ALRTA News – 3 July 2020

THANK YOU TO ALRTA NATIONAL SPONSOR
CUMMINS

NEW BORDER CONTROLS

South Australia
 
SARTA have advised that effective from 1 JULY 2020, that ALL TRUCK DRIVERS entering South Australia must:

  • Apply online to enter South Australia.
  • That the new Online Essential Traveller Application is MANDATORY.
  • It replaces existing paper Essential Traveller documentation, which will NOT be accepted at the border from 00:01hrs 1 July 2020.

 The online Registration can be found on the SAPol website at:
https://www.police.sa.gov.au/online-services/cross-border-travel-application
 
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border. Delays are expected, especially when entering from Victoria.
 
New South Wales
 
On 1 July, the NSW Government announced that Melbourne residents living in designated hotspot areas would not be allowed to enter the state.
 
The ban does not apply to a person entering NSW to provide an essential service. Freight and logistics is considered to be an essential service.
 
Please note that a person who enters NSW to provide an essential service and who lives in one of the designated hotspots must take all reasonable steps to minimise contact with other persons.

WA GOES ALONE ON REGO INCREASE

The Western Australian Government has proceeded with a 2.5% increase on heavy vehicle registrations from 1 July 2020 despite all other states agreeing to a 12-month freeze. The Federal Government has also frozen the Road User Charge.
 
LRTAWA and the Western Roads Federation have opposed the increase.
 
LRTAWA President David Fyfe said that Western Australia should be in line with the national position on changes to truck charges.

“There has not been any consultation with industry, and we are unaware of the rationale behind WA transporters being singled out for additional costs compared to their counterparts in other states,” said President Fyfe.

“Whilst the rural transport industry has been fortunate in being able to keep working during the Covid-19 restrictions there is considerable concern about the challenging headwinds transporters are facing.

“Many grain transporters currently have a portion of their fleet parked up and the declining sheep flock will have a significant impact on our members.

“Coupled with the pause in sheep live exports rural transporters are facing a difficult few months until harvest begins.

“With the increase coming with little to no warning, businesses have not been given time to factor the costs into contracts and budgets for the coming year.

“This will force rural transporters to make decisions about the size of their fleet which in turn will impact other businesses in rural communities such as tyre fitters, mechanics, parts suppliers, fuel suppliers and other local businesses.

“The heavy vehicle industry is already over-taxed and now is not the time to increase the burden on small businesses as we all work together during this recovery period.

“I’m asking the government to rethink the increase in light of the current economic circumstances,” he said.

FREE WEBINAR ABOUT NVD CHANGES

New versions of LPA NVDs (0720) are now available for all species. While existing versions are accepted until 31 December 2020, only new versions, identified by version number 0720, will be accepted from 1 January 2021.
 
A webinar about the changes will be available to ALRTA members on Monday 27 July 2020 from 1pm.
 
The free one-hour session will provide an opportunity for you to find out all about the changes and to participate in a Q and A with the Integrity Systems Company team.
 
Register for the free webinar here.

NHVR LAUNCHES TECHNOLOGY BLUEPRINT

The NHVR has released a blueprint to support manufacturers and operators to incorporate the latest safety technology into new and existing heavy vehicles.
 
The Vehicle Safety and Environmental Technology Uptake Plan​ outlined five work packages to give Australia’s heavy vehicle industry certainty when installing new safety technology.
 
The NHVR’s Vehicle SETUP Plan was developed following a survey of manufacturers in 2018, and is designed to meet the targets set out in the Federal Government’s National Road Safety Action Plan 2018-2020.
 
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the plan would be delivered over five work packages, including better harmonisation of Australian vehicle standards, better access to the latest vehicle technologies, ensuring appropriate in-service requirements, and industry education about new and emerging technology.
 
“When we surveyed manufacturers, we saw that there was very little consistency when it comes to installing newer types of safety technology,” Sal said.
 
Click here to read the full statement

FASTER ROADSIDE CHECKS

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) on-road officers in South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT will begin using technology that will reduce paperwork and time spent during roadside intercepts.
 
NHVR Chief Operations Officer Paul Salvati said that the Regulatory Compliance Mobility Solution (RCMS), which has already been implemented successfully in Victoria, would be rolled out in additional states over the coming weeks.
 
“The RCMS replaces the current paper-based system, allowing our officers to make better, more informed decisions in a more efficient way, keeping roads safe for all users,” Paul said.
 
Click here for full article 

AHA RELEASES STRATEGIC PLAN

Animal Health Australia has released a five-year strategic plan 2020-25.
 
As both a broadacre grains and intensive pork producer, AHA’s Chair, Ms Sharon Starick, understands the importance of protecting Australia’s established reputation as a premium supplier of agricultural produce.
 
“The health of our livestock is central to that reputation and it is up to everyone involved in this sector, from the breeder to the processor and at every level of government, to play a part and work together in securing our health status,” Ms Starick said.
 
“AHA will facilitate this by placing grass-roots livestock producers and their supply chains front and centre of our thinking, ensuring solutions are sustainable and impactful over the long term.”
 
“At its core this Strategic Plan is all about AHA building upon our cross-sectoral connections, leveraging our collective knowledge and resources, and working to meet the needs of our industries and our communities,” Ms Starick explained.
 
The Strategic Plan 2020-2025 can be found at www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/strategic-priorities/

ATA CALLS FOR DISASTER WAGE SUBSIDY 

ATA Transport and Infrastructure Adviser Sam Marks, SARTA CEO Steve Shearer and WRF CEO Cam Dumesny give evidence in the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

Businesses affected by natural disasters should have access to a disaster wage subsidy, ATA Transport and Infrastructure Adviser Sam Marks said this week, giving evidence before the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

“Compared to laying off staff and encouraging them to apply for Disaster Recovery Allowance, income support through the proposed wage subsidy would have advantages for both employers and employees,” Mr Marks said.

“The availability of a wage subsidy could enable a business to continue operating. It could also enable a business to avoid the substantial cost of recruiting and training new staff as it restarts operations.

“For employees, the availability of a wage subsidy may enable them to stay employed at a very stressful and hard time,” he said.

During the hearing, the ATA backed calls from South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) CEO Steve Shearer and Western Roads Federation (WRF) CEO Cam Dumesny, for a single, nationally coordinated information source that would be responsible for ensuring the delivery of accurate information to industry in a timely manner.

“We must be prepared and ensure that trucking operators have access to the latest information to ensure they can keep communities supplied and connected,” Mr Marks said.

MEETING NOTICE: ALRTA COUNCIL

The agenda and papers for the next ALRTA Council meeting have been issued. The meeting will be held at 9:30am on 10 July 2020.
 
This meeting will be held remotely via technology. A meeting access link will be sent to participants on Monday.

FRIDAY FUNNY

“What’s the matter with your wife? She seems upset.” 
“She got a terrible shock.”
“What happened?”
“She was helping at the school fete and she took off her new $10 hat and somebody sold it for 90 cents.”

ALRTA STAFF AVAILABILITY AMIDST COVID19

From 24 March 2020 the ALRTA staff – Mathew, Sue, Colleen and Jack have been working from home amidst COVID-19. We are gradually coming back into the office with only one staff member present at a time.

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

UPDATE ON EVENTS FOR 2020

LRTAQ (QLD) on 19-21 March 2020 at Roma QLD. – CANCELLED for 2020
LTAT (TAS) on 2 May 2020 in Hobart TAS. – POSTPONED
LRTASA (SA)on 12-13 June 2020 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA. – CANCELLED for 2020
LRTAWA/ALRTA (WA & National) on 24-25 July 2020. Perth WA.- CANCELLED for 2020
LRTAV (VIC) on 14-15 August 2020 at All Seasons Resort Bendigo VIC – CANCELLED for 2020