Dimension & Axle Spacing Check Sheet

ALRTA News – 4 February 2022

by

CUMMINS X15 EURO VI
READY WHEN YOU ARE

For more information visit Cummins website today!

Improvements made to the X15 lineup have been focused around your needs. It’s more than just providing the most efficient engine that meets Euro VI standards.

It’s also about providing an engine that works for you. With a focus on uptime, fuel economy, performance and minimising maintenance cost, the X15 lineup is the best it’s ever been.
 
Thankyou Cummins – ALRTA National Partner

ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL

ALRTA National Council met via Zoom today with participants from LBRCA, LRTAV, LRTAQ, LRTAWA and LRTASA. Councillors considered progress of the HVNL review, labour shortages, heavy vehicle charges for 2022-23 and candidate project funding applications. ATA CEO, Michael Deegan, joined the meeting for a wide-ranging open forum on these and many other important issues.
 

 
ALRTA will next meet via Zoom on 8 April 2022.

PRIORITY SKILLS MIGRATION LIST

ALRTA has written to the Federal Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon. Stuart Robert MP, seeking support for amendments to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List (PMSOL).  The Australian Government can adjust the PMSOL in cases where the National Skills Commission (NSC) provides advice of an urgent need to support our economic recovery.
 
Across the nation, Australians are currently confronted with empty supermarket shelves. Critical supplies of food staples and household products are simply unable to be delivered.  This is also affecting a diversity of businesses throughout the supply chain with many waiting longer for transport services and paying higher prices.
 
Despite obstacles including fires, floods, drought trade wars and the pandemic, the rural trucking sector is experiencing unprecedented demand for road transport services. At the same time, we are experiencing an acute lack of skilled workers to support this growth. In some cases, trucks are idle because there simply are not enough drivers or support staff.
 
ALRTA appreciates that there are initiatives being progressed such as a new National Driver Apprenticeship and a move towards experience-based heavy vehicle licencing (rather than time-based licencing), however it will be some years before new skilled workers are delivered. Our transport businesses need access to skilled workers now. As these persons cannot be sourced domestically, the most practical solution in the short term is skilled migration.
 
ALRTA has advised Minister Robert that the most critical skills shortages are:

  • Truck drivers (top priority)
  • Forklift drivers
  • Schedulers/logistics professionals
  • Diesel motor mechanic
  • Fitter (general)
  • Automotive electrician
  • Welder (first class) metal fabricator

TEMPORARY FLOOD ACCESS

NHVR has published new notices facilitating temporary access for road trains not exceeding 53.5m to facilitate increased freight capacity while flood waters block regular routes.
 
You can view relevant information here:
 
South Australia to Northern Territory (via QLD)
 
South Australia to Western Australia
 

INDUSTRY INVESTIGATES COUPLING STRENGTH

In an industry and world first, the ATA, ARTSA Institute, Truck Industry Council and Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia are investigating dynamic loads on the couplings on heavy high productivity freight vehicles and PBS combinations vehicles. 

You can read more on the ARTSA Institute website. 

ROAD TRAIN MDL DIMENSION AND AXLE SPACING CHECK SHEET

A new Road Train Mass, Dimension and Loading (MDL) Dimension and Axle Spacing Check Sheet will help operators check if their axle spacing mass limits complies with the Heavy Vehicle MDL National Regulation.

To use the Check Sheet, operators simply enter vehicle and axle group length, height and width to indicate if the vehicle combination receives a “PASS” result.

The tool enables operators to work under select notices and permits with certainty, as they can quickly calculate whether their vehicle combination is compliant.

Click here to view the Check Sheet under the Resources tab of the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2020 Operator’s Guide

RECORD KEEPING FLEXIBILITY IN NSW

Drivers of eligible fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles operating under strict conditions in NSW can receive an exemption from recording work and rest hours under the New South Wales Fatigue Record-Keeping Exemption Notice 2022.

The recently renewed notice only applies to drivers of heavy vehicles carrying out the following specified classes of work in NSW:

  • Working in an area within a radius of 100km or less from the driver’s base with the primary purpose of:
    • motor dealing, repair, inspection, maintenance or testing
    • manufacturing heavy vehicles
    • the hire and rental of heavy vehicles.
  • Working within a radius of 160km or less from the driver’s base for the purpose of primary production.

 The notice comes into effect on 10 February 2022, and will replace the New South Wales Fatigue Record-Keeping Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1).

TRUCKING AUSTRALIA 2022 – SAVE THE DATE

Australian Trucking Association are excited that Trucking Australia will return on 4-6 May 2022, at The Star Gold Coast, Queensland.


Registrations will open soon!

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2022

LRTAQ (QLD) – 4-5 March 2022- Surfair Marcoola QLD – Information & Registration
LBRCA (NSW) -26 -28 May 2022 – Wagga Wagga NSW – Information & Registration
LRTASA  (SA) -17-18 June 2022 – Adelaide SA
ALRTA/LRTAV National Combined Conference -12-13 August 2022 – All Seasons Bendigo VIC – Information