THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL PARTNER PACCAR & DEALER INDUSTRY FUND
Evolved, refined, technologically advanced, the new K220 takes the driver experience to the Next Level.
ROAD USER CHARGE UNCHANGED, BUT FUEL TAX CREDITS GONE
Ministers have delayed decisions relating to changes in the road user charge (RUC) which will remain at 26.4 cpl from 1 July 2022. Ministers will next meet on 5 August 2022. ALRTA has called for a lower increase than the level proposed by Ministers.
However, members should be aware that due to the Australian Government’s decision to reduce the fuel excise rate by 22.1 cpl, from 30 March 2022 until 28 September 2022, businesses using fuel in heavy vehicles for travelling on public roads will not be able to claim fuel tax credits as the RUC exceeds the excise duty paid.
Please be mindful that your normal fuel tax credits will not be available during the relief period. You may need to set aside sufficient financial reserves to meet any liabilities that you would normally cover with fuel tax credits.
On a case-by-case basis, the ATO may allow additional time to square up outstanding liabilities. Click here for more information.
Industry is continuing to lobby the Australian Government to restore the fuel tax credit.
LRTAV/ALRTA COMBINED NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The LRTAV/ALRTA combined National Conference is only six weeks away – 12-14 August 2022. The All Seasons Resort Bendigo is already booked out but there is accommodation available close by at either Golden Reef Motor Inn, Ph:1800 624 793, www.goldenreefmotorinn.com or Best Western Crystal Inn Ph: 03 5443 4340, www.crystalinn.com.au.
Check out the Delegate book & program and to click on Registration Form to register
ADBLUE UPDATE
New Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic has given ATA this update on AdBlue:
‘The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources is continuing to engage actively with Australian Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)/Technical Grade Urea (TGU) importers, producers and the fuel retailers and wholesalers on the status of the DEF market and the level of government involvement necessary for optimal market function.
Our current understanding is the Australian DEF market is now well supplied, inventories have recovered to pre-supply crisis levels, and any stock outs should be localised and temporary. The Department understands from ABS data that source-country supply chain diversification has improved compared to this time last year.
The Department is continuing to monitor the market situation and work actively with the sector to enhance market transparency arrangements to support more informed and better decision making by industry and government.
We believe the lack of market transparency contributed to the supply chain issues faced in December 2021 through to March 2022 and we are working with Australian DEF/TGU importers, producers, fuel retailers and wholesalers to improve information and transparency.’
HEAVY VEHICLE BREAKFAST FORUM
Approximately 60 people attended the Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum facilitated by Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor at the Forbes Inn on Thursday morning. ALRTA was invited to speak in the session about Effluent, load restraint and Chain of Responsibility (CoR). Following NHVR’s CoR presentation, ALRTA Project & Communications Officer Sue Davies spoke about the impact of poor animal preparation, the constraints of vehicle design, for example the need for ventilated crates and the limited capacity of belly tanks and pointed to the current lack of livestock effluent disposal sites.
Sue also described ALRTA’s focus on solutions, such as better communication between supply chain parties and improved animal preparation, common-sense enforcement, investment in roadside infrastructure – for example construction of a network of effluent disposal facilities on key livestock transport routes, the development of an industry Code of Practice and ongoing cooperative research.
Forbes Shire General Manager, Steve Loane promoted the potential commercial benefits of collected livestock effluent and pointed out the animal welfare concern of stock standing in effluent in transit. Steve said that council get a lot of complaints about effluent dumped illegally in rest areas and that council was supportive of ALRTA’s proposal to build a roadside effluent pit South of Forbes on the Newell Highway.
Sue Davies with Melanie Suitor at the Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum
Also discussed at the forum was heavy vehicle access, including Farm Gate Access in NSW, and the forward program for roadworks in Forbes, Parkes and Lachlan Shires.
SafeWork NSW gave a presentation about their role auditing workplaces and providing WHS guidance. They referred to the recently published ‘Guide to WHS in the Road Freight Transport Industry’ and announced that they will be working on WHS resources for livestock transport and saleyards next.
Lastly, Roy Trimmer of Midland Trailers talked about the fleet of PBS vehicles they have designed to carry SNOWY 2.0 materials. He described the benefits of using PBS vehicles, specifically their stability, innovative technology and the reduction in vehicle movements. Others in the audience pointed out their reputation for safety and that the fleet is younger and operators usually appoint their best drivers to them. They said that PBS vehicles are also efficient in the current driver shortage and they reduce fuel and registration costs.
Roy Trimmer of Midland Trailers answers questions about PBS vehicles at the Forbes Forum.
PBS PERMITS REMOVED IN NSW
Eligible PBS reference vehicles no longer need a permit to operate up to 85 tonnes on approved networks in New South Wales and Victoria.
The National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2022 (No.1) commenced on 24 June 2022.
Eligible vehicles include those that fit within a 30m A-double reference envelope. Publication of NSW PBS Network Maps this week confirms that the NSW-VIC PBS A-double network now connects Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and numerous regional hubs. Telematic requirements apply and PBS approvals must be carried at all times.
GEELONG LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE AND TRUCK WASH PROPOSAL
City of Greater Geelong Council has endorsed a resolution to develop a business case to examine a proposal to establish a multipurpose livestock exchange and truck wash. The business case will look at costs, sites, planning and operating models and ownership.
AUSSIE SEAWEED TACKLES METHANE
Australian native seaweed ‘asparagopsis’ is touted as a livestock food additive that reduces methane emissions by 90 – 95%. Just 50g of the additive per 14kg of feed can produce the effect.
International patent rights are held by FutureFeed – a group involving CSIRO, Woolworths, GrainCorp, Harvest Road and Sparklabs Cultiv8. Three businesses have been licenced to sell the additive in Australia.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2022
ALRTA/LRTAV National Combined Conference -12-13 August 2022 – All Seasons Bendigo VIC – Delegate Book & Registration Form
LRTAWA (WA) – 3 September 2022 – Industry Day – Burswood on Swan – Perth WA
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