ALRTA News – 5 August 2022

THANK YOU TO ALRTA NATIONAL PARTNERS

ALRTA would like to thank all National Partners and their entire teams. 

The contribution and support from ALRTA National Sponsors for the LRTAV/ALRTA National Conference has been appreciated.

Make sure you have a chat to them at the Conference 12-13 August 2022 in Bendigo – Registration Form

CLICK HERE TO VISIT ALRTA NATIONAL PARTNERS PAGE

LAST CALL: CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS

While last year’s hybrid ALRTA  National Conference was well received, only the Tasmanian association members got to meet face to face. This year, at the ALRTA/LRTAV National Combined Conference, at the All Seasons Resort Bendigo on 12-13 August 2022, we have a great opportunity to meet in person once again, and renew friendships, make new contacts and affirm professional working relationships with our national and state sponsors, industry colleagues and stakeholders.

The conference program is packed with up to date information about Australia’s response to the threat of FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease and a National Partner Cocktail Function and awards on Friday night, and on Saturday there are sessions on access and new technological tools, safety and welfare, the HVNL review, and breakout sessions focused on livestock and bulk transport issues as well as a fabulous gala dinner.

Register here now.



Delegates at the ALRTA/LRTASA Conference in Adelaide 2019

NEW BIOSECURITY TASKFORCE ANNOUNCED 

Yesterday the federal government announced that a new Commonwealth taskforce will be established to ensure Australia is fully prepared to respond swiftly to growing biosecurity threats. 

The Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness Taskforce will be co-chaired by a senior official from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Director-General of Emergency Management Australia and will include officials from the Australian Defence Force, Australian Border Force and Animal Health Australia. 

The taskforce will report to the Minister by September 5, providing advice on any additional measures that need to be taken to strengthen our biosecurity response.


Read more here.

SENATE TO EXAMINE BIOSECURITY PREPAREDNESS

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee has commenced an Inquiry into the Adequacy of Australia’s Biosecurity Measures and Response Preparedness.  The Inquiry will specifically consider:

  1. the adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness, in particular with respect to foot-and-mouth disease and varroa mite;
  2. response to and implementation of previous reports into biosecurity; and
  3. any related matters.

 ALRTA has been invited to respond by 26 August 2022.  Timing is good with our National Council and special conference sessions to consider biosecurity next week.
 
The Committee will report to the Senate by 10 October 2022.

FMD AUSVET PLAN WRITING GROUP

ALRTA has participated in a meeting of the FMD AUSVET Plan Writing Group. The group is overseeing a revision of the Australian National FMD response plan. Road transport is a particularly important element in this plan due to the likely imposition of a national livestock standstill and ongoing movement controls via permit in the event of an outbreak.

NHVR REGULATES HEAVY VEHICLES IN NSW

From 1 August 2022 heavy vehicle drivers across NSW will see a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) logo and new uniforms for heavy vehicle services and compliance officers.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the transition of heavy vehicle services from Transport for NSW to the NHVR was an important step toward delivering nationally consistent compliance for all heavy vehicle operators travelling within and through NSW.

The NHVR team will operate at more than 200 existing Heavy Vehicle Inspection Stations, safety stations and on-road enforcement sites across NSW.



Read more here.

RISK BASED INSPECTIONS

ALRTA has provided feedback to NHVR supporting the concept of risk based heavy vehicle inspections. Our comments primarily related to the risk assessment criteria and inspection triggers. We have also suggested that it would be prudent to trial the new system in a geographic area or industry segment to test and refine the approach before broader roll out.

ENFORCEMENT FOR AUTOMATED VEHICLES

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a discussion paper examining whether or not enforcement officers have sufficient powers to respond to road safety risks presented by automated vehicles.
 
Specifically, the NTC are looking at:

  • How officers can provide on-road directions to automated vehicles. 
  • How officers can disable automatic driving systems.
  • Access and disclosure of data.
  • Training and investment.

 Public consultation is open until 5 September 2022.  Have your say here.

MINISTERS TO CONSIDER HVNL REVIEW

Australian Infrastructure and Transport Ministers met today to Melbourne. High on the agenda was the HVNL reform package put together by independent consultant Ken Kanofski. ALRTA has actively participated in this process over recent months.
 
The ATA delivered a presentation on the HVNL reform package. We await now information about how the review will proceed. 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

The ALRTA National Council will meet next week in Bendigo, Victoria on Friday 12 August 2022. This is our first face-to-face meeting in almost two years due to COVID and associated movement restrictions. Council will be considering important issues including biosecurity threats, harmonisation of livestock loading schemes, an effluent code of practice and strategic planning.  An AGM and elections for national office bearers will also occur..
 
Leading up to the AGM and National Council meetings, our National Executive will meet with State Presidents, plus our Large and National Member Chapter will get together.

NO ALRTA NEWSLETTER 12 AUGUST 2022

The ALRTA Staff  – Mathew, Sue and Colleen will be attending the ALRTA Council Meeting, AGM and LRTAV/ALRTA Combined National Conference on 12-13 August 2022, so there will not be a Newsletter next week 12 August.

Conference registrations close today 5 August 2022.

A full update on the Conference will be provided the following week 19 August 2022.

If you see us at the Conference  – make sure you come and say hi!

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