Weekly News: 2014 Highlights and 2015 Key Priorities

Click here to download the latest ALRTA newsletter, or read on for the highlights of 2013/14 and priorities for 2014/15.

On 12 June 2014, the ALRTA National Council considered the ALRTA’s resourcing and priorities for 2014-15. After looking back on progress against last year’s priorities, each State and Member Chapter had an opportunity to consider the outstanding issues of most concern and propose priorities for this year.

Highlights from 2013-14

  • A favourable charging recommendation which included a road train price adjustment (unfortunately Ministers have agreed to delay implementation until 2016-17);
  • Establishment of National Heavy Laws and Regulator (not all bad news);
  • Establishment of the ALRTA’s first Large and National Operators Chapter;
  • Exemptions from mandatory ABS requirements for heavy stock crates and dollies;
  • Hosting of whole-of-supply-chain ramps workshop and production of a report on which to base the development of guidance material;
  • Ministerial agreement to allow 1-tonne mass transfer to a tri-axle;
  • Removal of ‘livestock and bulk grain’ from specific consideration for any new road safety remuneration order;
  • 160km radius log book exemption for rural carriers in NSW & QLD; and
  • Ministerial agreement to continue work on key chain of responsibility improvements.

Priorities for 2014-15

There are many important issues facing the industry which will require attention from the ALRTA. However, these are the highest priorities for 2014-15 determined by Council:

  • Development of national ramp guidelines by the end of 2014;
  • Pursuing a 14 day fatigue cycle for rural / remote operators;
  • Nominating projects for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme (HVSPP);
  • Nationalising the 160km radius log book exemption for rural carriers;
  • Improving driver amenities at key loading / unloading sites; and
  • Transitioning ALRTA to new direct management arrangements.

The ALRTA will be fighting hard on these issues and we are already off to a good start. The NHVR has formally announced an intention to establish a Livestock and Rural Transporters Fatigue Management Scheme by the end of the year and Round 4 of the HVSPP will open on 1 July 2014.

We will establish our Ramps Working Group in July and continue transitioning to new management arrangements over the next couple of months.

It’s already shaping up to be another good year.