ALRTA News – 30 July 2021

THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL SPONSOR
PACCAR & DEALER INDUSTRY FUND

Designed for the unique Australian environment, Kenworth trucks have been manufactured in the Melbourne suburb of Bayswater since 1971.

Kenworth trucks are made from around 60 percent Australian-owned resources and our supply chain includes over 70 Australian suppliers located across nearly 300 local sites, the majority are Australian-owned companies located in the Melbourne region.

Backed by a strong nationwide dealer network and supported by PACCAR’s global technologies and services, Kenworth delivers the right truck for you and your environment.

ALRTA SEEKS IMPROVED BORDER RULES

ALRTA and our State Member Associations are regularly participating in meetings with transport and health officials dealing with the constant changes to border rules arising from new outbreaks of COVID Delta Strain.  We are striving to keep our industry and the community as safe as possible while minimising the impacts on transport businesses and the freight supply chain.
 
Some of the important matters we are progressing on your behalf include:

  • Nationally consistent 7 day rolling testing cycles for freight workers.
  • More drive-through (or easy parking) testing locations – especially in Northern NSW.
  • Testing sites to be open for extended hours or 24/7 wherever possible (the trucking industry doesn’t stop).  Communications on opening hours must be clear and accurate.
  • Testing sites intended for use by heavy vehicle drivers must be fit for purpose.
  • Prioritisation of heavy vehicle drivers at testing sites (using HV licence as evidence).
  • Prioritisation of processing for heavy vehicle driver tests at labs.
  • Prioritisation of border permit applications for freight workers.
  • Prioritisation of vaccines for freight workers.
  • Up to date advice on expected wait times and notification of results at testing locations.
  • Availability and recognition of rapid saliva based antigen testing kits (for supplementary testing within the 7 day rolling window) with costs subsidised by government.
  • Consistency in terminology relating to hotspots and affected areas.
  • Investigation of lower-risk protocols for drivers visiting farms, feedlots and processors where interpersonal contact can be avoided.
  • Stressing that PPE requirements must be adhered to by both freight workers and inspectors.

Please be aware that essential workers who are determined to be a close contact of an infected person or premises are not exempted from isolation requirements. 
 
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Morrison acknowledged the great contribution of Australian truckies, announcing that transport ministers have been tasked with revising the national freight protocols to improve consistency in testing and border crossing rules.
 
National Cabinet will meet today. We are hopeful of positive announcements, or at least a commitment to rapid consultation to arrive at a nationally consistent approach.

COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Queensland has announced that the mandatory testing requirement for entry into Queensland will come into effect today 30 July 2021.

The NHVR maintains a web page with links to up to date information in all States and Territories including border passes, testing regimes and testing locations.

TAKE THE TIME TO TAKE A TEST

NHVR advised that all heavy vehicle drivers operating under Standard hours, BFM or AFM are reminded that taking a COVID test is a permitted personal activity under the National Personal Use Exemption Notices.

The exemption recognises that heavy vehicle drivers may need to use their fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle for personal reasons from time to time if they cannot reasonably access alternative means of transport.

These notices allow a driver up to one additional hour of time to complete permitted personal activities if the vehicle is unloaded and certain conditions are met. The exemption only applies to activities at either end of a shift, or at any time during a 24-hour break.

More info 

DAWC: SITE SAFETY SURVEY

The ALRTA National Driver and Animal Welfare Committee (DAWC) met this week to consider issues including land transport standards, promotion of the national ramp standard, construction of effluent disposal facilities, site safety surveys and crate inspections.
 
ALRTA members have expressed concern about the safety of facilities and business practices at some livestock loading or unloading sites that they visit regularly. To help ALRTA focus on the sites of most concern we are conducting a national member survey. Please tell us about the sites that you think should be a priority and the particular safety issues that need to be addressed.
 
Take the survey here.

SHINING A LIGHT ON INDUSTRY GREATS

Trucking plays a crucial role in the lives of everyone in Australia. This has been particularly evident in the last 18 months as we have all responded to COVID-19.

Trucks supply every community and are connected to every industry from construction to retail and agriculture. As the saying goes: without trucks, Australia stops. But more importantly, without hardworking individuals and businesses there are no trucks.

To recognise the outstanding businesses and individuals who inspire others and make a positive impact, each year the Australian Trucking Association proudly delivers the National Trucking Industry Awards.

Established in 1994, these awards have a long and rich history, and have celebrated some of trucking’s greats from inaugural ATA chair Peter Rocke and industry stalwart Phyllis Jones OAM, though to exceptional organisations like Brown & Hurley and Fellows Bulk Transport. And let’s not forget last year’s winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Trucking Industry, Robert Cavanagh.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 awards, celebrating the inspiring achievements of Australian trucking’s most committed individuals and organisations. Recognising the professionalism and contribution of the trucking industry, nominations are open in a range of categories that showcase outstanding ambassadors and passionate contributors. 

It’s about acknowledging the commitment of every single person around the country who has dedicated their time and skills to ensure the trucking industry has a future. Every operator, manufacturer, owner, manager, mechanic and administrator involved in transport has a role to play.

View the award categories, criteria and nominate.  

Nominations close 20 August – www.truck.net.au/NTIA

MINOR CHANGE TO NHVAS BUSINESS RULES

The NHVR has approved a minor wording change to Standard 4 of the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) allowing operators to use alternative documents to record the completion of an annual vehicle inspection.

For more information click here.

NSW FARM GATE NETWORK NOW INTERACTIVE

Transport for NSW has advised that operators travelling under the Farm Gate Access Project can now access maps as a layer on the NSW Livestock Loading Scheme interactive map.
 
Farm Gate Access is a heavy vehicle initiative introduced in a number of participating councils in NSW. The initiative has been developed jointly by Transport for NSW, local councils and industry and introduces conditional area-wide access for Higher Productivity Vehicles (HPV) transporting grain and livestock on local roads in participating council areas.  
 
Vehicles operating under the NSW Livestock Loading Scheme and Grain Harvest Management Scheme can travel on the Farm Gate Network within participating councils. This includes road trains up to 36.5 metres long in some council areas.
 
All HPVs operating on the Farm Gate Network must be fitted with a telematics device enrolled in the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) application.
 
Participating councils can introduce additional access conditions for HPVs travelling in their council area.
 
The scheme is being piloted in six local government areas:

  • Tamworth Regional Council
  • Gunnedah Shire Council
  • Junee Shire Council
  • Coolamon Shire Council
  • Narrandera Shire Council
  • Temora Shire Council. 

 For more information click here.

BIOSECURITY – MANAGING INCREASING PRESSURES

Last week Project Officer, Sue Davies attended a national biosecurity webinar, ‘Our shared approach to delivering Australia’s future biosecurity system’.
 
According to Andrew Tongue of Dept Agriculture Water and the Environment, Australia is facing increasing biosecurity pressures with multiple threats on multiple fronts.

DAWE proposes that there is a growing role for industry in managing biosecurity.

Katherine Clift Executive Director Biosecurity of Agriculture Victoria said that they have drafted templates for producers to develop biosecurity plans but only 50% of producers have them in place. Katherine was also concerned about whether the plans that exist are adequate.

DAWE proposes that there is a growing role for industry in managing biosecurity.

Katherine Clift Executive Director Biosecurity of Agriculture Victoria said that they have drafted templates for producers to develop biosecurity plans but only 50% of producers have them in place. Katherine was also concerned about whether the plans that exist are adequate.

CENSUS NIGHT 10 AUGUST 2021

If you’re on the road on 10 August you’re still required to participate in Census night. Some rest stops and roadhouses will be staffed to provide Census forms directly to drivers. Alternatively, drivers can head to the Census website to start a Census and get a Census number. This will allow drivers to complete the Census online without a letter or paper form. Get the details

ROAD ASSET ASSESSMENT WEBINAR

The NHVR is running a series of webinars on the Strategic Local Government Asset Assessment Project (SLGAAP).  The webinars are free to attend and are aimed at providing additional information on the next round of funding and plans for increased asset assessment.

For more information click here.

ENGINE REMAPPING CHARGES

The NHVR has charged two South Australian operators with offences relating to illegal engine remapping.

An investigation conducted by South Australia Police (SAPOL) Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Unit (HVEU) found a South Australian produce company had remapped the engines of four heavy vehicles to disable the vehicles’ emission limits.

STRONG RETIRES. BOYD APPOINTED

The Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia has announced the retirement of long-term CEO Peter Strong. Mr Strong has been a passionate advocate for Australian small business for the past 11 years.
 
Alexi Boyd has been appointed as the new CEO. She has been involved with small business advocacy for some time and has been in day-to-day contact with small business people through her own experiences as an experienced BAS agent, grass-roots advocate, and business owner.

FRIDAY FUNNY

The pedestrian light on the corner beeps when it’s safe to cross the street.

I was crossing with a co-worker of mine, who asked if I knew what the beeper was for.

I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.

Appalled, he responded, ‘what on earth are blind people doing driving?!’

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2021

LRTAWA Industry Day – Perth WA – 14 August 2021 – Get Tickets
LRTAV Conference – Bendigo VIC – 20-21 August 2021 – More Information
LTAT/National Combined Conference – Hobart TAS – 22-23 October 2021