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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