JULY 2019 EDITION of WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE

THE TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY MAGAZINE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA

ISSN 2202-6193

100007516 July 2019 | price $6.95

TRANSPORT magazine Page 2

WHEN IS ENOUGH,

ENOUGH?

You only have to google, “rocks being thrown at trucks” to see that this problem has been going on for decades throughout the world and is prevalent across Australia.

WA Transport speaks to industry, local police, industry associations and lawyers to come up with a plan to try and bring this dangerous practice to an end.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Harvest Mass Management Arrangements • Ask truck drivers about our needs • Great Northern Highway upgrade • Agricultural freight strategy – Open for comment WATM • July 2019

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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 • July 2019

Focus

When is enough,

ENOUGH?

Y

ou only have to google, “rocks being thrown at trucks” to see that this problem has been going on for decades throughout the world and is prevalent across Australia.

At what point do we say enough is enough? At what point does someone in authority finally take action? Is it when someone is killed?

These are the questions the transport industry is asking but looking into the ‘big’ picture it is not that simple as in many cases the problem is multi-faceted, arising from community culture, parenting, the juvenile law system and a lack of reporting of incidents to Police.

The only legal recourse the transport industry has is local Police who are in a position to prosecute offenders ‘if ’ they catch them – but they can only catch them if they are alerted at the time of the

2

WATM • July 2019

incident or have some evidence to go on.

One common thread throughout this issue is not enough truck drivers report the incidents to Police.

Back in 2014, veteran transport operator Dale Tulloch was lucky to escape injury when a heavy-duty battery charger was hurled at his windscreen in Halls Creek.

Police then advised truck drivers to slow down to a crawl when passing through the remote Kimberley town and consider installing security cameras.

"I was going through town; I heard rocks hit the top of the cab. The next minute smash, I didn't even see that thing coming," Dale said.

"If that object would have come through the side widow, I would not be here today. I would be in hospital or dead.

"Like any normal truck driver, you rely on your work to bring in an income. You

are out there doing your job, and stuff like this happens."

Mr Tulloch said he did not stop but rang to report the incident to police, who spoke to him on the outskirts of town.

WATM spoke to CEO of Western Roads Federation Cam Dumnesy and was told that he had countless operators come to him about this issue and the first question he asked is, “Did you report it?” In most cases the answer was ‘no’ which leaves industry bodies hands tied to help as they can’t take it further with the authorities on your behalf without data from Incident Reports.

It all comes down to reporting the incident whenever you are able to and creating a Police Incident Report – even if no damage has occurred. These Incident Reports will be invaluable in fully gauging the extent of the problem, the locations and patterns that may emerge that can help

Police catch offenders.

If you can reach Police the moment it happens that gives them the ‘best’ opportunity to catch the culprits. Or, if you are out of range and can’t reach Police – when you are in a position to do so contact them and report the Incident and get a Job Number.

WA Transport Magazine also spoke to Fitzroy Crossing Police on this matter relaying to them the reports we had heard recently of not only rocks been thrown, - many breaking windscreens but also larger missiles including a metal chair that got caught up in the wheels and had to be dragged until the driver felt he was in a safe enough area to get out of his truck and free it.

WATM was told that local Police and other stake holders had great empathy for the transport industry in this issue and both Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing Police, even though they don’t have to were more than willing to escort trucks through the town if they were available to do so.

It is not just trucks that are being targeted, but trucks have the distinct disadvantage of being louder and can be heard from further away plus their size makes them an easier target than other vehicles.

The Police said that they understood the frustration of the transport operators however calling the station and getting upset if Police were attending other business and could not escort them at ‘that moment’, then threatening the offenders with bodily harm was not the answer; especially if these threats were actioned - the Police would first go after the people that called in as they had their phone numbers.

However, the important thing local Police wanted to relay to the transport industry is that they do care and that is why they will ‘if’ available escort trucks through trouble spots but especially important that drivers report any incidents to police as soon as they are able to – the sooner the better - so they can attend in time to locate and deal with the offenders and stop this dangerous practice.

SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER? Police Incident Reports will give verifiable clarity to the overall extent of this issue and this data will give industry bodies more chance to help the transport industry with the authorities. Also, Main stream publicity on this subject will gain more empathy and support from the public if the heading reads… 200 reports in one year of trucks being hit by missiles in the Kimberley …” than “Transport operators go vigilante and

assault local youth”.

It goes without saying that putting posts on Facebook that invariably degenerate into a war between the victims and do-gooders does little to show the transport industry in good light especially if the incident has not been reported to Police in the first place.

Fed-up truck drivers have started a petition calling for tougher sentencing on juveniles caught throwing rocks in an attempt to stop the constant rock throwing happening in towns across Australia.

The petition, created by Brisbane-based truck driver Sonja White, names Moree as the worst town for rock throwing.

“With the continuous threats on our roads, we, the truck drivers have had enough of being targeted,” the petition states.

“As we would all like to live longer but with what's been happening lately in some small country towns, it’s becoming

The only legal recourse the transport industry has is local Police who are in a position to prosecute offenders ‘if’ they catch them – but they can only catch them if they are alerted at the time of the incident or have some evidence to go on increasingly dangerous, especially for us, the truck drivers.

“We, the public, call on the Minister for Justice to implement tougher sentencing on juveniles.”

Ms White said she started the petition in an effort to prevent another life from being taken as a result of rock throwing.

“Years ago we lost a good mate from a rock being hurled over on the Hume Highway,” she said.

“We don’t need to lose another life due to stupidity, so I’m doing what I can. I started a petition to try to bring in something for people to be punished for what they’re doing. A slap on the wrist is not going to cut it.”

Backed by her fellow truck drivers, Ms White would like to see some sort of legislative change that would enable tougher

penalties for those caught, as well as making the rock throwers pay for the damages.

“I’d like to see it stopped,” she said.

“We’ve got to work - that’s our job and our livelihood. What about the damages to trucks? Some of the rocks are going through and hitting the actual driver. We’re out of pocket. And if we drive up the road with a cracked windscreen, who’s going to cop a fine? We are.

“I reckon they should pay for the damages they have caused.

Ms White is hoping to get 50,000 signatures on the petition but in the meantime she encourages everyone to report any incident of rock throwing to the police. www.gopetition.com/petitions/justicefor-rock-throwing.html After WATM’s talks with Fitzroy Crossing Police it is really obvious that they would like to find a solution. They have suggested trying to set up regular ‘truck education program’ between local youth and some of the larger transport companies (or anyone) that runs through their town.

Something simple, where operators meet with Police and youth at the local BP and the youth get to meet the drivers and see them as human beings. Show off the trucks, explain they would not have any food, drink or anything if it were not for trucks and maybe even let them sit in them and give them the truck driver’s perspective. Basically, try and build a positive relationship with them. The Police have said they would supply lollies, yes a bit of bribery, but it is not going to hurt if it can change these youths minds to where they see trucks as ‘good’ and they start to think I don’t want to hurt them as the drivers are nice men / women and they deliver us everything. Perhaps this incentive will reduce some of the attacks.

Both WRF and the LRTAWA have indicated their willingness to participate in a community engagement exercise with Fitzroy Crossing Police in an attempt to connect with local youths and help them understand the reality of the situation.

Maybe you are reading this and thinking it won’t work. But think about this… Would it not be better for the transport industry to make a positive step first in trying to solve this? Again, imagine the headline... “WA Transport Industry takes positive step to work with local community”.

WATM also spoke to Alistair Sullivan from Pragma Lawyers about what transport operators should be doing in relation to their business in order to protect themselves and he made the following points: WATM • July 2019

3

1. Trucking companies, their customer, and any sub-contractors will be under an obligation to do all that is reasonable in the circumstances to deliver the goods in good condition. Such instances of criminal damage may lead to damage to the truck, and damage to the goods being hauled – it is therefore important to check that any contract sets out who would be liable for such damage, and that the liable party has adequate insurance to cover the losses. It is common in cartage contracts for the trucking company to limit its liability to circumstances where the loss was caused by its negligence. It is therefore important that the trucking company is not negligent and acts in accordance with all applicable laws when driving through the relevant area. Where a driver knows of an impending risk (such as the one in question), it may be reasonable to expect that a driver slows down, or weighs up other options including a potential deviation. This would be especially relevant where it no police escort is available and there have been incidents reported on the night the driver is due to pass through the area.

2. Trucking companies will also be under an obligation to deliver the goods they are hauling on time. Such instances of criminal damage may lead to delays– it is therefore important to check that any contract allows for a delay in circumstances where that delay is not caused by the negligence of the driver/ trucking company. This should include circumstances where the delay is caused by criminal damage. It is arguable that an event such as this may be captured by a force majeure clause (event beyond the reasonable control of a party), if that clause is sufficiently worded to include such instances of criminal damage.

3. It is important to ensure that all transport companies and drivers are on top of compliance and operating within the bounds of all laws and regulations applicable at all times. This is especially important in the event of an incident such as this, as authorities and other contractual parties will look at these issues when determining liability. If loads are not stowed in accordance with legislation, or a driver is operating beyond what the law prescribes, there may be repercussions from the police, contractual partners, insurers, Main 4

WATM • July 2019

One common thread throughout this issue is not enough truck drivers report the incidents to Police

Roads and or Worksafe. Such noncompliance will present additional issues and complexities that have the potential to lead to significant financial repercussions in the event of a contractual breach or prosecution by authorities.

4. In WA young people aged below 10 can’t be found guilty of a crime as they are considered too young to understand what they are doing is wrong. Young people aged between 10 and 14 can be charged with a crime if they know that what they were doing was ‘seriously wrong’ at the time. Those between 14 and 18 year old can be found guilty of a crime but will charged as a “child” by the Children’s Court with Young Offenders Act allowing for alternative forms of discipline including referral to a Juvenile Justice Team. Given the acts are criminal, it is the WA Police rather than individuals or transport companies who are responsible for enforcing the law. Any assault or otherwise infringement on a minor is a serious offence with serious consequences not limited to criminal charges and the right to immediately terminate a driver’s employment.

5. If all incidents are reported thoroughly and without delay, legal issues and claims are able to be resolved quickly and efficiently. This is most often done by completing a witness statement at a police station. A quick way to record evidence would be to either take a video or voice recording explaining exactly what happened in detail as soon as possible after an incident. This can then

be used to prepare a witness statement at a time that is more convenient.

Proper recording of evidence helps to alleviate the need for legal spend which is often unbudgeted. It will also assist police with their investigations and may eliminate the need for a truck driver to be called as a witness in court proceedings. This will therefore prevent the need for drivers to take time off so they can focus on driving.

WHAT TO DO FITZROY CROSSING To ask for Police escort through Fitzroy Crossing or; Report an incident (Ask for a Job Number) call: (08) 9163 9555 Email evidence with your Job Number to: Fitzroy.Crossing.Police.

Station@Police.wa.gov.au HALLS CREEK To ask for Police escort through Halls Creek or; Report an incident (Ask for a Job Number) call: (08) 9168 9777 Email evidence with your Job Number to: Halls.Creek.Police.

Station@Police.wa.gov.au For incidents in other areas call 131 444 (Ask for Job Number) To be involved in Community Education Program contact Fitzroy Crossing Police: T: (08) 9163 9555 E: Fitzroy.Crossing.

Police.Station@Police.wa.gov.au

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• July 2018 2019 WATMWATM • December

135

WA

TRANSPORT

magazine

VOLUME 25 | NUMBER 6 Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd Telephone 0430 153 273 www.angrychicken.com.au

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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 DESIGN / PREPRESS Cally Browning | Bare Creative ACCOUNTS T: 08 9296 4488 E: accounts@angrychicken.com.au PRINTER Daniels Printing Craftsmen SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions available directly from the Publisher.

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M

y heart went out to the LRTAWA member who has written in this edition (Page 18) after having a serious accident due to fatigue. I thank him for writing this thought process before, during and after the accident and to be honest, it really made me look at my own life and I could draw many similarities. Please read it and think about your own lives.

This month also, after many reports on social media I took it upon myself to really look at the situation of missiles being thrown at trucks [and other vehicles] across Australia and of course, our own state. Thank you to the local Police in the Kimberley for being so candid with me and thank you to the WA Associations for

stepping up to help in finding solutions.

I was immensely worried to hear of WA Transport operators talking about taking things into their own hands, and I well understand how they feel, as we are only human but the consequences of these actions would not only hurt them but industry as a whole. The story begins on Page 2 and I hope you see that there is great empathy for the transport industry for this problem. We all care and I hope you can take something from the story to help put a stop to this dangerous practice.

Welcome to all the new digital subscribers of the magazine and thank you to everyone who gives me feedback.

Best,

Karen

CONTENTS 2............................................... When is enough, enough?

7................................................ Harvest Mass Management Scheme Arrangements for 2019-2020

Overseas subscribers: Airmail postage will be added to subscription rate.

12............................................ Have your say on shaping fatigue regulations

Editorial Submissions: The Publisher welcomes

13............................................ New Dangerous Goods Rail Transport Safety Working Group

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.

14............................................ | Western Roads Federation – Is multi-purposing rest areas the funding key?

16............................................ $10m of upgrades for WA Commodity Freight routes

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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WATM • July 2019

17............................................. Truck width research ignores expert freight strategy report 18............................................ LRTAWA – Don’t ignore the niggling thoughts 19............................................ Great Northern Highway upgrade 20.......................................... Chemical advancements in rust and corrosion solutions 21............................................ Efficiency-boosting plan for agricultural region freight released for comment

Every Month 8............................................... Fair Go for Owner Drivers 9............................................... Questions to the Minister 10............................................ Bird’s Eye View 20.......................................... The Lone Wolf 22.......................................... HCVC 23.......................................... WA Transport History 24.......................................... Model Trucks

Endorsed by

News

Harvest Mass Management Scheme Arrangements for 2019-2020

M

ain Roads has been actively working to address ‘first and last mile’ access issues to and from the farm gate and, as such, it is no longer necessary to include special Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) access arrangements under the Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS).

Whilst the HMMS will continue, it will revert back to its original intent as a mass management scheme only, with no changes to the mass provisions previously provided under the scheme.

Special RAV access arrangements were initially included under the HMMS prior to the 2016-2017 harvest period to address potential ‘first and last mile’ access concerns associated with a predicted record harvest, combined with a backlog of RAV route assessments.

These special access arrangements continued for the 2017-2018 and 20182019 harvest periods, with some changes

To ensure Main Roads can assess any additional roads needed for the 2019-2020 harvest season, we encourage transport operators and farmers to lodge their applications now. The route assessment process may take up to 12 weeks each year, the most significant being the requirement for the transport operator or farmer to submit a HMMS Road List specifying the roads they wanted to use between the paddock and the nearest road already approved for RAV access.

Main Roads has used the HMMS Road Lists that were submitted to prioritise onsite

route assessments, which are now well underway for the 1053 roads endorsed for the 2018-2019 harvest period. The intent is to finalise the assessments and add the roads to the relevant RAV Networks, prior to the upcoming harvest period. This will negate the need for the special RAV access arrangements to continue under HMMS. Going forward, transport operators and farmers will now simply need to ensure all required roads are approved for the particular RAV combination they want to use. If additional roads are required, they will need to apply to Main Roads to have them assessed via the standard RAV application process. DO NOT submit a HMMS Road List to Main Roads, as these will no longer be accepted.

Further information on the standard RAV application process and the relevant application form is available on the Road Access page of our website at: www. mainroads.wa.gov.au/UsingRoads/HVS/ roadaccess/Pages/default.aspx To ensure Main Roads can assess any additional roads needed for the 2019-2020 harvest season, we encourage transport operators and farmers to lodge their applications now. The route assessment process may take up to 12 weeks.

Transport operators wishing to participate in HMMS for the upcoming harvest period are reminded to register their vehicles with a participating Grain Receiver and familiarise themselves with the HMMS Business Rules, available on the Harvest Mass Management Scheme page of our website at: www.mainroads. wa.gov.au/UsingRoads/HVS/Pages/ harvestmassmanagementscheme.aspx For further information, please contact the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk on 138 486 or visit the Harvest Mass Management Scheme page of our website at www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

WATM • July 2019

7

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

When is somebody going to ask truck drivers about our needs?

(Above) Near Bindoon (Below) Comfort break Great Northern Highway

I

’ve been travelling along the Great Northern Highway a bit lately and I’m really impressed with the new road around Miling and Pithara.

Main Roads and its contractors have done an excellent job and have constructed a ‘first class’ piece of road.

The old road was well and truly passed its use by date so it’s a pleasure to see the end of it.

For too long we have put up with this narrow bumpy stretch of road. We now have plenty of passing lanes and you can see a lot of thought has gone into the whole project.

However, only two truck bays were built in this area. These are very large bays and there is one for north bound traffic and the same for south bound traffic. Plenty of parking has been provided with separate areas for trucks and another area for cars plus there are plenty of rubbish bins.

My only criticism is that both these truck bays are built on the crest of a hill so you have very little view of approaching traffic as you re-entering the highway.

I guess truck drivers will sort it out by calling out on the radio when they want to exit the truck bays but I’m not sure how the general traffic will like it as it is going to be a bit dangerous in my opinion.

Imagine coming over the crest of the hill at the same time a truck is pulling out of a truck bay. It will certainly get the old heart pumping.

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WATM • July 2019

In 2019, on a very busy highway it is unacceptable that we have to march off into the bush to do our business I often wondered if anyone thought to get some advice from truck drivers on where we would like truck bays built and what facilities we would prefer. My biggest criticism is the lack of facilities in the way of shade and toilets.

This road project would have cost many millions of dollars and yet in the scheme of things a toilet block and a shaded area would cost peanuts. It really shows how much lack of importance is placed on truck drivers in this industry.

Fatigue and rest breaks are an important issue with truck drivers and yet here is a glaring example of how our basic needs are completely ignored again. We have the same needs as everyone else so if we have to have a toilet break then we have to have somewhere to park and have the necessary facilities to do so.

In 2019, on a very busy highway it is

unacceptable that we have to march off into the bush to do our business. In this case there is no bush and even though an excellent job has been done in the planting of hundreds of little trees it’s going to be a long time before they will offer us any sort of privacy.

When is someone going to ask truck drivers to get some advice about our needs? We are trying to attract more drivers into the industry. How do you tell them that these are the conditions that we are expected to work under.

We are seeing more female truck drivers entering the transport industry.

We must be able to offer them better working conditions. The whole situation is a serious issue but apart from truck drivers nobody seems to be listening and nobody seems to care.

Keep it safe, Ray Pratt

Over to you QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTER with Hon. Rita Saffioti | B Bus MLA | Minister of Transport Our West Australian Minister for Transport has kindly agreed to answer your most pressing questions for publication in the WA Transport Magazine.

Our thanks go to the Minister for her time and we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. Please send your questions to the publisher at karen@angrychicken.com.au Minister: Does the Minister think accreditation is a success? Does she have any tangible proof to show that anything has changed? As far as we operators are concerned it is just miles more red tape. What checks do MRD do to make sure that the audits are accurate? I have heard from a number of sources that the more you pay the auditor, the more he will sign off without verifying. Complaints about companies rorting the system are not followed up - and I can provide at least one specific case where a woman reported the company her husband used to work for and was told by the authorities that ‘yes’ we too have concerns about them and that was three years ago and that company is still doing the same thing – rorting the system and nothing has changed.

Answer: The Western Australian Heavy Vehicle Accreditation scheme is a compulsory requirement for all Restricted Access heavy

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vehicle combinations which access the Main Roads RAV network. Main Roads’ Heavy Vehicle Services’ statistical data shows that the rate of compliance for heavy vehicles used by accredited operators is significantly higher than those heavy vehicles used by non-accredited operators, with a compliance rate of over 80% for accredited versus less than 65% for non-accredited. National studies have also identified significant improvements in safety and roadworthiness of accredited vehicles over non accredited vehicles.

Main Roads auditors carry out random audits of operators to ensure the robustness of the auditing process. Any suspicions of impropriety should be reported to Main Roads by calling 138 486. Anyone who is uncomfortable raising such matters with Main Roads can access other Government agencies such as the Ombudsman.

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WATM • July 2019

9

Over to you BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

Dash cameras - an ‘essential’ part of your kit these days

L

oonies on the road - we have all had to put up with them since time immemorial. Car drivers (mostly) who pull out without looking, overtake on blind bends, cut in front, or just generally bad driving.

Bad enough when they do it to other cars but especially bad when trucks are involved. We all know that trucks take much longer to pull up and that we are not as manoeuvrable, but car drivers seem to forget that - unfortunately often at their own peril.

Sadly, in most circumstances of a truck/ other vehicle collision the headline reads, “Truck and car in head on” or “Truck involved major crash”. Wouldn’t it be nice to actually see a headline, “Idiot driver pulls out in front of truck” or “Incompetent car driver puts truck and driver at risk”.

You see, it always seems to be the truck drivers fault - they were travelling to fast or too close or too something else. But in ‘most’ cases - and let me stress that yes some truck drivers are at fault - in ‘most cases’ it is an impatient car driver that has cut the

10

WATM • July 2019

truck off and taken up his spare safe stopping space, or tried to overtake when it isn’t safe.

The problem then, is how do you prove it? It is your word against theirs - and often they have done the damage and taken off and there is no way that you can catch them.

For a fairly modest investment of a couple of hundred dollars up to something really fancy for around $1000 you can show the Police and insurance companies ‘exactly’ what happened More and more companies and owner operators are turning to dash cams to protect themselves in cases of dispute.

For a fairly modest investment of a couple of hundred dollars up to something really fancy for around $1000 you can show the Police and insurance companies

‘exactly’ what happened.

Your initial outlay can be saved in your first ‘incidence’. Insurance companies take any opportunity to up the cost of insurance, but by being able to prove that a collision wasn’t your fault, you can easily save that loss of no claim bonus.

Even if their wasn’t an actual collision, just an example of dangerous driving, you are most likely to have recorded the offending vehicle’s registration number and action can be taken by the Police post incident.

You only need to google ‘truck dashcam footage’ and the number of incidents is just mind blowing.

In an emergency, you don’t have time to note much about the other vehicle particularly not the registration - but with a dashcam it’s all there for you.

So do yourself a favour - protect yourself from those loonies on the road who don’t give a damn about anyone else but themselves - invest in a dashcam and at least you can prove that an incident wasn’t your fault.

Stronger, better loading and visibility

F

eeding a burgeoning Asian market and attempting to get Caucasians to adopt more Asian eating habits, is the wish of a Perth entrepreneur and Isuzu truck owner.

Thomas Kong, owner of Kongs Trading Pty Ltd — based in Kewdale but with tentacles throughout Perth — says while the Perth restaurant-eating market is stagnant, he hopes for a revival in business in coming years.

“The population had been expanding, but then immigration was reduced. There were the boom times with the 457 visas, but then those Asians went back home when the work was finished. We need more immigration as the population increases.

“Asian students are being shut out with the pricing, which also has an effect on Asian food consumption.

“We have to teach Caucasians to eat more Asian food. People should learn to come out of their comfort zone and try new Asian food. “(Celebrity chefs like) Anthony Bourdain and Rick Stein go to Asia and promote Asian cuisine, and the use of chillies.

“More Asians eat out as well and we are seeing a lot of China’s middle class travel and visit Australia. They have a lot of money and their coming here is good for us,” Thomas said.

As a key distributor of Asian food to retail stores and restaurants throughout Western Australia, Thomas has a keen interest in how the Asian market is expanding.

The business started with his late father Francis in Victoria Park in 1977 and to this day the

MAJOR MOTORS

Kongs retail outlet still operates from the suburb.

Kongs has exclusive agency lines and supplies a lot of frozen products — especially seafood — and requires reliable freezer trucks to deliver to outlets “Not long along we had only 30-40 percent perishables, but that has changed and we now predominantly have frozen products to deliver.

Before that we were 95 percent dry goods.”

That’s why Thomas bought two new Isuzu trucks recently, one capable of carrying four pallets and the other six. “There was only a $10,000 difference between the two so the six-pallet truck was more economical.”

Kongs currently has five trucks and five vans constantly on the road.

When buying Isuzu trucks for the first time, Thomas found them “much stronger and better with loading and visibility”.

“These trucks are worth every cent and we will stay with Isuzu. We found with other trucks they had weak suspensions and we loaded them heavily and they struggled driving around corners. Isuzu’s are stronger trucks.”

Thomas said he has a strong rapport with the people at Forrestfield, having dealt with them for many years — many the same people.

The trucks were big enough, yet not too large, to cope with tight loading bays at shopping centres, while his vans negotiated the tighter city lanes.

Kongs operates the Oriental Cash and Carry business in Canning Vale, offering a food service to Asian restaurants and retail outlets.

While the company is based in Kewdale, there is no room for expansion, so land has been found in Kelmscott and a cool store will be built to cater for the overflow. •

These trucks are worth every cent and we will stay with Isuzu

9365 6333 9331 9331 789 ABERNETHY ROAD, FORRESTFIELD

2 SELKIS ROAD, BIBRA LAKE

www.majormotors.com.au

@MajorMotorsISUZU WATM • July 2019

11

News

Have your say on shaping fatigue regulations as part of HVNL review Figure 7. Portion of vehicles that require a work diary to be used Source: Survey of Motor Vehicle Usage, Australian Bureau of Statistics

Fatigueregulated heavy vehicles (100+km work) 22%

Effective fatigue management

Other heavy vehicles 31%

May 2019

Fatigueregulated heavy vehicles (100km work) 47% Work diary required Work diary not required

Work and rest hours do not effectively control ‘time of day’ risks Recent findings from the Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety (2019) confirm that the risk of impairment is much and Productivity driving in an alert state, higher drivers experience drowsiness when driving at night. Even when double between 10pm events. Drowsiness events and 5am compared with were driving in an alert state, midnight to 3am. For night and triple from shifts, there was substantial of driving, with a doubling drowsiness after eight of the drowsiness event or more hours with previous findings rate. The outcome of this by fatigue experts. research aligns The HVNL tries to control this risk by requiring drivers rest breaks. A night rest is a break of seven continuousdoing night work to take regular night stationary break of 24 hours between 10pm continuous hours. Under and 8am, or a standard hours, though, restrictions on when work there are hours occur. Drivers can night work and still meet work their maximum allowable no the rest requirements. hours as BFM has some extra controls because it restricts the night hours. number of ‘high-risk’ hours, including

Issues paper Effective fatigue management:

issues paper May 2019

1

T

As noted in the recent NTI report, a disproportio nate number of fatigue between midnight and incidents happen 6am. When adjusted for traffic volume, the risk between midnight and for 6am was triple that of the daily average (National a truck driving Insurance, 2019). This Transport has been a consistent trend since 2002, despite the 2009 fatigue manageme the introduction of on night work are adequate. nt reforms. It raises the question of whether the current controls Controls to assess fitness for work at the start of a shift are weak Under the HVNL, a driver must be fit for work. This and mentally fit to drive is based on them appearing (s 5 physically assume that a driver starts of the HVNL). Other risk controls, mainly work and rest hours, their trip well rested.

Effective fatigue management:

issues paper May 2019

he National Transport Commission (NTC) has released an issues paper www.ntc.gov. au/Media/Reports/(4806F7F5-CAC28DF8-58C7-EA5F7A8B6ACD).pdf seeking feedback on how to regulate fatigue management as part of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review.

The paper seeks views on how fatigue is 31

currently regulated and the issues relating to the existing law, to find options for effectively managing fatigue risk in a new law.

NTC Chief Executive Officer Gillian Miles said the existing fatigue management requirements are complex, highly prescriptive and therefore difficult to understand and comply with.

'The existing law, despite its detailed prescriptive requirements, doesn't adequately address the complexity of fatigue risks and causes, and how they relate to each other.

'Our goal is to develop a new law with a harmonised approach to effective

The existing law, despite its detailed prescriptive requirements, doesn't adequately address the complexity of fatigue risks and causes, and how they relate to each other

Construction of another jobcreating road project underway

W

ork has now started to upgrade Perth’s last remaining section of high-speed single lane highway to dual carriageway in Perth's north-eastern suburbs.

Modifications to the intersection of Reid Highway and West Swan Road will improve traffic flow and turning movements, while a new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will improve access to the Swan Valley and enhance local connectivity.

The Reid Highway duplication project will also include a new bridge over Reid Highway at Arthur Street to connect the growing communities of Caversham and Dayton, a priority of the City of Swan. The State Government has worked with the City of Swan to make the bridge part of the duplication works.

Widening this section of Reid Highway was a McGowan Government election commitment, which will join a range of other projects - either under construction or being planned - aimed at tackling congestion in the north-eastern suburbs.

These include New Lord Street,

12

WATM • July 2019

fatigue risk management that delivers safer outcomes', Dr Miles said.

This is the second of eight issues papers in a rolling consultation to mid-2019.

Consultation on this paper is open until 16 August 2019.

Following consultation on the eight issues papers, the NTC will develop a consultation Regulatory Impact Statement for comment before taking recommendations to ministers in November 2020.

For more information about our open and upcoming consultation phases, see the HVNL Review microsite //hvnlreview.ntc.gov.au/

NorthLink WA, Morley-Ellenbrook Line, the 355 bus service and record investment in new shared paths.

Decmil Southern Pty Ltd was awarded the contract for the Reid Highway project, which will be the first to be delivered under the WA Industry Participation Strategy, ensuring local work and job creation.

The $77.5 million project is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government ($56 million) and State Government ($14 million), with an additional $7.5 million contribution from the City of Swan towards the Arthur Street Bridge.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “This project is the latest milestone in the transformation of the road network in Perth’s north-eastern corridor.

“With NorthLink and New Lord Street

approaching completion, we are slashing travel times for residents and commuters, paving the way for continued growth and investment in these suburbs.

“We look forward to seeing this project progress, delivering an efficient east-west route across Perth’s north-eastern suburbs for local residents, commuters and the freight industry.

“We have been able to embark on a record number of road projects, including this Reid Highway upgrade, thanks to this Government’s decision to stop construction of Roe 8 and redirect its funding to much more needed projects across the suburbs and regional WA.” City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said, “The City of Swan committed $7.5 million towards the overpass in an effort to improve connectivity.

"The highway upgrades will improve safety for users and reduce the likelihood of head-on collisions, which have claimed six lives in recent years.”

The highway upgrades will improve safety for users and reduce the likelihood of head-on collisions, which have claimed six lives in recent years

News

New Dangerous Goods Rail Transport Safety Working Group

A

new dangerous goods working group is set to boost transport safety outcomes in Western Australia.

The Dangerous Goods Rail Transport Safety Working Group will provide an overview of dangerous goods rail transport activity in Western Australia, act as an intermediary between operators and industry regulators and provide input to assessing, accepting and reporting rail transport risk.

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s (DMIRS) Senior Dangerous Goods Officer, Stephen Lane, said the working group leverages off the good work done by inspectors from the DMIRS Dangerous Goods Safety team over the past three years.

“The Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007 also apply to rail transport, so DMIRS officers conducted audits of all bulk dangerous goods rail transfer locations across WA in 2016-17,” Mr Lane said.

“This included cyanide and ammonia filling of rail wagons, caustic soda transport for the alumina industry and bulk solid sulphur prill railed to mine processing sites.

“Knowledge gained from the audits was then passed on to industry at the inaugural Dangerous Goods Rail Safety Forum, which DMIRS hosted in October 2017.

“The working group’s efforts will hopefully be an effective channel for industry and regulators to enhance transport safety outcomes in WA and nationally.”

The Working Group is a joint initiative between the DMIRS Dangerous Goods and Critical Risks Directorate, WorkSafe Industrial and Regional Safety Directorate and the Office of the National Rail Safety

Transafe WA, and overseeing road tanker approvals in WA. Mr Lane and DMIRS Principal Dangerous Goods Officer, Peter Xanthis, organised the groundwork that helped form the group.

The Working Group’s delegates represent: • DMIRS – Dangerous Goods and Critical Risks • DMIRS – WorkSafe Industrial and Regional Safety • ONRSR – Principal Rail Safety Officer, Director Perth Operations

DMIRS Senior Dangerous Goods Officer, Stephen Lane, said the working group leverages off the good work done by inspectors from the DMIRS Dangerous Goods Safety team over the past three years Regulator (ONRSR). Industry stakeholders include chemical manufacturers, freight forwarders and rail operators.

DMIRS has a well-established presence in the road transport industry, which includes officers undertaking dangerous goods load inspections; presenting compliance and risk seminars through

• Industry Operators – Aurizon, Pacific National, SCT Logistics • Major freight forwarder representatives – Toll, Linfox and Sadleir’s • Manufacturer representatives – Alcoa, CSBP and Coogee Chemicals • Emergency Services – Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

WATM • July 2019

13

Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO Australian Army Bushmasters travel along the Derby Highway en-route to Broome during Exercise Northern Shield 2016 © Commonwealth of Australia 2019, Department of Defence

Is Multi-Purposing Rest Areas the Funding Key?

C

ould multi-purposing heavy vehicle rest areas hold the key to securing more funding along road corridors, especially the 4000 km route between Perth and Darwin?

We already dual-purpose remote highways, upgrading them in selected areas to a widened and marked runway capable of landing Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft.

So, can we use the same concept of multipurposing for rest areas in our remote and regional areas? Northern Territory RTA and Western Roads Federation have identified three potential examples.

Military Convoy Capable The increasing Australian Defence Force focus on North West Australia is likely to create an additional demand for use of heavy vehicle rest areas by military convoys.

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WATM • July 2019

Existing rest area facilities are entirely inadequate to accommodate the additional demands that could be placed upon them due to increased military activity.

In an article for a major Defence Magazine on an integrated defence and civilian road freight strategy for Northern Australia, the CEO of Western Roads Federation, Cam Dumesny makes a point that the potential increase in military convoy activity necessitates that serious consideration be given to creating heavy vehicle rest areas capable of taking at least one convoy packet.

A ‘packet’ used to be up to seven vehicles, but now with the new MAN trucks, packets are restricted to five vehicles. A number of packets make up a convoy, with each packet usually separated by a time spacing.

Military convoy discipline requires packets to stop approximately every two hours for a 10-minute break. Presently, many of the rest areas are incapable of taking a packet and may be further restricted by the heavy axle weights of the MAN when carrying mission specific pods.

The road transport industry needs to leverage the increased defence strategic interest in North West Australia and its need for convoy packet capable rest areas to extract more funding for rest areas from the Federal Government.

Such investment should be on top of the $130 million the ATA won from the Federal Government last year for investment in rest areas across the nation.

Additionally Uses The Northern Territory Road Transport

Association and Western Roads Federation have identified that any such rest areas should be constructed on either side of the road corridor.

Constructing the rest areas in such a manner would enable them to be used as road train turnaround bays at times of road closures due to floods, fires, traffic accidents and other emergencies.

Moreover, the addition of WIFI hotspot communication facilities as now being used in the Northern Territory can transform heavy vehicle rest areas into ‘the office’ or ‘a social / family connection opportunity.’

An Australian Army soldier takes the new Australian Army Rheinmetall MAN truck over an obstacle during the first driver training course at Greenbank driver training area in southern Queensland on 21 September 2016. © Commonwealth of Australia 2019, Department of Defence

Limited Application The military lever only has limited potential as it can really only be argued along our major strategic road supply chain routes across Northern and Western Australia.

However, if it is able to attract additional funding then it may mean more money is able to be spent on the other roads in the nation that need upgraded rest areas.

For more information contact Cam Dumesny on 0481 064 371 or email: Cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au

Constructing the rest areas in such a manner would enable them to be used as road train turnaround bays at times of road closures due to floods, fires, traffic accidents and other emergencies

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 • July 2019

15

News

$10m of upgrades for Commodity Freight Routes across WA difference to industry.

Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said, “This funding will not only improve road safety and efficiency for our freight and agricultural industries but also for road users travelling across the State.

"Upgrading these top 20 priority locations will be critical to supporting our regional primary producers, who rely heavily on the State's freight routes."

The approved projects in the various regional shires include:

T

he State Government has allocated $10 million towards the upgrade of 20 regional roads, many of which are highlighted as priorities in the draft Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy released at the beginning of June.

The funding was highlighted in the State Government's 201920 State Budget as Commodity Freight Routes to support roads integral to Western Australia's agrifood industry.

Commodity Freight Routes are known, identified routes that serve a significant high priority transport task associated with the transportation of commodities such as grain, livestock, timber, agricultural lime and minerals.

Upgrading these routes will reduce existing inefficiencies in delivering agricultural produce to market and improve safety for all road users.

The works will be delivered by the relevant local government with financial oversight by Main Roads Western Australia.

Last July, Main Roads called for project applications via the current Regional Road Group structure.

A Technical Review Group assessed all the proposals, ranked them accordingly and made a recommendation to the State Road Funds to Local Government Advisory Committee.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “To complement these works, Commodity Freight Routes takes a more precise approach by making small improvements on many roads that will make a big

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WATM • July 2019

Shire of Corrigin: • Resurfacing 11.98km of Bulyee Road in 2019-20 Shire of Dandaragan: • Reconstructing and drainage improvements to 1.7km of North West Road in 2019-20 Shire of Dowerin: • Reconstructing, resurfacing and drainage improvements to 3.3km of Dowerin-Koorda Road in 2019-20 Shire of Goomalling: • Reconstructing 5.84km of Goomalling-Calingiri Road in 2019-20 Shire of Kellerberrin: • Reconstructing, widening and drainage improvements to 2.92km of Kellerberrin-Bencubbin Road in 2019-20 • Reconstructing, resealing, reshaping and drainage improvements to 1.04km of Mather Road in 2019-20 • Reshaping, resurfacing, stabilising and drainage improvements to 2.38km of Dowding Road in 2019-20 Shire of Mingenew: • Widening 9.51km of Coalseam Road in 2019-20 Shire of Moora: • Reconstructing 18km of Miling North Road in 2019-20 Shire of Narrogin: • Stabilising and resealing 2.83km of Cooraminning Road in 201920 Shire of Northam: • Widening and resealing 3.07km of Southern Brook Road in 2019-20 Shire of Pingelly: • Geometry improvements and widening to 2.79km of Wickepin Pingelly Road in 2019-20 Shire of Plantagenet: • Resealing and stabilising 5.89km of Woogenellup Road in 2019-20 • Resurfacing 7.87km of Chillinup Road in 2019-20 • Second sealing of 4.32km of Palmdale Road in 2020-21 • Second sealing of 6.46km of Yellanup Road in 2020-21 • Reconstructing 11.45km of Mallawillup Road in 2019-20 Shire of Wongan-Ballidu: • Reconstructing and widening 2km of Hospital Road in 2019-20 Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley: • Design work for 10.65km of Carlton Hill Road in 2019-20 Shire of Yilgarn: • Reconstructing 2.2km of Bodallin South Road in 2019-20

News

TRUCK WIDTH RESEARCH IGNORES EXPERT FREIGHT STRATEGY REPORT

A

research project by government agency Austroads into heavy vehicle dimensions is ignoring the findings of the expert panel inquiry into national freight and supply chain priorities says the Chair of the Australian Trucking Association, Geoff Crouch.

“Last year the expert panel inquiry into national freight and supply chain priorities recommended better supply chain integration, including common standards such as the width of refrigerated truck trailers, that should align with major international partners,” Mr Crouch said.

“However, current research work underway by government research body Austroads is exploring moving to an overall permissible width of 2.55 metres, ignoring the international benchmark of 2.6 metres, especially for refrigerated truck trailers.

“The ATA welcomes the Austroads project’s stated commitment to international harmonisation and exploring greater width, but productivity benefits and

supply chain integration do not happen because you write it in a project brief. You’ve actually got to get the policy settings right.

“An increase in allowable width to 2.6 metres would enable refrigerated trucks to utilise thicker insulated walls without loss of payload. In 38 degrees outside temperatures, these thicker walls would reduce heat gain by 36 per cent and deliver a fuel saving of 2,500 litres per typical refrigerated vehicle per year.

“Austroads reference the expert panel finding on the need for international harmonisation on the width of refrigerated truck trailers in their own project brief, but have then proceeded to rule it out of scope.

“They claimed the benefits of harmonising for refrigerated trailers to justify the project, and then refuse to look at what is actually needed to achieve those benefits.”

Mr Crouch said that the limited scope of the Austroads project would limit the findings.

“The ability of this project to contribute

to our understanding of the issues involved in harmonising vehicle dimensions with major international partners will at best be limited,” Mr Crouch said.

“This is a research project, not a policy decision, which makes it the best time to consider the issues and evidence for actually aligning with major international partners.

“The expert panel inquiry drew on 127 submissions and meetings with over 200 individuals, 28 peak bodies and 90 businesses.

“Austroads and its government members should actually take note of the outcomes of this consultative process, which was vastly more rigorous than the process undertaken for determining the scope of this limited research project.

“It would be disappointing if the commitment of governments to delivering a freight strategy, improving productivity and supply chain integration was to fall at the first hurdle of just researching what was actually recommended by the expert panel inquiry.”

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THE TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY MAGAZINE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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ISSN 2202-6193 100007516 December 2018 | price $6.95

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WA

ISSN 2202-6193

100007516 January/February 2018 | price $6.95

TRANSPORT magazine

WE ARE GOING DIGITAL To meet the needs of our readers, advertisers and the WA Transport industry as a whole, the magazine will be available in convenient digital format as well as print from January 2019.

Go to page 24 and fill out our form so that you, your staff and contractors can easily access this FREE service.

PAGE 16

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Xxx • Xxx • Xxx • Xxx

PROUD OF ITS PROMPT PERFORMANCE in This Issue: Spatial information transforming transport industry

Repaired truck belongs to Kelsue Pty Ltd

Chain of Responsibility Prosecutions

Vehicles carrying Ammonium Nitrate

New industry voice for WA

T 08 9296 4488 www.angrychicken.com.au WATM • July 2019

17

Over to you LRTAWA by Andy Jacob, President, Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia (Inc)

DON’T IGNORE THE NIGGLING THOUGHTS

News

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WATM • July 2019

Great Northern Highway T

wo key components of the wider upgrade of Great Northern Highway reached a major milestone following the official opening of the Miling Bypass and Pithara sections.

The two projects form part of the Muchea to Wubin upgrade of Great Northern Highway which is costing $347 million and supporting 1,600 jobs.

The Miling Bypass project provides nearly 9 kilometres of new highway, including two overtaking lanes and the realignment of 2.5 kilometres of side roads.

The opening of the eastern bypass of the Miling townsite has improved road safety by directing road trains and high wide loads away from the town centre and local

primary school.

Road users will benefit from new overtaking opportunities and a safer crossing point at the Miling East and Miling West Roads and Great Northern Highway intersections.

The realignment of Miling West Road now provides the CBH facility with direct access from the north of the town and the Miling Moora Road has been realigned to avoid floodplains.

The Pithara project is now in its final stage of completion, with the majority of works opened to traffic. The project provides 10 kilometres of new road and has seen a further 6 kilometres of Great Northern Highway widened.

R

ecently a friend had a close call on a country road. He’s a busy man – a farmer trying to get a crop in and dealing with the inevitable breakdowns. At the same time, he’s active in the community, taking the lead in trying to bridge the city/ country divide. Perhaps he has spread himself too thin.

On this day he was fitting as much into 24 hours as possible, pushing the limits of human biology and believing like so many of us do that another 30 – 40 minutes won’t make much difference to our fatigue.

He fell asleep whilst driving and hit a tree.

Luckily, he survived but was not unscathed.

Now lying in the trauma ward in hospital, receiving treatment for the significant injuries received that night, he’s had the courage to record his story and agreed to it being told in this article in the hope it may help others listen to their instincts. This is his story: ‘It’s been around 10 days since this happened, late at night on a country road.

All the little evils in place. At 3.00 am I start heading to the big smoke to do a few things – too busy to eat, doing what I had to and more. Heading home in a roundabout way, the phone rings. G’day we need this, this and this picked up from here, and then there is some stuff at the main farm that needs picking up too. Can you pick it all up please? Yep sure no worries. So of course, I do it.

I see a mate on the side of the road, so

stop for chat. I then realise I still haven’t eaten since dinner time last night - mental note; grab some tucker at the roadhouse. I get there and it’s shut. Ok, could go to the pub and get a feed, or just keep going. I decide to keep going. I suppose I’m getting closer all the time.

As for the actual time of events of the day... they are blurry from now on in.

I came too, I guess somewhere around 9 pm. Not sure, as the phone was mangled.

I knew I’d hit something, but I didn’t know what. I’ve had some struggles in life, but when it’s pitch-black and you’re in a smashed up ute and you have no idea how you got there... life takes on a whole new perspective.

Then the pain kicks in. Oh, the bloody pain. I could feel every little movement. Now how the hell did I end up on the ground beside the ute? I found my phone - oh the joy! Then, the sadness, anger!! I burst into tears as I realised it wasn’t working. That little carousel ride went on for a while. I’m cold! Nothing I could do except think of something else... oh the pain!

Will someone find me? Will I bleed to death? Oh shit!!! Am I bleeding?

Examination of myself. Yes, I am - but not a lot I think, or is that just the pain taking over again. Lights!! Glorious lights!!! Then I realise that it’s the lights coming over the hill to get me! Agony... and I’m out.

I’m dreaming again. I can hear people around me. Well, one anyway. The voice of

my wife and her sweet soft hands on me. I thought I was dead and dreaming over and over... then lights. Holy shit maybe I’m not dead. I replied with yes.

I don’t remember much from then on, except when they dosed me up on pain killers and that terrifying flight to RPH. Never again.

I’m on the mend now. Slowly but surely. The staff here are awesome. It could have been so different. You could all be listening to my eulogy today instead.

You know what? It could ALL have been so different.

The conversation I’d had with myself earlier was... “I should really just go back to Walgy, cook some dinner and go bed ... but then what the hell, it’s only 40 min. I’ll be right.” Worst decision I ever made was bloody nearly my last!!

I know we are all busy. Flat out trying to make a buck. Trying to get the crop in... but please... do me a favour.

Remember those little niggling thoughts.

Do something with them. Listen to them.

Please don’t ignore them. I did.”

We are so happy our friend survived.

His injuries will heal in time. Not everyone is as lucky. The photos of this accident suggest the accident could have been much worse had he been going faster. The powerful message from this story is “when you are feeling tired, do something with the niggling thoughts. Don’t ignore them, they could be your last.”

upgrade reaches new milestone The upgrade also included two new overtaking lanes, new bus bays in Pithara and modifications to local roads to ensure safety for both local and highway traffic.

Finishing works will continue over the coming months to complete the outstanding roadworks, signs, line marking and landscaping.

Other projects between Muchea and Wubin are progressing well with works underway on Muchea North section and tenders for the Walebing Curve Realignment recently advertised.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments.

"The Miling Bypass provides an

alternative route for heavy vehicles around the town of Miling, improving freight efficiency and creating safer passage for all road users,” says WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

"It also separates local and heavy vehicle traffic, minimising noise and vibration in the Miling townsite."

Member for Durack, Mellisa Price said, “These upgrades are part of a long-term vision to improve efficiency and road safety on one of Western Australia's most important freight corridors.

"The Muchea to Wubin upgrade is improving an important link between Perth and the State's north and complements the NorthLink WA project."

The realignment of Miling West Road now provides the CBH facility with direct access from the north of the town and the Miling Moora Road has been realigned to avoid floodplains WATM • July 2019

19

Before and After - Image by Ramiro Mendes

News

Standards Australia available online

S

C

CHEMICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN RUST AND CORROSION SOLUTIONS COULD SAVE INDUSTRY MILLIONS

urtin University research has shown that the cost of rust and corrosion could be costing Australia up to $32 billion each year.

“Most decision makers do not realise that corrosion is a significant problem,” said Professor Rolf Gubner, Director of the WA Corrosion Research Group.

“Timely, well-planned action on corrosion is one way that we can improve the efficiency of our economy. Besides saving money, doing this can also help prevent horrible accidents.”

Those on the frontline combatting rust may well know the dangers, but without access to the latest in chemical advancements, automotive businesses are spending unnecessary time and money to treat and prevent corrosion.

Aware of the huge costs to the automotive industry, NCH chemists took on the challenge to create solutions that were both effective and safe to use. The solutions they came up with combined the latest research and technology to formulate a range of chemical solutions for the management of rust and corrosion.

In the automotive industry, this process is integral in de-rusting parts during vehicle

restoration or parts that have developed rust during storage and can also be used to de-rust tools. The NCH three-step process not only treats rust but also prevents it from returning, saving Australian businesses millions.

Already renowned for their industrial degreasers, the first step is to remove contaminants from all parts. The second step involves their patented X-Rust 7, a groundbreaking pH neutral system that is safe and environmentally friendly. It works at room temperature to remove tarnish and rust from carbon steel, mild steel, cast iron and other metals, inhibiting flash rusting. After soaking the part for between 15 minutes and 24 hours, depending on the severity of the rust, parts come out as good as new.

For parts that cannot be immersed, they have introduced X-Rust 7 Gel, which can be rubbed onto the metal and works the same way as the original product. Ideal for vehicle bodywork, and machinery, it completely removes even deep rust in 24 hours.

Once the rust is removed, NCH offers a range of solutions to coat and protect the affected parts to prevent rust from returning.

Tackling the problem of the most dangerous corrosion which occurs in steel structures like pipe-work, pressure vessels,

Over to you

THE LONE WOLF by John Milner

ere you one of the people who did not sleep well the night of the Federal Election because you were worried about your business’s future? Were you relieved to find out the next day that ScoMo had won?

This is my opinion, and I know not everyone agrees with me, but I couldn’t actually believe that Australia’s voting public finally had some common sense and could see through the smoke screen that was thrown in their face – All in the memory of Hawkie.

In my opinion, we should have a stable

government for the next three years and we haven’t lost a $300,000,000 industry plus all the offshoots including Owner Drivers.

Moving forward, there must be a push made to get contract payments down to a reasonable time period. This will certainly make Owner Drivers lives a little better.

I noticed recently that Diesel is priced above Petrol again. I thought it had come down. I just can’t work it out especially when you have a 10 cent difference on diesel prices from retailers between Maddington and Midland so I suppose it all depends on how the retailers mark it up at

W

20

WATM • July 2019

tandards Australia has announced that they are entering into a partnership with Techstreet, which will deliver greater access and choice for users of Australian Standards in industries and communities across Australia.

Standards Australia is the nation’s peak standards development body, developing Australian standards to support and create value for Australian businesses.

Under the new distribution agreement, Techstreet, a Clarivate Analytics company, will become an additional distributor of Standards Australia content which users will soon be able to access through a webstore and via a subscription service.

The partnership is an exciting step in improving access to Australian Standards.

suspended walkways and cranes, they introduced a new hybrid rust-encapsulator called Salvage 2+. It encapsulates and seals with a top coat in a single coat, and its outstanding corrosion resistance stands up to the 3000-hour scribed hot salt spray test.

Wherever corrosion occurs, it has the potential to cost businesses money and even endanger lives. The advancements in treatment, if properly adopted by industry could save the Australian economy billions.

For more information visit www.nch.com

the fuel pump.

A friend of mine, an Owner Driver told me he was just put off work due to stock feed pellets. The farmer was not taking anymore and the supplier was left with 12,000 pellets to get rid of. Why? Because of Animal Activists trying to delay a livestock boat.

The stories you are hearing now make you wonder what is happening in this world. There are two types of people, in my opinion that you don’t peeve off. Farmers and truckies.

Drive safely, and take care.

T

Efficiency-boosting plan for agricultural region freight released for comment

he draft 'Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy - Responding to Change' has been released for public comment.

The strategy provides a framework to prioritise decision-making to address the key challenges faced when transporting grain, livestock, hay, fertiliser and agricultural lime in the key agricultural regions of the Mid-West, Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance.

The strategy has identified more than 20 multi-modal regional transport infrastructure project packages, which can assist in improving agricultural freight efficiencies and productivity.

These include upgrading rail lines and improving access for longer trains, building new regional intermodal terminals and upgrading roads to allow for heavy vehicle access.

Coinciding with the release of the draft strategy is the announcement of 20 regional road upgrades worth a total of $10 million as part of the State Government's Commodity Freight Routes package announced in the recent State Budget.

Many of the secondary freight roads funded feature as priority upgrades in the draft 'Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy - Responding to Change'.

The State Budget also had $14 million allocated to Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Routes to complement $70 million put forward by the Commonwealth. This is part of the State Government's wider $2 billion regional roads budget for Western Australia.

The State Government is seeking public comment on the strategy via www. mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/RARF-strategy.

The feedback period closes on July 12, 2019.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “With the agricultural and food sector representing about 10 per cent of WA's economy, we need to ensure our crucial transport supply chains continue to improve, helping our key regional agricultural areas prepare for future growth.

"The draft Revitalising Agricultural Region Freight Strategy identifies high priority infrastructure investments and regulatory improvements to help enhance

The strategy has identified more than 20 multi-modal regional transport infrastructure project packages, which can assist in improving agricultural freight efficiencies and productivity

WILUNA-MEEKATHARRA ROAD UPGRADE TO SUPPORT LOCAL JOBS

A

n allocation of $1 million will kickstart a pilot project that could evolve into a rolling program to seal the entirety of Wiluna-Meekatharra Road while creating ongoing work for locals.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn met with the Shire of Wiluna early May to progress the proposal for a pilot project.

The Wiluna-Meekatharra Road provides an important east-west transport link between the Northern Goldfields and the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.

The initial allocation of $1 million would help seal the first four kilometres between the Wiluna town site and an existing 10 kilometre asphalted section of the road.

If successful, the stakeholders would investigate the viability of creating a rolling program to seal further sections of the road.

Currently, 125km out of 180km of road between the towns of Wiluna and Meekatharra remains unsealed.

The poor condition of some parts of the road restricts access, which is exacerbated during seasonal rainfall events, resulting in road closures several times per annum and safety concerns from surrounding communities.

Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Kyle McGinn said, “This is a project that successive governments have not been able to get off the ground for various reasons we need to think outside the box.

"This innovative pilot project can at least make a start from a grassroots level, which will hopefully evolve into something much more. Given the benefits the road will have to mining areas and industry, we will see what we can do to get other stakeholders to help.

efficiency, safety and economic growth of our agricultural sector - which are central to our ability to compete on a global scale.

"The strategy provides a framework for business cases to be developed for road, rail, intermodal and port infrastructure projects for the next 10-15 years.

Annual Wage Decision 2018 – 2019

T

he Fair Work Commission has handed down the 2018-19 Annual Wage Review Decision.

The federal minimum wage and all Award based pay scales will increase by 3%. This equates to an increase of $21.60 per week to $740.80 for employees on the national minimum wage. In hourly rate terms the increase is $0.56 cents per hour for permanent employees to $19.49. The 3% increase must also be applied to each wage classification in each Award and as such, the amount of the increase will be higher than the minimum increase as the Award classification rate of pay increases.

The increase in wages will flow on to employees that are less than 21 years of age proportionally depending on the junior worker provisions that are relevant to those employees.

The increase has effect from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2019.

Graham Lilleyman of Employment Services and Solutions Australia says, “Employers are reminded that they are legally obliged to comply with minimum wage and/or Award obligations and there are severe penalties for non-compliance.

“Employers using enterprise bargaining agreements or the old Australian Workplace Agreements should also ensure that they have their arrangements reviewed, because whilst awards do not generally have application to businesses that have agreements, the base rates of pay under Agreement must comply with your obligations under section 206 of the Fair Work Act 2009.”

WATM • July 2019

21

By Kevin Toovey

Over to you Original Chevrolet

Lights on the hill The HCVC made the annual trip down to Lights on the Hill at Brunswick Junction and a big crowd came along to watch the machinery in action.

Lights on the hill is organised by the South West branch of Trachmach WA. This year they focused on the 70th anniversary of the locally built Chamberlain tractors. I roughly counted 120 tractors and crawlers of which 50 were old Chamberlains. The Chamberlain line-up also included the 9G Club who regularly take on big adventures around Australia and overseas to the USA. Chamberlains continued to be produced until 1986 when John Deere took ownership of the company.

Wayne Clark brought along his immaculately restored Mack Ultraliner and Valueliner in matching colour schemes with lots of chrome and stainless accessories.

The Track Marshall crawler kept pushing the dirt up all day. The car park in the background filled up as I believe there was record attendance of over 4,500 visitors.

A two horse power Clydesdale twin pull at work.

A steel wheel Rumley with a scarifier on behind.

(left) As many of the HCVC members know it often involves quite a bit of work to attend a show with preparation and getting the old trucks ready for the journey. If your interest is both in the truck and stationary engines, there is the additional task of loading the engine, that is of course if you don’t do like this gentleman, who has permanently fixed the Ruston Hornsby engine to the back of the Ford F 500 truck. The stationary engine kept the Ford rocking all day.

22

WATM • July 2019

Catalano’s Macks look good from any angle including the rear view

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

1958 S

ir Edmund Hillary, the renowned New Zealand climber and explorer, benefitted from a Western Australian breakthrough — petrol that almost refuses to freeze. Kwinana oil refinery research workers developed it and the first batch of 2000 gallons of the blend was being sent to Antarctica via Melbourne.

Arnold George Leslie died on January 19, 1958 after more than 30 years of involvement with the Association, including President back in 1933-35 and the last 25 years as a committeeman. He was ViceChairman of the Shipping and Forwarding Agents’ Section at the time of his passing.

While the speed limit in the metropolitan area was lifted to 35mph, it did not apply to commercial vehicles, which still had to adhere to 30mph (3-7 tons), 25mph (7-13 tons) and 20mph (13-20 tons). These speeds also applied at intersections and passing schools, deemed dangerous, although legal.

New legislation enacted allowed for traffic inspectors “to order the operator to remove the load or any excess loading before proceeding any further towards his destination, if the vehicle is carrying a load in excess of that allowed by the Act”. The same provision applied to over-width (8 feet) loads.

The annual ball was scrapped owing to declining numbers at a time when the country was slipping into a recession and many Association members were resigning

and going out of business due to the lack of work.

The Ton Mile Tax that three other States had inflicted on Inter-State vehicles, would probably not be introduced to WA with the Premier stating: “No serious consideration has yet been given by Cabinet to the question of imposing a special tax on the heavy vehicles, which transport goods from the Eastern States to Western Australia… and it is most unlikely that legislation will be introduced into Parliament in connection with this matter”.

The Association gained representation on the WA Transport Board, along with WA Government Railways, when that body is dealing with applications for licences to carry goods or passengers or matters, which concern actual transport. Secretary J R Secombe was appointed to the role.

In The Transporter of July 1958: “Wheelless cars and trucks in 40 years”. The story mentioned the Glideair vehicle, which runs on a cushion of air and could reach speeds of 500mph! The story finished: “With the wheel close to its maximum speed capabilities, the designers consider wheelless travel will be a reality well before AD 2000.” Really!

On July 19, the last tram trundled its way to Inglewood, ending an affair that started in 1905. WA became the first State to axe trams. In that time, 1112 million passengers travelled 115 million miles.

At the 46th Annual General Meeting on August 21, 1958, the following hot topics were broached: • The State was in a recession with much inter-State road and rail diminishing the amount of local work for members; • State Government using government vehicles to carry out the work previously done by members; • Losses of members far exceeded newmember registrations; • Although union membership was not compulsory, the Government firmly believed all drivers and owner-drivers should belong to gain the benefits; • Long service leave was instituted in the State.

There are 734,354 commercial vehicles on Australian roads out of a total 2,498,495 vehicles. There are just over half a million miles of roads, 70 percent of which are merely formed or cleared, or in its natural state.

K Bulloch, a former Chairman (1956-57) Vice-Chairman (1951-55) and Committeeman of the Furniture Removers’ Section since its inception in 1951, died suddenly. This was reported to the October 29 meeting and Stirling Bulloch was elected in his place (relationship unknown).

School bus transport cost the Government £940,000 for the year while voting in an Education expenditure for the coming year of £7,342,000.

“With the wheel close to its maximum speed capabilities, the designers consider wheel-less travel will be a reality well before AD 2000.” Really!

WATM • July 2019

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.

WHITE ROADBOSS Mark Deadman of New Zealand built this extensively modified White Roadboss. Mark extended the chassis to accommodate the three long-range scratch built fuel tanks and 60� sleeper bunk, then modified the bonnet to Australian modifications. He also added a scratch built bull bar.

The truck was then coated in automotive lacquer and the result is one very impressive model.

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 • July 2019

REPAIRS

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