ALRTA News – 15 July 2022

THANK YOU TO CUMMINS

For more information visit Cummins.com

CUMMINS is proud to be an ALRTA National Partner.

PREPARING FOR THE WORST

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) would have potentially catastrophic consequences for Australian livestock industries and rural carriers.  Next week, ALRTA Executive Member (and LRTAQ member), Athol Carter, and ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, will participate in planning exercises in Canberra to ensure that Australia and our States are prepared in advance of an incursion.  The planning exercises will cover FMD and lumpy skin disease – both of which have been detected on Australia’s northern doorstep. 

A small outbreak of FMD (two states) could cost $6b and a national outbreak may cost up to $80b. While it has been more than 100 years since the last FMD outbreak in Australia, a lot has changed in that time with our livestock industries becoming more intense with tighter supply chain linkages.

The highly infectious disease can spread via inhalation, ingestion or breeding. It survives on surfaces (including carcasses, hides, skin, wool, clothing, boots, equipment and vehicles) and in water (including milk, semen and effluent) and can persist in the environment for up to 345 days. 

Processed meat, milk and hides present no public health risk. However, international markets will close to Australian livestock products until an outbreak is eradicated or local freedom from disease can be reliably established. 

An incursion response is likely to include:

•    Rapid assessment and confirmation of cases;
•    Industry engagement;
•    A national livestock standstill;
•    Tracing and surveillance; 
•    Declarations of affected and control areas;
•    A movement permit system;
•    Destruction of affected livestock;
•    Decontamination or disposal of affected items;
•    Recall of affected products;
•    Vaccines;
•    Relief and recovery programs; and
•    A public information campaign.

As with all such complex emergency responses, the devil will be in the detail (COVID is a perfect and timely example). While managing an emergency situation, we will still need to be mindful of personnel welfare, animal welfare, business viability, workable movement conditions, consultation and equitable cost sharing.

The planning exercises will aim to revise detailed agreements on these and other matters as an official AUSVETPLAN.

ALRTA is also making representations to Federal Minister for Agriculture, Murray Watt, concerning the lack of engagement with the road transport sector in a recent high-level Ministerial roundtable. Given that transport and movement controls are of critical importance to containment and eradication, rural transport simply must be at the table.

ALRTA FAREWELLS JACK EVANS

ALRTA has farewelled Mr Jack Evans who departed the ALRTA Secretariat after more than 30 years of service. Jack has worked with ALRTA in multiple capacities over the years, most recently as Finance Manager. 

At a special lunch event this week, ALRTA staff celebrated Jack’s achievements, read out personal messages from past and present colleagues and presented Jack with a gift package as a token of our collective appreciation.


ALRTA Staff Toast Jack Evans (Right). 

Jack has been a highly valued team member and industry contributor. ALRTA, our six state member associations, our grass roots members, and staff, recognise Jack’s dedication over three decades and wish him all the very best in his retirement. 

FIRST HYDROGEN REFUELLER

BOC are to build a hydrogen refueller at the bp Truckstop in Lytton QLD, the bp service station is to be first in Australia with a hydrogen refuelling station.

Leading gas and engineering company BOC, a Linde company, and bp Australia today announced a new agreement to build a hydrogen refuelling station at the bp Truckstop in Lytton, Queensland.

It will be the first service station in Australia with hydrogen refuelling capability. The Queensland Government’s current fleet of five hydrogen-powered Hyundai NEXOs will be the first to use the new refueller to be opened later in the year.



BOC will supply and install the state-of-the-art Linde hydrogen refuelling station. It will dispense green hydrogen produced by BOC at its Bulwer Island production site, just 10 minutes from the bp Truckstop in Lytton. The green hydrogen will be produced by a 220 kW electrolyser powered by solar energy generated onsite.

MEDIA RELEASE

TRUCK DRIVING IS A SKILLED PROFESSION

Did you know that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) currently says a truck driver has the same level of skill as a barista?

The ABS is responsible for the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). You can see the full list of current ANZSCO categories here

You’ll see truck drivers are classified as a ‘level 4 skill level’ which is the same as a barista.

We love our coffee but this is ridiculous!

Fortunately, the ABS is now consulting about classification of occupations and this is your chance to have your say.

If you believe the ABS needs to acknowledge the true skill it requires to drive a truck, make a submission to the ANZSCO consultation. Just go to the ABS Consultation Hub .

OPERATOR ACCEPTS $54K UNDERTAKING

The NHVR has accepted an enforceable undertaking (EU) from equipment rental hire company Pacific Hire Wangaratta, in response to a severe mass breach.

NHVR Director of Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said Pacific Hire Wangaratta would make significant changes to their operations to prevent a recurrence.

“Pacific Hire Wangaratta has committed more than $54,000 towards education initiatives to rectify its safety breaches – a considerable investment that could not have been achieved through a court fine,” Ms Hughes said.

“It demonstrates the company’s commitment to educate, train and raise awareness in complying with the Heavy Vehicle National law.”

Under the EU, the company must deliver a load restraint driver training handbook, which will be made available to industry as a downloadable resource.

Staff will receive training on load restraint requirements and the safe stowing of high-risk equipment, which includes Elevated Work Platform, forklift, and yellow card requirements.

Biannual safety management system audits and reviews will be conducted with senior management, and monthly toolbox meetings, transport procedures and processes will be discussed with staff.

Failures to comply with the EU can lead to a person or entity being prosecuted.

To read more about the enforceable undertaking visit: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/law-policies/enforceable-undertakings

ALRTA COUNCIL MEETING & AGM

ALRTA will be holding a face to face Council meeting commencing at 8:30am on Friday 12 August 2022 which will incorporate an AGM at 10:45am.

The Council meeting & AGM will be held in the Fernery Room atAll Seasons Hotel, 171-183 McIvor Highway BENGIGO VIC 3550.

To ensure there is enough seating, please RSVP to office@alrta.org.au by Monday 8 August 2022.

LRTAV/ALRTA COMBINED NATIONAL CONFERENCE

FOUR WEEKS TO GO! 
 



Check out the Delegate book & program  and to click on Registration Form to register

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2022

ALRTA/LRTAV National Combined Conference -12-13 August 2022 – All Seasons Bendigo VIC –  Registration Form 
LRTAWA (WA) – 3 September 2022 – Industry Day – Burswood on Swan – Perth WA – Information