four hours duration to another property.
SA4.2 Any animal assessed to be not fit for the intended journey must only be transported under veterinary advice.
SA4.3 The consignor must only supply animals that are fit for the intended journey.
SA4.4 A person in charge must not load, nor permit to be loaded, animals that are not fit for the intended journey except under veterinary advice.
SA4.5 If an animal is assessed to be not fit for the intended journey before loading, a person in charge must make appropriate arrangements for the care, treatment or humane destruction of the animal at the first reasonable opportunity.
Additional information concerning whether particular species are fit for an intended journey can be found in Attachment B of the Standards.
Meat and Livestock Australia have also published a handy reference guide.
MAKE SURE IT IS FIT TO LOAD
Drivers and operators are reminded that the Land Transport Standards stipulate that:
SA4.1 Livestock must be assessed as fit for the intended journey at every loading by a person in charge. An animal is not fit for a journey if it is:
i) unable to walk on its own by bearing weight on all legs; or
ii) severely emaciated; or
iii) visibly dehydrated; or
iv) showing visible signs of severe injury or distress; or
v) suffering from conditions that are likely to cause increased pain or
distress during transport; or
vi) blind in both eyes; or
vii) known to be, or visually assessed to be near (within two weeks)
parturition, as specified in the species requirements, unless time off
water and journey is less than four hours duration to another property.
SA4.2 Any animal assessed to be not fit for the intended journey must only be transported under veterinary advice.
SA4.3 The consignor must only supply animals that are fit for the intended journey.
SA4.4 A person in charge must not load, nor permit to be loaded, animals that are not fit for the intended journey except under veterinary advice.
SA4.5 If an animal is assessed to be not fit for the intended journey before loading, a person in charge must make appropriate arrangements for the care, treatment or humane destruction of the animal at the first reasonable opportunity.
Additional information concerning whether particular species are fit for an intended journey can be found in Attachment B of the Standards.
Meat and Livestock Australia have also published a handy reference guide.
NTI RESTORATION PROJECT
We’re at it again – NTI are looking for a truck with a story worth sharing… Perhaps it has a history tied to your community or it played an important role in your town.
We’d also like you to tell us where you think the truck should live once it has been restored to its former glory. Maybe a heritage museum or regional town centre?
In order to be considered, the truck needs to be available for restoration and, at the very least, have a cab and chassis.
Our aim is for the truck to be restored, donated to the community and put on display for everyone to enjoy.
Do you know where our next restoration project is? Is it sitting in your backyard? Did you see it in a truck graveyard during your travels?
Jump onto the NTI Facebook page or Truck Assist Forum and tell us about it so we can create a shortlist; the truck for restoration will then be chosen by a public vote!
NHVR NEWS
The NHVR’s “On the Road” E-newsletter contains articles this week on:
- EWDs
- Safety Grants
- OSOM compliance
- Lucinda Drive Bridge at Port of Brisbane off limits
- NHVR Truck Driver Info Day at Goondiwindi
- Notices and Updates
Click here for more information or to subscribe.
2018 CONFERENCE DATES
The ALRTA advises the following conference dates for 2018:
- 23-24 March: Joint National-State (LBRCA-ALRTA) Conference – Coffs Harbour
- 18-20 April: ATA Trucking Australia – Canberra
- May (TBC): LTAT
- 31 May-2 June: LRTAQ – Charters Towers
- 15-16 June: LRTASA – Adelaide
- 20-21 July: LRTAWA – Bunbury
- 17-18 August: LRTAV – Bendigo
Now is the time to start planning your trip to one of these informative, productive and fun events.