ALRTA News – 7 July 2023

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A MESSAGE FROM THE ALRTA PRESIDENT

There has been change at the ALRTA recently, but the mission of the ALRTA – to promote a safe and successful livestock and rural transport industry, hasn’t changed.

Behind the scenes, the ALRTA is continuing to advocate for rural trucking, ensuring our hard-working road transport members are protected and promoted as sustainable, responsible, and safe contributors to rural and regional Australia and our primary industries.

On 12 July, I will be attending the Heavy Vehicle Industry Roundtable with Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, to discuss heavy vehicle reforms and the future of the industry.

The ALRTA has also prepared a letter in support of the LRTAWA submission on the Phase out of live sheep exports by sea, and is continuing to consult with the ATA, Senator Glenn Sterle, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations on ‘Employee-like’ forms of work.

It was good to see a large crowd at the official launch of the Effluent Code. The launch was well supported by NHVR staff, local council and LRTAQ members, as well as ALRTA representatives from NSW and VIC. Raising awareness of the registered industry code of practice continues to be a priority issue the ALRTA is addressing. 

I am looking forward to catching up at the LRTAWA/ALRTA Combined National Conference and the LRTAV State Conference in August.

Scott McDonald

LRTAWA/ALRTA CONFERENCE – REGISTER NOW!

Join us in Busselton WA on 4-5 August 2023 for the LRTAWA/ALRTA Combined State National Conference.
Register here:  https://eecw.eventsair.com/lrtaalrta/

GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ACKNOWLEDGES SLOW TRUCK LAW REFORMS

The ATA has secured papers that shows government bodies understand the slow pace of truck law reforms.

In a private meeting outcomes paper, a top government committee has acknowledged the industry’s frustrations about the slow pace of the truck law reforms. 

The draft outcomes come courtesy of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) reform implementation steering committee meeting from May 1 2023. 

The Heavy Vehicle National Law Reform Implementation Steering Committee also acknowledged the range of issues facing heavy vehicle operators in addition to the HVNL work and the importance of ensuring new laws could meet the future needs of the industry. 

ATA chair David Smith and CEO Mathew Munro

The comments in the meeting outcomes paper followed discussions with ATA Chair David Smith, ALRTA President Scott McDonald and HVIA CEO Todd Hacking. 

The industry representatives advised the committee that their highest priority was streamlined access – improvement in this area would be a step change for productivity. The representatives agreed a single portal for access and a single national map were key elements of an effective system, the paper reported.

Read the committee papers.

WHAT WILL A FUEL TAX CREDIT DECREASE MEAN FOR THE INDUSTRY?

It’s going to be a tough month for the road transport industry. From 1 July 2023 the fuel tax credit (FTC) scheme for diesel fuel used in eligible trucks on public roads will decrease to 18.9 cents per litre from 20.5 cents per litre. 

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has commented on the matter saying the decrease is due to a decision made by Australian transport ministers to increase truck charges by six per cent per year for the next three years. 

As a result, truck drivers and operators will receive a smaller subsidy for their fuel. 

There will also be an increase to the road user charge (RUC) on diesel, which will rise from 27.2 cents per litre to 28.8 in 2023-24. 

Find out more here at Australasian Transport News.

ALRTA MEMBER CURLEY CATTLE TRANSPORT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS!

Stephen and Mick Curley. Truck photo: Ann Britton Photography

The story of Curley Cattle Transport started with the purchase of a single truck in 1972 – a Dodge with a 160 Cummins engine, towing two cattle crates. Fast forward to over 50 years later and the business now operates a fleet of 40 Kenworth T659s, all used to pull triple road trains across Queensland and into the Northern Territory.

Read more of the story here.

ZERO EMISSION HEAVY VEHICLES SURVEY

Advantia Transport Consulting is conducting a project for Austroads: “Future Freight Vehicles and Buses – Implications for Road Managers”, and is seeking feedback from Australian and New Zealand owners and operators of heavy vehicles and buses about the future of their fleets.

The survey results will form part of the evidence used to:

  • inform policy on accommodating increased steer and drive axle masses for future freight vehicles and buses (including low and zero emission vehicles) 
  • identify opportunities to mitigate pavement and structure impacts from increased masses. 

The survey will be open until 10 July 2023 and it will take around 15 minutes to complete. 

Complete the survey here.

REMINDER: NHVR FINE & FEE INCREASES

A reminder that on 1 July 2023 NHVR access permit fees increased by $5 and the cost of a National Driver Work Diary increased by $2 (from $26 to $28).

Fees for the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme modules and Heavy Vehicle National Law penalties and fines also increased.

Click to view the new NHVR fee schedule and the NHVR penalty and fine schedule.

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2023

  • 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