THANK YOU ALRTA NATIONAL PARTNERS
ALRTA National Partners provide invaluable support to the ALRTA to achieve important outcomes for the Australian livestock and rural transport industry.
ALRTA encourages all members to visit and engage with ALRTA National Partners.
RURAL ROADS ALLIANCE REITERATES CALL FOR MORE ROAD FUNDING
The newly-formed Rural Roads Alliance has given evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, reiterating its call for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion in next week’s Federal Budget.
The latest call comes as the Government commits to a review of infrastructure spending – a process the Alliance hopes will not lessen rural road funding.
The Alliance includes GrainGrowers, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA).
Appearing before the House of Representatives Standing Committee, ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, said that urgent new funding was needed right across the rural road network.
“Severely damaged roads are dramatically increasing the time and cost of moving freight to and from our rural production centres. It’s harder on our vehicles, it’s harder on our drivers, and it’s harder on our livestock. At the end of the day it’s a basic safety issue that needs to be addressed,” Mr Munro said.
Rob Anspach, representing the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia, spoke about problems in road construction.
“Road construction material standards differ across Australia and many engineers and contractors don’t know how to use local materials. Bitumen standards are also suffering to meet environmental goals. Roads built to minimum standards at lowest cost require constant maintenance and cost more over the longer term,” he said.
The Alliance – which represents diverse stakeholders from across regional Australia including farmers, transporters and local councils – was formed in response to the critical challenges facing Australia’s rural road network in the wake of flooding and high rainfall.
In the lead up to the Federal Budget, the Rural Roads Alliance is calling for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion, including:
- A one-off injection of $1 billion over four years directed at regional road and infrastructure reconstruction for councils impacted by flooding and other natural disasters to ensure the rebuild is to a standard more resilient to future disaster events;
- $800 million a year over four years for the Roads to Recovery Program;
- $300 million a year over four years to address first and last mile freight productivity; and,
- targeted funding through the Roads of Strategic Importance program to improve the long-term climate resilience of freight networks.
BYRNE TRAILERS HOSTS 2023 GOLD CUP
ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, attended the 2023 Wagga Gold Cup as a guest of Byrne Trailers. It was great weather for racing with a large and well-dressed turnout on the day.
Although unable to pick a winner, it was great to catch up with the Byrne crew and member including Sam O’Sullivan, Peter Sheils, John Mitchell, Joe Sepos, Michael Betts and Peter Betts.
COUNCILS TO RECEIVE $250M ROAD FUNDING
The federal government announced $250 million in funding to councils classified as rural, regional or outer-urban in Phase 4 of the Local Road Community Infrastructure Program. Transport Minister Catherine King said the funding will prioritise road upgrades and support councils in delivering critical infrastructure for their communities.
Individual council allocations are available on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program website.
PACCAR AUSTRALIA APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
Leading truck manufacturer and technology company, PACCAR Australia, has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, Damian Smethurst, who will officially take charge on Monday 8 May 2023.
Damian has been with PACCAR Australia for 25 years and has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility including Director of Operations, Chief Engineer, and most recently General Manager PACCAR Parts Australia, where he has led the parts organisation to consecutive years of record levels of customer support and parts availability.
PACCAR Australia plays a crucial role in today’s heavy duty transport industry. It not only engineers and manufactures Australian made Kenworth trucks, but also imports and assembles the leading European DAF brand, as well as supporting the largest network of aftermarket parts and service, finance, and leasing solutions.
Damian succeeds outgoing Managing Director Andrew Hadjikakou, who leaves to begin the next phase of his life outside of PACCAR and the road transport industry.
Damian acknowledged the great work and vision of his predecessor, “Andrew has worked tirelessly throughout his 8 years leading PACCAR Australia. He has championed many critical initiatives including our recent $50M factory expansion and leaves the business in excellent shape.”
“I am honored to have been entrusted with leading this amazing business. My focus is firmly on the people – our staff, our dealers, and suppliers – who make this organisation what it is, and on our customers, who are the reason for our existence. I am excited about supporting and empowering our teams, to foster a culture of operational excellence and innovation, and strengthening our relationships with customers across Australia and New Zealand.”
THANK YOU COLLEEN MAYS
This week ALRTA farewelled Colleen Mays, our National Marketing Officer for more than 6 years. Colleen worked across many fields at ALRTA including office management, events, marketing, and partnerships, making ALRTA the association it is today.
Thank you Colleen.
WIN A RESTORED TRUCK WHILE HELPING A GOOD CAUSE
Since 2017, NTI has restored and modified vehicles, and raffled them off, to help fund research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). NTI’s former CEO, Wayne Patterson, suffered from MND and we decided to honour his passing by joining the search for a cure.
This year, in conjunction with MND & Me, we will be raffling “Daphne” – a 1954 Chevrolet Cab Over Engine (CoE) with a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 6.2-Litre Fuel Injected V8 engine. Daphne’s newly restored “hot lava orange” bodywork and running gear make her quite the looker, and her unique engine makes her a real performer. She’s a beauty, and a beast!
Tickets are available online, with all proceeds going towards funding MND Research – including the official NTI MND Research Grant.
The raffle will be drawn at the NTI Townsville 500 Supercars round on 9 July 2023.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2023
- LRTASA – 16-17 June 2023 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, ADELAIDE SA
- 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
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