ALRTA News – 17 December 2021

THANK YOU TO ALRTA NATIONAL PARTNERS

Your partnership and support to our industry is invaluable

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS & BUSINESS HOURS

Over the Christmas and New Year period, there are travel restrictions in place for certain Class 1 heavy vehicles and road authority business hours will be reduced.
 
Please note: For vehicles operating under a permit, operators should check the permit’s conditions to establish whether Christmas or public holiday travel restrictions are explicitly listed or are referenced in related notices. All heavy vehicles are subject to conditions of access under their relevant notice or permit.
 
To plan you trips, you can check all state and territory travel restrictions and business hours here.

CHANGES TO QLD FREIGHT PROTOCOL

An updated Queensland freight protocol for freight and logistics operators travelling into Queensland came into effect from 1am 15 December 2021.
 
If you are a freight and logistics operator who has been in another state or territory in Australia in the previous 14 days (including the restricted and non-restricted border zones of NSW), you must not enter Queensland unless you can prove, when asked by an emergency officer (public health), that you have maintained a rolling 7-day testing cycle while travelling into and out of Queensland.
 
Acceptable forms of evidence include:

  • an SMS, email or other written evidence that you’ve had a COVID-19 PCR test with a negative test result dated 7 days or less prior to your entry into Queensland; or
  • the same proof as above or a verbal statement (to an emergency public health officer) if you haven’t yet received the negative test result, and
  • in addition to either of the above, if asked, provide an SMS, email or other written evidence of receiving a negative COVID-19 PCR test within the 14 days prior to entry.

 Only the results of PCR tests are accepted, results of rapid antigen tests are not suitable evidence.
 
To receive a test and be prioritised even if you don’t have symptoms, let the Queensland Health COVID-19 testing facility know you are a freight and logistics operator by showing a copy of your valid Queensland Border Pass (F Pass) and driver identification.
 
Here is a list of locations of COVID-19 heavy vehicle driver testing sites.
 
The Queensland Freight Protocol does not apply to freight and logistics operators who only work in Queensland.

ADBLUE CRISIS CONTINUES

The trucking industry is working hard for a solution to the AdBlue shortage threatening the viability of our industry. Some ALRTA members have already been unable to obtain supply in some locations.

In summary:

  • There is clearly patchy supply and increasing prices;
  • Suppliers are reluctant to disclose actual volumes of availability due to competition and pricing impacts;
  • There are some known structural problems with the market – largely caused by China withdrawing from the market;
  • There are long lead times to establish a reliable domestic supply – also dependent on gas availability and prices;
  • Fertiliser grade urea input can’t meet ISO standards;
  • Truck industry manufacturers are resisting any move to ‘turn off’ AdBlue in the emissions control systems (and this remains illegal) due to staff/technical capacity to turn off/on, potential parts damage (dose pumps primarily – AdBlue may crystalise and it costs about $2,500 a pop to replace these), possibility of not being able to fully put the genie back in the bottle and ongoing warranty issues;
  • The ATA is talking with government regularly on the issue.

On Monday, the Minister for Trade, Dan Tehan, said there was some urea supply in Indonesia that Australia should be able to access over the coming weeks.

“There’s been representations that have been made to Saudi Arabia, to the UAE, to Qatar and also to Japan,” he said.

“We’re also working very closely with the sector here in Australia – Incitec Pivot, the NFF, the Australian Transport Association, and others – to make sure that we’re all seamlessly working to ensure that this supply of AdBlue will continue for the foreseeable future.”

If you are experiencing problems with AdBlue supply, please contact the ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, on 0421 082 489 or mathew@alrta.org.au. 

ROADWORTHINESS SURVEY RESULTS

Between May and June 2021, the National Roadworthiness Survey (NRS:2021) inspected 13,325 heavy vehicle units across 8338 heavy vehicle combination in all Australian states and territories.
 
Key findings from the NRS:2021 survey included:

  • The rate of all non-conformities has dropped from 48 per cent in 2016 to 31 per cent in 2021.
  • The rate of major non-conformities and grounding has halved to six per cent of vehicle inspected.
  • Brakes remained the highest non-conforming components – reducing from 25 per cent in 2016 to 14 per cent in 2021.
  • Rigid trucks were the highest non-conforming vehicle type at 38 per cent, which has again reduced from 52 per cent in 2016.
  • The average age of the inspected fleet was 10.2 years, compared to 9.2 years in 2016.

 NHVR CEO, Sal Petroccitto said the results would help inform the regulator’s modern approach to regulation that uses intelligence to address the greatest safety risks and keeps compliant operators moving.
 
The full survey and other results are available here.

MYEFO 2021-22: A STRONG REBOUND

The Australian Government 2021-22 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) paints a positive picture of a strong rebound from the COVID pandemic.  Key points:

  • Real GDP to grow 3.75 per cent in 2021-22 and 3.5 per cent in 2022-23.
  • Unemployment to fall to 4.25 per cent by the June quarter of 2023.
  • Inflation to settle between 2-3 per cent.
  • Wages growth to accelerate from 1.7 per cent to 3.25 per cent to 2024-25.

 However, while Government deficits will decrease over time, these are forecast to continue beyond 2031-32. Following billions in COVID support spending, gross debt is now 41.8 per cent of GDP.
 
Despite this situation, MYEFO provides $2.3 billion towards road projects.
 
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said that better roads cut travel times for tradies and truck drivers, enabling them to attend more jobs in a day, while improved rail lines ensure businesses can get their products to market, helping them grow and boosting our regional economies.

LAND TRANSPORT OF HORSES

Chair of the ALRTA Driver and Animal Welfare Committee, Graeme Hoare, and ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, met with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to discuss policy development relating to land transport of horses.
 
Earlier in 2021, ALRTA lodged a detailed submission opposing several proposals contained in a discussion paper.  There have been several modifications to the original proposals in response.
 
We expect that a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on final proposals will be released in early 2022.

HVNL CONSULTATIONS

Following recent joint industry-government consultations on the Heavy Vehicle National Law review, the National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a revised engagement strategy blueprint aiming to release a decision regulatory impact statement in mid-2022, with legislation in 2022-23.

REVIEW OF SUMMER SHEEP EXPORTS

The Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment has commenced a review of live sheep exports by sea to, or through, the Middle East during the Northern Hemisphere summer. The review specifically examines:

  • the effectiveness of the current regulatory settings in reducing the occurrence of heat stress and heat-related mortalities.
  • whether the current regulatory settings are maintaining acceptable animal welfare outcomes and supporting the sustainability of the live sheep export industry.
  • and if there is science-based evidence to either maintain or modify the prohibition dates.

Prohibition dates currently encompass 1 June through to 14 September annually.
 
Have your say here. The consultation period concludes at 5pm, 28 January 2022.

REVISED AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS FOR EXPORT OF LIVESTOCK

The 2021 update of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL 3.2) has been published. 
 
Key changes include: 

  • clarification of definitions, certification requirements, segregation of animals (including the introduction of the terms ‘immature’ and ‘mature’) 
  • expanded use of approved blood tests in pregnancy diagnosis 
  • more flexibility in pen space and record-keeping for sheep in registered establishments 
  • more flexibility in penning animals together 
  • addition of notification requirement for loading of foreign fodder 
  • more flexibility in allocating crate space for livestock exported by air 
  • removal of redundant standards. 

 ASEL 3.2 is available online here.  
 
ASEL rejection criteria guidebooks can also be found here.
 
The guidebooks contain technical information on all rejection criteria under the ASEL (e.g. lameness, blindness, skin cancer), plus guidance on when to reject an animal with accompanying photographs/video. This will support consistent application of the criteria throughout the supply chain and improve welfare outcomes for export livestock through better management prior to loading. The guidebooks provide guidance material only and do not replace jurisdictional requirements. Professional discretion is still required when making rejection decisions.

CONCERNING CRASH DATA

Fatalities involving articulated vehicles have increased by 17.2 per cent compared with the July-September period last year. The concerning data is contained in a report released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, ‘Fatal Heavy Vehicle Crashes Australia – Quarterly Bulletin’, November 2021.
 
On a positive note, fatal crashes involving heavy rigid vehicles decreased by 13 per cent.

IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT

If in doubt, leave it out.  That’s the key message to industry as part of a new resource developed by LBRCA and the National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council Ltd (MINTRAC).

The Glovebox Guide: Biosecurity, Emergency Animal Diseases and Preparing Livestock for Transport has been developed specifically with livestock transporters in mind.

In November 2020, LBRCA representatives Dianne Peisley and Bec Coleman first discussed opportunities to collaborate with MINTRAC on improving truck washes to further limit the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF).  This meeting was the catalyst for the development of the new resource.

The livestock transport industry plays an important role in the surveillance, early detection, and reporting of these diseases.  For this reason, LBRCA and MINTRAC developed a guide to give livestock transporters the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs and behaviours in livestock that could indicate an animal may have an Emergency Animal Disease (EAD).  

This guide also aims to refresh the knowledge of the requirements livestock transporters must satisfy, to adhere to the Australian Animal Welfare Standards & Guidelines for the Land Transport including penning densities.

To support compliance with mandatory requirements detailed in the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Land Transport of Livestock) Standards 2013 No 2, LBRCA and MINTRAC have developed a voluntary Transport Welfare Checklist.  Livestock transporters can use this checklist to confirm animals are fit to load and note any suspect animals they may be travelling with and provide this crucial information to end location staff.  This checklist provides helpful records of the stock prior to the driver loading them should there be any issues during the journey.

LBRCA members received an exclusive copy of the Glovebox Guide: Biosecurity, Emergency Animal Diseases and preparing livestock for transport in August 2021.

MINTRAC is internationally recognised for its expertise in developing training and professional development solutions to Australian meat industry business development requirements. MINTRAC is an independent national company at the forefront of innovation in skills and training, with strong links to Industry and Registered Training Organisations.

Since its establishment in 1992, MINTRAC has sought to provide highly valued products and services to the Australian Meat Industry in the areas of education and training.

Contact LBRCA to access a handy Glovebox Guide and Transport Welfare Checklist. Click here for contact details. 

NEW NHVR SECURITY SEALS

The NHVR will commence using branded security seals from 4 January 2022, supporting measures to deliver a consistent tamper proof transport and logistics network.

The seals will be used by NHVR officers in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and the ACT where a heavy vehicle’s load is sealed and inspected.

Director Southern Region (Operations) Paul Simionato confirmed the seals would add an additional level of assurance for operators and drivers, together with those taking final delivery of loads.

“The seals are another example of the NHVR delivering increased levels of safety and security across industry,” Paul said.

“On an occasion where an officer inspects a load, we will re-seal the load with an NHVR security seal, signalling that the load has been inspected and hasn’t been tampered with when it arrives at its final destination.”

Any questions regarding security seals, please contact Operational.support@nhvr.gov.au

ROAD TRAIN NOTICE OPERATOR’S GUIDE

The NHVR has released an online operator’s guide for the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2020. The online operator’s guide will replace the PDF guides with one mobile-responsive webpage.

Feedback from industry confirmed it’s much easier to find information in online operator’s guides, which can still be printed as a complete document if operators want to carry a paper copy in their trucks.
 
Click here to read the online National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice 2020 Operator’s Guide

CONGRATULATIONS bp

bp have proudly been awarded the Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers award for Small Business Fuel Cards in Australia.

bp topped the ratings for the best fuel card, after earning the only five-star rating for overall satisfaction, alongside its five star ratings for:

The win reflects bp’s commitment to putting customers first.  With BP Plus your business will benefit from;

  • On-going fuel savings on unleaded, premium and diesel fuels 
  • Access to the BP Specialist Discount Network
  • Earn Qantas Points on fuel and shop transactions with Qantas Business Rewards
  • 0% card service fees when you pay your BP Plus account with American Express
  • 24/7 online monitoring and control 
  • Up to 51 days of interest-free credit

Pay from the comfort of your car with the BP Plus App

The annual rating by Canstar Blue, a consumer review and comparison website, ranks the nation’s top fuel cards based on customer research and analysis.  Canstar Blue surveyed more than 2,000 Australian small to medium-sized business owners or key decision-makers (i.e. the key decision-maker for the business) across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction.

Learn more about Canstar Blue’s Small Business Fuel Card Award here

Find out more about BP Plus here  Terms & Conditions apply

TRUCKSAFE – ANIMAL WELFARE

ALRTA CHRISTMAS SHUTDOWN

ALRTA Council, Executive and Staff (Mat, Sue, Colleen and Jack) would like to wish all our members and partners a safe and happy festive season. It’s been another unusual year with pandemics, floods and trade wars affecting rural trucking – yet our industry has been one of the shining lights supporting the entire Australian economy. Underpinned by continuing strong demand for rural transport services we are all hoping for some ‘plain sailing’ in 2022. 


ALRTA Staff catch up for Christmas on Lake Burley-Griffin (the best way to socially distance). 

This will be our last newsletter for 2021 and ALRTA office will be closing over Christmas/New Year from Friday 24 December 2021. We will be back on Tuesday 4 January 2022.

We are moving office next week so our phone and computers will be temporarily offline. If you have an emergency please contact Mat Munro on 0421 082 489.

FRIDAY FUNNY

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2022

LBRCA (NSW) – 10-12 February 2022 – Wagga Wagga NSW – Information & Registration
LRTAQ (QLD) – 4-5 March 2022- Surfair Marcoola QLD
LRTASA  (SA) – 17-18 June 2022 – Adelaide SA
ALRTA/LRTAV National Combined Conference – 12-13 August 2022 – All Seasons Bendigo VIC