THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL SPONSOR
NTI
LATEST ON BORDER CONTROLS
South Australia
SA has reopened its border with Vic. This means all Jurisdictions are classified as a “low community transmission zone”. A Border pass is still required and can be accessed here – https://forms.police.sa.gov.au/Runtime/Runtime/Form/CrossBorderTravel/
Essential travellers no longer required to undertake a Covid-19 test or produce evidence of a test. Face masks are no longer required for essential freight workers whilst carrying out their duties. Essential freight workers are still required to maintain records of close contacts encountered in the previous 14 days and keep those records for 28 days. Drivers are reminded to continue to practice appropriate social distancing and good hygiene protocols.
Queensland
From 1am AEST Tuesday 1 December 2020 you will only need to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass if in the last 14 days, you have been in a designated hotspot.
Under the QLD Public Health Directions, currently only South Australia has specified COVID-19 hotspots. If you have been to any of these hotspots you will still need to fill out a Queensland Border Declaration Pass – Freight and Logistics (F Pass).
You should also maintain your COVID-19 Safely Plan and remember to practice good hand hygiene, physical distancing, wear a face mask where you can’t physically distance and get tested if you feel unwell or have any COVID-19 symptoms.
More Information
For the latest summary of border rules and testing sites click here.
REGO REMOVED FROM LIVESTOCK PERMITS
Members are reminded that from 1 December 2020 Class 3 Livestock Permits no longer require vehicle registration details.
Please be aware that your customers can now easily apply for a permit pre-approval via the NHVR Portal. You will be able to operate under a pre-approved permit.
More information is available on the Class 3 (miscellaneous) permit page.
NSW EFFLUENT DISPOSAL SITES
ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, and Project Officer, Sue Davies, met with policy and environmental representatives from NSW Roads and Maritime Services to discuss considerations for selecting roadside effluent disposal sites. The discussions were positive with many potential issues explored. We will meet again before the end of 2020 to begin site prioritisation and project plans.
SAFETY GRANTS NOW OPEN
Submissions are now open for Round 6 of the NHVR Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
The program, supported by the Federal Government, will provide a record $5.55 million to back submissions from community and industry groups to improve heavy vehicle safety on Australian roads.
The NHVR has suggested that submissions address one of three themes – Safer drivers, Safer vehicles and Safer road use – to align with state, territory and Commonwealth road safety plans. Projects must be implementable, commence in the 2021-22 financial year and be completed by 30 June 2024.
For more information or to view the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative 2021-22 Submission Guidelines, visit www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi
HYDRATION AND DRIVING
The hot weather and summer holidays are approaching, which means there will be more people taking a road trip, spending more time outside in the sun and so on. If you are driving for a living, you’ll be spending more time in a hot vehicle, or in hot protective clothing if on a motorbike. In general, the warmer you are the quicker you lose water from your body. If you don’t replace the water you lose through sweating and breathing, you get dehydrated and that can have some quite serious effects on you and your passengers. Driving dehydrated affects your concentration and coordination.
The types of drivers that have the most risk of dehydration include:
- Truck drivers
- Bus drivers
- Holidaymakers on long journeys
- Motorbike and scooter riders wearing full protective clothing
- Farm workers on open vehicles (quad bikes, motorbikes and open tractors) in the hot sun, or in older tractors that don’t have air conditioning.
Those who drive for long durations of time or in warm weather are more at risk.
A National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) fact sheet states that two thirds of drivers can’t recognise the symptoms. These are – tiredness, dry mouth and bad breath, dizziness and headaches. When you are thirsty you are already slightly dehydrated. Dehydration symptoms cause driving errors the equivalent to having a blood alcohol level of 0.08% – which is over the legal limit.
To tackle dehydration pull over somewhere safe (preferably shaded) and drink water and eat foods with a high water content and low protein content (protein uses water to be digested) is the advice of NRSPP.
TRUCKSAFE RECEIVES SAFETY AWARDS
TruckSafe has received two National Road Safety Awards, celebrating its strong safety management culture and proactive approach to fleet safety.
By industry, for industry, TruckSafe is an award-winning business and risk management system improving the safety and professionalism of trucking operators nationwide.
Earlier this year the Australian Road Safety Foundation announced TruckSafe as the winner of two National Road Safety Awards: The Corporate Fleet Safety Award and the Founders Award for Outstanding Achievement.
TruckSafe was presented with the awards at a Parliament House ceremony, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack.
NTI SUPPORTS HAY RUNNERS
NTI, Australia’s leading transport and logistics insurance specialist is proud to mark five years as major sponsor of the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners, with preparations underway for the next journey, this time from Burrumbuttock to Wyandra and Winton, 22 – 24 January 2021.
NTI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tony Clark said heading back out on the road with industry icon Brendan “Bumpa” Farrell OAM, is the perfect way to kick off and set the tone for 2021.
“As 2020 draws to an end, we’re looking ahead at how we can continue to support all Australians. We’re partnering with the Hay Runners for a fifth year running, because we know what we do together makes a difference – to individuals, families and industry,” he said.
VALE BRIAN (BRACKY) BRACKNELL
With great sadness we advise the passing of LRTAWA life member Brian (Bracky) Bracknell. Bracky was a ‘founding father’ of the LRTAWA. Without his wisdom and foresight, rural transport would not have made the gains it did in the early years. He was a mentor and philosopher who possessed natural bush charm, topped off with a devilish twinkle in his eye. One of nature’s gentleman and we will miss his quiet guidance. Our deepest sympathy to the Bracknell family.
Click on the image below to hear from the great man himself.
FRIDAY FUNNY
What is a truck driver’s favourite part of a movie?
The trailer!
ALRTA CROSSWORD REMINDER
To be in the draw for one of the 6 prize packs, return your crossword by this Wednesday 9 December 2020.
Are you stuck on 34 across? ” I can’t wait 28 days to go.” Click here for a clue.
You can download the crossword by clicking on the photo above.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2021
LRTAQ Conference – Roma QLD – 9-11 April 2021
LRTASA Conference – Adelaide SA – 18-19 June 2021
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