ALRTA News – 6 March 2020

PROUD NATIONAL SPONSORS OF ALRTA

Visit the ALRTA National Sponsors at the LBRCA Conference 6-7 March 2020

DRAFT NATIONAL RAMP STANDARD

ALRTA is pleased to inform members that a draft National Ramp Standard is now available for public comment until 27 April 2020.

The Draft Standard has been developed by Standards Australia in consultation with the livestock supply chain.  The Draft Standard is largely based on the ALRTA’s National Guidelines for Ramps and Forcing Yards published in 2015.

The ALRTA National Animal Welfare Committee will discuss the draft on 25 March 2020.  Members are invited to consider the draft and provide comments to ALRTA or Standards Australia.

You will need to create an account on the Standards Australia website to view the Draft Standard. To commence the process click here.

CORRECTLY COMPLETE NVDS / WAYBILLS

The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program upholds Australia’s reputation as a world leader in meat and livestock food safety. The program is underpinned by the LPA National Vendor Declaration (NVD)/waybills. 
 
Both ALRTA and the Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA) remind all members to ensure completeness and correctness of the LPA NVD/waybill where you are responsible for entering the information.
 
More information can be found here.

GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS MORE RELIEF

What a year: Drought, fire, flood and now pestilence! The Australian economy was already teetering on the edge of recession and a supply-chain disrupting corona virus was the last thing we needed.
 
Taking a positive view however, the Reserve Bank of Australia has this week lowered the official cash rate by 25 basis points which has been passed on in full by all major Australian banks. The Federal Government has flagged a multi-billion dollar stimulus package focusing on infrastructure, improving cash flow and protecting small businesses – most likely including some form of investment allowance.
 
Look out for more news on this front soon.

SURVEY ON SAFETY MANAGEMENT

The NHVR has released a survey into how the heavy vehicle industry and supply chain is tackling their safety responsibilities.
 
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto told last week’s Victorian Trucking Association conference that the online safety survey would allow the NHVR to continue to develop programs to support operators to meet their safety duties.
 
“We are continually pursuing programs to improve heavy vehicle safety,” Mr Petroccitto said.
 
“The past 18 months has seen significant changes with the introduction of safety duties provisions in the Heavy Vehicle National Law, and we want to understand how these changes have impacted everyday safety practices.
 
“We want to hear from everyone across the heavy vehicle supply chain — including directors, operators, drivers, loaders, consignors and beyond — about what steps they are taking to manage heavy vehicle safety.
 
“What we learn from the survey will help us decide how best to direct our efforts to further boost safety.”
 
The NHVR released a range of templates and information through Safety Management Systems in 2018 and endorsed the Registered Industry Code of Practice last year. This follows changes to Chain of Responsibility laws in October 2018.
 
The survey is voluntary and responses are confidential. It will be conducted by independent research company Insync and take about 10 minutes to complete.
 
Operators can complete the survey until 31 March. Start survey here

THINKING ABOUT AFM?

The NHVR has recently released a new booklet Advance Fatigue Management – Preparation to apply, which is the third in the AFM series to assist operators.
 
NHVR Fatigue Specialist Andreas Blahous said the booklet was designed to breakdown the components of an AFM application. 
 
“It provides plain English descriptions of the elements the NHVR reviews when it receives an application,” Andreas said.
 
Click here to read the booklet.

ALRTA ATTENDS LBRCA CONFERENCE

The ALRTA National President and Executive Director are attending the LBRCA Annual Conference in Tamworth this weekend. Look out for a wrap up next week.

2019 KENWORTH AND DAF DEALER OF THE YEAR

Twin City Truck Centre Kenworth DAF Wodonga  has been named 2019 Kenworth Dealer of the Year

From a field of more than 25 dealers across Australasia, Twin City Truck Centre Wodonga has been named Kenworth Dealer of the Year.

The prestigious Kenworth Dealer of the Year accolade is hotly contested among dealers, and is awarded to the dealership with the highest ranking across all areas of their Kenworth business. 

Brown and Hurley in Coffs Harbour has been named the 2019 DAF Dealer of the Year, with the award presented at PACCAR’s annual dealer event, held in Queensland.

Based on the dealer’s performance across all areas of their DAF business, the DAF Dealer of the Year award acknowledges excellence in truck sales, parts sales, service, finance and overall customer support. The dealership was also named the 2019 Customer Excellence Champion for the third consecutive time. 

To read the full media releases go to PACCAR Australia website.

TRUCKING AUSTRALIA 2020 1-3 APRIL 2020

Trucking Australia 2020 is where industry meets, and is only four weeks away! 

Bringing together industry leaders, operators, suppliers and supporters, Trucking Australia will connect the trucking industry, start positive discussion and provide real solutions to the issues we face. 

The ATA is pleased to welcome NHVR Chair Duncan Gay and CEO Sal Petroccitto to the Trucking Australia 2020 program, with Mr Gay presenting a keynote on Building a modern regulator, and Mr Petroccitto taking part in the hard-hitting Trucking Q&A with Tony Jones.

Delegates will also gain an insight into Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, an exciting industry development in the mental health and wellbeing space. Delegates will also have an opportunity to work collaboratively to contribute to an industry-specific mental health and wellbeing strategy and the services that will be offered.

Plus, the ATA will reveal the story behind SafeT360, exploring the industry’s new face of road safety education and the journey that led us there. This session will share insights from our focus group research, as well as feedback from the SafeT360 target audience.​

If you haven’t registered click here.  To view the program here.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CURRENT AND ASPIRING FEMALE LEADERS

Scholarships of $2,000 to $5,000 are currently available to women working in the transport and logistics sector to help support their participation in a range of career building leadership development programs.

The initiative is providing junior through to executive women managers with scholarships to support their growth and development via participation in one of three flagship development programs. Participants will benefit from course content such as Elements of a Successful Team, Team Dynamics, Purpose Priorities and Professional Development, Empowering Teams, and Evolving Strategic Change.    

Expressions of Interest: Find out more and register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form here prior to Friday 15 May 2020: https://www.wla.edu.au/farmingagriculture.html

ALRTA OFFICE PHONE

The ALRTA National Office landline in Canberra is now working with a diversion to the mobile phone. This will be in place until the NBN is installed. This has been a slow process and ALRTA apologies if we have missed any calls due to the transition.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2020

Registrations for the LRTAQ (QLD) Conference on 19-21 March 2020 in Roma QLD are still open. Click here to Register.
LTAT (TAS) on 2 May 2020 at RACV/RACT Apartment Hotel Hobart TAS.
LRTASA (SA)on 12-13 June 2020 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA.
LRTAWA/ALRTA (WA & National) on 24-25 July 2020. Perth WA
LRTAV (VIC) on 14-15 August 2020 at All Seasons Resort Bendigo VIC.