ALRTA News – 5 February 2021

THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL SPONSOR

NTI, Australia’s number one transport and logistics insurance specialist and their brands, are proud partners of ALRTA in order to help improve the transport and logistics industries. 

NTI is excited to expand its national Authorised Repairer Network by introducing new Local Repairers.

Click HERE to read the media release and where to go for more information on how to engage an Authorised NTI Repairer. 

BORDER CONTROLS

Thursday 4 February – Victoria Update
Masks are now compulsory if working indoors throughout Victoria.


Wednesday 3 February – Victoria Update
The Victorian Chief Health Officer declared the Perth metropolitan area, the Peel region and the South West region of Western Australia will move from a green zone to a red zone under Victoria’s ‘traffic light’ travel permit system.

If you have been in one of these currently listed red zones since 25 January, you will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception, exemption or permitted worker permit.

Commercial Freight Workers who are coming from a green zone only need a Green Zone Permit. Those coming from a red zone (specified areas in Western Australia) or orange zone (Cumberland LGA in NSW) will need to apply for a Specified Worker Permit.

Find more information about permits and Ports of Entry factsheets in the attached update. 
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system#western-australia-update

Monday 1 February – Queensland update
Freight and Logistics workers entering Queensland who have been in any part of Western Australia in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland will be required to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass and continue to comply with the Queensland Freight Protocol.

Monday 1 Feb – South Australia Update
South Australia has declared WA a prohibited zone. Essential freight workers can still enter SA from WA but must continue to submit to Covid-19 testing on a rolling 7 day basis and be able to produce evidence of such to an authorised person if requested. Border passes are still required. Drivers need to maintain a record of close contacts, practice social distancing and adhere to the health protocols in place in SA.

Border crossing permit links can be found here – https://forms.police.sa.gov.au/Runtime/Runtime/Form/CrossBorderTravel/


Sunday 31 January – Western Australia Update
Effective at 6pm tonight until Friday 5th February the WA regions of Perth Metro, Peel and South West will be in lockdown. Essential Freight workers will still be able to enter these areas BUT mask wearing MANDATORY whilst working outside of your cab. Essential workers are required to self-isolate whilst not working. Essential businesses will still operate and masks are also required to be worn if entering these businesses if they fall within the lock down zones.

The following requirements under the health protocol still apply for entry to WA for essential workers.

  • Apply for a G2G border pass – https://www.g2gpass.com.au/
  • Any transport or freight worker entering Western Australia needs to show evidence of having received a negative COVID-19 test result in the last 5 days. If they have not been tested in the last 5 days, they will be directed at the WA border to undertake a COVID-19 test within 48 hours and again on day 11 if remaining in WA
  • Maintain a log of movements and close contacts.
  • Carry adequate PPE including gloves, face masks and hand sanitiser.
  • Practice physical distancing
  • Self-isolate when not working

 More detailed information on Western Australia
 
More Information
For the latest summary of border rules and testing sites click here.

THE RED TAPE REMOVAL SQUAD

Do you want to know more about the process ALRTA worked through to successfully remove registration details from class 3 livestock permits?  You can read about how it unfolded and who was involved in this month’s Power Torque magazine.
 
Click here to access the story.

DRIVING DIVERSITY CHANGE – WE WANT YOU

Members of ALRTA State Associations have the chance to be part of an initiative that will celebrate industry diversity, develop diversity champions, and improve industry image.
 
The ATA’s Teletrac Navman Driving Change Diversity Program will showcase diversity champions to the trucking industry and wider community, promoting positive perception of industry and encouraging new entrants into the workforce.
 
Last year’s ALRTA representative was Sarah Woodruff, employed by LTAT member, Tate’s Transport.  Sarah proudly participated in filming program participant stories in their workplace, an industry marketing and promotional campaign and diversity training workshops and participation at Trucking Australia 2020 (Next event is scheduled for October 2021).
 
Check out Sarah’s story by clicking the link below.

Watch Sarah’s Story

To nominate yourself or someone you know for the program, click for a fact sheet, prospectus or nomination form and get in touch with an ALRTA State Member Association to submit your application.
 
To ensure sufficient time for ALRTA to decide a candidate, please submit your nomination package to your state association by 5 March 2021.

NHVR FILES PRIMARY DUTIES CHARGES

Primary duties offences have been laid against a South Australian manufacturing company and its executive following an incident in February 2019.

The company has been charged with category 1, 2 and 3 offences under the Heavy Vehicle National Law while the executive has been charged with failure comply with a duty.

The charges stem from the incorrect restraint of a load on a trailer by someone who had not been adequately trained in load restraint nor had any relevant experience restraining loads on heavy vehicles.

When the vehicle subsequently had to stop suddenly at a traffic light, the load of metal beams shifted forward, smashing the rear window of the prime mover cabin.

NHVR Director Prosecutions Belinda Hughes said that the matter was a reminder of the importance of adequate safety education.

“This is an incident which could have been prevented by proper safety education and risk management systems,” Ms Hughes said.

“It’s an important reminder to everyone in the chain of responsibility of their duty to provide training and supervision around all parts of the heavy vehicle task. Ignoring this duty presents a serious safety risk to your own employees and all other road users.”

The matter will next be heard on 26 March 2021 at Elizabeth Magistrates Court, South Australia.

FUTURE FUELS AND FREIGHT ENERGY PRODUCTIVITY

The ATA has welcomed the release of the Government’s future fuels discussion paper and commitment to delivering a freight energy productivity program.

“The ATA congratulates the Government on recognising the need for a future fuels strategy to address the barriers to the roll out of new vehicle technologies,” ATA Chair David Smith said.

Mr Smith also welcomed the Government’s commitment to a $24.5 million Freight Energy Productivity Program.

“New competitive grants to support trucking businesses to invest in efficiency improvement for diesel vehicle fleets, vehicle modifications, or new vehicle technologies is an important recognition of the need to support industry to reduce emissions,” he said.

“The Government also needs to support the increased use of high productivity freight vehicles, which use less fuel to move the same amount of freight as a larger number of smaller trucks.”

Q FEVER RESEARCH

Have you suffered from Q fever? Charles Sturt PhD student Tabita Tan is carrying out an online survey as part of her research through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation to learn more about the impacts of the illness and patient experience in achieving a diagnosis.
 
Information from this questionnaire will inform the development of an emergency response plan to be used when a large Q fever outbreak in humans is identified. The study is being paid for as part of the ‘Taking the Query out of Q fever’ project, supported by AgriFutures Australia, through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture as part of its Rural Research and Development for Profit program.
 
The questionnaire will take about 20 minutes to complete.
 
Link to the survey: here

CELEBRATING FEMALE TRUCKIES

To commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, Women in Trucking Australia is awarding its first Trailblazer Driver of the Year and Driver of the Year prizes on the same day.



WiTA said that Trailblazer category is reserved for women who no longer drive to earn a living.
 
“Women who smashed prevailing stereotypes and established trucking careers at a time when societal norms expected them to stay home and keep house,” said organisers.
 
The Driver of the Year is open to every other working female truckie.
Prizes will also be awarded to the runners-up in each category, with nominations closing on February 15.
 
To nominate someone send the WiTA a message via its Facebook page.
 
“Please message the name and contact details of a female truckie you believe should be recognised in either category for her work ethic, the difficult work she does, the challenging terrain she drives through, or any one of a another million reasons you believe she deserves recognition.”

2021 ATA GENERAL COUNCIL ELECTION

Make your voice heard in the 2021 ATA General Council election – at the ATA, in Parliament House, in government departments and at the regulator.
 

 
If you drive one truck or operate a small fleet (2-5 trucks), you are urged to register to vote.  It’s an opportunity to contribute to the ATA’s decisions and have your say on the critical issues affecting our industry.
 
You do not need to be in an ATA member association to vote and registering to vote is free. 
 
You could also be eligible to nominate for one of the two positions up for election. The elected representatives are entitled to attend and vote at ATA Council meetings and can join in the work of the ATA’s policy committees.
  
To nominate for the owner driver position, you must own, be purchasing or leasing one truck over 4.5 tonnes and drive it, be registered as a voter in ATA elections, and be a member of an ATA member association. 
  
To nominate for the small fleet position, you must own, be purchasing or leasing 2-5 trucks over 4.5 tonnes, be registered as a voter in ATA elections, and be a member of an ATA member association. 
 
Whether you choose to register as a voter or run for election, this is a great opportunity to contribute to the trucking industry and the ATA’s direction. 
 
Nominations and voter registrations close on 18 February 2021. 
   
Find out more, register to vote or nominate in the 2021 ATA General Council election at www.truck.net.au/elections

ARE YOU A TRUCKSAFE MEMBER?

TruckSafe accreditation enables you to provide your customers with peace of mind that you are reducing their risks through safe work practices, safe and well-maintained trucks, healthy drivers and sound management systems.

Click watch video.

Become a TruckSafe member today, visit www.trucksafe.net.au

COVID-19 APP

ALRTA have now registered with ACT Health and are using the Check In CBR app if you visit us in the National Office.

LBRCA JOB NOTICEBOARD

LBRCA members will soon be able to advertise job vacancies online thanks to the development of a new website service by LBRCA, set to be launched Friday 5 February 2021.

The LBRCA Job Noticeboard will provide a simple and convenient way for members to connect with potential employees and fill job vacancies.

The service will be free, and will be available exclusively to members.

To advertise in the LBRCA Job Noticeboard send an email to office@lbrca.org.au and include the job title, brief description, location, company logo (if desired) and contact details.  

For more information on the LBRCA Job Noticeboard or any questions please contact the Secretariat via email or phone 02 6295 6651.

FRIDAY FUNNY

While taking the interview, the employer asked the candidate:
Employer: So, how long did you work during you’re last job?
Candidate: 30 years
Employer: oh, you look young how old are you?
Candidate: 20 years old
The employer was surprised and asked the candidate how she worked 30 years and has only been living for 20 years??
Candidate: Overtime!

SAVE THE DATES FOR 2021

LRTAQ Conference – Roma QLD – 9-11 April 2021
LRTASA Conference – Adelaide SA – 18-19 June 2021
LRTAV Conference – Bendigo VIC – 20-21 August 2021