ALRTA NEWS – 28 September 2018

MAKING IT REAL: EFFLUENT DISPOSAL SITES

Representatives from LRTAQ and ALRTA (Ian & Fiona Wild, Graeme Hoare, Mark Collins and Mathew Munro) met with Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Brisbane last week to discuss our partnership for the construction of Australia’s first roadside effluent disposal facility.

Now that ALRTA has been awarded $400,000 for this project under the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative we have a lot more to talk about!


Photo: Stock Effluent Disposal sign in New Zealand

The main focus of all participants was to identify potential sites along the Warrego Highway that are convenient for heavy vehicles, enable efficient use of existing infrastructure and avoid potential problems such as close proximity to houses or waterways.  While we have identified a preferred location, we are also exploring several secondary sites to keep our options open.

ALRTA has since supplied a package of technical information to TMR so that potential site designs can be overlayed on network and land use maps.  We will marry this information with data from the CSIRO Transit Model before making a final decision.

Once again, ALRTA thanks Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack MP, for supporting this important pilot project with a significant funding allocation.

SUPPLY CHAIN TALKS ANIMAL WELFARE AND EFFICIENCY

While we were in Brisbane, our LRTAQ and ALRTA representatives also met with 22 supply chain participants as part of an historic roundtable on animal welfare and efficiency.


Photo: Supply Chain meeting participants

Given that the debacle with live exports in the west is occurring against the background of a worsening drought on the east coast, it is abundantly clear that animal welfare is by far the top priority across entire supply chain.

The meeting was an excellent opportunity for the road transport sector to contribute to proposed improvements in fit to load arrangements while also making our own presentations on ramp standards and effluent control.  The level of understanding and cooperation was very high and participants have identified several other issues to discuss at a future meeting with even more stakeholders to be invited.

FORUM TO TACKLE FATIGUE AND DROWSINESS

ALRTA representatives have been invited to join 30 industry experts at a two-day NHVR forum to develop an industry-focussed strategy to address fatigue and drowsiness.

The forum will be held in Sydney 2-3 October 2018 and will explore concerns, proposals, company-level systems and technology.  Outcomes of the forum will inform the review of the HVNL.  Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack MP, will be in attendance to listen to the issues first hand.

In preparation for the event, ALRTA has held our own mini-fatigue forum via teleconference and 1 on 1 discussions have been held with large and small operators across difference parts of rural and regional Australia.

Look out for an update in the next ALRTA Newsletter.

REVIEW OF FIT TO LOAD GUIDE 

Meat and Livestock Australia is undertaking a review of the Fit to Load Guide.

In response to submissions received (including from ALRTA), there have been revisions to wording and photos as well as outdated links to codes and laws. ALRTA understands that there also other specific changes relating to:

  • New references to effluent and curfews;
  • Severity of animal conditions (a greater range is now shown);
  • Bobby calves;
  • Firearms;
  • Inclusion of a Q&A decision support tree; and
  • Inclusion of general duties of care.

We expect to receive a revised copy for comment in the next week.  An updated final guide will be available in the 3rd week of November.

NHVR BOARD APPOINTMENTS 

Former NSW Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, will Chair the NHVR Board for a three-year term from next month.  Gay will take over retiring Bruce Baird, also a former NSW Roads Minister.

At the same time former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Ken Lay AO APM, will replace current NHVR Board Member Vincent Tremaine.

Peter Garske will remain as Deputy Chair along with board members Coral Taylor and Robin Stewart-Crompton.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has said that further changes will be staggered over 2018-2021.

NHVAS FEES TO INCREASE

The NHVR has advised that NHVAS fees with increase from 15 October 2018.

In summary:

  • BFM: from $84 to $88
  • AFM: from $127 to $134
  • Mass / Maintenance: from $27 to $32 per vehicle

NHVR is considering increasing fees in line with inflation from 1 July annually.

ALRTA EXECUTIVE FROM 1 OCTOBER 2018 

As per the ALRTA Constitution, the ALRTA Executive elected at the AGM on 16 August 2018 will take office for a one-year term from 1 October.
Your National Executive for 2018-19 is:

  • National President: Stephen Marley (LRTAWA)
  • Vice President: Scott McDonald (LBRCA)
  • Vice President: John Beer (LRTAV)
  • Treasurer: Fiona Wild (LRTAQ)
  • Secretary: Grant Robins (LRTAWA)
  • ATA Representative: David Smith (LRTASA)
  • Immediate Past President: Kevin Keenan (LRTAV)

ALRTA acknowledges the excellent service of outgoing President Kevin Keenan over the past three years and congratulates incoming President Stephen Marley.  Stephen has been an excellent contributor on the ALRTA Council over many years and is a former LRTAWA President and TruckSafe Chair.

ALRTA also thanks outgoing Treasurer Ron Pattel for his enormous contribution in overseeing our association’s structural and financial reform process over the past six years.

COR CHANGES TO COMMENCE 1 OCTOBER 2018 

Chain of responsibility changes will come into force in HVNL states from 1 October 2018.

The changes will align the laws more closely with workplace health and safety laws.  All chain parties will have a general positive duty to identify risks and put reasonable controls in place.

The provisions that currently ‘deem’ all chain parties to be automatically guilty of offences committed by drivers will also be replaced with a fairer assumption of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.  Members should however be aware that authorised officers will have enhanced investigation powers to gather evidence prior to charges being laid.

There are several ways that you can prepare for the changes.

The main thing to remember is that you should consider and document the safety risks in your business and implement controls to reduce these risks.  Once the new laws are in effect, it will no longer be acceptable to just take no action and hope you don’t have an accident – you can be held liable for not addressing your safety responsibilities even if an accident has not occurred!

BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND – NOW OPEN

Applications are now open for Round Three of the $641.6m Building Better Regions Fund.

During Round Three, $200m has been allocated with $45m earmarked for tourism initiatives.

There are two streams of funding available:

  • Infrastructure Projects: construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas.
  • Community Investments: community activities, new or expanded local events, strategic regional plans, and leadership and capability strengthening activities

During Round Two, $208m was offered to 136 new regional projects around Australia.  Some of the successful project applications were:

Upgrade and Redevelopment of the Inverell Livestock Exchange
The project will upgrade and redevelop the Inverell Livestock exchange to include a new amenities building for transport drivers, new undercover selling pens with soft flooring, upgraded weighing and animal handling facilities, new feed yards with feed bunks to improve animal welfare outcomes, expanded truck parking and decoupling area to improve heavy vehicle safety and driver fatigue and new truck wash down facilities.

Livestock Market Kiosk Upgrade
The project will refurbish the Singleton Regional Livestock Market’s Office/Kiosk building to improve the aesthetics of the building and make it more user friendly.

Roma Saleyard Multi-Purpose Facility
This project will build a multi-purpose facility including construction and fit-out of an interactive centre to showcase the livestock industry in the region of Roma.

Macedon Ranges Livestock Exchange and Truck Park – Stage 1
The project will upgrade the Macedon Ranges Livestock Exchange and Truck Park.

Applications Close on 15 November 2018.

Click here for more information.

ALRTA ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE

The ALRTA National Animal Welfare Committee met via teleconference this week.  Issues discussed included: ramp standards, effluent, codes of practice, live exports, under-pay infrastructure, NVDs and various issues at particular livestock depots.

ALRTA PLANNING DAY

ALRTA President Kevin Keenan and ALRTA President-elect Stephen Marley travelled to Canberra this week to transition leadership, meet with secretariat staff and plan activities leading into the next ALRTA Council Meeting in Canberra on 26 October 2018.

MEETING NOTICE: ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL

Members are advised that the ALRTA National Council will meet in Canberra on Friday, 26 October 2018.   For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat.

ALRTA IS RECRUITING

The ALRTA is currently looking for a part-time Project Officer to join our team in Canberra.

The primary function of the role is to progress grant-funded projects relating to:

  • A user-pay unloading frame;
  • Development of an industry code of practice; and
  • Construction of a roadside effluent disposal facility.

The position will suit a highly organised individual with previous project management experience.

We are particularly looking for someone with knowledge of the road transport sector, agricultural supply chain, infrastructure construction/operation or government regulatory processes.

If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, please click here for more information.

Applications close at 5pm, Friday, 19 October 2018.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference
When: 15-17 October 2018
Where: DOCKLANDS MELBOURNE
More information

ALRTA Council Meeting
When: 26 October 2018
Where: CANBERRA ACT

NO ALRTA NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK

There will be no ALRTA Newsletter next week due to planned staff leave arrangements.

The ALRTA Newsletter will recommence on Friday 12 October 2018.