ALRTA News – 23 October 2020

CUMMINS
ALRTA NATIONAL SPONSOR

LATEST ON BORDER CONTROLS

As expected, Premier Andrews has announced some easing of restrictions in Victoria in recognition of dramatically reduced COVID-19 case loads. However, while Melbournians are now permitted to travel up to 25km for certain purposes and public gathering limits have been increased to 10 persons, there have been no changes to restrictions affecting the rural supply chain including:

• Poultry processing facilities remain restricted to 90% peak workforce capacity;
• Abattoirs, meat and seafood processing plants remain restricted to 80% capacity in Melbourne and 90% in regional Victoria.
• Seasonal horticulture remains subject to pre-employment testing obligations, ‘bubbles’ to capture accommodation and onsite work, and surveillance testing.

A further easing of restrictions is expected from 11:59pm, 1 November 2020, and again after there has been no new cases for 14 days  The Victorian roadmap only allows for a return to ‘COVID Normal’ after there have been no new cases for 28days, no active cases and no outbreaks of concern in other jurisdictions.
 
Governments are currently consulting with industry on potential changes to improve the Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol .
 
NHVR has released a Safety Toolbox Talk to assist in managing your business, mental health and wellbeing.
 
Check out a map of testing sites here.
 
For the latest summary of border rules and testing sites click here.

ALRTA COUNCIL MEETING

ALRTA National Council met via Zoom on Friday this week. The main topics of discussion included: Heavy Vehicle Road Reform, the Heavy Vehicle National Law Review, investment incentives, infrastructure and farm gate access.
 
ALRTA was pleased to welcome the Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, the Hon. Scott Buchholz MP to participate in the meeting.  The Assistant Minister has been of great assistance in laying the foundation for a smooth recovery from the COVID19 recessions in the trucking sector and championing several issues important to rural carriers.


 
The next ALRTA Council meeting will be held via Zoom on 27 November 2020.

CHECKING IN ON OUR PARTNERS

ALRTA Staff (Mat Munro and Colleen Mays), met with the team from Cummins via Zoom this week including Scott Alexander, Vivian Zhao and Nofie Thaller. The Cummins team have been working from home since March, yet business is booming across many sectors including trucking, mining, logging and woodchipping. While most of the world and Australian economy is in recession, it is reassuring to know that there is still a lot of activity in our primary sectors that ultimately underpin the rest of our economy. 



Demand for rural commodities and transport services remains strong, with a good harvest on the horizon. Now is a great time to make use of the Federal Governments investment incentives – you’ll be helping your business while also helping all Australians right across the economy.
 
Investment Allowances

• From 7.30pm AEDT on 6 October 2020 until 30 June 2022, businesses with turnover up to $5 billion will be able to deduct the full cost of eligible new depreciable assets of any value in the year they are first used or installed ready for use. The cost of improvements made during this period to existing eligible depreciable assets can also be fully deducted.
• For small and medium businesses (with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million), this also applies to second-hand assets.
• Additionally, eligible businesses that acquire eligible new or second-hand assets under the enhanced $150,000 instant asset write-off by 31 December 2020 will also have an extra six months, until 30 June 2021, to first use or install those assets.

Q FEVER UPDATE

Worksafe Queensland recently published a newsletter article about the increased risk of Q Fever in Queensland as a result of drought, dust and high winds. See the article here
 
As Worksafe QLD advises, people who work with farm animals, wildlife and some domestic pets are particularly at risk. This includes cattle, sheep and goat farmers, dairy industry workers, shearers, wool classers, kangaroo shooters, livestock transporters, feedlot workers, staff and students of agricultural education programs and veterinarians and their staff.
 
ALRTA Project Officer, Sue Davies, recently participated in a Zoom meeting held to update Q Fever stakeholders on a number of government-funded programs that are underway:
 
Q fever vaccines:

• $1.8 million announced by Minister Coulton in August, pre-clinical trials of the novel vaccine are underway – human trials of the vaccine are not currently scheduled.
• $1.7 million announced by Minister Hunt in June, to test the existing vaccine on adolescents is recruiting 10-14 year olds from rural areas in the Darling Downs and northern NSW.

Update on the Agrifutures-led R&D for Profit projectTaking the ‘Q’ (query) out of Q Fever: developing a better understanding of the drivers of Q Fever spread in farmed ruminants project has been impacted by COVID, with access to properties becoming more difficult, however, they have found minimal disease in kangaroos.

Q Fever Taskforce discussed recent numbers and next steps in advocacy, including opportunities for raising awareness.

NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

The development of a future focused National Animal Health Surveillance Business Plan, beyond 2020, is being coordinated by Animal Health Australia. The consultation process involves participants from Federal and state jurisdictions, NGOs and university representatives as well as industry stakeholders.
 
An initial scoping session identified key challenges and the workshop produced a number of innovative approaches for consideration around:

1. Data – collection and usage
2. Producer perception and behaviour
3. National coordination
4. Trade and market access – using innovative technologies
5. Surveillance information and communication – using a co-creative approach to communications
6. New surveillance approaches – using a commercial incentive.

Mary Duckett from DGR Consultants is facilitating further development of the results-oriented business plan. ALRTA Project Officer, Sue Davies participated in the Project Methodology overview on Monday afternoon (19/10/10) and is booked into planning meetings scheduled in the next two weeks.

RESULTS OF SA ENFORCEMENT OPERATION

The NHVR and SAPOL conducted a four day joint operation 9-12 October 2020 targeting heavy vehicles travelling on the Augusta Highway, SA.  The operation focussed on fatigue and roadworthiness with the following results:

• 228 Defects issued
• 295 Expiations issued
• 5 Cease Work Notices
• 2 Arrests
• 15 Court Reports

CHANGING REGISTRATIONS ON A PERMIT

The NHVR allows the holder of a permit to request amendments, including registration changes, to an existing permit in limited circumstances through the NHVR Portal.  Once a permit is issued, operators can make an application to add, remove, or amend registrations.

Check out the fact sheet for easy step-by-step instructions

NOMINATE FOR TRUCK TECH AWARD

It’s time to celebrate those who work behind the scenes to keep Australia moving – nominate now for the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award.

Recognising technical and maintenance excellence in the trucking industry, nominations for the 2020 Craig Roseneder Award are now open. 

Focussing on innovation, industry involvement and mentoring, this is your chance to celebrate the dedication and exceptional skill of Australia’s workshop personnel.
 
Thanks to Castrol Vecton, the award winner will be sent on an all-expenses trip to the US to attend a US Technology and Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition. 
 
To nominate click here.

LIVECORP SURVEY

LiveCorp is looking for people working in or supporting the livestock export industry to complete a short survey.
 
Its recent report on community sentiment highlighted the complex relationship the livestock export industry has with the Australian public, and the work that needs to be done to build further acceptance. There was also more support than expected.
 
However, the research also suggests there are many aspects of live exports that a lot of Australians don’t know anything about. The industry recognises the need to tell its story better – and is keen to find out how comfortable people directly involved or supporting it are to be part of this effort.
 
The survey only takes a couple of minutes, and will help LiveCorp understand not just community sentiment but how much work is needed to empower and support those in the industry to speak up about their role in the industry.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact LiveCorp at livecorp@livecorp.com.au or 02 9929 6755.

BECOME A MEMBER OF TRUCKSAFE TODAY

Look after your team, join TruckSafe today www.trucksafe.com.au.

Watch the third video in the TruckSafe ad series.

FRIDAY FUNNY

A gynaecologist was fed up with his job and so he decided to switch careers.

He’d always enjoyed tinkering with truck engines, so he enrolled in a school for truck mechanics.

After the class ended, the students were given their final exam. The task was to strip a truck engine completely and reassemble it in perfect working order.

The gynaecologist did his best – and was amazed to find he scored 150%.

He asked the instructor, “150%? How could I score that?”

“Well,” replied the instructor, “I gave you 50% for taking the engine apart. Then I gave you 50% for reassembling it perfectly. And then I gave you a 50% bonus for doing it all through the exhaust pipe.”

ALRTA STAFF AVAILABILITY AMIDST COVID19

ALRTA staff have progressed back to the office, to enable safe distancing there will be only two members of staff present at any one time.

Email office@alrta.org.au or call Colleen on the ALRTA mobile 0490 515 681 or Mathew (ED) on 0421 082 489.

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2021

LBRCA Conference – Wagga Wagga NSW  4-6 March 2021 – The Range Function Centre
LRTAQ Conference – Roma QLD  9-11 April 2021