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CUMMINS

Cummins X15 Euro VI: Ready when you are

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. 

For more information visit our website today!

ALRTA/LTAT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Have you registered  for the ALRTA/LTAT 2021 National Conference?

The event will be livestreamed from Wrest Point, Hobart, Tasmania from 9am – 1pm, Saturday 23 October 2021.

Online registrations are FREE.

REGISTER NOW

160KM WORK DIARY EXEMPTION RENEWED

ALRTA welcomes renewal of the National Primary Production Work Diary Exemption (Notice) 2021 (No.1) for three years to 4 October 2024.
 
The notice extends the 100km radius HVNL work diary exemption to 160km for drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles who are carrying primary produce.
 
To be clear, if you’re driving a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle, transporting primary produce between a primary production facility and a point of sale, processing or distribution and are working within a 160km radius of your base, you are NOT required to keep and record information in a National Driver Work Diary under the work diary exemption, but are still required to keep your own records.
 
This exemption also covers the direct return journey after the primary produce has been offloaded.
 
ALRTA National President Scott McDonald said that continuation of the exemption was significant for rural carriers.


ALRTA National President Scott McDonald. 

“The 160km work diary exemption reduces the unnecessary red tape burden on low-risk rural carriers and allows them focus on the job at hand,” said President McDonald.
 
“It is recognised that drivers who take a break every two hours are at low risk of fatigue. More frequent breaks also mean more frequent record keeping requirements so it makes sense to provide relief from the unnecessary red tape burden for low risk drivers.
 
“The general 100km radius exemption is a good approximation of up to two hours driving time in urban environments. However, in rural areas with lower traffic congestion and higher speed limits a 160km radius is more appropriate.
 
“ALRTA worked closely with NHVR to establish the 160km exemption back in 2015. I am pleased to see the exemption renewed for a second time as it ensures regulatory equivalency for urban and rural road transporters,” said President McDonald.
 
A fact sheet outlining the exemption can be found here.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS – WORK DIARIES

With daylight savings now in place across many states and territories, the NHVR is reminding drivers travelling outside their normal time zone to ensure they count and record time, including night rests, according to the time zone of their base.

As an example, if a driver is based in Queensland and drives into New South Wales during daylight savings time, they are required to record their work and rest hours in Queensland time.

As work diaries record dates and locations, an Authorised Officer will be able to identify the daylight savings time change.

Click here for more information on counting time

COVID-19 UPDATE

Victoria
From Thursday, 23 September, freight workers with Specified Worker (Multiple Entry) Permits crossing into Victoria must have had a first vaccine dose. However, until Thursday, 7 October, permits holders can alternatively show evidence of a vaccine booking.
 
Freight workers with Specified Worker (Multiple Entry) Permits receive priority bookings for free COVID-19 vaccinations, even if they are not a Victorian resident. 

Permit holders must call 1800 675 398 to book in at any state vaccination centre and advise the operator that you are a Commercial Freight Worker for a priority booking. 
 
Permit holders that have been to an extreme risk / red zone in the past 14 days must book into a red zone clinic for their vaccination. 

Red zone clinics are located at:

• Melbourne Showgrounds
• Sunshine
• Sandown Racecourse
• Ford Campbellfield
• Wangaratta

 Learn more about booking vaccinations.

South Australia
From Monday, 7 October, all commercial transport and freight essential travellers arriving from NSW, ACT, VIC and parts of QLD must have evidence of at least one TGA approved COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter South Australia.

Persons entering from NSW, ACT, VIC and parts of QLD must provide evidence of a negative PCR test in the prior 72hrs or they will be directed to undertake a point-of-care antigen test/or a COVID-19 test within 12hrs. 

Queensland
From Friday, 15 October 2021, all interstate truck drivers and freight workers entering Queensland must have at least one vaccine dose. A second dose (or evidence of a booking) is required from 15 November 2021. Evidence of vaccination may be a vaccination card, immunisation history or other written evidence provided by a general practitioner.

Dedicated heavy vehicle vaccination clinics are operating at Goondiwindi Showgrounds (6am-10pm) and Tugun (8am-8pm).

Special Arrangements for Queensland Grain Harvest

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has published information to assist agricultural freight workers who must cross borders to assist with the Queensland grain harvest.  Resources include:

• 2021 Grain Harvest eHub;
• COVID Safe Checklist: Seasonal Worker Businesses;
• Border Restrictions Reference Table; and
• Border Restrictions Flow Chart.

More Information
For the latest summary of border rules and testing sites click here.

WEBINAR ON MANDATORY VACCINATIONS

Members are advised of an upcoming webinar on mandatory vaccinations in your workplace at 10am (AEDT), Wednesday, 13 October 2021.  The webinar is presented by Bristow Legal and will cover:

• The legal basis for compelling vaccination
• How sub-contractors and customers differ from employees
• WH&S / OH&S duties of care
• Possible risks including likely claims from employees
• Legal requirements to vaccinate and the implications for employers
• Dealing with employee objections
• Alternatives to mandatory vaccination

 The webinar will be recorded. Tickets to the webinar are $88 and are being issued through Eventbrite – you can register HERE.

NEW HEAVY VEHICLE INSPECTION MANUAL 

The NHVR has released an updated version of the National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual (NHVIM) following a five-yearly review and extensive industry consultation.

The NHVIM version 3.0 includes some new inspection criteria for the recently implemented vehicle standards, as well as some minor amendments to existing criteria to ensure it remains relevant to both new and existing heavy vehicles.

The manual provides authorised officers, vehicle examiners and operators a consistent set of criteria when conducting heavy vehicle inspections, ensuring a national approach to the management of vehicle safety.

The NHVIM v3.0 will come into effect on 18 October 2021. Any inspections conducted up until 18 October 2021 should continue to be performed using the NHVIM v2.4.
 
The NHVIM v3.0, and a summary of the updates, can be found here

HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW REVIEW

ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, participated in a meeting of the National Transport Commission (NTC) Industry Advisory Group. The NTC advised that the next phase of consultations on the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law will kick off in late October 2021. 
 
Each topic of reform will be tacked separately (e.g. Fatigue, Access, Technology) with periodic discussion papers and workshops becoming regular until February 2022.

PRE-HARVEST MECHANICAL INSPECTIONS

South Australian NHVR Safety and Compliance Officers (SCOs) recently partnered with the South Australian Agricultural Bureau to offer free, pre-harvest inspections of farm load carrying vehicles.

Over three days, more than 120 heavy vehicles were inspected by the teams at Gladstone, Nurom and Redhill.

NHVR SCOs provided advice, answered questions from drivers and operators, and delivered presentations on the use of Vehicle Inspection Trailers, which were used as part of the inspections.

“This was an invaluable engagement opportunity with drivers and operators ahead a busy farm harvest season,” NHVR Director of Southern Region Operations Division, Paul Simionato said.

“The safety of drivers and vehicles ensures a productive and efficient industry and I thank everyone involved for supporting this important exercise.”

HIGH PRODUCTIVITY ROUTES FOR VIC

The Victorian Government has approved another 700km of high productivity routes, further streamlining the process for a range of Performance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles in northern and central Victoria.

New routes include the Maroondah/Melba Highway, Princes Hwy from Bruthen to the NSW border, and the Ringwood and Yarra Glen Bypasses. These routes are already in use, but until now have been subject to individual route assessments on a permit-by-permit basis. 

Click here to read more about the high productivity routes

FRIDAY FUNNY

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2021 & 2022

LTAT/National Combined Conference – Hobart & Online – 23 October 2021 – REGISTER NOW
LBRCA Conference – Wagga Wagga NSW – 10-12 February 2022 – Registration
LRTAQ Conference – Sunshine Coast – 4-5 March 2022