ALRTA Newsletter – 1 February 2019

 

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RENEWAL OF CRITICAL NOTICES

You may have observed that one of the HVNL national or state notices that you are operating under is due to expire on 9 February 2019.   You are not alone – in fact there are around 30 notices due to expire on that same day.

The reason for the common expiry date can be traced back to the commencement of the HVNL and NHVR on 10 February 2014.  To ensure a smooth transition, many existing state notices were re-made to coincide with the commencement of the new law and thereafter remain valid for three years.

Some of the notices affected include:

Many other special purpose vehicles are also affected.

Last week we reported that an improved B-double notice has been agreed by all HVNL jurisdictions.  Apparently, a new national agricultural vehicle notice has also been agreed and a national road train notice is not far off (these two do not expire next week).

ALRTA understands that all other expiring notices will be re-made without significant changes before 10 February 2019.  There may however be some consolidation.

ALRTA recommends that you check the expiry date of any HVNL notices that you may be using.  If needed, you can acquire the replacement notice here.

If you experience any problems with a new notice, please contact your state association or the ALRTA Secretariat.

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

ALRTA congratulates LBRCA Life Member and LRTAV member Nancy (Phyllis) Jones on being awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) medal for “service to the road transport industry”.

Phyllis has been co-owner of NJ & NP Jones and Company Pty Ltd for the past 50 years.  She has already been inducted into the National Road Transport Hall of Fame and in 2001 was named the Australian Trucking Industry Woman of the Year (ATA).

What an outstanding achievement and a well-deserved honour!

HEART OF AUSTRALIA TO EXPAND SERVICES

ALRTA is pleased that the Federal Government has committed $12m (over three years) to support the Heart of Australia mobile medical clinic.  The clinic provides specialist services not normally available in remote areas such as cardiology, endocrinology, sleep medicine, psychiatry, geriatric medicine, immunology, general medicine, neurology, gastroenterology and gynaecology.

Founder of the service, Dr Rolf Gomes, delivered a keynote address at the LRTAQ-ALRTA National Conference in Toowoomba in 2017 – at the time calling for Federal funding support.

The service will now put on a third truck and expand services to 18,000 patients in 25 communities across Queensland.

To learn more about the Heart of Australia and the sponsors who support the service (including Kenworth, Brown & Hurley and Frasers Livestock Transport) click here.

DRIVER FINED AFTER TICK-FEVER OUTBREAK

A Victorian operator was fined recently for failing to provide evidence of completing mandatory cattle tick requirements prior to bringing a bull from a tick zone to a NSW mid-north coast property.

The fine was issued after an investigation into a tick-fever outbreak on three properties that led to the death of more than 60 cattle.

CORONIAL INQUIRY HIGHLIGHTS CLEANING REQUIREMENT 

Recently released outcomes from a coronial inquiry in relation to a heavy vehicle incident in 2014 have highlighted the need to clean heavy vehicles prior to inspections.

NHVR’s Director Safety Standards Greg Fill said the NHVR has prepared a Safety Bulletin in response to the inquiry outcomes. “The driver of a prime mover semi-trailer combination was killed after the vehicle’s front suspension failed,” Greg said.

“The coronial inquiry highlighted that contaminants were identified in the region of the failed suspension components.

“Inspections include the routine checking as part of a vehicle maintenance program as well as inspections by authorised officers at an annual regulatory inspection.

“It is essential that any contaminates are removed or cleaned off prior to a vehicle inspection to ensure that a thorough check of vital safety components can be conducted,” he added.

The bulletin suggests actions required for heavy vehicle operators, maintenance personnel and vehicle inspectors.

NHVR’s Safety Policy also provides transparency in its approach to improving safety oversight of the heavy vehicle industry.

More information, as well as other Safety Alerts and Bulletins can be found on the NHVR website at www.nhvr.gov.au/safetyaccreditation-compliance/safety-alertsand-bulletins

NHVR REGO CHECKER APP

Did you know that you can check the registration status of any heavy vehicle in Australia (except NT) via a handy NHVR app?  Download it here.

NTI ANNOUNCES TRUCK RESTORATION PROJECT

NTI has announced the details of the next truck restoration project to raise funds for motor neurone disease research. Read more about it here.

BP DARWIN TRUCKSTOP NOW OPEN

ALRTA is pleased to advise that the new BP Darwin Truckstop is now open 24/7.

You can find it at 13 Distribution Driver, Wishart, NT.

The facility has a 5.6m canopy height, B-double access, lounge, laundry, showers and great food available.

For more information click here.

NATIONAL TRUCKING AWARDS

The ATA has opened nominations for the 2019 National Trucking Industry Awards.

Acknowledging individuals and organisations, the prestigious awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond to improve their workplace and contribute to the trucking industry.

“Trucking plays an important role in the lives of all Australians and our economy, so it’s important we recognise those who go the extra mile and inspire others,” ATA Chair Geoff Crouch said today.

Nominations are now open in the following categories:

  • Outstanding Contribution to the Trucking Industry
  • National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year
  • National Professional Driver of the Year
  • National Training Excellence Award

The award winners will be announced at the ATA’s Trucking Australia 2019conference, held 3-5 April in Perth during the Foundation Sponsors Gala Awards Dinner. The Don Watson Memorial Award and TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award will also be presented on the evening.

“By acknowledging our industry’s high achievers, we are recognising an investment in quality, a commitment to serve, and the business awareness required to operate in this environment,” Mr Crouch said.

“I invite all in the industry to nominate someone great and join us in Perth as we celebrate industry excellence,” he said.

The ATA thanks Foundation Sponsors BP, NTI and Volvo trucks, and award sponsors Cummins South Pacific, Sutton Road Training Centre TISC and AEI Transport Insurance Brokers.

Nominations close 8 March 2019 

View award criteria and nominate someone great

Register for Trucking Australia 2019