WA Transport Magazine March 2020 edition

THE TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY MAGAZINE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA

ISSN 2202-6193

100007516 March 2020 | price $6.95

TRANSPORT magazine Page 2

LIVESTOCK ON OUR ROADS In this edition, a WA Transport Magazine reader questions the issue of cattle and other large livestock being on or near the road and the hazards they cause to the transport industry.

The vast majority of these larger animals are owned by, or are the responsibility of, someone. Practical and appropriate options must be provided to ensure those animals are not a risk or a hazard to the motoring public, or at risk of injury or death through interaction with traffic.

IN THIS ISSUE: Northlink Milestone Industry fails to attract young drivers Truckies call for help after the fires WA Transport driver training school on track

WATM • March 2020

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ver Christmas, the TWU put out a survey online that had an overwhelming response from transport operators and the general public across the state.

The result confirmed what the union has been pushing for, for years.

Something needs to be done about the appalling conditions of truck bays and amenities truckies endure on the highways of Western Australia. In no other industry are workers expected to put up with thirdworld conditions such as: • Having no choice but to squat behind a truck or bush when you need to use the toilet. • Go days without using a clean shower.

Having no choice but to skip rest breaks when truck parking bays are full to the brim with holiday makers – thus risking safety.

It is double standards when the Government is regulating and legislating around fatigue management, but there is nowhere decent to stop.

Governments have a duty of care for workers in regard to workers who use the highway to ply their trade.

Big retail, mining, banks and fuel companies bleed truckies dry to get freight to its destination. But then put nothing back into the repair or maintenance of the highways they exploit for their gain.

Our members and all transport operators agree, these vital pieces of infrastructure, our highways and amenities are in desperate need of an upgrade.

Things need to change and truckies need to get active to make the change.

WA Truck Drivers Deserve Better

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

Big business These companies and Government only survive because of truck drivers and transport workers. Yet put virtually nothing back into the repair, maintenance and sustainability of our highways. It is time they made sure truckies had working conditions that met the expectations of the 21st Century. It is about time these big companies realised the importance of the transport worker.

The TWU has written to the mining giants, retailers and Members of Parliament

It is double standards when the Government is regulating and legislating around fatigue management, but there is nowhere decent to stop. on behalf of our members about exactly this. Visit twuwa.org.au to read these letters for yourself.

Without truckies Australia Stops We’ve witnessed with the devastation of the recent Australian bushfires, just how important and powerful the link of truck drivers is, especially in a vast state like WA. It is time to stand up for a lasting and sustainable change.

Its time to Demand better The only way anything is going to change is by taking a stand.

We’re not just asking for more places for truckies stop. We are asking for

truck stops with amenities. It is about time the people who carry Australia were shown some dignity.

More parking for multiple trucks and road trains including Road Train Assembly areas which are large enough to park and manoeuvre trucks with multiple trailers safely.

We need personal care facilities such as showers and toilets, separate for males and females and outdoor rest facilities such as benches and tables.

We’re asking for signage that specifies “truck only rest areas� and may only be used by travellers and other road users in emergency situations.

We are asking for these facilities to be self-sustainable, powered by Solar PV and batteries and contain emergency communication equipment in the case of poor mobile phone coverage.

We’re talking about the health and safety of our drivers and ensuring both your mental and physical health is taken care of.

It is at the upmost urgency that Governments takes responsibility to upgrade amenities and infrastructure in WA, for the future of our industry. To attract and retain talented operators, more women and more young people to our great industry.

We want to see lasting and sustainable change for the most important and vital industry Australia has.

Because if we can’t attract the next generation to be truck drivers, Australia will stop.

So, what does it take?

First, You can complete our survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ TruckDriversDeserveBetter

WA Truckies DESERVE BETTER! TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH WA TRUCK BAYS & AMENITIES đ&#x;“žđ&#x;“žđ&#x;“ž 1800 657 477 ✉ info@twuwa.org.au

đ&#x;Œ?đ&#x;Œ?đ&#x;Œ? www.twuwa.org.au

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Over to you

Our Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk is available 7 days a week.

Talk to us about: Permits

Accreditation

OSOM movements

Route Assessments

Trafic Escort bookings

Compliance

The Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk is open from: 7am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 3.30pm Saturday, Sunday and WA public holidays.

Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services 525 Great Eastern Highway REDCLIFFE 6104

Tel: 138 486 Fax: 9475 8455 Email: hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au www.mainroads.wa.gov.au 1 WATM • March 2020

Over to you YOUR SAY

Letters to the editor

Dear Editor, his issue of cattle being on or near the road has been an ongoing problem for at least the last 30 plus years that I’ve been involved with heavy transport.

It matters not whether the responsibility for safe roads rests with the farmers, pastoralists, local government, Main Roads, the state government, the federal government or the Queen herself. The road is our place of work and government departments of every kind have failed to provide a safe place of work and yet demand that we comply with their made-up, one-size-fits-all, fatigue management crap, endless compliance matters, countless reams of other rules and regulations and pay through the nose for all manner of government-imposed fines, fees, levies, duties, taxes, charges and other forms of cleverly disguised theft; theft by people who sit in a plush office all day and wouldn’t know a truck from a tractor and have absolutely no comprehension of

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the hazards that truckies and the general public face every day on the open roads throughout the State.

I would argue that in consideration of the above paragraph, we in the transport industry especially, would be deemed as being ‘employees of the state’ because of all those financial, regulatory and other obligations that we are subject to and of which the general public is not. Having established that I would also argue that the aforementioned government departments, therefore, must also be subject to the following legislation that ‘they’ wrote and enforce upon us: The “Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984”, Part III, Division 2, Section 19, sub-section 1 and 1(a) states: 19. Duties of employers (1) An employer shall, so far as is practicable, provide and maintain a working environment in which the employees of the employer (the employees) are not exposed to hazards

and in particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an employer shall — (a) provide and maintain workplaces, plant, and systems of work such that, so far as is practicable, the employees are not exposed to hazards; and I would hasten to add that this protection must also apply to the general public; whether they are tourists, foreigners, mine workers, local residents, police officers, government officials or any other road user.

It appears that the state government, in particular, is in breach of its own Act and if this is correct, then road users who have incurred, loss, damage or injury may have adequate prima facie evidence with which to charge the state government with alleged offenses including but not limited to, gross negligence, professional misconduct, non-feasance, misfeasance and misappropriation of funds. I don’t know if such a case has been tried yet, but I think this may have some legs, especially in a class action.

I well appreciate that wild animals such as emus and kangaroos cannot be fully controlled on a practical level; they are an unavoidable consequence of living in Australia. Whilst they are still a hazard, especially to light vehicles, they do not present the extreme level of danger that large and heavy animals pose, such as cattle, horses and camels, however, when a road is built and if it happens to pass through or alongside someone’s property, that road should be adequately fenced and gated or if further access is required for the movement of livestock and other similar (large) grazing animals, then an underpass should be installed for those properties, such as the ones built in the Bindoon/New Norcia area.

The vast majority of these larger animals are owned by or are the responsibility of someone, therefore practical and appropriate options must be provided to ensure those animals are not a risk or a hazard to the motoring public and that those animals are not at risk of injury or death through unplanned and unmanaged interaction with traffic.

We, the people, the motoring public and especially those of us in the transport industry have paid many times over for well constructed and adequate roads and road systems through fines, registration fees, transfer fees, GST, state and federal taxes and the like yet this clear, real and present danger has never been appropriately addressed by those who are responsible for ensuring a safe environment for all road users. If there was a straying cow or horse on Kwinana or Mitchell Freeway you can bet that it would be rounded up and removed in no time at all because of the imminent danger to itself and the public. Why isn’t this policy also applicable in regional areas?

Aren’t the regional people good enough or important enough?

We, the people don’t care anymore who is responsible, just build the roads properly the first time and make them safe and free of hazards as far as is reasonably practicable and stop with the rhetoric, buck-passing, hand-balling and other gutless means of avoiding the issues.

To the Western Australian Government at all levels, we, the people have paid for adequate, safe and practical roads and associated infrastructure and as you are the servants of ‘the people’ and as I am one of ‘the people’, it is my will and my wish that you fix this problem of unrestrained large animals straying on to our roads. Fix it once, fix it properly, fix it immediately and without any more pathetic excuses.

Garth Stockden Independent Contractor From the Editor: Hi Garth, I have sent your letter to the WA Local Government and will publish their response when I receive it.

Best Karen Dear Editor, GREENMOUNT HILL ACCESS FOR 36.5-METRE RAV VEHICLES

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n the face of it, the public would be against allowing access for 36.5-metre road trains to traverse Greenmount Hill. However, a simple analysis of the benefits to all stakeholders puts it in perspective.

The arguments against this access just do not stack up to scrutiny from even a non-industry aware person, with the smallest amount of understanding.

The situation as it stands allows B Double and 27.5-metre pocket road train

combinations with 8-wheeled prime mover and tri-axle converter dolly access at RAV class 4.A total of 87.5 ton nonconcessional or 98 ton concessional, to traverse Greenmount Hill.

However, a RAV Class 5 at 80 ton cannot. The argument that weight and stopping power is the issue is null and void.

So, the governing factor here is the extra nine metres of length. Engineer reports have confirmed that the great Northern Highway section at Greenmount Hill is constructed to cater for the extended length. Independent swept path reports confirm there are no issues considering the swept path of a B double requires more room than 35.5-metre road trains.

Currently, all 36.5-metre combinations are assembled and disassembled at the Northam road train assembly point, a little over one hour from the Great Eastern and Roe Highway intersection. A second prime mover is then required to hook onto the second trailer and traverse the route to Northam. Three runs for inbound and three runs for outbound a total of six movements instead of just two with a 36.5-metre road train. This can be done with a dog trailer runner or alternatively with the one prime Mover and driver running both trailers back and forward. Sounds fantastic to the uninitiated layperson, until you start pulling this all apart.

This process requires three times more truck movements to achieve the same outcome that one truck movement would. The negative impacts are increased numbers of vehicles on the road. Up to 70% increased fuel usage, carbon output by up to 50%, driver fatigue incalculable, cost to the industry which is passed onto the community, wear and tear on the road system, increased noise pollution, three times the chance of an accident or incident and the list goes on…

Further issues arise when analysing the impact on the east-west trade, especially to the primary producer and produce merchants. One of the reasons for government and departmental push back is that they do not want road transport to be given an economic advantage over the east-west rail service. This argument would hold validity if the rail service and road service were competing for the same customers, but this belief at best is a myth.

The freight that is consigned by road would never be consigned to rail and the same applies in reverse. An appreciation of an economic advantage would be the sheer volume that the train can carry would render the road transport uncompetitive

by many thousands of dollars per load if both mediums of the transport service were vying for the same customers.

The rail service pursues customers who send or receive Consignments with volume, such as full loads, they also emphasise a certain degree of delivery schedule flexibility. Added to this, rail customers are obliged to maintain a certain monetary spend per annum with a rail service account.

The road service pursues customers whose livelihood depends on their temperature-sensitive, short shelf life fresh produce and product with crucial delivery parametres being delivered before dawn so they can, in turn, supply their Perth based customers by the commencement of normal business trading hours each day. The average Consignment volume is approximately three pallet spaces. A great many of the produce customers are 'Mum and Dad' businesses which is not the customer base the rail service has any intention of helping or could hope to facilitate in their growth.

The transport industry has lobbied both Government and governing bodies responsible for the road network and access to no avail. It is now clear that the reluctance has no justified reasoning other than bureaucratic hand sitting.

The transport industry acknowledges access will come with some restrictions.

Given the current situation of heavy vehicles overtaking one another holding up traffic in both lanes, one such restriction suggested being the use of the left lane only for all heavy vehicles would solve this issue. This could produce a better long-term outcome than what is currently in place.

This is only one such suggested restriction which the industry has put forward in an effort to gain support for this industry restricting situation. This issue has dragged on for many years, in this timeframe new technologies are now in place to make the ascent and descent safe for all road users. The industry as a whole needs to lobby government on this issue as surely common sense needs to be part of the consideration.

Tony Graziano, Director – HPS Transport Pty Ltd Name and address supplied From the Editor: What are your thoughts on these two letters? I would love to hear from you…

Email karen@angrychicken.com.au WATM • March 2020

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WA

TRANSPORT

magazine

VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 2 Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd Telephone 0430 153 273 www.angrychicken.com.au ABN: 35 486 530 095

PUBLISHER / COMMISSIONING EDITOR Karen-Maree’ Kaye T: 08 9296 4488 Email: karen@angrychicken.com.au WRITERS Russell McKinnon CONTRIBUTORS Jan Cooper, Cam Dumesny, Carol Messenger, John Milner, Ray Pratt, Peter Swift, Vince Ziino.

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Angry Chicken Head Office T: 0430 153 273 E: karen@angrychicken.com.au

FROM THE PUBLISHER

I

would like to start with something positive. Well done to our State Government and Main Roads and everyone involved for delivering us Northlink. At the time of writing this, the Ellenbrook to Muchea leg was nearing completion (Page 6) however, my experience involved myself and bestie in a four wheel drive pulling two large horses in a three horse angle float as we used Tonkin Hightway between the Swan Valley and Orange Grove to attend a horse show.

Floating horses is not fun at the best of times but this new route made our trip seamless. I think we only got caught at one traffic light in the whole trip and we were there before we knew it.

In this edition (Pages 2 and 3), two WA Transport readers have their say about large

livestock on WA roads and Access for 36.5 metre RAV vehicles on Greenmount Hill.

Also in this edition (Page 11), we have a ‘new’ section for readers called, “Questions to the WA State Government”. Over the past year we have found that many of the readers’ questions went beyond the Transport Ministers portfolio and I would like to sincerely thank Main Roads for helping me get your questions to the right Governmental departments in WA and get them answered. If you have questions, suggestions or would just ‘like to be heard’ on anything ‘transport related’ please email me at karen@angrychicken.com.au .

Best,

DESIGN / PREPRESS Cally Browning | Bare Creative

CONTENTS

ACCOUNTS T: 08 9296 4488 E: accounts@angrychicken.com.au PRINTER Daniels Printing Craftsmen SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions available directly from the Publisher.

T: 08 9296 4488 E: karen@angrychicken.com.au Australia: 1 year $65.95 (inc GST) 2 years $127.55 (inc GST) Overseas subscribers: Airmail postage will be added to subscription rate.

Editorial Submissions: The Publisher welcomes editorial submissions. Once received they will become the property of the Publisher who reserves the right to edit the or adjust the content to fit with the format of our publication.

West Australian Transport Magazine (WATM) is published by Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd ABN: 35 486 530 095 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, adapted or transmitted in any form by any process (graphic, electronic, mechanical or storage and retrieval system) or sold, resold or otherwise exploited for any purpose without consent of the Publisher.

The publisher, contributors, editors and consultants disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication in regards to consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted, or being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication. No person, organization or party should rely on or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this magazine without first obtaining the advice of a fully qualified person. The Publisher shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by contributor, consultant, editor or related party for content within WATM. The opinions and content within WATM does not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher, editor or their agents. No responsibility is accepted for damage or loss of material supplied to the publisher.

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Karen

2............................................... Letters to the Editor – Livestock on our Roads, Greenmount Hill access for 36.5 metre RAV vehicles 6............................................... Northlink Milestone 7................................................ Hay Street Bridge height clearance to increase 8............................................... WA Farmers and the transport industry continuing to help the drought stricken 9............................................... Heavy Vehicle Services – Achievements and Looking Ahead 12............................................ Truckies call for help after the fires 13............................................ More projects earmarked to reduce run-off-road crashes on rural roads 14............................................ Western Roads Federation – WA Transport Industry Training takes a step forward 16............................................ Fremantle High Street upgrade 18............................................ Trucking industry embraces diversity program 19............................................ Twiggy to shake up cattle industry with $50M investment 22.......................................... Road Safety boost for towns along South Western Highway

Every Month 10............................................ A Fair Go for Owner Drivers 11............................................... Questions to the WA State Government 17............................................. Bird’s Eye View 20.......................................... HCVC 23.......................................... WA Transport History 24.......................................... Model Trucks

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News GREAT NORTHERN HIGHWAY: MUCHEA TO WUBIN UPGRADE STAGE 2

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he Muchea North project hit a major milestone early February with traffic being able to travel on a ‘new’ six kilometre section Great Northern Highway.

NorthLink WA's third and final section, stretching all the way from Ellenbrook to Muchea is on track to officially open February 2020 with all parties involved working hard on the Neaves Road connection and the Principal Shared Path. CPB Contractors are finalising livestock fencing, traffic barriers and lighting to ensure the new highway is as safe as possible at the time of opening.

Connecting at Ellenbrook with the NorthLink WA central section, which opened in August, the northern section includes: • Dual carriageway between Maralla Road and Muchea

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WATM • March 2020

• Interchanges at Stock Road, Neaves Road and Brand Highway • Deviation at Brand Highway • Flyovers at Muchea South Road, the railway and Ellen Brook Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the delivery of the $1.02 billion NorthLink WA initiative - $820 million from the Federal Government and $204 million from WA - is the result of years of co-operative work between the Australian and Western Australian Governments.

"This investment is all part of the Morrison Government's record $100 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects over the next decade, getting Australians home sooner and safer," Mr Tudge said.

WA Minister for Transport and Planning Rita Saffioti said a

News massive amount of work has gone into NorthLink WA since it started and many Western Australians will benefit from this new addition to the road network.

"The difference this project will make to traffic in the Swan Valley, and the time savings it creates elsewhere, means it's well worth the wait."

Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said thanked road users for their patience.

"The NorthLink WA northern section will provide a freeflowing dual carriageway between Ellenbrook and Muchea, taking the majority of heavy traffic away from Great Northern Highway and improving journey times and safety," said Mr Porter.

"This project is an important investment in our local communities and once completed will help to reduce congestion and improve amenity and productivity in the area."

Hay Street Bridge height clearance to increase

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ransport Minister Rita Saffioti announced that an alliance contract had been awarded to Bocol and MACA Joint Venture (BMJV) for work on the Hay Street Bridge in the city.

The work will increase the clearance of the Hay Street Bridge by 250 millimetres for southbound motorists, over the Mitchell Freeway in Perth.

To achieve this, a six metre by 21 metrelong section of the existing bridge will be replaced with a new raised section.

A bridge protection beam will also be installed to help minimise the risk of damage in the event of future strikes by unauthorised over-height vehicles.

The Hay Street Bridge was constructed in 1968 and complied with bridge height clearance standards at that time, however, it is now considered a low height clearance structure.

Data shows that the bridge has been hit 20

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times, nine of those in the past five years alone.

In order for this project to be completed in a safe and effective way, the southbound freeway at this location will need to be closed for two full weekends - one weekend to dismantle the bridge section and another to install the new bridge section.

It is expected that these closures will take place approximately two months apart but the bridge and freeway will remain open during the day with additional night closures only during the project.

Freeway closure details including dates will be widely communicated to the public once they are confirmed closer to construction.

Work is expected to be completed by September 2020. The $6.75 million project is being funded by the State Government.

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News

WA farmers and the transport industry – continuing to help the drought stricken

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he kindness of West Australian farmers and our transport industry in helping drought stricken farmers Australia wide has been heart-warming for not only the recipients and those involved in making it happen but for the general public who in these days of ‘doom and gloom’ are reminded of the strong Aussie Spirit, mateship and the lengths good people will go to, to help others in need.

One such organisation is Farmers Across Borders which was born in 2014, when founders Sam Starcevich and Anne Bell local farmers from the Esperance region decided to help drought stricken farmers in NSW. After a bumper season of their own, they organised 16 road trains of donated hay from fellow WA farmers to be delivered to Bourke and Lightning Ridge in NSW, in conjunction with Burrumbuttock Hay Runners.

The 2014 Hay Run was the start of lifelong friendships built on a common theme of wanting to help fellow farmers in need.

All involved said they would put their hand up again if needed.

A call was made in 2018 and so plans commenced to do it all again. On Australia Day 2019, 47 road trains made the trip with over 3,000 bales of feed to Cobar, NSW. The feed was distributed to around 300 farmers in NSW, QLD and VIC. This time, Farmers Across Borders worked in conjunction with Lions, Need for Feed.

On 25 January 2020, Farmers Across Borders embarked to help again - this time to Meekatharra in Western Australia - to deliver much needed hay to those in the Murchison region.

All hay and feed is donated by generous West Aussie farmers, all eager to help their farming and grazier neighbours struggling

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in drought. The common thread remains by all – farmers and transport operators alike there is nothing more fulfilling than helping

Image: Farmers across Borders

others in need.

To donate and assist in future Hay Runs please visit: www.farmersacrossborders.com.au

Will Australian waste management be technology ready in 2030?

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aste and resource recovery companies are invited to assist in turning rubbish-mountains into business opportunities.

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) is calling on people at the frontline of waste and resource recovery to share their thoughts on how technology can best address the country’s worsening waste crisis.

Fires at rubbish stockpiles, the collapse of a major recycling company, shrinking export markets, and public concern over plastic litter’s effects on wildlife are all contributing to a growing sense of urgency around how to tackle rubbish problems.

To zero in on solutions, the Academy has launched a project to investigate the readiness of the waste management and resource recovery sector to adapt, adopt, or develop technologies that will enable it to address the challenges and opportunities of the next decade.

Businesses in the sector are being asked to give their opinions and ideas through an online survey.

Australia generates about 67 million tonnes of waste per year.

Technological change means rubbish is an economic opportunity, with 9.2 jobs created for every 10,000 tonnes of

material recycled.

ATSE has identified four technologybased solutions that could help the sector make the most of these opportunities over the next decade: • Improved product stewardship, where the consumer, manufacturers and the waste sector work together to reduce waste.

• Design for disassembly, which makes products easier to repair, repurpose, and recycle.

• Smart waste management systems, which use advanced technologies to sort and process materials, or technologies that make it easier for consumers to play their part, such as “pay as you throw” automated levies.

• Advanced resource recovery solutions that use technologies to recover energy to produce electricity, heat, gas and fuels from waste.

The survey is accessible at www. surveymonkey.com/r/DGQRRVF and open until the end of March 2020. This investigation is part of a wider threeyear research project funded by the Australian Research Council, examining the technology readiness of different industry sectors. The report generated following the consultation will provide a blueprint for waste management planning to 2030.

News

Heavy Vehicle Services Achievements and Looking Ahead

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eading into 2020, and a new decade at that, provides us with a good opportunity to look back at the significant changes and achievements we’ve seen over the last 12 months.

Technology has been front and centre of our changes with the introduction of Body Cameras for our Compliance Team and the use of weigh in motion scales and a Vehicle Inspection Station (or Shaker) at our roadblocks. When used collectively, this equipment helps make the road block inspection process quicker and more efficient, allowing compliant drivers to get back on the road faster.

In 2019, Main Roads stopped 16,004 vehicles during general patrols on the State road network, and conducted six major 2472 hour roadblocks throughout WA, with 77 per cent of the vehicles inspected at these roadblocks found to be compliant.

Transport Inspectors were on the road

24/7 during the last 12 months, spending more than half their time (56 per cent) in regional WA. Enforcement of the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) Legislation continued in 2019, with Main Roads completing 48 CoR prosecutions across the industry, incurring more than $180,000 of infringements. Sixty-two per cent of these were issued to someone other than the driver.

The Heavy Vehicle Operational Team has been working hard to deliver excellent customer service - 29,566 permits were issued by the Permits and Notices team while the Help Desk took more than 26,270 customer calls. The Traffic Escort team were also highly sought after, starting the year with an increased demand for their services and ending with 1,215 escorts across WA. Meanwhile our Access Team spent

significant time working with the agricultural and transport industries to address ‘first and last mile’ access issues to and from the farm gate, specifically during grain harvest season. The Team completed onsite assessments for every road endorsed under a Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS) Road List in the 2018/19 harvest, to determine suitability for adding them to the relevant RAV Network on a permanent basis. In all, they completed over 1,050 onsite assessments from Northampton in the north down to Esperance in the South, meeting our commitment to have the onsite assessments completed prior to this year’s harvest. As part of the process, 915 roads have been approved for the requested level of RAV access thereby negating the need for the special RAV access arrangements to continue under HMMS. This change provides farmers and transport operators with RAV access which will ensure that grain is transported from the paddock to the grain receiver in the most efficient way possible, providing productivity benefits and assisting the agricultural industry to keep costs down in an internationally competitive market. It also reduces the number of heavy vehicle trips required for the specific transport task, which consequently reduces carbon emissions, traffic congestion, heavy vehicle noise, pavement wear and tear, and the risk of incident and, it means less vehicles travelling through country towns, providing greater community amenity.

Going forward, Heavy Vehicle Services looks forward to a year where we continue to work with our customers ensuring we understand your needs, while ensuring positive road safety and road infrastructure sustainability outcomes.

For further information on who we are and what we do, please call the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk on 138 486 or visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au WATM • March 2020

9

Over to you A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

The future of the transport industry is in doubt as it fails to attract young drivers

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he future of the transport industry is in doubt as it fails to attract younger drivers and the average age of truck drivers continues to rise. We have heard these comments for years now, and as usual with problems within the transport industry, the answers are slow in coming.

Good qualified truck drivers are hard to find. Truck drivers are not retiring at sixty-five with many driving well into their seventies but younger drivers are not coming forward to help fill the gap when the older drivers finally retire.

The attitude with all concerned is that we have survived okay up until now so the industry will sort itself out. The trouble is that it is not sorting itself out and the industry and standard of drivers have deteriorated because of this lack of intervention by industry leaders.

The short term answer has always been to put bums in seats and get the freight carted. It soon becomes obvious that while the freight gets moved it comes with a myriad of problems. Untrained drivers are a hazard on the road to themselves and to other road users. They are also a hazard because they don’t have the experience in load restraint and they don’t understand the regulations of operating heavy trucks.

While the short term solution is to just put bums in seats to get the freight moving the outcome is a lowering of standards which in time lowers the standards for the whole industry. The industry already has

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WATM • March 2020

an image problem and this is only making thing’s worse.

Generally speaking, the transport industry is made up of good hard-working dedicated individuals that take a huge amount of pride in what they do. If we were to improve the working conditions of truck drivers then we would go a long way to combat the driver shortage.

It may have been the norm twenty years ago for truck drivers to drive excessively long hours and be away from home for weeks at a time, living out their time in the

has been on the back of a truck. If trucks stopped working for a few days the country would grind to a halt very quickly.

It needs to be stressed that what truck drivers do is very important for the country. We should, therefore, be looking after our truck drivers a lot better than we do. Remember the identity of the driver is linked to the identity of the industry.

Often, the image of the truck driver is seen as someone who is overweight from poor food choices, tired from driving long hours and being in poor health. This negative

While the short term solution is to just put bums in seats to get the freight moving the outcome is a lowering of standards which in time lowers the standards for the whole industry cab of a truck with very poor amenities.

Times have changed. Truck drivers should not have to work excessively long hours and be away for weeks at a time. They want a social life away from trucks.

For years, truck driving meant you are married to the job and everything else takes second place. This has to change. Truck driving is a specialised job and it should be treated as such. It takes a lot of skill and knowledge to be a good truck driver.

Every single item that the public consume

image problem is seen as a barrier to the recruitment of new drivers. We could also go on about the lack of truck bays and no basic amenities and toilet facilities and lack of suitable roadhouses. There are some big issues here that need to be addressed in an effort to entice more people into the transport industry. The Government needs to get involved and so do the big multinational companies. We can no longer ignore this problem as it will not fix itself.

Keep it safe, Ray Pratt.

Over to you QUESTIONS TO THE WA STATE GOVERNMENT Thank you to our WA State Government for answering WA Transport Magazine reader’s questions. If you have a question that is related to the transport industry please email it to the publisher at: karen@angrychicken.com.au

Question: “Why does the transport industry not have a training fund? The Construction industry has one but that does not cover transport operations. Will the State Government be looking at this as an option to assist with increasing the number of drivers in the industry?”

Background The Construction Training Fund (CTF) is 100 per cent industry funded through the collection of levies that applies to all construction projects in WA. This model is available to the transport industry too..

Answer from the Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery: “The McGowan Government is aware of industry requests for improved training for

drivers in the transport industry.

“Road transport industry stakeholders including the Western Roads Federation and Transport Workers Union approached us last year to assist with the development of a heavy vehicle driver training course.

“Since then we have ongoing consultations with industry and with TAFE colleges and the Department of Training and Workforce Development to develop a course with plans to run a pilot program.

“We hope to make an announcement about the initiative within a few months.”

Question: There is talk of a 36.5m trial for RAV Network 5 and 6 on Albany Highway and Armadale Road between the Bedfordale Assembly Area and Tonkin Highway. Is there any timeframe on when that will

start? Because, the Bedfordale Assembly Area isn’t coping with the current demand that is put on it with the amount of Road Trains having to currently use it. Is there anything in the pipeline from Government to address the current situation and if the trial goes ahead – what provisions are being made for the Assembly area?

Answer from Main Roads WA Main Roads is conducting a trial for 36.5 metre RAVs on Albany Highway, between Bedfordale Road Train Assembly Area (RTAA) and Armadale Road. The “Access Trials” page in the “Heavy Vehicles” section of the Main Roads website will provide the relevant details. If 36.5 metre RAV access is approved on this section of Albany Highway in the long term, the ongoing demand for the RTAA will significantly reduce.

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WATM • March 2020

11

News

Truckies call for help after fires

T

he disaster recovery allowance, concessional loans, and extension of the instant asset write off have been highlighted in a bushfire recovery plan developed and put forward to the Federal Government by the ATA General Council.

The plan set out the immediate, medium, and long-term assistance needed

by Australian transport businesses affected by bushfire crisis.

“The impact of the recent fires has had on trucking businesses and their employees is unprecedented. Some have lost their homes, workplaces or equipment. Others have been dealing with prolonged time away from their families, suffering financial loss and personal hardship as a result of road closures and lengthy delays,” ATA Chair Geoff Crouch said.

The Australian Government has announced grant funding, concessional loans, a dedicated contact point to access support, local economic development plans and tax relief for businesses who have suffered direct fire damage or have been economically impacted from bushfires that have swept the country.

“Trucking is an industry of small businesses, accounting for 98 per cent of all trucking operators in Australia.

“The establishment of the Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line will give small businesses the information

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WATM • March 2020

they need to understand what support and assistance is available to them," he said.

Here in Western Australia, transport businesses impacted by WA's Goldfields bushfires called on the Federal Government to include them in any assistance packages made available to businesses impacted by the devastating east coast fires.

Several Goldfields fires have been raging since before Christmas, tearing through more than 600,000 hectares of bush and shutting down the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway and Eyre Highway - WA's major arterial connection to the east coast.

The closures left trucks and cars stranded on either end of the highway at the Caiguna Roadhouse in the east, and prompted the Western Roads Federation to warn eastern states trucking companies to not send any trucks to Western Australia.

In a statement, Western Roads Federation estimated 300 truckies had been directly impacted over the period carrying everything from livestock, large mining equipment, medicines, general freight, cars and fresh produce.

WRF said that figure was conservative, with many operators having to cancel scheduled jobs and some transport operators lost millions as they paid wages and ran expensive transport refrigeration equipment in order to protect customer’s produce and; in many instances, those

costs were not recoverable from clients.

Federal Natural Disaster and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud announced small businesses impacted by the eastern states fires would be eligible for 12 weeks of income support as well as interest-free loans with other packages to be announced.

WRF Chairman, Craig Smith-Gander called on the Federal Minister to consider WA transport companies for assistance as well as eastern states businesses.

“Our transport companies are businesses too and must be included in any business assistance package," he said.

Mr Littleproud did not rule out the eligibility of WA businesses but said the Commonwealth needed the WA government to put in a formal request before it could deliver financial assistance in WA. “All state requests for federal financial assistance and Australian Defence Force support this season have been quickly approved, some in a matter of minutes," he said.

“The National Bushfire Recovery Agency will be considering a range of support measures for affected business."

A WA government spokesman said it would make enquiries with the Federal Government about the new funding assistance for small business owners and how it could be applicable to Western Australia.

News

More projects earmarked to reduce run-off-road crashes on rural roads T

he WA State Government has announced further seven run-off road projects to improve safety on sections of regional roads.

The further seven projects, worth $17.5 million, have been identified as presenting a higher risk for run-off crashes. The latest allocation brings the State Government's 2019-20 investment in regional run-off roads to $42.5 million.

Each of the latest seven projects has been funded from the Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA) and will upgrade approximately 60 kilometres of regional road.

Projects have been identified and prioritised based on having an aboveaverage single vehicle run-off-road crash risk using Main Roads modelling.

Road safety treatments to be carried out include road widening, shoulder sealing and the installation of safety barriers, audible lines and pavement markings.

Construction of the projects is scheduled to begin this financial year and include roads in the Great Southern, SouthWest, Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West, Wheatbelt, and Pilbara regions.

The latest allocation of $17.5 million complements other works underway this financial year to mitigate single vehicle runoff road crashes.

This year the McGowan Government has committed a further $25 million for shoulder widening and audible edge lines along with a number of key regional routes.

These works - already underway or nearing completion - include upgrades to Indian Ocean Drive, Great Eastern Highway, Brookton Highway, South Western Highway, Pinjarra-Williams Road, and Collie-Lake King Road.

The McGowan Government continues to seek a funding partnership with the Federal Government to accelerate delivery of the Regional Road Safety Program.

The proposed partnership would upgrade 17,000 kilometres of regional roads and drastically reduce regional road trauma. It would be delivered over nine years at a cost of a total of $100 million a year.

In 2017, 46 people were killed and 280 people were seriously injured in run-offroad crashes in regional Western Australia.

The RTTA receives 100 percent of revenue from speed and red light camera infringements to invest in initiatives that deliver a road safety benefit.

Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said, "We know that single-vehicle run-off crashes are one of the biggest causes of fatal and serious injury crashes in regional Western Australia.

"We're seeing more and more crashes caused by simple errors of judgement or moments of inattention.

"Safety treatments like widening the road, installing safety barriers and sealing the shoulders will create a safer environment on those high-risk roads.

"Every year we devote a significant portion of the RTTA budget for safety treatments to our regional roads and we are making steady progress.

"We could significantly expand these works with the implementation of a Federal-State partnership.

"Minister Saffioti and I have written to the Federal Transport Minister and urge him to allocate this much-needed funding.

Regional Run-Off Road Crashes program projects scheduled to begin in 2019-20 include:

Project

RTTA Budget

Work description

Albany Highway, Kojonup to Balgarup Road Great Southern

$3,850,000

Widen road to 11m with sealed shoulders to 2m Install safety barriers at selected locations Install pavement marking, audible lines, and minor intersection treatments

Pinjarra-Williams Road, Dwellingup to Murray Shire Boundary South-West

$1,200,000

Widen road to 11m with 2m sealed shoulders Improve clear zone Install pavement markings and audible lines

Great Eastern Highway (West of Anzac Drive) Goldfields-Esperance

$3,800,000

Widen road to 11m with 2m sealed shoulders Install pavement markings and audible lines

Collie-Lake King Road, Wagin to Dumbleyung Wheatbelt

$1,146,000

Widen road to 9m with 1m sealed shoulders Install pavement markings and audible lines

North West Coastal Highway Pilbara

$2,000,000

Widen to 11m with 2m sealed shoulders Improve clear zone Install safety barriers at selected locations Install pavement markings and audible lines

Brand Highway, Regans Ford Mid-West

$2,500,000

Widen to 9m with 1m sealed shoulders Install pavement markings and audible lines

Indian Ocean Drive, Lancelin to Cervantes Mid-West Project development

$345,000 $2,700,000

Install audible lines Development activities such as environmental approvals

WATM • March 2020

13

Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO

WA TRANSPORT INDUSTRY TRAINING TAKES STEP FORWARD

W

estern Roads Federation plan to develop a whole of life training solution for the Western Australian Transport industry has taken another massive step forward with the announcement by Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business of a $1.6 million training pilot for the West Australian Transport industry.

Western Roads Federation in partnership with WA’s Training Course Experts, developed a pilot Youth Jobs PaTH program that will provide young people wanting to enter the workforce with real training and real world job experience in WA’s transport and logistics sector.

Funding of this program adds yet another stage to Western Roads Federation multi-staged industry training plan. A comprehensive plan that aims that intends to address all stages of a career.

In line with WRF’s national reputation amongst the other state transport associations as being the most willing to collaborate on joint issues, the plan recognises and adopts good work done by the other states:

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WATM • March 2020

1.

Stage One: How to Attract People to Industry. Work is being undertaken by WRF to develop a number of actions to attract people to the industry. However, we recognise and are supporting the great work done by Natroad with its job portal and the role it plays in industry attraction.

2.

Stage Two: Job Entry Pathway. How do we provide a jobs entry pathway into the industry? The $1.6m pilot program that has just been funded is a key part of how we address this stage. Additional elements are being developed to improve industry attraction.

Starting with a West Australian Industry driver training academy – Western Roads Federation in-conjunction with the WA State Government is on track to establish an industry driver training school by 1st of July 2020

3. Stage Three: Improving and Developing Skills.

• As people develop in their careers they need access to real training and skills development, not the tick n flick approach that has been all to prevalent over the last decade.

• Starting with a West Australian Industry driver training academy – Western Roads Federation in-conjunction with the WA State Government is on track to establish an industry driver training school by 1st of July 2020. Where the focus in on real experience for drivers led by the industry.

We have worked with the VTA and NTRTA in developing this.

• Additionally an advanced first aid training will be provided to remote area truck drivers as part of a joint program between NT RTA and WRF to better equip drivers who are often first responders at major crashes.

• We have some really exciting additional training and skills solutions in the pipeline and they will be announced in due course.

4.

Stage Four: Developing Business Skills. During careers some people will chose to start their own business, move

up in a business or become an owner driver. To help them develop the skills they need, WRF has picked up on the good work of the QTA and their short courses they have been running.

5. Stage Five: Under Wraps at this Stage But this will fundamentally change our industry’s professional development.

6.

Stage Six – Recognising Experience.

How do we tap into the decades of expertise of our drivers and industry professionals? There needs to be a way that can tap into the knowledge and hard-won lessons such that we can feed that knowledge back into the industry training and development.

WRF as always is happy to collaborate and share information with the other state associations. In the absence of any national leadership on an industry training solution it is we may be able to achieve a harmonised national approach by collaborating and sharing information with the other state associations.

If you want to get involved then become a member, partner or an associate member.

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION IS THE UNITED VOICE OF WA TRANSPORT COMPANIES Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit.

Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved.

For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004

WATM • March 2020

15

News

Fremantle High Street upgrade

C

onstruction has begun on the $118 million High Street and Stirling Highway intersection upgrade in Fremantle.

The joint Australian and WA government project will bust congestion and dramatically improve safety along a 1.5km section of High Street between Carrington Street and Stirling Highway, with construction and design works being undertaken by outstanding WA builder Georgiou.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said, "2020 is shaping up to be a huge year for public infrastructure construction across Western Australia.

"The start of the High Street upgrade will complement the huge array of projects that are part of our job-creating transport plan for WA, including METRONET. Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the upgrade would be a boost for the

15 per cent to over 20 per cent, developing intermodals, and planning for the new Fremantle traffic and rail corridor solution to replace the current Fremantle Traffic Bridge."

About 700 jobs will be created during construction, which will include: • A new roundabout at the intersection of High Street and Stirling Highway • Widened median on High Street to separate traffic lanes and maximise mature tree preservation • Single-lane one-way service road for residents on the northern side of High Street • New underpass at the junction of Forrest Street and Stirling Highway • New underpass at the junction of Montreal Street and High Street In the five years to 2018, there were 282 crashes along this section of High Street, including some truck rollovers at the High

We also know that this intersection has become notorious for truck rollovers and the upgrade will mean a safer journey for locals and truck drivers local economy with hundreds of new jobs created during construction.

"We also know that this intersection has become notorious for truck rollovers and the upgrade will mean a safer journey for locals and truck drivers," Mr Tudge said.

The upgrade is part of the Morrison Government's strategy to bust congestion in Western Australia which includes $13.6 billion committed since coming to office in 2013.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "This upgrade will reduce travel times along High Street by improving traffic flow through the busy High Street and Stirling Highway intersection.

"It joins an extensive list of southern suburb road projects that are currently under construction and will deliver major time savings once completed.

"We will continue to alleviate pressure on roads by boosting freight on rail from 16

WATM • March 2020

Street and Stirling Highway intersection.

The new roundabout has been designed to include bypass lanes that will separate local traffic from traffic going to and from Fremantle Port, or locations north of the river.

These intersection changes will improve efficiency and address safety concerns with the current intersection, including reducing the risk of truck rollovers.

Residents living in properties on the northern side of High Street will now have a dedicated single-lane service road, affording them safer access and separation from the main road.

The Australian Government is providing $73.6 million and the WA Government $44.4 million for the upgrade.

In this area, the Australian and WA governments have also committed $230 million to build a replacement corridor solution to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.

When women move forward, we all move forward

N

ominations for the 2020 National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year are now open, recognising the amazing women in trucking who make strong professional or personal contributions to the industry.

As well as receiving national recognition for their achievement, the award winner will win a one-week international travel package for visit the Cummins factory in the United States.

Nominations for the 2020 National Trucking Industry Awards are also open in the following categories: • Outstanding Contribution to the Trucking Industry • National Professional Driver of the Year • National Training Excellence Award Award winners will be announced at the ATA’s Trucking Australia conference, held in Cairns from 1-3 April. Nominations close 5 March 2020.

Over to you BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

10 gold stars Main Roads Department

I

t is not often that I hand out bouquets (sadly) but with the opening of the new Central section of the Tonkin Hwy upgrade (Stage 6) I really feel that Main Roads has got it right.

It is a bit disconcerting the first time you use it – hang on a minute where exactly am I? And am I in the right lane to get off where I want to go? But it certainly lops off a large amount of travel time.

Built at a cost of about $280 MILLION - of which the Federal Government contributed approximately half, this is part of the five year National Building Program to extend Tonkin Highway all the way to Muchea. The total cost of this project (all the way to Muchea) was over $1100 million – can you even imagine those sorts of numbers? One Powerball is all I can say.

This Central section that has been finished goes from Reid Highway intersection to The Promenade in Ellenbrook and was designed to take the traffic off Great Northern Highway and the Swan Valley area. Great idea – fully laden trucks and tourists visiting the wineries in the Swan Valley (often pulling in and out at short notice and with no warning) are not a good mix and are a recipe for disaster.

Giving the trucks another route – wider, smoother, more direct and with less ‘local

traffic’ is certainly a bonus. The suggested time saving of 15 minutes is an added bonus – which means time for an extra coffee or toilet stop.

The Northern section which will go all the way through to Muchea is on target for completion February 2020 and this is the one that will really make a difference for the transport industry. Being able to bypass Bullsbrook where you crawl along at 60kph will make an incredible time difference.

From a safety point of view, it is also a huge step up. Busy small towns and heavy vehicles are never a good mix.

We have had some really good road projects here in WA over the last 10 years.

Starting with the ‘Polly Pipe’ and the Gateway Project around the airport, it has made a huge difference in time and safety.

Every time I bypass the ‘Bindi bends’ I still think whoa, that was great. Many, many years of being stuck behind oversize or slow-moving loads is now just a passing memory as you zip through there quickly and easily.

There is still a ‘huge’ amount of work to be done on our roads to make them safe and fit to travel – but this is a good start and I can't wait to travel the new section and see the difference.

10 gold stars Main Roads Department.

Many, many years of being stuck behind oversize or slow-moving loads is now just a passing memory as you zip through there quickly and easily.

WATM • March 2020

17

News

Twiggy to shake up WA cattle industry with $50m investment

M

ining billionaire Andrew Forrest will make his biggest investment in agriculture to date.

The Forrest family's private company, Harvest Road, will spend about $50 million developing a new cattle-feeding base in WA’s wheat belt and has enlisted US-based animal scientist Professor Temple Grandin as a key adviser.

Based on her advice and leading animal welfare practices, Mr Forrest plans to grain feed 20,000 cattle at a time on farmland near Moora to supply his Harvey Beef

will be radically different from standard feed-lots, with significantly more freedom for cattle to move around in an effort to improve animal welfare.

The operations will include a feed mill, grain storage facilities and its own power plant in a major shake-up of the WA industry.

The 6880-hectare property will hold up to 40,000 cattle at a time with half on the 100-day grain feeding program. There are plans to double capacity to 80,000 cattle as part of a second stage.

The operations near Moora would fill a long-standing gap in the WA cattle supply chain and provide a viable and sustainable alternative to live export markets for local cattle producers abattoir in the state's south-west.

The majority of the cattle will be sourced from cattle producers in WA as well as from Mr Forrest's six pastoral stations covering 1.3 million hectares in the north of WA. Harvest Road suggests the operations

The feeding centre will supply about 60,000 cattle a year for slaughter at Harvey Beef, which was purchased by Mr Forrest for about $40 million in 2014 and exports to more than 30 countries.

Harvest Road chief executive Greg Harvey said the operations near Moora

would fill a long-standing gap in the WA cattle supply chain and provide a viable and sustainable alternative to live export markets for local cattle producers.

"WA by rights should be producing the highest-quality beef in Asia," he said.

"We have a unique provenance as one of the most isolated and pristine agricultural regions in the world and WA needs to capitalise on that.

"This feeding system is going to structure in a way that we can deliver 100-day grain-finished cattle to meet the export market demand that we see.

That is a market demand that up until this stage WA hasn't been able to meet consistently because of seasonal cattle supply."

Harvest Road expects to make significant savings on costs by being based in the wheat belt as east coast feedlot operators struggle to absorb record grain prices.

Mr Harvey said the feeding operation would require about 100,000 tonnes of grain a year from local farms and source about 90 percent of cattle from outside the Forrest pastoral estate.

Fremantle Ports chairperson to oversee future growth

T

he State Government has appointed Ross Love as chairperson of the Fremantle Ports Authority to help steer the future of Western Australia's largest general cargo port.

Mr Love has held a number of senior roles in industry and government, including a term as Managing Partner at the Boston Consulting Group for New York. Mr Love has been appointed for a

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WATM • March 2020

two-year term.

The State Government has also appointed maritime law expert Kate Lewins to the board, and has reappointed deputy chairperson Kim Horne.

Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, “Ross Love has a proven track record in industry and in government. Efficient, modern ports at Fremantle and Kwinana are essential for WA's economic health, and

I am confident Ross' leadership will help drive the strategic direction of Fremantle Ports development.

"Kate Lewins brings deep experience in maritime law and in shipping fuels to the role and will help us develop new opportunities in this area. We are also pleased to reappoint Kim Horne to continue his strong contribution to Fremantle Ports.

News

TRUCKING INDUSTRY EMBRACES DIVERSITY PROGRAM

A

n initiative to celebrate and showcase diversity in trucking has received overwhelming support from industry members following its launch in December by the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and Teletrac Navman.

The Teletrac Navman Driving Change Diversity Program is a ground-breaking initiative that will celebrate industry diversity, develop diversity champions, and improve industry image.

ATA Chair Geoff Crouch said that while Australia was experiencing a big shift in the perception of transport, there was

still a lot ground to cover when it came to diversifying the workplace.

“The ATA, Teletrac Navman and our member associations are driving diversity change and working hard to create more inclusive, positive workplaces,” he said.

“Diverse workplaces are better workplaces, and it is time they are celebrated and embraced.

“Workplace diversity’s proven benefits include increased productivity, access to a greater talent pool, competitive advantages, and the development of more inclusive, attractive workplaces,” he said.

Participants in the 2020 Teletrac Navman Driving Change Diversity Program will learn how to create change and facilitate diversity in their workplace and community, share personal insights, develop a marketing campaign that showcases diversity within industry, and develop a strong professional network with like-minded individuals.

Nominations for the Teletrac Navman Driving Change Diversity Program can be made through ATA member associations or TruckSafe. Participants must be involved as an owner or employee in a trucking business that is a financial member of an ATA member association or TruckSafe. A participant could also be a direct member of an ATA association that offers individual membership.

New era for road safety research in WA

T

he University of Western Australia (UWA) has been awarded a five-year, $4.6 million road safety research contract by the State Government.

The Road Safety Council has tasked UWA with establishing the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, to conduct planned and reactive research programs to reduce road trauma in WA. The road safety research program is developed by a multiagency committee that is supported by the Road Safety Council and the Road Safety Commission. The Curtin Monash Accident Research Centre has held Western Australia's road safety research contract since December 31, 2014, which will expire on December 31, 2019.

For more information on how to participate contact the ATA or in WA – Western Roads Federation or Transafe WA or visit: www. truck.net.au/drivingchange

Hire car stickers reinforce ‘keep left’ message for tourists Keep left - This simple message will now be front and centre for international visitors who choose a road trip holiday in WA. 'Keep left' stickers produced by the Road Safety Commission, will be placed on the dashboard, sun visor or steering wheel of a hire vehicle to remind international drivers that in Australia, vehicles travel on the left side of the road.

Feedback from drivers on popular tourist routes such as Indian Ocean Drive and Caves Road has revealed that some visitors to WA may be confused about which side of the road to drive on when rejoining the road network while holidaying throughout the State.

These 'keep left' stickers have been added to a suite of State Government resources to prepare international drivers for our roads.

They will be used in conjunction with other road safety tools, such as: • Multilingual road rules booklet 'A Guide to Driving on WA Roads' in nine different languages; • Trial of multilingual 'keep left' road signs and directional road arrows on tourist routes; and • Inflight road safety video segment played to passengers arriving in Perth from Asia.

New rare earth plant in Kalgoorlie will boost the local economy

S

ubject to approvals, Lynas Corporation is set to build, a processing plant near Kalgoorlie that will deliver local jobs and provide a range of supply opportunities for small and medium businesses in the Goldfields.

The new plant will process rare earth materials from the company's Mt Weld mine, currently undertaken in Malaysia

and is expected to generate approximately 500 construction and 200 ongoing jobs in the region.

Rare earths are a vital component in advanced manufacturing for the renewable energy, aerospace and defence industries, all of which are expected to experience rising demand.

Western Australia’s rare earths industry is still expanding, in 2018-19 the State produced 29,000 tonnes valued at over $355 million, and experienced an increase of three percent in direct employment.

The Mt Weld Central Lanthanide Deposit is one of the highest grade rare earth deposits in the world, and a prime example of the State's globally-significant deposits of battery and rare earth minerals.

WATM • March 2020

19

Over to you Members enjoying the lunch.

1.

2.

By Kevin Toovey

Christmas lunch at the Bates property

T

he HCVC held their annual Christmas lunch at Terry and Barbara Bates property. To be able to hold and event at a members place makes a huge difference as it makes for a much friendlier atmosphere. Over 40 members enjoyed a catered spit roast lunch, stories were told and the past year

was reviewed while we enjoyed our meal.

We were lucky with the weather (a nice 25 degrees) considering that we had just had a week of 38-40 degrees and we are expecting similar temperature for the coming week.

Terry and Barbara have a large veranda; the tables were set up alongside their beautiful garden.

Peter Piercy drove his Mack prime mover up from down south for the luncheon.

Above: Like many members Terry keeps his really important, valuable and “I don’t want this scratched pieces” in the spare room and on a nice soft bed. Terry is seen here holding up the recently rebuilt and freshly chromed radiator surround for the Pontiac not yet finished. We look forward to seeing a new vehicle on club runs in 2020.

Dave and Christine Lindsay brought the Ford Country Squire wagon along

Morris and Barbara Danks' Chevrolet.

20

WATM • March 2020

Members enjoying the lunch.

Terry and Barbara’s two Fords are not seen out together very often; this time it was easy as it was on their home ground

Trevor and Sue Tough’s Dodge and Inter were brought out for a run.

Members enjoying the lunch.

5.

Above, Terry also has a couple of 1920s Pontiacs in the shed, the lunch at their place gave members a chance to see how the progress is going. The yellow and black Ute is nearly ready for licencing.

Right, President Kevin Lockyer presented Barbara with a new addition for the garden and thanked her and Terry for making their place available and organising the catering.

Well done and many thanks from all the HCVC members.

WATM • March 2020

21

News

Road safety boost for towns along South Western Highway

T

he main streets of four South-West towns are to be converted to 40kmh under a McGowan Government trial to improve driver and pedestrian safety.

From the end of January, the speed limit on the South Western Highway will

be lowered to 40kmh through Boyanup, Donnybrook, Balingup and Bridgetown.

The initiative follows meetings held last year by the Minister for Road Safety and local MP Mick Murray with local councils, to discuss the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles in these town centres.

The introduction of the lower speed zone along these sections of main streets will help manage this risk.

The trial has been designed to help Main Roads develop an effective speed signing plan, using conventional speed signs, that will achieve the best driver compliance with a 40kmh speed limit in a town main street environment.

The trial will be overseen by a technical working group, chaired by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray. The group will include representatives from local governments, Main Roads Western Australia and the Road Safety Commission.

“These regional towns are accessed by an average of 6,000 vehicles per day. I'm pleased that pedestrian and road user safety will be improved with the introduction of this trial.” ~ Rita Saffioti The trial commenced the end of January 2020 and be completed in May. WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “These regional towns are accessed by an average of 6,000 vehicles per day. I’m pleased that pedestrian and road user safety will be improved with the introduction of this trial.”

ALRTA RECOMMENDS USE OF NATIONAL RAMP GUIDELINES

T

he Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Australia (ALRTA) has recommended the use of the National Guide for Safe Design of Livestock Loading Ramps and Forcing Yards (National Ramps Guide) if livestock producers are rebuilding fire affected livestock ramps or forcing yards.

The National Ramps Guide and was published by ALRTA in 2015 and developed in consultation with producers, feedlots, transporters, saleyards, agents, processors and welfare advocates.

ALRTA Vice President and Chair of ALRTA National Animal Welfare Committee, Mick Debenham, said that following the ALRTA guide will improve worker safety and animal welfare, as well as assist ramp owners in meeting new ramp standards expected to be published by Standards Australia in 2020.

“Loading ramps and forcing yards are the most dangerous part of livestock handling facilities. In 2020, livestock producers, handlers and transporters can no longer accept the unnecessary risk of crushing, lacerations and slips, trips and falls, and tragically, sometimes death.”

“There is consensus within the industry

22

WATM • March 2020

that improved safety can be best achieved by keeping livestock and people separated, a guiding principle that is reflected in the ALRTA National Ramps Guide. By improving safety for workers, we also improve the safety and welfare of our livestock – the two go hand in hand.”

“The National Ramps Guide is strongly supported by the livestock supply

chain and has been used as the basis for developing a draft Australian Standard for the Design of livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing yards (DR AS 5340) which is expected to be released by Standards Australia for public comment soon.

Those who have followed the National Ramps Guide will generally meet the new standard,” said Mr Debenham.

ALRTA National President Stephen Marley said that it is always a good time to improve worker safety, improve animal welfare and future-proof businesses against evolving standards.

“ALRTA member operators have been at the coalface during the disaster recovery effort moving affected livestock, and in many cases volunteering their services for emergency fodder deliveries.”

“The sudden loss of critical farm infrastructure such as livestock loading ramps in bushfires has the potential to paralyse livestock production activities right when livestock movements are most urgent.

In some circumstances, rebuilding ramps and forcing yards will be a priority.”

Free copies of the ALRTA National Ramp Guidelines can be obtained at: https://alrta. org.au/resources/ramps-guide/

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

1962

THE ASSOCIATION staged its first General Committee Meeting in the new Wellington Street premises on March 8, 1962. Committeemen donated chairs at £13 10s each, as did an oil company and the Olympic Tyre and Rubber Company. A special ta ble had previously been bought.

School bus operators were advised that because of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in November, that the normal school year would consist of 202 days instead of 204. However, the Education Department was willing to pay for the two days, less running costs and dead running costs.

Association Secretary J R Secombe retired on June 30 after a career that started on May 15, 1943. Association President J A S Warwick said he “valued very highly the sage counsel and secretarial ability displayed by Mr Secombe over the years of his service. Because of this, Mr Secombe is now engaged in an advisory and special projects capacity by the West Australian Road Transport Association”.

His successor is Mr W R Pellew, who had previous association with transport and was appointed Secretary on July 1.

The original and historic Billabong Roadhouse established 1962 on the North West Coastal Highway

A Parcel Carriers’ Section was formed on May 24 with Mr R Sojan named Chairman.

The inaugural Vice-Chairman is Mr E Gitsham with the committee comprising Messrs D Snowball, F Lafferty and B Grierson.

The Primary Producers’ Section was officially disbanded on July 24 after only one member, Mr Farrell, attended the Annual General Meeting.

Taxes on petroleum products yielded the Commonwealth £64.3 million in 196061, equal to £6 for every person in Australia.

A move to have the Association become a non-profit organisation gained a foot during the year, but at the August 14 General Committee Meeting it was decided to put this in abeyance, noting that the Victorian Road Transport Association was in the same position. This had been brought up as the Association had been slugged a £440 taxation demand for commission received from member policies with Federation Insurance Ltd. The Crane and Forklift Section had talks with the Police Traffic Department to standardise times when cranes or more than 31 feet could use the roads.

By Russell McKinnon Mr Leonard Fletcher stood down as a committeeman of 20 years, including 10 as Treasurer. He started a horse-andcart business in 1919, expanded to two carts with the services of his brother and traded as Fletcher’s Delivery Service. In 1935, it changed to Fletcher’s Transport Company. In 43 years in the transport industry he collected two fines — both about 1929 — one for speeding on the highway at an incredible 23mph and the other for overloading. At the next quarterly meeting he was presented with a briefcase containing personal toilet requirements, “both of which will be used by Mr Fletcher during his proposed overseas holiday”.

The Air Beef scheme, started in 1949, came to an end this year as the Government withdrew subsidies, stating the scheme only benefitted a limited number of pastoralists. Its fate was sealed when the Government embarked on an ambitious programme to build roads into the Kimberley suitable for carrying big stock-carrying vehicles. One cattle train, it soon proved, could service 50 percent more beasts in a season than airlifting at a fraction of the cost.

Permits were granted for the first time to cart wool by road from the Esperance area to sale yards in Albany. This was instead of sending the wool by rail via Kalgoorlie and beyond.

During the year, more than 250 school bus contractors transported 21,000 children to and from school each day in 639 vehicles at a total cost exceeding £1million.

Inter-State semi-trailers are becoming a regular sight in WA. During the year ended December 31, 1961 3780 trucks made the journey from Eastern States capitals to Perth.

They carried 52,920 tons — an average of 10 trucks per day with an average load of 14 tons. The return trip had an imbalance with the trucks taking only 17,640 tons back, meaning 10 trucks left daily with an average load of only 4.8 tons.

WATM • March 2020

23

Over to you MODEL TRUCKS

WATM welcomes your submissions to our model truck section.

If you have a model truck, trailer or anything else of interest, we want to know about it. Please contact Vince Ziino on 0408 767 755 or email him at ziinos@iinet.net.au to discuss.

RATCLIFFE'S TRIBUTE TRUCK WA MODELLER DION CHAMBERS was commissioned by Casey Ratcliffe to model a truck as close as possible to the Kenworth 909 prime mover and dry goods trailer owned and operated by Ratcliffe Transport.

Using the Auslowe Kenworth 909 transkit Dion set about constructing the truck and removed 47 mm out of the Lonestar donor chassis giving it a wheel base of around 5800mm.

Auslowe Kenworth 909 fuel tanks were used along with Photoetch steps and the lights were positioned accordingly.

Paint is genuine PPG 2pak followed by white pin striping for the demarcation lines. Alloy drive guards and chassis checker plate round off the 'bling' side of things.

The trailer was a very straight forward Auslowe with wheels borrowed from another Lonestar kit in keeping with the trucks 'bling'. Sign writing and small lights (20 per side) were then put on as per the photographs Dion worked off to make the model.

The model now has pride of place in the Ratcliffe residence as a tribute to Casey's father. Dion says, "Personally I was humbled and honored to build a model of such a high caliber for someone with a reputation for having first class, well looked after gear on the road

COMMISSION BUILDS Vince Ziino is available to do commission builds for companies or a personal model of your truck .

Please contact Vince on 0408767755 or ziinos@iinet.net.au 24

WATM • March 2020

REPAIRS

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