ALRTA News – 25 November 2022

THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA PARTNER POWERTORQUE

PowerTorque Magazine, in association with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, is introducing the Rural Transport Rising Star Award, an award to shine the spotlight on and encourage the best in the young people who are working the industry and driving it forward into the future.

This is an initiative to celebrate and reward ,with a cash winner’s prize, the young people building the rural transport industry of the future.

MORE INFORMATION AND TO NOMINATE

ALRTA RESPONDS TO PROPOSALS TO CHANGE HORSE TRANSPORT STANDARDS 

ALRTA has lodged a submission in response to a consultation regulation impact statement proposing changes to horse transport standards.  The proposals were recently considered by our National Driver and Animal Welfare Committee.
 
ALRTA’s submission is supportive of targeted changes to the horse standards. This will mean new legislation and new or modified rules specified in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock 2012 as it applies to horses.
 
Specifically, we have supported new standards requiring:

  • a written record of last access to water;
  • a transporter to manage welfare risks and take corrective actions due to heat stress;
  • horses with poor body conditions score (0 or 1) not to be transported without vet advice;
  • foals with unhealed umbilical stumps not to be transported except to foster mares;
  • transporters to ensure horses have sufficient space to maintain a comfortable standing position and balance (instead of adhering to loading density tables);
  • a prohibition on transporting horses in multi-deck trailers (except where only the lower deck is used and there is sufficient vertical clearance);
  • a prohibition on transporting mixed loads of handled and unhandled horses; and
  • removal of hind shoes where horses are travelling to slaughter.

ALRTA has strongly opposed a proposal to move from a 24 hour time off water limit to a 12 hour journey time limit. This proposal is inconsistent with standards for all other species and introduces unacceptable operational / regulatory risks. We have however supported a reduction in the time off water limit to 15 hours to align with BFM fatigue rules.
 
ALRTA expects a decision regulatory impact statement on the refined proposal to be released in 2023.

GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS FUEL STANDARDS

The Federal Government is seeking views on improvements to Australia’s fuel quality standards. A draft regulation impact statement has been released which canvasses various options.
 
The primary focus is on petrol standards to pave the way for the introduction of Euro 6d emissions standards for light vehicles. Improved fuel quality might ensure:

  • Better air quality;
  • Improve health outcomes;
  • The latest and cleanest vehicle technology works as designed;
  • Greater access to more efficient vehicles.

The regulation impact statement has found that a change to the diesel standard is not required.  Current standards vary significantly across the globe and Australia’s diesel quality is already very close to the European Union standard. There is no evidence of any potential operability issues with Euro 6 trucks in Australia.
 
A change to the Australian diesel standard would simply be another regulatory cost we do not need.

NHVR VISITS ALRTA HEADQUARTERS

ALRTA was pleased to welcome NHVR representatives to our National Headquarters in Canberra this week, ahead of the upcoming National Industry Reference Forum. 
 
 
Mat Munro (ALRTA Executive Director), Michelle Tayler (NHVR Executive Director, Corporate Affairs), John Gilbert (NHVR Manager Industry Engagement) and Sue Davies (ALRTA Project and Communications Officer).

TELL GOVERNMENT ABOUT DAMAGED ROADS

The Australian Trucking Association has been approached by Government to provide advice about roads that have been badly damaged due to rain and flooding.
 
We need your help!
 
Please send your photos and location descriptions of damage or potholes to ata@truck.net.au

HVSI ROUND 8 OPEN

The Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program supports implementable, value-for-money projects that deliver tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety. This federally funded grants program, administered by the NHVR, aims to make Australia’s roads safer for all users.

For Round 8, the NHVR is again engaging broadly with heavy vehicle industry participants to identify heavy vehicle safety projects for consideration. Funding for Round 8 is approximately $4.3 million. Submissions open on 22 November 2022 and close on 20 February 2023.

For more information click here.

For any enquiries, contact HVSI@nhvr.gov.au

NEW OSOM NOTICES IN QUEENSLAND

Two new road access notices will cut red tape and provide operators of Class 3 B-doubles, road trains and truck and dog trailer combinations in Queensland with productivity improvements.
 
Network access conditions in both notices remain unchanged.

Queensland Class 3 B-Double and Road Train (Carriage of large Indivisible Items) Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1)

This notice came into effect on 28 October 2022 and provides dimensional exemptions (height and width) to B-doubles and road trains to transport large indivisible items in Queensland.

Operators should note that:

  • pilot and escort conditions on the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and the Chinchilla Shire boundary have been removed
  • transfer of truck and dog combinations are now included in the Queensland Class 3 Truck and Dog Trailer (exceeding 19m up to 31.5m in length) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1).

More information about the notice is provided in the Operator’s Guide.

Queensland Class 3 Truck and Dog Trailer (exceeding 19m up to 31.5m in length) Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2022 (No.1)

This notice will commence on 23 November 2022. It will provide dimensional (length, height and width) exemptions to rigid truck and dog combinations longer than 19m but no longer than 31.5m carrying general freight or large indivisible items.

The new notice includes

  • higher steer mass limits
  • an exemption to tow mass ratio
  • the ability to carry indivisible items in addition to divisible items.

More information about the notice is provided in the Operator’s Guide.

The publication of the above notices replaces access provided by:

  • Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle (Indivisible Item) Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1). Access under the notice will cease on 25 November 2022.
  • Queensland Class 3 Heavy Vehicle Truck Towing One Trailer Exceeding 19m Up To 31.5m Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice 2019 (No.1). Access under the notice will cease on 21 December 2022.

TRACEABILITY GRANTS 

On 10 November 2022, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon. Murray Watt announced the opening of the $6 million Regulatory Technology Research and Insights Grant Round (RegTech Research and Insights grants).

The grants will support successful applicants to develop proposals to increase the use of RegTech along agricultural supply chains. Research and Insights will help to find ways to make traceability compliance easier for farmers and simpler for businesses to ensure better market access for the agricultural sector.

  • Grants of between $50,000 to $500,000 are available.
  • Project activities will run for up to 2 years (2023-2025)
  • Applicants may be individuals, groups and organisations.

For more information, visit the GrantConnect website or the department’s website, or contact the Community Grants Hub:
Phone: 1800 020 283 (option 1)
Email: support@communitygrants.gov.au
Questions should be sent no later than 5:00 pm AEDT 7 December 2022

Applications close on 14 December 2022. 

HEALTHY HEADS APP

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds have partnered with bp to deliver on site programs including healthier meal choices at participating bp sites. It’s free to join by downloading the Healthy Heads app.



“The Healthy Heads App provides support on hand for people in the road transport, warehousing and logistics sector. Designed to improve everyday access to mental health and physical wellbeing resources and information.”

HEALTHY HEADS WEBSITE

REGISTRATIONS OPEN TO LBRCA CONFERENCE 2023

Register now to celebrate the 35th Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) Annual Conference in NSW on 10-11 March 2023, at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC).

The conference will feature the theme ‘Safeguarding the rural transport supply chain’ throughout the 2023 event, with Jason Strong, CEO of Meat and Livestock Australia as a keynote speaker. Other topics to be covered include:

  • Fuel supply and security
  • The cost of doing heavy vehicle business in NSW
  • Driver skills, attraction and retention
  • Innovating heavy vehicle access in NSW
  • The future of electric/hydrogen vehicles and a net zero transport network

The Saturday program will include livestock and bulk break-out sessions where delegates can discuss challenges and opportunities specific to their area of interest.

Download the brochure here and the registration form here.

For more information please contact Bec in the LBRCA Secretariat office@lbrca.org.au or phone 02 6295 6651.

EARLY BIRD OFFER FOR ALRTA MEMBERS 

Early Bird Tickets are available until Friday 23 December 2022, don’t miss out!

Trucking Australia 2023 – Register Now

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2023

LBRCA – 9-11 March 2023 – TAMWORTH NSW
LRTAQ – 16-17 March 2023 – TOWNSVILLE QLD
ATA TRUCKING AUSTRALIA 2023 – 29-31 March 2023 – SUNSHINE COAST QLD
LRTASA – 16-17 June 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA
LRTAWA/NATIONAL Combined Conference – 4-5 August 2023 – WA (Venue TBC)