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MEDIA RELEASE: RAISING AWARENESS OF THE EFFLUENT CODE
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA), together with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), will launch a campaign to promote a registered code of practice – Managing effluent in the livestock supply chain, also known as the Effluent Code, in Toowoomba on Friday 23 June 2023.
The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of the Effluent Code by engaging with livestock supply chain stakeholders in interactive information sessions, held at strategic rural and regional locations across Australia, and also through various media channels, including print and social media.
ALRTA National President, Scott McDonald, said that the project is a collaborative effort between ALRTA and NHVR with contributions from industry stakeholders, including Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), and is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Australian Government.
The effluent management practices for transported livestock, as described in the Effluent Code, help to improve animal welfare outcomes, mitigate biosecurity threats, contribute towards sustainability, support livestock transporters, and make the roads safer for all road users by advocating a proactive risk management approach.
“The potential benefits of implementing the Effluent Code can only be realised if parties in the chain work together to take action,” Mr McDonald said.
“It is in our own best interests as a supply chain to raise awareness of the recommendations in the Effluent Code to help minimise the risk of livestock effluent spillage,“ he said.
Chair of the ALRTA’s Driver and Animal Welfare Committee Mr Graeme Hoare said, “In developing the Effluent Code, livestock preparation and handling, and transport planning were identified as critical activities in safe road transport journeys for livestock, making the Effluent Code particularly relevant to producers and transporters.”
“However, the code of practice is relevant to all parties who have a primary duty for the safety of heavy vehicle transport activities, including feedlot managers, agents, saleyard managers and processors, as they also have a role to play in eliminating or minimising effluent spillage during road transport.”
“We need to start at livestock preparation and manage this issue right through the chain at production and sale points,“ he said.
Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor said Council was enthusiastic in its support for this important project as improved management of livestock effluent in transit would benefit all communities and significantly enhance the reputation of the livestock industry, which is an important contributor to the local agricultural sector.
“We want this industry to continue to grow alongside our rural and regional communities, but it must be done responsibly while also keeping our road corridors clean and safe,” she said.
End
Photo op – a Martins Stock Haulage B-double truck with livestock crates and effluent capture tanks will be on site at the launch venue.
For media enquiries please contact:ALRTA Project & Communications Officer: Sue Davies – M: 0422 003 452 or Email: project@alrta.org.au.
Toowoomba Regional Council: Brendan Steinhardt – M: 0409 630 578 or Email: Brendan.Steinhardt@tr.qld.gov.au
ALRTA RESPONDS TO ‘EMPLOYEE-LIKE’ WORK PROPOSALS
Following extensive member consultation, ALRTA has lodged a final submission with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations in response to a consultation paper on ‘Employee-like’ forms of work and stronger protections for independent contractors.
Our submission includes 29 recommendations. While acknowledging the Australian Government’s intentions to progress reform in this area, we also strongly caution against an approach akin to the previous Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and explain the complexities of rural supply chains and business models. We offer constructive recommendations to improve protections for vulnerable workers without burdening good transport businesses with unnecessary new regulation.
This week, ATA Chairman (former ALRTA National President) David Smith and ALRTA Executive Director (incoming ATA CEO) Mat Munro met with the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Tony Burke MP, and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Catherine King MP, to discuss the reform proposals. We felt that the opportunity to better understand the Australian Government’s intentions and to explain our position (both the opportunities and risks) was mutually beneficial.
Now that our position is clear, ALRTA will continue to engage with industry and government stakeholders to influence this critically important reform process.
NHVR CONSULTING ON VEHICLE WIDTH INCREASE
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released a Discussion Paper on how to implement the Australian Government’s Safer Freight Vehicle (SFV) reform proposals, including increasing the width of heavy vehicles fitted with modern safety technologies.
NHVR Chief Regulatory Policy and Standards Officer David Hourigan said the reforms would support the uptake of safer heavy vehicles by increasing the overall width up to 2.55m or 2.60m.
“The proposed SFV reforms would increase the fitment of safety technologies to new heavy vehicles by aligning local width regulations with those in major markets such as Europe,” Mr Hourigan said.
“These reforms will give industry access to a greater range of heavy vehicles fitted with the latest safety technologies.
“We want to hear from industry and further unpack how to implement these Australian Design Rule (ADR) changes into the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).”
According to the proposed SFV reforms, any vehicles exceeding 2.50m in width would need to be fitted with a mandatory technology package. This technology package includes features such as:
- Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Improved rear vision mirrors and systems
- Lane Departure Warning
- Side underrun protection (SUP); and
- Improved conspicuity markings.
Once finalised in Europe, blind spot information systems and advanced systems that detect pedestrians and cyclists on the passenger side of heavy vehicles will also be required as part of the mandatory technology package.
Mr Hourigan said while the Australian Government is still finalising the finer details of these reforms, the NHVR is proactively considering how these changes might change the HVNL.
“The heavy vehicle industry and truck manufacturers are ready for this next generation of safer trucks. The NHVR wants to make sure the HVNL is prepared to get these safer trucks on our roads.”
To read the Discussion Paper and find out how to submit your feedback, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/consultation/2023/06/30/implementation-of-safer-freight-vehicle-reforms
The closing date for written submissions is Friday 30 June 2023.
ALRTA NATIONAL COUNCIL FORUM
The ALRTA National Council met informally this week to consider internal operational matters and to again engage with industrial reform advocate, Senator Glenn Sterle.
ALRTA National Council will next meet on Wednesday, 14 June 2023.
For more information please contact the ALRTA Secretariat via office@alrta.org.au.
NATIONAL DRIVER AND ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEE
ALRTA’s National Driver and Animal welfare Committee met via Zoom this week to discuss matters including: effluent, NVDs, loading densities for larger livestock, live exports, telematics, rest areas, biosecurity, chain of responsibility, truck washes, review of the Master Code and livestock loading.
The committee also considered new technology for monitoring animal welfare in transport. This technology was developed overseas and introduced to ALRTA via the Canadian High Commission.
ALRTA RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Applications for the ALRTA Executive Director position closed at 5pm today.
We expect interviews to commence next week. ALRTA National Council may appoint a candidate to the position the following week.
ALRTA will announce the appointment to members as soon as possible.
CVO NORTHERN AUSTRALIA SURVEY
The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer – Northern Australia is exploring the ways that northern beef industry could be vulnerable to emergency animal diseases.
The CVO would like to talk people in livestock industries and the wider community.
You can:
- Complete a quick survey at www.cattleaustralia.com.au/survey and click on the word ‘survey’ by 2nd June 2023. The survey takes 5 – 10 minutes to complete.
- Register your interest at www.cattleaustralia.com.au/focus to participate in an individual interview or attend a focus group in Cairns, Darwin, Broome or online during May and early June 2023.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2023
- LRTASA – 16-17 June 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, ADELAIDE SA
- LRTAWA/NATIONAL Combined Conference – 4-5 August 2023 – Abbey Beach Resort, BUSSELTON WA
- LRTAV – 11-12 August 2023 – Mercure, BALLARAT VIC
- LRTAQ – 28-29 September 2023 – The Ville Resort, TOWNSVILLE – QLD
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2024
- LBRCA – 23-24 February 2024 – WAGGA WAGGA NSW
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