GOODYEAR
PROUD NATIONAL SPONSOR ALRTA
*ALRTA Members are entitled to a 10% discount off regular cash prices on commercial tyres at participating Beaurepaires stores. Discount does not apply to products on promotion or other specials. Offer applies to cash transactions only and commercial tyres.
REGISTRATION CHARGES FROZEN
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Australia (ALRTA) has welcomed the announcement that heavy vehicle registration charges will be frozen at the current level for twelve months. The decision means that neither the RUC or registration charges will increase by 2.5% per cent on 1 July 2020 as previously flagged by Australian Governments.
ALRTA National President Stephen thanked all State Governments for listening to industry calls to freeze charges at the current level.
“Federal and State Governments have recognised the importance of supporting the Australian economy during the downturn caused by COVID-19,” said President Marley.
“In freezing charges, Governments are effectively agreeing to spend more on heavy vehicle infrastructure than will be recovered from industry. This is exactly the type of investment that is most beneficial because there is a stimulus effect during the building phase, plus a lasting productivity boost that will help us come out the other side.
“In addition, keeping road transport costs low will benefit millions of Australian businesses and consumers.
“I must firstly recognise the leadership of the Federal Government in unilaterally announcing a freeze to the RUC last week, and I sincerely thank all State Governments for listening to our calls for a similar freeze to registration charges.
“While the Australian Federation is not always perfect, the level of cooperation between Federal and State Governments during this crisis has put Australia among an elite group of nations that can claim to have the virus under control,” he said.
EFFLUENT DISPOSAL OPTIONS
The ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, and Project Officer, Sue Davies, met with ATA director and LBRCA member Andy Divall at Divall’s Earthmoving near Goulburn this week to jointly inspect a potential site for a roadside effluent disposal facility.
ALRTA and LBRCA are working with RMS and Divall’s to evaluate the potential of the site which could be a safe and financially attractive option if able to utilise a section of the old Hume Highway and adjacent deceleration and acceleration lanes. Stay tuned for more information.
ATA PRESSES FOR FAIR PAYMENT TERMS
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has stood up for small trucking businesses this week and pressed its concerns about payment terms with Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell AO.
In a video conference, ATA CEO Ben Maguire highlighted the impact of unfair payment terms on small trucking businesses.
“Payment terms are an existing problem in the trucking industry, but the coronavirus pandemic has made the problem worse. Some customers of trucking businesses have started extending their payment terms to pre-empt what might happen with their own cash flow,” Mr Maguire said.
“At the same time, some suppliers are shortening their credit terms, for example from end of month+30 days to invoice+14 days,” he said.
Ms Carnell empathised with the trucking industry and said she understood the pressure faced by trucking businesses across Australia.
“It’s tough if you’re a truckie. You have to pay for things like (fuel) almost immediately,” Ms Carnell said.
Mr Maguire said the ATA was a longstanding advocate for a mandatory code to address the payment issues facing trucking, and thanked Ms Carnell for her support.
“We appreciate the work Kate Carnell’s office has done to highlight the impact of payment terms on small businesses and the need for stronger action from the Government,” Mr Maguire said.
“The ATA will continue pressing the Government to fix unfair payment terms as a matter of urgency. Australia’s economic recovery from the pandemic will depend on the nation’s small businesses – but they can’t do the job if they don’t get paid.
“The ATA has proposed that fair payment terms be delivered in the trucking industry through a mandatory code under Part IVB of the Competition and Consumer Act.
“Given the scope of the problem, however, the Government needs to follow the UK’s approach and include all business to business transactions in its planned payment terms legislation, with the statutory time period set at 20 days,” he said.
The ATA and its member associations collectively represent the 50,000 businesses and 200,000 people in the Australian trucking industry. Together, the ATA and its members are committed to safety, professionalism and viability.
COR: GAP ASSESSMENT TOOL
A modern online safety assessment tool has been revamped to assist heavy vehicle operators to identify gaps in their safety systems.
Queensland Transport and Main Road Minister Mark Bailey said the NHVR’s Gap Assessment Tool had been simplified and upgraded to assist operators to examine their current systems against known risks and recognised best practice.
“Heavy vehicle operators tell us they want a quick and easy tool to assess their business’s safety compliance with their Chain of Responsibility obligations,” Mr Bailey said.
“No more than ever we want the entire supply chain working together to assist drivers to operate safely and efficiently.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the re-launched Gap Assessment Tool included a number of new features, including:
- New bus-specific version to provided targeted guidance for the bus industry
- Simplified recommendations which link to NVHR resources, website information, and external material such as the Load Restraint Guide and the Master Industry Code of Practice
- Links to relevant National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme material
- New easier-to-read format
- Links to quick briefs and relevant sections of Heavy Vehicle National Law.
“The Tool includes a number of relevant questions which can be completed in less than 15 minutes and has been updated to link to the additional support information such as the NHVR’s Safety Management System material and the Master Industry Code of Practice,” he said.
“The updated tool replaced the original version which was launched in 2017 and used more than 20,000 times to support major changes to Chain of Responsibility laws which were introduced in October 2018.”
To use the updated tool visit www.nhvr.gov.au/gap-assessment-tool
NHVR – OSOM PERMITS TO BE REMOVED
Almost one-third of New South Wales oversize overmass (OSOM) permits will be removed under updated Class 1 notices.
The updated Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles Dimension and Mass Exemption Notices included increases in mass and dimensions in NSW and South Australia.
- In New South Wales, the mass has been increased up to 115 tonnes and the width has been increased up to 5.0 metres.
- Some of the key improvements in South Australia include an increase in mass up to 100 tonnes and an increased width of up to 4.6 metres.
Click read for more detail.
COVID-19 AND MEAT WORKS
Over recent weeks ALRTA has published links to information about COVID-19 outbreaks and closures in USA meat works. Australia has now had a similar outbreak at Cedar Meats in Victoria.
To read more about the Australian vs USA situation click here.
SCHOLARSHIP REGISTRATION EXTENDED
Final Call: Last Chance to Register for Scholarship Funding for current and aspiring female leaders.
Women currently working in the transport and logistics sector have a final opportunity to register their interest in a scholarship worth up to $5,000 to support participation in an online leadership development program.
It is unsure when this funding will be available again, and the registration deadline has been extended until 5pm on June 19. Find out more here: www.wla.edu.au/transportlogistics.html
TRUCKIE GETS STUCK UNDER A BRIDGE
A truck driver was driving along on the highway. A sign comes up that reads, “LOW BRIDGE AHEAD”. Before he knows it the bridge is right ahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge. Cars are backed up for kilometres.
Finally, a police car comes up. The policeman gets out of his car and walks around to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, “Got your truck stuck, huh?”
The truck driver says, “No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of petrol.”
ALRTA STAFF AVAILABILITY AMIDST COVID19
From 24 March 2020 the ALRTA staff – Mathew, Sue, Colleen and Jack are working from home amidst COVID-19.
Please email office@alrta.org.au or call Colleen on the ALRTA mobile 0490 515 681 or Mathew (ED) on 0421 082 489.
UPDATE ON EVENTS FOR 2020
LRTAQ (QLD) on 19-21 March 2020 at Roma QLD. – POSTPONED
LTAT (TAS) on 2 May 2020 in Hobart TAS. – POSTPONED
LRTASA (SA)on 12-13 June 2020 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA. – CANCELLED
LRTAWA/ALRTA (WA & National) on 24-25 July 2020. Perth WA.- POSTPONED until further notice
LRTAV (VIC) on 14-15 August 2020 at All Seasons Resort Bendigo VIC – POSTPONED
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