ALRTA Conference Schedule 2023

LBRCA (NSW) – 9 -11 March 2023 – Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre, TAMWORTH NSW

LRTASA (SA) – 16-17 June 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, ADELAIDE SA

LRTAWA/NATIONAL Conference (WA) – 4-5 August 2023 – Abbey Beach Resort, BUSSELTON WA

LRTAV (VIC) – 11-12 August 2023 – Mercure, BALLARAT VIC

LRTAQ (QLD) – 28-29 September 2023 – The Ville Resort, TOWNSVILLE QLD

*Please note dates and venues are subject to change

2022 Conferences

LRTAQ (QLD) – 4-5 March 2022- Surfair Marcoola QLD

LBRCA (NSW) – 26 -28 May 2022 – Wagga Wagga NSW

LRTASA (SA) – 17-18 June 2022 – Adelaide SA – Registration

2022 LRTAV/ALRTA National Conference – Bendigo VIC -12-14 August 2022

Members, delegates, speakers and partners descended on Bendigo, Victoria for the LRTAV/ALRTA Combined National Conference on 12-14 August 2022.
Biosecurity was the focus of the first session with Dr Chris Parker, Dr Peter Dagg and Dr Megan Scott providing a detailed presentation on Australia’s preparedness to deal with a foot and mouth disease outbreak. There was plenty of Q&A with the audience clearly concerned about potential impacts on rural trucking.

The FMD Panel: Mat Munro, Dr Megan Scott, Dr Peter Dagg & Dr Chris Parker.

The ‘Innovation, Access & Productivity’ session considered new access systems under development by the NHVR and in Tasmania, with interesting contributions on the application of bridge formulas in Victoria and managing mass under chain of responsibility. When it comes to ‘permitless’ access management, it seems the future is already here – or at least it is under development!

Everyone has a keen interest in ‘Safety and Welfare’. Glen ‘Cookie’ Cook delivered a morbidly riveting presentation on powerline safety. With such a strong focus on road safety and loading/unloading, it is an area that can easily be overlooked – with terrible consequences. WorkSafe Victoria also contributed with a sobering look at the risk profile of rural trucking.
ALRTA updated delegates on our broad and ambitious work program, with the NTC also providing a summary of HVNL reforms agreed by Ministers just two weeks ago. For the first time in Victoria, LRTAV held separate break-out sessions for livestock and bulk carriers, with each session every well attended.

Gavin O’Sullivan’s strong support for rural trucking was acknowledged on Friday evening, 12 August 2022, as he was presented with an honorary life membership of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) at a National Conference in Bendigo. Serving as the inaugural President of the (then) Livestock Transporters Association of Victoria, Gavin steered the state and National rural transport associations in their efforts to bring about many significant changes to improve the safety, working conditions and productivity of livestock transport. He represented members to local, state and federal governments, lobbying them on important issues like volume loading and crate heights.

It was an emotional moment when Kevin invited Gavin to the stage to accept the honour and say a few words before ALRTA President Scott McDonald congratulated Gavin and presented him with the Life Membership plaque amid the enthusiastic acknowledgement of the audience.

Gavin expressed his gratitude for the unexpected award and spoke highly of the valuable life-long friendships he had made with transporters right across Australia through active participation in the LRTAV and the ALRTA

The evening events were a smashing success. We thanked our national partners, awarded state and national life memberships, recognised outstanding young drivers, launched a new national award and were treated to a keynote address by the big fella himself, Merv Hughes.

LRTAWA (WA) – 3 September 2022 – Industry Day – Burswood on Swan – Perth WA

Previous Events

2021 Conferences

LRTASA (SA) –18-19 June 2021 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA

LRTAQ (QLD) – 16-17 July 2021- Roma QLD

LRTAWA (WA) – 14 August 2021 – Industry Day – Perth WA

2021 LTAT/ALRTA National Hybrid Conference – Hobart TAS – 23 October 2021

In response to the COVID restrictions, the 2021 conference was a hybrid event, with speakers and delegates from across Australia joining the Tasmanian event remotely.

LTAT President Nick Hingston (Kerry’s son) and ALRTA National President Scott McDonald opened the event on Saturday morning, welcoming participants and introducing keynote speakers, Federal Assistant Minister for Freight and Road Safety, the Hon Scott Buchholz MP, and Federal Member for Braddon and keen supporter of the transport sector Gavin Pearce MP.

Other speakers included Paul Simionato of the NHVR, Aaron de Rozario of the NTC, Athol Carter from TruckSafe, Adam Gibson from NTI, Chris Buza from the Tasmanian DPIPWE, Simon Buxton from State Roads, Sue Davies and Mathew Munro of ALRTA, Andrew Palmer from the Tasmanian Livestock Exchange, Michelle Harwood of LTAT and Darren Clark of Rural Alive and Well.

Speakers answered questions from delegates in Hobart and delegates participating online.

Supported by National Partners BP, NTI, Paccar & Dealer Network, Lowes BP, Cummins, Goodyear, Byrne, and State Partners Ruband Tyres, Scania, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Tasmania Livestock Exchange, Paccar Parts, Grays online, Port of Melbourne Corporation, and Truck Art Livestock Trailers, the 2021 conference was well attended and provided insights to key topics relevant to the theme ‘Safety and Quality in Rural Transport Chains’.

The Gala Dinner was hosted by the Tasmanian Transport Association, attracting 200 guests from the wider transport community. Guests at the event were treated to a unique experience with the Titans of Transport session; Barry Palmer, Robin Holyman and Chas Kelly taking to the stage and recounting stories from their extensive transport heritage, all of whom made significant contributions to the Tasmanian Transport Industry and the Association, which celebrated it’s 60^th anniversary on the night. Bob Thorpe, OAM, Life Member and founding chairman when the Association restructured in 1995, provided the closing address.

Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Hon Michael Ferguson MP, congratulated the industry for its dedication and professionalism during the pandemic, acknowledging the extremely trying circumstances under which the industry maintained secure supply chains for Tasmania and Tasmanian businesses, with an outstanding record of achievement. CEO of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Sal Petroccitto, addressed guests, providing a summary of the regulator’s work nationally and in Tasmania and also congratulating the industry on its fine achievements and record during COVID.

Tasmanian Transport Industry stalwart Kerry Hingston received the NTI Transport Industry Achievement Award at a Gala Dinner held at Wrest Point, Hobart, on Saturday night. The award topped off a memorable Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and Livestock Transporters of Tasmania (LTAT) joint national and state conference.

Gavin Pearce MP, Nick Hingston, Kerry Hingston, Louise Hingston, Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure & Transport Michael Ferguson.

Renowned Tasmanian superstars The Wolfe Brothers provided the headline entertainment for the evening, topping of a fantastic day and night of networking and celebration for the industry.

LRTASA (SA) –18-19 June 2021 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA

Due to COVID-19 in 2021 the following Conferences did not proceed:

LBRCA (NSW) – 4-6 March 2021 – Wagga Wagga NSW

LRTAV (VIC) – 20-21 August 2021 – All Seasons Bendigo VIC – Cancelled

2020 State Conferences

LBRCA (NSW) – 5-7 March 2020 – Tamworth NSW

LRTAWA (WA) – Industry Day – 19 September 2020 Burswood WA

Due to COVID-19 in 2020 the following Conferences did not proceed:

LRTAQ (QLD) – 19-21 March 2020 – Roma QLD

LTAT (TAS) – 2 May 2020 – Hobart TAS

LRTASA (SA) – 12-13 June 2020 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA

National Conference/LRTAWA – 24-25 of July – WA

LRTAV (VIC) – 14-15 August 2020 – All Seasons Resort Bendigo, VIC

2019 State Conferences

LBRCA (NSW) – 21-23 February 2019 – Griffith NSW

LRTAQ (QLD) – 8-10 March 2019 – Rockhampton QLD

2019 LRTASA/ALRTA National Conference – Adelaide SA -14-15 June 2019

The LRTASA/ALRTA National-State conference on 14-15 June 2019 was a resounding success. The program was well attended with more than 300 people joining us for Saturday’s Gala Dinner and live auction.

On Friday, delegates warmed up with 9 holes of golf at North Adelaide Golf Course before heading along to our National Sponsors Cocktail Reception at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Federal Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, the Hon Scott Buchholz MP was the guest speaker. Minister Buchholz spoke of his personal involvement in heavy transport and recognised the crucial role of road transport in rural and regional economies. He underscored the Coalition’s commitment to improving safety and productivity in a low red-tape and taxation environment.

The National Sponsors were thanked for their generous support of our national and state associations: PACCAR & Dealer Industry Fund, PACCAR Parts, NTI, Cummins, Byrne Trailers, BP and Lowes Petroleum. The roving magician mystified many delegates and the SA crumbed lamb cutlets were sensational!

Saturday kicked off strongly with an opening address by SA Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Stephen Mullighan MP, followed by an informative panel session covering access, safety and welfare. The SA Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, the Hon Stephan Knoll MP, delivered an address immediately prior to the second panel session dedicated to the HVNL review.

ALRTA and LRTASA marked the 100 year anniversaries of Cummins and BP with a ‘happy birthday’ surprise ceremony involving two very special (and delicious) commemorative cakes.

Saturday afternoon was rounded out with a session dedicated to association projects relating to ramp standards, user-pay unloading frames, effluent disposal, an industry code of practice and our Federal Election activities.

As if that wasn’t enough, delegates dressed up in their finest for Saturday evening’s Gala Dinner and dug deep to raise money for our associations via the silent and live auctions. Highlight of the evening was the sale of a Kenworth T610SAR thanks to PACCAR and Dealer Industry Fund, CMV Truck Centre and Goodyear. The keynote address was given by Federal Senator for SA, Rex Patrick, who made it very clear that the Centre Alliance intends to play a key role in influencing Coalition Government policy during the current Parliament.

LRTAWA (WA) – 26 -27 July 2019 – Busselton WA

LRTAV (VIC) – 16 – 17 August 2019 – Bendigo VIC

2018 State Conferences

2018 LBRCA/ALRTA National Conference – Coffs Harbour NSW – 23-24 March 2018

The 2018 LBRCA/ALRTA Combined Conference held on 23-24 March 2018 in Coffs Harbour NSW was a resounding success with ‘full house’ attendance levels across all associated events.

The policy sessions touched on issues as diverse as chain of responsibility, EWDs, charging, access, road infrastructure, training, vehicle dimensions, loading schemes and IAP.

We also kicked off the development of an industry code of practice for effluent management during a special workshop session that involved our entire audience and undertook a survey on attitudes towards user-pay infrastructure.

There was no shortage of well deserved awards and accolades over the event. ALRTA congratulates the following outstanding contributors:

ALRTA Life Member: Gordon Martin
ALRTA Life Member: Robert Cavanagh
ALRTA McIver Award: Owen Driscoll
LBRCA Young Driver of the Year: Mark Carmichael

ALRTA Life Members Robert Cavanagh & Gordon Martin

It was also great to hear from last year’s winner of the ALRTA-NHVR Safety Innovation Award (supported by BP), Dean Clarke, of Hopkins Transport about his cutting-edge driver training program. BP stepped up again this year by supporting 12 ambassadors from around Australia to attend the event.

The keynote speakers were:

NSW Minister for Transport – the Hon. Melinda Pavey MP
Federal Member for Cowper – the Hon. Luke Hartsuyker MP
Federal Senator for NSW – Senator John Williams
Mayor of Coffs Harbour – Cr Denise Knight

Mathew Munro (ALRTA Executive Director), Luke Hartsuyker (Federal Member for Cowper), Kevin Keenan (ALRTA President)

Nancy Williams, Federal Senator John Williams, Lynley Miners (LBRCA President), Kevin Keenan (ALRTA President) and Heather Keenan

The performance of Hypnotist Isaac Lomman was an amazing standout event during the Saturday night National Sponsors Dinner which convinced many in the audience that ‘this stuff is real’. You really do have to see it to believe it!

LTAT Conference, 26 May 2018, Hobart TAS

LRTAQ Conference, 31 May – 2 June 2018, Charters Towers, QLD

LRTASA Conference, 15-16 June 2018, Adelaide SA

LRTAWA Conference, 20-21 July 2018, Bunbury WA

LRTAV Conference, 17-18 August 2018, Bendigo VIC