April 2019 edition WA Transport Magazine

THE TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY MAGAZINE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA

ISSN 2202-6193

100007516 April 2019 | price $6.95

TRANSPORT magazine

PAGE 20

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS The head of Fuel Distributors Craig Burrows, the boy from Corrigin turned Fremantle Docker, steers a ship of nearly 150 crew as the company sells and distributes petroleum products throughout the State

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Buoyant WA Mining Sector • Operation Long Run • SLOMO Laws – 12 months on • Fatal truck crashes fall dramatically WATM • April 2019

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WATM • April 2019

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Tel: 138 486 Fax: 9475 8455 Email: hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au www.mainroads.wa.gov.au 1 WATM • April 2019

Focus

By Ben Gibson, WA Director, Gordon Brothers

The transport industry is a beneficiary of a more buoyant mining sector in Western Australia

T

he past two years has seen steady and positive growth within the mining and related transport equipment sector as a result of a turnaround in a once heavily depressed resources market.

Large participants are posting record export numbers off the back of increasing commodity prices and developments in mining technology. OEM lead times for large yellow equipment such as Off Highway Dump Trucks, Excavators, Wheel Loaders and Bull Dozers have seen an increase depending on customer requirements according to various market participants. It is evident that tier one brands such as Caterpillar and Komatsu remain in high demand, particularly in these periods of increased activity.

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WATM • April 2019

Mining remains the pillar of the West Australian economy, with renewed confidence as larger projects from the major miners such as BHP’s South Flank, Rio’s Koodaideri and Fortescue’s Eliwana combined $8 billion get under way.

Gold, Nickel and Lithium will also be contributors as will Oil and Gas with the likes of Wheatstone, Greater Enfield and Greater Western Flank. Queensland remains strong in coal with plenty of new coal exploration licenses and a recently approved a royalty framework which actively encourages the development of new coal tenements in the Galilee and Surat basins.

These heavy capital investments require an enormous transport and logistical component commitment not only during

the construction phase but well after completion into production.

Whilst caution is still being exercised regarding transactions and capital expenditure, an emerging trend was the rise of mining mergers and acquisitions in the first quarter of 2018 where figures indicated an 86% rise year over year according to a recent a report published by Ernst Young.

It has been reported that investors have been attracted to the decreasing financial risk and improved margins. Strong cash generation within the sector has resulted in easier security funding which is no longer limited to traditional lenders with the inclusion of new bank syndicates, private equity firm and global asset based lenders such as Gordon Brothers which has recently opened its Perth office.

While traditional transport industry supporters around the country slow such as new housing construction and the ailing retail sector, for those West Australian transporters with the right fleet configurations, mining remains strong and in need of its services

The market for new and used mining mobile plant is thriving, with a shortage in supply of late model and low hour assets. A combination of project ramp up and quality equipment shortages has seen mining assets return to high demand across the country.

Equipment lead times through leading mining manufacturer Caterpillar can be considered a barometer, reflective of the demand in the machinery market.

There is currently lead times ranging from 12-18 months for mobile plant and upwards of eight months for some componentry such as engines which is partially due to backlogs caused by contraction of supply chains during the previous years of downturn.

The value of good condition and low hour machines has soared, and wherever possible equipment life is being extended to cover the lack of supply.

Accordingly, available positions for heavy duty diesel mechanic apprenticeships with the likes of Westrac and Komatsu are at all-time highs.

In fact, all areas of mining and support equipment appear buoyant with regard to asset values. The last 12 months has seen like for like asset prices improve, ranging from 10-25% depending on asset class, make and condition.

Asking prices for used equipment have seen a significant surge in the past six months particularly, and a number of enquiries suggest that, while asking prices do not represent consummated sales data, enquiries, demand and sale completions have seen an increase. Recent auction sales data has also been strong.

Transport Sector Equipment The transport industry is a beneficiary of a more buoyant mining sector in WA, particularly large prime movers, side tipping trailers and floats for transporting mining support equipment.

We are witnessing a promising market outlook for this sector as highlighted by new truck sales in 2018, which were consistently strong and have set new records.

The transport market took a significant downturn in 2008 (much earlier than the mining sector) and while the recovery has been slow, 2018 has seen new truck sales reach and surpass pre GFC levels.

Sales through July 2018 were positive with VFACTS data showing a 12.7% increase in new truck sales compared to the same month last year and a 17% increase on year to date figures when compared with the previous year.

New heavy-duty truck sales, given their significant capital cost are often seen as a barometer for transport sector confidence.

This class saw July 2018 sales achieve 1088 deliveries, a 21.4% improvement on July 2017 figures.

OEMs of trucks and trailers have been buying back used fleet assets from transport operators at premium values to secure supply for their own used equipment divisions. End users will pay premium prices for late model quality equipment to service immediate workflow.

The Australian government, as referenced on their Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website estimates the freight and logistics industry to account for approximately

8.6% of Australia’s GDP annually. While this includes shipping, air and rail freight, this sector is a significant portion of Australia’s annual GDP. The trucking industry is made up of small, medium and large entities. While companies such as Toll, Linfox, QUBE among others are well known and prominent in the sector, small and medium size entities are scattered across Australia and make up the bulk of the industry participants.

Given the diverse range of entities supplying Australia’s transport sector and the amount of assets required, there is always a ready market of buyers at any given time.

The recent collapse of Redstar Transport demonstrates that long road haulage remains competitive and although likely stable in the medium term, it will face its own disruptor challenges including:• GPS monitoring, sophisticated real time tracking for safety, fatigue, maintenance will become a mandatory compliance requirement for major carriers and customers.

• Truck platooning: Connecting two or more trucks in a group with the assistance of connectivity technologies, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and support systems.

• Autonomous Driving: With wages and fuel being the two largest expenses for truck operation autonomous trucks offer a way to reduce costs. While this technology is actively being explored by truck manufacturers it is unlikely to be commercialised until 2025 at the earliest is more likely to occur after 2030.

• Electric Trucks: Many manufacturers are moving to develop electric trucks based on the US co2 regulations facing the industry along with increased diesel prices. Currently, players such as Tesla, Daimler, VW, Peterbilt and Paccar are among those conducting research on electric trucks.

SUMMARY While traditional transport industry supporters around the country slow such as new housing construction and the ailing retail sector, for those West Australian transporters with the right fleet configurations, mining remains strong and in need of its services.

This is clearly evidenced in current equipment market prices. Keep your fleet well maintained, turn it over regularly so that it stays up to date with technology improvements and most importantly embrace the coming disruption, don’t be a taxi in the age of Uber.

WATM • April 2019

3

WA

TRANSPORT

magazine

VOLUME 25 | NUMBER 3

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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 DESIGN / PREPRESS Cally Browning | Bare Creative

I

t is a month of Anniversaries.

Congratulation to Fuel Distributors of Western Australia on your 20th Anniversary milestone and thank you so much for entrusting WA Transport Magazine with your celebratory promotion.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity to profile local West Australian businesses and share with readers their history and secrets to success.

It takes a very driven person / people in this day and age to prosper in this industry and of all the companies I have profiled over the years; the themes that remain apparent are good values and working hard.

Also congratulations to Transafe WA on your five year milestone.

If you have a milestone Anniversary or

something important happening with your business please contact me to discuss how we can promote you in the magazine.

I am now on the third month of having the magazine available in digital format (as well as the printed / posted copies that are sent to readers). This gives the opportunity to expand the readership and reach of the magazine and unify all sectors of the industry from the directors to the drivers. Please go to Page 17 of this edition to add anyone in your business, friends or colleagues to the ‘free’ interactive digital editions.

As usual this year is whizzing by and Easter will not be far off when you receive this edition.

Best,

ACCOUNTS T: 08 9296 4488 Email: 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)

Karen

CONTENTS 2............................................... The Transport Industry is a beneficiary of a more buoyant mining sector in WA 6............................................... Main Roads leads operation Long Run at Eucla

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

9............................................... Infrastructure Australia’s priority list recognises WA projects

Editorial Submissions: The Publisher welcomes

10............................................ Hill decent monitoring (HDM) application to advance productivity

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.

13............................................ Port Hedland’s Roy Hill Bridge over rail open 14............................................ Western Roads Federation: Driving the West Australian economy 16............................................ South Coast Highway safety improvements

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 • April 2019

20.......................................... Fuel Distributors of Western Australia – Celebrating 20 years 34.......................................... Fatal truck crashes fall dramatically 35.......................................... Industry agrees on RSRT approach

Every Month 7................................................ Questions to the Minister 8............................................... Fair Go for Owner Drivers 12............................................ Bird's Eye View 18............................................ Dangerous Goods 34.......................................... The Lone Wolf 36.......................................... HCBC 38.......................................... WA Transport History 40.......................................... Model Trucks

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135

News

Main Roads leads Operation Long Run at Eucla

M

ain Roads’ was leading the way in promoting heavy vehicle safety in Western Australia in February, with the Agency coordinating “Operation Long Run” in Eucla, a small town on the Western Australian border with South Australia.

The non-stop, 72-hour, multi-agency operation to inspect vehicles on either side of the border was supported by the South Australian Police, Department of Transport and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

A total of 153 vehicles on the Western Australian side were checked by Transport Inspectors, for: • compliance with mass and dimension limits (to ensure vehicles entering WA are operating in accordance with the conditions set under Main Roads Permits and Orders) and; • Heavy Vehicle Accreditation.

Most vehicles were found to be compliant however, 24 were issued with various infringements which included breaches for non-accreditation, mass and dimension violations, and pilot permit offences.

As part of the operation, additional checks were done on dangerous goods and fatigue and reported back to the appropriate State government agencies as

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WATM • April 2019

Approximately 80 per cent of the transport industry are doing the right thing, there are still some companies travelling on the road illegally

required. DoT checked for roadworthiness and licensing, while the South Australian Police also attended to test for drug and alcohol offences.

Gary Player, Acting Director of Heavy Vehicle Services at Main Roads, says “that while approximately 80 per cent of the transport industry are doing the right thing, there are still some companies travelling on the road illegally.”

“These companies are putting the safety of their drivers, and other roads users, at risk” Mr Player said.

“Those are the people we are targeting.”

Trucks were not the only vehicles stopped at the border though, light vehicles and caravans were also checked for overloading, load restraints and, to ensure the correct attachment of the caravan and towing vehicle. Cautions and infringements were issued as required, with one incident resulting in the grounding of the vehicles.

“These operations assist in ensuring that heavy vehicles entering Western Australia are compliant with the relevant legislation” Mr Player said.

“They also provide industry a level playing field and give the travelling public confidence that they’re sharing the road with heavy vehicles that are registered and safe in terms of their load, and operated by drivers who are licenced for the vehicle they are driving.”

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: Has there been any thought on making the Oversize cartage on the Forrest Highway extend up the Freeway and be allowed up to Thomas Road turn off? At present, transport operators find we have to get off on Pinjarra Road then take the South West Highway up to Perth which is a worse single lane road. If we were allowed to go up to Thomas Road, we could get off there and up to Tonkin Highway then straight up Tonkin Highway to Perth. That would be so much safer and easier on everyone as it’s dual lanes all the way and traffic can go past us easier.

Answer: The High Wide Load (HWL) Corridor currently runs from Forrest Highway to Thomas Road via Old Coast Road, Mandurah Road, Ennis Avenue and Rockingham Road. Consideration has been given to extending the HWL Corridor from

Forrest Highway along the Kwinana Freeway to Thomas Road. However, traffic volumes on the Kwinana Freeway increase considerably north of Mandjoogoordap Drive, there are numerous busy on/off ramps and a number of bridges requiring oversize loads to cross at low speed. This combined with the highspeed environment has a significant impact on road safety and congestion.

A trial was conducted in 2016 to establish if it was appropriate to allow oversize movements on Kwinana Freeway, between Forrest Highway and Thomas Road, at night (between 11pm and 5am).

The trial demonstrated there were improved safety and congestion outcomes by allowing the oversize movements to be conducted at this time. Unfortunately, there has been minimal appetite from the transport industry to move oversize loads at night.

There has been considerable thought

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7

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

IS THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY OK? The answer to this is a resounding big 'no'

I

s the transport industry okay? The answer to this is a resounding big ‘no’.

Sure, every day the transport industry takes care of thousands of movements ensuring that every single item that society needs is in its place at the correct time.

Fuel stations, shops and every consumable item that we need are always ready in the right place for our needs.

The average citizen in this wonderful big country of ours would hardly ever give a thought as to how transport makes this all a reality and if they did think about it they would assume that the transport industry is working just fine.

I believe that the transport industry is not working fine and it is slowly driving itself to the point of destruction.

History has shown that the precariousness of running a transport company often leads to many companies going bankrupt. Why do they go bankrupt?

Quite simply, despite good intentions they just run out of money.

The wealthy companies at the top of the food chain keep squeezing transport companies financially until they can’t be squeezed anymore.

The transport industry is one of the few industries where we are told what the rate is and the pressure is always on to keep

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WATM • April 2019

reducing rates year after year so it becomes very difficult to have a means of recovering our true costs.

Ask any Owner Driver when they had an increase in rates and the answer is always met with a blank look because increases rarely happen and if they do it’s so small and they are years apart.

I can remember many years ago when every year or two we would negotiate an increase in rates so we were able to keep pace with rising costs. Mention an increase today and it’s considered taboo and you are quickly shown the gate.

Truck drivers have for many years been resourceful and careful at keeping costs down and the wheels turning; but nowadays they are becoming much more frustrated at how unfairly they are being treated.

This is why drivers are leaving the industry in droves and it is difficult to recruit ‘good’ new drivers to work in the transport industry as it stands today.

The multi-national companies that rely on transport are the worst offenders at keeping the rates down and they are the first to complain about the quality of truck operators and transport companies; but it’s all their own fault and they have no one to blame but themselves.

I was only just told the other day about

one of the major transport companies here in Western Australia that they are now taking over 90 days to pay their Owner Drivers. This is a company that ticks all the boxes as good corporate citizens but it has always had a terrible reputation for the treatment of its Owner Drivers ever since it started and has been responsible for many of its sub-contractors going broke.

While companies like this are allowed to flourish and grow they set a standard for the industry that effectively makes it difficult for anyone else to compete against.

I once worked for a transport company that paid better than normal rates and treated all their sub-contractors with respect; but slowly the conditions deteriorated as they tried to compete with some of these ‘shonky operators’ to the point that they ended up no different to them.

At the moment there appears to be more trucks than jobs so it is only natural to cut the rates to keep the wheels turning.

Once this happens, the industry standards go down and so does safety.

Sadly for every truck driver that goes broke there is always another ready to take his place. I’m not sure what the answer is but something has to change if we wish to survive.

Keep it safe, Ray Pratt.

News

Infrastructure Australia’s priority list recognises WA projects

T

he State Government has welcomed the inclusion of new Western Australian initiatives, including METRONET, in Infrastructure Australia’s latest Infrastructure Priority List.

This year’s priority list has two ‘projects’ and 13 'initiatives’ for WA transport infrastructure, compared with just one project and six initiatives in 2016.

The priority list classes ‘projects’ as an infrastructure solution that has been positively assessed and is underway, and ‘initiatives’ as infrastructure opportunities that have not yet completed the IA assessment process.

New ‘initiative’ listings include: • Morley-Ellenbrook Line (Transport Connectivity between Morley and Ellenbrook); • Fremantle Traffic Bridge; • Tonkin Highway Gap; • Karratha-Tom Price Road; and • Canning Bridge crossing capacity and interchange (IA identified initiative).

The Yanchep Rail Extension was assessed as one of eight ‘High Priority

Projects’ as it will provide more transport choices for residents and reduce demand on the roads, particularly in peak periods.

Meanwhile, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link is one of 10 ‘Priority Projects’ and will promote urban renewal along the line, relieve pressure on existing stations and reduce road congestion.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says, “The inclusion of more WA projects and initiatives on the 2019 Infrastructure Priority List is testament to this Government's focus on METRONET and fixing congestion.

“While we expected IA to assess the Morley-Ellenbrook Line as a more urgent project, we expect its urgency will be upgraded as the Business Case process is finalised.

“The Bayswater Station upgrade forms the first step for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line and construction begins late 2019.

“The more projects on this list, the better for Western Australia. It helps the State Government’s requests to the Commonwealth to help fund local projects.

“I am also pleased to see the addition of Karratha-Tom Price Road as an initiative, which will strengthen our case in getting funding support from the Commonwealth to supplement the State Government’s $50 million contribution.

“I am disappointed the Albany Ring Road has been excluded again, however, the State Government still has $35 million allocated and we will continue to pressure the Federal Government to put forward funding towards the project.”

The full list is available at: https:// infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policypublications/publications/InfrastructurePriority-List-Project-and-InitiativeSummaries-2019.aspx

I am also pleased to see the addition of Karratha-Tom Price Road as an initiative, which will strengthen our case in getting funding support from the Commonwealth

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News

Hill Descent Monitoring (HDM) Application to advance productivity and safety in Western Australia

up access for vehicles travelling through to Bunbury without the need to break down.

To participate in the trial, vehicles must be: • Installed with a type-approved telematics In-Vehicle Unit (IVU) which can support the HDM application • Enrolled in the HDM application through a Certified Service Provider. ransport Certification Australia Coalfields Highway.

The use of the HDM application by Main (TCA) has announced details The HDM application will allow Roads WA demonstrates how advancements of how the new Hill Descent Main Roads WA to confirm that vehicles to productivity and safety can be realised Monitoring (HDM) application will be used participating in the trial have stopped in – offering benefits to road managers, in Western Australia. the bay at the top of Roelands Hill to check regulators and the transport sector.

The HDM application was introduced brakes, engage low gear, and not exceed It allows for new, innovative approaches as a new safety application by TCA through a speed of 40km/h when descending to be adopted to manage the safe operation the National Telematics Framework in Roelands Hill. of heavy vehicles traversing long or steep December 2018. The new application Significantly, Main Roads WA will descents. monitors heavy vehicle speed on long or extend the approved network for Category The availability of the HDM steep descents, as well as identifying if a 7 (A) AB-Triple combinations participating application follows the approved business vehicle has stopped before descending a in the trial from the section of Coalfields case presented to the Transport and hill (to indicate if drivers have performed Highway already approved (to the South Infrastructure Council (TIC) in November brake safety checks and engaged low gear).

Western Highway) – as shown in diagram.

2018, which included new applications Main Roads WA is using the HDM These extended access arrangements and features to the National Telematics application to trial the operation of along the Coalfields Highway – between Framework.

Category 7 (A) AB-Triple combinations the Rest Area - Road Train Assembly Area Further information on the trial can travelling down Roelands Hill on the and the South Western Highway – will open be obtained from the Main Roads WA website, or by contacting the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk onHILL 138 486 or by email on hvs@ Y 7 (A) AB-TRIPLE COMBINATIONS TRAVELLING DOWN ROELANDS ON THE mainroads.wa.gov.au.

The HDM application will allow Main Roads WA to confirm that CATEGORY 7 (A) AB-TRIPLE COMBINATIONS TRAVELLING DOWN ROELANDS HILL ON THE DS HIGHWAY For providers and consumers seeking vehiclesHIGHWAY participating in the trial have stopped in the bay at the COALFIELDS information about the HDM application, TCA top of Roelands Hill to check brakes, engage low gear, and not can be contacted by phone on (03) 8601 4600 RIAL AREA USING THE HDM APPLICATION MAP OF exceed TRIAL aAREA THEwhen HDMdescending APPLICATION speedUSING of 40km/h Roelands Hill or by email on tca@tca.gov.au.

T

CATEGORY 7 (A) AB-TRIPLE COMBINATIONS TRAVELLING DOWN ROELANDS HILL ON THE COALFIELDS HIGHWAY MAP OF TRIAL AREA USING THE HDM APPLICATION

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WATM • April 2019

Source: Main Roads WA

Over to you

Transafe WA –

Walking the Talk Safety Talk In May 2019 Transafe WA will again bring a cross-section of road transport industry stakeholders together to share resources and conversations focussed on continuous improvement in heavy vehicle safety in WA. The 20th and 21st Transafe WA Road Transport Industry Safety Forums will be held in Perth and Esperance on Friday 3rd and Monday 6th of May. A core activity of Transafe WA, the forums have a consistently large and loyal following with participants citing the quality of presentations, opportunity to access the regulators, and a good environment for networking, as the reasons for repeat attendance.

The 20th forum in Perth will reflect on industry safety in the five years since the first forum, and look forward to strategies for actioning positive change in the near future. As always, each forum agenda will include a mix of content from the regulators, company case studies and incident investigations, practical tips for safer operation, health and wellbeing content, and the opportunity for open discussion of industry needs and risks.

Safety Walk On foundation, Chairman of Transafe WA Steve Post, was adamant that Transafe WA not be another ‘talk-fest’, but instead, walk the talk and be an agent for change.

In 2018, having compiled feedback from Transafe WA’s members, as well as that of 1000s of Transafe WA forum participants, Steve initiated a series of meetings with the Livestock and Rural Transport Association 1

WATM • April 2019

of WA, Western Roads Federation, and the TWU (WA) to identify the key safety issues for the road transport industry in the State, and prepare a report for the Premier.

The report will outline the evidence, proposed solutions and timeframes for change against each issue. The four organisations have had little disagreement when defining the report objectives, and are equally committed to the process which is aimed at ensuring industry experience is acknowledged, and that its recommendations underpin progress towards an environment in WA where the critical road freight task can be carried out safely and sustainably into the future.

Safety Truck May is State Budget month, and this is significant for Transafe WA as Treasury now oversee expenditure from the Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA). The RTTA funds road safety initiatives in WA using 100 percent of revenue from red light and speed camera fines. Transafe WA has applied to the RTTA for a third time (2019-20 round) for funds to support the development of a safety truck resource for WA. The project already has the support of the Federal Government (who have committed $200,000 from the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative), State Senators, Regional MPs, schools, and road safety agencies.

Road safety research by a major transport insurance company shows that in over 93% of major multi-vehicle crash fatalities involving a heavy vehicle, the lighter vehicle is at fault. The 2018 Re:act Behavioural Change Initiative showed 82

per cent of university students surveyed believed incidents were the truck driver’s fault, and even more (87 per cent) believed a heavy vehicle driver could avoid a crash if a light vehicle driver made a mistake around a truck. These misconceptions, especially from young drivers, clearly show that government, industry, and the community need to work together on efforts to improve road safety around heavy vehicles. The WA safety truck will travel to schools, expos and community events.

Industry involvement with the project is encouraged, with corporate sponsors being sought for items ranging from fuel, insurance, tyres and IT, to operating income to support a driver/educator.

Safety Partners To do all this, Transafe WA relies on members and sponsors who are equally committed to best industry safety outcomes. Those that align with the association’s objectives and benefit from their events, are encouraged to join. It’s inexpensive and you will help make a difference.

For more information about Transafe WA, it projects, membership, events and resources, go to www.transafewa.com.au follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/TransafeWA/ or call 0481 350 961.

WATM • April 2019

11

Over to you BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

SLOMO laws 12 months on

T

he SLOMO - (Slow Down and Move Over) Law was introduced into Western Australia just on a year ago.

Does it work and did it have the desired effect or is it just another one of those useless and painful laws that cause more harm than good?

The Law - that was introduced on 2nd March 2018 was brought into being to protect roadside workers, emergency personnel and first responders (tow trucks etc.) who often have to work in precarious situations on the side of the road and the new Law was the result of the death of a tow truck driver on Roe Highway in 2013 and the subsequent serious injury to another tow truck driver in 2016.

The law requires motorists to reduce speed to a maximum of 40 kilometres per hour when passing incident response vehicles with flashing lights and, where possible and safe to do so, move to the next lane.

This includes emergency response vehicles. MRD vehicles, tow trucks etc.

It relates to ‘all’ roads, be they single lane country roads or four lanes in each direction freeways.

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WATM • April 2019

And this is where the problem lies in my view. I think that there are multiple scenarios here and each ‘needs’ to treated on its particular situation. So let’s look at a couple…

Roadworks - local shire guys on a suburban street working on the road - slow

Same with ambulances and police cars attending a crash. There are a lot of people around and a lot of lights and it can often be an emergency situation and so people need to move slowly around them to allow for unexpected movements.

I ‘agree’ 100% that the SLOMO laws should be in effect for ‘all’ of the above situations however, there are other circumstances where the law is not needed, and is not practical in my opinion.

I am talking about when the Police pull someone over in the emergency lane on the freeway. The Police car and the offending vehicle are both in the emergency lane and well clear of traffic but still ‘every’ other vehicle on that four lane freeway is required by law and to fail to do so will incur a $300 penalty and loss of three demerit points if they don't; slow down to 40 kph when they see those flashing lights and continue at that speed until they are clear of the incident.

This is not just the lane closest to the stationery vehicles that have to slow down, but all four lanes of traffic - suddenly reduced to a crawl.

As well as the risk of tail enders - cars don't seem to realise that it takes trucks longer to stop - within 30 seconds, you have traffic banked up over a kilometre.

Five minutes later it is a two or three kilometre traffic jam. On a freeway that is already over capacity, this added burden just adds to the nightmare.

This is not just the lane closest to the stationery vehicles that have to slow down, but all four lanes of traffic – suddenly reduced to a crawl down to 40 kph – ‘absolutely’.

These guys (and ladies) are actually on the road working and they need to be in a safe environment.

Tow trucks attending a crash - slow down to 40kph – ‘absolutely’.

These guys are doing their best to clear the road as quickly as they can - they often have people picking up bits of car from all over the road and they need room to move and manoeuvre. They are working on the road and can step out suddenly so we need to take extra care.

I think that a little common sense has to be applied to these situations.

Sure, reduce speed if possible when you see flashing lights ahead - I think that is common sense and something that we all do anyway but to reduce to 40kph, on the freeway on the fourth lane away from the emergency lane where a Police car has pulled over an offending motorist is asking a bit much.

Unfortunately I think that's why so many people ignore these laws - they just don't make sense.

News

Port Hedland’s Roy Hill bridge over rail open

T

he much anticipated Roy Hill bridge, carrying Great Northern Highway traffic over the rail line near Port Hedland is now open.

The new 25-metre bridge removes an at-grade rail crossing, enabling free flow of traffic and freight and improved safety for all motorists using Great Northern Highway.

Part of the project also involved realigning a section of the Great Northern Highway to incorporate an acceleration lane, which will also help improve traffic flow in the area.

Meanwhile, the risk of road closures due to seasonal flooding will also be reduced with the construction of a 95-metre concrete box culvert to improve drainage.

The $18.66 million contract was funded

by Roy Hill and undertaken by Georgiou Pty Ltd under the management of Main Roads Western Australia.

“I’m pleased the rail bridge has been

completed on budget and ahead of its original March 2019 schedule” said Roy Hill CEO Mr Barry Fitzgerald.

“This bridge is another example of Roy Hill’s commitment to extend its safety focus beyond our immediate workplace,

This much awaited upgrade will improve this major transport route and, more importantly, improve road safety by removing the risk of road-to-rail conflicts positively contributing to the local communities in which we operate”.

This is the second project Roy Hill has recently completed with Main Roads WA

and Georgiou, having last year opened the final stage of the Marble Bar Road project.

Over two stages, 22 kilometres of the Marble Bar Road was upgraded from gravel to a fully sealed Main Roads WA compliant highway, at a cost of approximately $39 million to Roy Hill.

“With our trains passing through the intersection up to 13 times a day, and the ore trains taking on average 3.5 minutes to pass through the crossing – this rail bridge will not only remove the risk of a road user collision with one of our trains, but significantly reduce road user travel time, and improve traffic flow”.

Mining and Pastoral region MLC Stephen Dawson and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel both agreed that the new bridge will improve traffic and freight efficiency on this major transport route and, more importantly, improve road safety by removing the risk of road-to-rail conflicts .

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TRANSPORT

PAGE

PAGE 02

PART THREE

• New Muchea RTAA • Self-drive Tourists • Sticking to the rules • Putting live export into perspective

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Twin Drivers of Change

2202-6 193

Growing Driver Shortage in WA

Reid Highway Duplication Progresses

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WATM • April 2019

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State Budget to Transform WA Roads

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THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION WORK:

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a caree r cho ttractive ice?

THE HIDDEN CONSEQUENCES OF OVERLOADING If you’ve ever overloaded your truck thinking “She’ll be right, mate” – think again. An overloaded truck can cause significant damage to the State’s road network, whilst also putting your vehicle under additional pressure

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Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO

DRIVING THE WEST AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY

L

ast month, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the appointment of an expert panel for the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) review.

We recently wrote an article as part of a major 22 page feature in WA Business News.

The purpose of the feature was to highlight to West Australian business and political leaders the importance of our transport industry to the state’s economy. I have modified it slightly, but here is what I wrote.

I will point out that the feedback we got on the feature was amazing with senior business people in Western Australia ringing me to say that they were genuinely unaware of just how professional and how good our industry was. This particular article focused on some of the key issues facing our state transport industry.

Western Roads Federation is the peak body representing the West Australian road transport industry, including those who use

14

WATM • April 2019

the roads to deliver logistic services such as mobile cranes, mobile plant, waste or removals.

Quite simply, our members ‘drive’ the WA economy.

Potholes for our members can be speed bumps on Western Australia’s business growth. So here are some of our issues to consider.

in Western Australia have sort additional funding to offset higher productivity vehicle access on local roads.

Whilst not debating that additional funding is needed, the question is who pays?

That may well be the entity that initiates the economic activity that creates the road task. Western Roads Federation is actively engaged in this issue at Federal, State and Local Government levels.

Road Funding A key traditional mechanism for road user charging is fuel excise (albeit that is not hypothecated). However, more efficient vehicles, the emergence of electric vehicles and the growing cost of building roads means how users pay for roads is being rethought.

It is a complex issue but nationally, massdistance charging is a front runner, which in a state that moves a lot of stuff over big distances that could potentially hurt.

Furthermore, some local governments

Road Investment Whilst our cities are benefiting from Infrastructure, Australia’s priority on urban transport investment our regions are falling behind.

Particularly, our remote regional areas where investment business cases are struggling to meet the criteria. A lack of investment means higher costs of transport meaning higher cost of business and living in regional areas. If our regions are to attract more business investment and people, they

The issue extends from attracting people in to the industry, to training and retaining them. We are working with the Government, Unions and our members to develop new long-term solutions need investment in regional road networks.

We have joined with the Northern Territory on leading a national campaign on this issue.

retaining them. We are working with the Government, Unions and our members to develop new long-term solutions.

Driver Shortage

Inner City Logistics

Western Australia is facing an impending crisis if it does not take action to address the quality driver shortage.

Quite simply, from couriers to road trains our members are struggling to recruit skilled drivers.

Every new project announced public or private or upswing in activity means more driving tasks. Traditionally, we have poached from the East but they also have their own shortage. Even the USA is reporting shortages in skilled drivers the vicinity of 300,000.

The issue extends from attracting people in to the industry, to training and

New developments and an increased inner-city population need to be logistically supported from the delivery of construction materials, to supplying stores, to moving people in and waste out.

The biggest problem quite simply is no one knows what goes in and out of the city.

Yet many of our members have that data in their vehicle tracking systems. We therefore initiated working with Universities and Government agencies in using this data and our member knowledge mapping the scope of activity and subsequently in developing creative solutions.

Finally We are also working on alternative fuel options, with a Transafe WA led development of a 10 year road safety plan, with the Northern Territory on a strategic transport plan to support potential Defence expansion in North West WA and with a multi-national company on developing the global potential of our West Australian industry as an export services sector.

There are many other issues, but the key thought we wish you to take away is that our industry is vital to West Australia’s economy, your productivity and your lifestyle.

In Western Australia our members and our industry have the vision, ideas and capability to ‘drive’ our state’s economy.

If you wish to become involved please contact us at www.westernroads.com.au

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 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004

WATM • April 2019

15

Trucking Industry Welcomes Fuel Reserve Plan

L

abor’s commitment to boost Australia’s fuel security would help protect the economy from international risks and uncertainty, the Chair of the Australian Trucking Association, Geoff Crouch, says.

“Fuel security is critical to trucking and keeping the Australian economy moving,” Mr Crouch said.

“Over 75 per cent of non-bulk domestic freight is carried by road, making fuel security vital to local supply chains and the ability of businesses and consumers to buy and sell goods.

“Last year, the International Energy Agency reported that Australia is vulnerable to unexpected changes in regional demand and disruptions in supply.

“The IEA reported that our stocks are at an all-time low, do not meet our international obligations and limit Australia’s options for addressing a disruption in supply.”

Mr Crouch welcomed Labor’s commitment that it would, if elected, commence detailed consultation around the design of a governmentowned National Fuel Reserve to boost Australia’s fuel stocks of emergency reserves.

“The ATA has been an advocate for returning Australia’s stock levels to international compliance.

“In the United States, Japan and Germany the government holds enough stock to meet their international stockholding obligation, and government action would be a big boost to securing Australia’s fuel security.”

Mr Crouch said the fuel emergency legislation also needed to be reviewed.

“The ATA has long argued that the fuel emergency legislation and guidelines should be reviewed to ensure that trucking businesses cannot be sued for prioritising customers in line with government policy during a fuel security emergency,” he said.

16

WATM • April 2019

News

L

South Coast Highway safety improvement works underway

ocal Western Australian civil of South Coast Highway for a long time, and construction firm, Densford Civil has our planned upgrades will address these been awarded a $6.4 million contract for issues. It will also create better freight links safety improvement works along South for the region and improve connection to Coast Highway in Albany. tourism opportunities for locals and tourists.

The 2.3 kilometre stretch of South Coast WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti Highway between said, “These works, Killarney Road which are part of the South Coast Highway and Montgomery’s State Government's is an important freight $30 million election Winery will be transport corridor reconstructed and commitment to widened, including upgrade sections of servicing the ports at construction of a South Coast Albany and Esperance westbound passing Highway, are the first lane and upgrades to in a series planned the Mead Road intersection. for the region over the next three years.

South Coast Highway is an important “Once complete, these works will freight transport corridor servicing the significantly improve traffic flow in the area ports at Albany and Esperance; this section and increase safety for road users. carries on average 1,600 vehicles per day, of “These works are also a continuation which 20.4 per cent are heavy vehicles. of the good work Main Roads has been Works are expected to be completed by doing to South Coast Highway, with the May 2019, under the management of Main recent completion of widening works from Roads’ Great Southern Region.

Millbrook Road to Killarney Road and the WA Premier Mark McGowan said, major improvement to the Cheynes Beach “Locals have held concerns over the safety section in 2018.”

Copper-gold mineralisation discovered in the far east Pilbara region

R

io Tinto has discovered coppergold mineralisation at the Winu project in the Yeneena Basin of the Paterson Province in Western Australia. The Winu project is located approximately 130 km north of the Telfer mine and 350 km southeast of Port Hedland.

The discovery was made by Rio Tinto Exploration who are conducting

not allow sufficient understanding of the mineralised body to assess the potential size or quality of the mineralisation nor to enable estimation of a Mineral Resource.

The assessment and interpretation of existing data is ongoing and will be used to help guide the drilling in 2019.

The Winu exploration camp is located approximately 200 km by

The sand section of the track will be upgraded for logistics supply purposes a program targeted at finding copper mineralisation in the Paterson Province. Assay results to date indicate relatively wide intersections of copper mineralisation associated with gold and silver.

While results are encouraging, the exploration project is still at an early stage and drilling to date does

gravel and sand track from the Great Northern Highway. The camp is a seven hour drive from Port Hedland, which poses a significant safety risk.

A gravel airstrip is being constructed at Winu for emergency response purposes. I n addition, the sand section of the track will be upgraded for logistics supply purposes.

To receive your FREE digital copy of WA Transport Magazine please fill in the form below and return to us ASAP.

T

o meet the needs of our readers who are requesting for their convenience that the magazine to be ‘also’ available in digital format - we will add this FREE service as of January 2019 edition.

The digital version of WATM will be ‘interactive’ so you will receive a higher level of information by simply clicking on stories and advertising. You will also receive a free App to view it on your selected device.

Over 25 years, WATM has remained the highest reach to the WA Transport Industry and has given

‘industry’ a place to have ‘your say’ as well as a direct link to have your questions and concerned addressed

by WA policy makers .

With the expansion to digital we will be able to further assist you by helping educate and inform your drivers and sub-contractors on regulation changes and safety and more… as well as bringing a ‘unity’ to this industry between all facets of operation.

The digital version will allow me to make the magazine available to ‘more’ people within your business including management, staff and contractors.

Please add me to the mailing list to receive the WA Transport Magazine in digital format.

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Return form to karen@angrychicken.com.au or mail to: Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd, PO Box 1387, Morley WA 6943 Don’t forget to add angrychicken.com.au to your safe senders list WATM • April 2019

17

Focus DANGEROUS GOODS By Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS)

124 (60 per cent) demonstrated compliance with the legislation, while the remainder had one or more non-compliance issues to be resolved.

Dangerous goods officers are empowered to apply infringements for specific offences. Alternatively, major and systemic issues can attract remediation notices to rectify the deficient processes.

From the analysis, non-compliance was identified in a number of categories. The top six are presented in Figure 1. These can be grouped into two key areas relating to transport documentation and safety equipment.

Transport documentation

Dangerous goods officers find what drivers leave behind On-road compliance for transport of dangerous goods

D

angerous goods are transported on Western Australian (WA) roads each day — the type, size and quantity of these vary significantly depending on the industry and location.

Dangerous goods need to be transported from point A to point B in the safest possible way whether a tanker of petrol or pool chemicals. The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) regulates the transport of dangerous goods through the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-

18

WATM • April 2019

explosives) Regulations 2007.

Dangerous goods officers, in conjunction with officers from Main Roads WA and the WA Police, inspect vehicles at: road blocks, transport depots and during on-road driver and vehicle compliance checks. An issue requiring attention is usually addressed by a verbal warning, a written direction or a remediation notice.

Serious breaches can warrant infringements or prosecution.

What are the transport statistics saying?

Of the 208 inspections recorded in 2017-18,

Transport document The most common problem recorded by dangerous goods officers during inspections was the absence of a transport document (31 occurrences).

The transport document is for a critical tool for monitoring dangerous goods during transport. In the case of an incident, emergency services must get all relevant information from those who are directly responsible for transport (prime contractor) and consignment of dangerous goods (consignor). The transport document must reflect the current status of the dangerous goods including: what goods are being transported, the number of individual packages or receptacles and the total quantity of dangerous goods.

It is crucial to identify dangerous goods in a load by their unique UN number, class or division, subsidiary risk, packing group and proper shipping name. Do not use a trade name for dangerous goods.

Emergency information holders Emergency information holders or door holders are usually secured inside the driver’s door and should contain all transport documents and emergency procedure guides (EPGs) appropriate for the dangerous goods being transported.

Emergency information holders can be kept in a location other than the driver’s door. However, there should be a sign affixed to the inside of the driver’s door pointing emergency services to the alternate location to allow quick access to relevant information in case of an emergency. Any vehicle carrying a placard load must be fitted with an emergency information holder labelled with the words

’emergency information’ in red letters, at least 10 mm high, on a white background.

Emergency information Emergency information sets out basic information on substance hazards, first aid procedures and the protective equipment to use. It explains how to deal with any emergency involving dangerous goods, such as a leak, spill, vehicle rollover or fire.

The door holder must contain: • an EPG or the latest edition of Standards Australia/New Zealand Handbook HB76 Dangerous Goods - Initial Emergency Response Guide (SAA/SNZ HB76) • vehicle fire and transport documents for all dangerous goods loaded on the vehicle.

Safety equipment Fire extinguishers Functioning fire extinguishers can be the difference between an incident and a disaster, and a higher level of extinguishment capacity is required for flammable loads.

Fire extinguishers were the second most common area of non-compliance.

There were 21 occurrences of extinguishers not being serviced within the six months leading up to the inspection, or were missing altogether.

Fire extinguishers should be maintained in accordance with the latest edition of Australian Standard AS 1851 Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment.

Torch If you are a driver transporting dangerous goods you must have a suitable torch.

Transporters of dangerous goods that can Fig 1

create hazardous atmospheres, such as petrol or LP gas, must have a torch with intrinsically safe non-sparking operation.

Eyewash kit A full eyewash kit is a simple but critical piece of safety equipment which must be present in the cab of a dangerous goods vehicle. The small re-fillable bottle should contain at least 250 ml of saline solution to flush the eyes following chemical exposure.

A corrosive chemical splash to the eye can cause a serious eye injury and even blindness. The act of flushing the eyes should give the affected person enough time to evacuate the site of an emergency and seek medical assistance.

flammable liquids.

A common thread identified for tunnel violations was the high proportion of regional and interstate drivers unfamiliar with inner-city freeway ramp interchanges; hence, prone to being unintentionally diverted through GFF Tunnel by automated GPS navigators.

Further information relating to the requirements for transporting dangerous goods, including documentation and safety equipment, can be found at www.dmp.wa.gov. au/Dangerous-Goods/How-do-I-4137.aspx

Graham Farmer Freeway (GFF) Tunnel Infringements Prime contractors should be aware the transport of placard loads is prohibited through the GFF Tunnel located in Northbridge. Signage warning drivers of the prohibition is located prominently on the approaches to the tunnel. More importantly, communication between logistics staff and driver workforce of the tunnel in relevant route planning should eliminate this hazard.

In the 2017-18 period, a total of 14 infringements were issued for placarded vehicles driving through the tunnel.

Figure 2 - Breakdown of GFF Tunnel Infringements The tunnel breaches included: a 40 kL road tanker of petroleum fuels, a 10 tonne mixed-classes dangerous wgoods load and a rigid placard load of packaged

Infringements GFF Tunnel 2017/2018

WATM • April 2019

19

FDWA 20th Anniversary

YOUR ‘LOCAL’ FUEL PEOPLE – Fuel Distributors of Western Australia celebrating 20 years

By Russell McKinnon

F

rom Fremantle Dockers centre half forward to business boss, Craig Burrows is dedicated to his current team with as much desire in the office as he had on the field.

It's the nature of sport to be on the top of your game and Craig uses skills learned

20

WATM • April 2019

from country to metropolitan Australian rules football to carve out a niche in the petroleum industry.

The head of Fuel Distributors, the boy from Corrigin turned Fremantle Docker, steers a ship of nearly 150 crew as the company sells and distributes petroleum

“It’s been really enjoyable and now to have 150 employees and a fleet of 39 trucks, well, it’s a helluva ride, really”

products throughout the State.

Based in Kwinana at the hub of the State's fuel distribution network, Craig's company successfully negotiates the everyincreasingly regulated industry demands to make a profit and survive in these manic, penny-pinching times.

So successful, in fact, that Fuel Distributors has emerged from a frontroom organisation in Ardross to its current Kwinana Beach base in just 20 years and the signs are that it will be around in another 20.

Craig admits the road to survival has

had its ups and downs, but he has enjoyed every minute of those 20 years.

“It's been really enjoyable and now to have 150 employees and a fleet of 39 trucks, well, it's a helluva ride, really.”

Craig says the lessons learned in football apply equally well in business.

WATM • April 2019

21

FDWA 20th Anniversary

“You train hard, go for extra runs, get your skills up and work hard. It's long hours and in a different way you keep at it. It's an ever-changing business world. The harder you work, the more wins you have.

“It’s about building a team around you and delivering what your goals are.

“We are all part of the same machine and if one part of the machine breaks, nothing’s working well,” Craig said.

Craig started his footy career with the Corrigin Tigers, played for Railways in Geraldton and then moved to Perth where he fronted for East Fremantle.

From there it was a call-up to the inaugural Fremantle Dockers squad, playing 20 matches in 1995-97 before being delisted.

“I played in the inaugural Dockers match — against Richmond. It was the only game I played at The “G” (MCG), which was disappointing as it is the dream of any footballer to play there. It was a great experience, but over too quickly,” Craig said.

He shifted State to play for North Adelaide in the SANFL, playing one season.

During pre-season training for his second season, while doing a 20km run, he bulged a disc in his back and that was the end of his career — at just 26.

If it wasn't for that injury, Craig might

22

WATM • April 2019

Fuel distribution was nothing new to Craig as father Mike pioneered the family interest, working as a distributor in the 1970s not have gained the break in business that he did.

Gull Petroleum was advertising for fuel distributors and Craig applied in early 1999. It was with some surprise that his application was successful and the dining room of his house became the hub of his soon-to-be burgeoning business.

Fuel Distributors was born with three employees, one truck and no customers.

"Our driver lived three hours away. We had one truck and the routes included

anything from 300-400km from Kwinana."

His role as a businessman, started with hard work, driving trucks, scheduling and answering phones.

Fuel distribution was nothing new to Craig as father Mike pioneered the family interest, working as a distributor in the 1970s. Now in his mid-70s, Mike enjoys retirement cycling the country roads instead of driving them. Craig’s brother Ian also manages a distributorship.

It was in March 1999 that Craig started Fuel Distributors, continuing the family involvement.

“In 1999, we started with nothing and we had growth of 50 per cent year on year for five years.

“In 2004, one of our competitors left the State and we went from five to nine trucks overnight.

“That was in the Narrogin and York regions. We grabbed the opportunity (staff and depots) when Mobil left WA and there were loyal customers who stayed with the staff we were fortunate enough to employ."

That back-to-the-country venture was almost full circle for Craig in such a short space of time.

“I remember Dad had to drive everywhere. I learnt that lesson and did a lot of driving in the early days. Securing and

Holmwood Highgate (Aust) Pty Ltd would like to congratulate all the management and staff of

for reaching this important milestone.

HHA thank Fuel Distributors of WA for their ongoing support over the past 20 years and we are looking forward to being a loyal supplier whilst they continue distributing fuel in Western Australia.

20 – 26 Burchill Street, Loganholme QLD 4129 T: (07) 3440 9000 • ian@holmwoodhighate.com.au

www.holmwoodhighgate.com.au

WATM • April 2019

23

FDWA 20th Anniversary

holding customers is what we aim to do. It costs more to go and get a new customer than retain existing customers.”

Maintaining that loyalty is not so easy.

The market is very competitive, and you can lose business by quarter of a cent. In saying that, we have some of the most loyal customers and are very thankful for that.

Being one of the bigger employers in the Kwinana industrial strip, Craig works hard to maintain good staff and provide excellent customer service.

“Good customer service is expensive to provide. Doing those extra things come at a cost. It’s trying to make sure that we are doing what we can to meet the customers’ needs for the right outcomes.

With the Chain of Responsibility legislation there were extra layers of cost to comply with it all, Craig said.

“It’s understandable; it’s the way it is.

We’re not carrying water. But it does come at a cost. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously.

“I talk to all of our employees as we never want to have an incident on the road 24

WATM • April 2019

Being one of the bigger employers in the Kwinana industrial strip, Craig works hard to maintain good staff and provide excellent customer service that we were responsible for.”

“You have to embrace it (the legislation) and make it work for you. Let everyone know what you are doing and for the right reasons. Turn it around and use it as a positive,” Craig said.

With the expansion of the company in 2004 to nine trucks, the next big step for

the company was in 2007 when it took on all of Gull’s cartage in Western Australia — Perth, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Albany, Margaret River and Bunbury.

In 2010, Ausfuel bought Gull, and in 2013 Puma bought Ausfuel. These two transactions created new and exciting opportunities.

Puma’s marketing strategy saw Fuel Distributors expand the fleet to where it is now with the 39 trucks.

In 2015, Craig agreed to sell 50 per cent of the business to Puma, which has strengthened the company’s position in WA. The demands of distributing to the agricultural industry has its own challenges and rewards, Craig said.

There is the seeding period early in AprilJune and then the harvest time in OctoberDecember.

“The rural business is very important to us and is a big part of our success.

Craig said it’s about having the right people and fleet around you to be able to cope with the peak periods.

I have been fortunate to have good

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FDWA 20th Anniversary

Congratulations to Fuel Distributors of Western Australia on your 20th Anniversary

Puma Energy delivering customised fuel and lubricant solutions.

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WATM • April 2019

people join FDWA, like Jamie Burkett (Operations Manager) and Graham Lock (Fleet Manager) to help share the workload and manage the business more effectively.

The metro fuel cycle is another phenomenon that keeps Craig’s staff on its toes.

“It’s about covering the high demands, and even getting through the queues at the pumps. We throw everything at it to ensure the sites have fuel. It's about managing peoples' time and workloads.”

Craig knows what it's like at the retail coalface as Fuel Distributors runs three sites with its own staff and also runs three on behalf of Puma as a commission agent.

This income stream is just another of the opportunities that

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FDWA 20th Anniversary

Craig likes to jump on.

He has passed up on the ‘odd opportunity’ but all in all, he said “we have been very fortunate, and we were able to grab some others by being in the right place".

Fuel Distributors has a face in the regional areas with salesmen based in Albany, Bunbury, Narrogin and York and a further two in Moora. Two more cover the Perth metro — all answering to a

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Wishing you another 20 years of great service from our team to yours.

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WATM • April 2019

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Business Development Manager.

As well as selling and distributing fuel, Fuel Distributors also retails the complete Puma, Total and Mobil lubricant ranges. Tank sales and hire and the sale of dispensing equipment and everything associated with dispensing fuel and lubes, are other income streams.

If Craig could gaze into a crystal ball, where would he see his company in another 20 years?

“Naturally I would like to see the business here in another 20 years; I trust we would keep supplying a high level of customer service; having an enjoyable time in the process and appreciating all the support of our employees and customers,” he said.

“I’d like people to say 'there is a business you would like to work for or deal with.”

CONGRATULATIONS FUEL DISTRIBUTORS ON YOUR 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

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29 WATM • April 2019

FDWA 20th Anniversary Graham Lock, FDWA Fleet and Workshop Manager

Graham “Locky” Lock is Fuel Distributors’ Fleet and Workshop Manager and has been with the company for nearly 12 years.

You can forgive Locky for his enthusiasm, saying it’s the best job he has had and has seen it evolve from outsourcing to now having a workshop capable of covering most major work required.

It would be fair to say Locky is a tinkerer and dreams up solutions to technical problems, especially when it comes to designing trucks

to get more fuel into tighter spaces with the right equipment.

He buys trucks and trailers and designs new trucks and trailers.

“I look after a couple of bowser fitters as well, service stations and depots. We have two store people, a coordinator for the fitters, a supervisor, three mechanics and guy operating Perth Tank Repairs at Naval Base.

“I make sure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to do and I make sure everything is roadworthy."

He now oversees 39 trucks and 55 tankers and has to keep up with all the vehicles via his whiteboard.

“When I arrived in November 2007, I didn’t have a workshop at all. We sent work out to other people and I was fixing things on my own,” he said.

“It’s really family friendly; you can talk to the boss. It's just a good place to work.”

Locky has always been in fuel companies, starting as an apprentice fitter machinist. “I’ve worked for Mobil, Bellways and Shell, always in WA. I’ve been a truck driver, worked in workshops and even unloading ships.

“It’s been a great time."

One last comment from Locky on the future of fossil fuels?

“I don’t think we’ve seen the best out of petrol and diesel engines as yet.”

Jamie Burkett, who is Fuel Distributors’ Operations Manager, has helped lift the company, according to Craig Burrows.

Jamie joined the company in January 2011 and sees the industry as very challenging.

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WATM • April 2019

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Jeff Allen, FDWA Retail driver

“Where we’re at now, it’s a very competitive world. Everyone is looking for a customer base.”

Jamie comes from a corporate background with 28 years with Shell and BP, working on distribution, network development, marine and retail.

“Over the years the industry has morphed. It will continue to change. It’s not revolutionary, it’s evolutionary.

“We work more with the insurers, harder on workers’ compensation and have dedicated IT and HSE people, while outsourcing contractors only when required.

Rohan Sawers, FDWA Heavy Vehicle Diesel Mechanic

“You get to that tipping point; you are paying so much to a contractor that you may as well have an employee.

“It’s a compliment to Craig that he accepts the world has changed and embraces that change," especially with compliance.

“There are certain scale-cost challenges. It's about the journey, how you manage it.

“You get to that crucial time when you get to a size and a scale where you don’t want to lose fundamentals that got you there.

“You have to retain flexibility; never lose sight of the customer,” Jamie said.

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31

FDWA 20th Anniversary Geoff Davies, FDWA Area Sales Manager

Craig Cardwell, FDWA Petroleum Maintenance Coordination and Workshop Storeman

LONG TERMERS Loyalty is paramount when it comes to staff and Fuel Distributors has been lucky to have some committed workers.

None more so that Narrogin’s Geoff Davies, who has been with the company for 15 years.

Geoff was ‘inherited’ from the previous Shell/Mobil liaison and has been servicing some of the clients for nearly 34 years.

He began carting fuel in the Northern Territory in the 1980s before

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WATM • April 2019

moving back to Narrogin and working on the trucks until 1997.

He has seen the company grow from “three or four trucks" and today, as the Narrogin Area Sales Manager, he looks after five trucks.

“Our work is very seasonal and we try to deliver in the shortest space of time," he said of the agricultural seasons.

“Craig is changing with the times, especially when we have a shrinking client base while the volume stays the same.”

In his spare time, Geoff follows his son Thomas around

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speedway tracks with the youngster claiming four podium finishes from seven shows in the eastern States during the holiday period.

Former volunteer ‘ambo’ Peter Wass is an entrenched Moora fuel distributor, starting with a small Mobil distributer in 1978.

He survived the rollercoaster of buyouts before Craig Burrows took over and is currently the Area Sales Manager for the Moora region.

“I’ve seen huge changes with the big corporates and larger family farmers getting bigger and bigger.”

He is a keen gardener, loves fishing and lawns bowls in his spare time.

“I was a volunteer ‘ambo’ for 14 years, but gave it away a few years ago because of time pressure,” he said.

Peter Wass, FDWA Area Sales Manager

Gary Ashworth, FDWA Area Sales Manager

Craig Cardwell is coming up to 11 years with the company and is the Petroleum Maintenance Coordinator based out of Kwinana.

He was a bulk fuel tanker driver for more than eight years and took over his current role coordinating maintenance for the petroleum fitters after being struck and injured by a ramp at a site.

Craig says he was very appreciative of Craig Burrows for providing him his new position.

Craig Cardwell hailed from the Royal Australian Air force where he had a similar role in logistics.

“Craig (Burrows) is very good at looking after his people and a fantastic person to work for,” he said.

Gary Ashworth is the York-based Area Sales Manager and has been with the company for more than a decade.

He has a background of working for Shell and Rio Tinto in logistics, but returned to York to work for Fuel Distributors.

“I like the contact with people. You know them by name, not a number. You can interact with people and make their businesses grow."

That interaction came on the cricket field in the past and now the golf course and lawn bowls rinks. “I enjoy a lot of sport and mixing with clients in different environments,” he said.

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WATM • April 2019

33

News

Fatal Truck Crashes Fall Dramatically In 2018

he latest crash statistics show a dramatic fall in fatal truck crashes in 2018 according to the release of the latest Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) heavy vehicle fatal crash statistics.

Compared to 2017, there has been a 20.5 per cent decrease in fatal crashes involving heavy trucks, a 15.2 per cent decrease in fatal crashes involving articulated trucks and a 26.1 per cent decrease in fatal crashes involving heavy rigid trucks.

In 2018 fatalities involving all heavy trucks decreased by 20.5 per cent compared with 2017, from 171 to 136 crashes.

Figures released in this report show that articulated truck fatalities reduced by an average of 7.8% per annum in the three years to December 2018. However, rigid truck fatalities reduced by only 1.5% per year over those three years.

A recent multi-agency operation led

by WA Main Roads in partnership with the NHVR, South Australian Police and Department of Transport WA has shown a high level of legal compliance by operators.

“The results of this operation, and the crash statistics, highlight the industry’s improving safety and compliance record, Australian Trucking Association Chair Geoff Crouch said.

Mr Crouch said there is still a lot of work to be done.

“Until we reach a point where there are zero fatalities and injuries on our roads, the ATA will continue to advocate for practical safety solutions,” he said.

The practical safety measures called for by the ATA include: • enabling the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to provide independent, no-blame safety investigations for road crashes involving heavy vehicles • increasing the quantity and quality of truck driver rest areas • mandating autonomous emergency braking for all new trucks, and • improving truck driver training and licensing systems.

NatRoad President Allan Thornley said, “The overall trend is in the right direction but there is a need to better understand why improvements in the fatality rate for rigid trucks is plateauing.

“The path to a better road safety outcome is paved by evidence-based

Over to you

THE LONE WOLF by John Milner

riving along minding your own business, doing the right thing in relation to other road users and the law, you move into the outside lane as set of traffic lights are coming up. You have plenty of room in front of you to stop if needed.

You watch the traffic lights as you are approaching working out if you can get through them on green. You are busy being alert, travelling at a safe speed, watching everything including other road users behaviour when out of the blue this good citizen goes pass you when you are just about to come to the lights, moves directly in front of you into your lane, then comes

to a dead stop in front of you as the light turns orange.

Did I mention you have a full load on your truck?

There is just no time or room for you to stop safely at this stage All plans go out the window as you have a few seconds to decide what the best plan of action is to avoid a collision.

You quickly look in the mirror to see if there is enough of a gap to put the indicator on and move into the next lane and slip past the good citizen; which is now the only choice they have given you.

Thankfully, there is a gap and you are hoping, praying that other road users are

T

D

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research so we need to know a lot more about the causes of heavy vehicle fatal crashes. The Government has underway a review of who should be responsible for road safety in Australia. That is a step we applaud.

“Government must invest in research that helps the heavy vehicle industry to better understand the fatality rate.

“Government agencies across Australia must make a commitment to the more effective collection of and easier access to information provided by accident investigations. At the same time greater scrutiny of the causes of those accidents is needed, as well as education of light vehicle drivers who are at fault in more than 80% of fatalities involving a heavy vehicle.

“A government agency such as the Australian Transport Safety Bureau or a newly created road safety body should be given power to promptly and fully investigate serious truck accidents.

There is a need to share the results and recommendations publicly so that all industry participants can take the appropriate action to reduce the road toll.

That role should also encompass better research on trends and causal factors.

Currently both data and research are inadequate to formulate benchmarks for heavy vehicle incidents. That must change and a government agency that is created or re-structured must take on that task.

“NatRoad has a deep commitment to improving road safety. Measures which will help the community achieve fewer road fatalities must be introduced and they must be based on proper analysis and a deeper understanding of what is behind the trends the recent statistics highlight.”

also concentrating and watching what is happening and that no one else be involved in this situation the good citizen has put you all in.

By now the light has changed to red and the other road users pull up and you make it through the light without incident albeit losing a few years off your life.

At the next set of traffic lights the good citizen yells out to you, “Why didn’t you stop at the last traffic lights, I am going to report you to the Police”.

Your answer is, “Good citizen, if I had stopped you would be dead or seriously injured.

“Please report me to the Police because

Trucking Australia 2019 Program Announced

S

afety, truck rest areas, and what can be learned from Western Australia will all be on the agenda at the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) Trucking Australia 2019 Conference to be held on 3 – 5 April in Perth.

Delegates will join expert speakers from

Trucking Industry Agrees on RSRT Approach

T

he Australian Trucking Association (ATA) General Council has unanimously agreed on the industry’s approach to the possible re-establishment of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT).

“Through robust and respectful discussion, we reached a unanimous agreement on the ATA’s position and role on this important issue,” says ATA CEO Ben Maguire.

The meeting outcome reaffirmed the council’s opposition to governmentimposed price fixing, with concerns raised about Labor’s new national policy of enforcing fixed prices on all parties in the supply chain.

“Our council agrees that everyone in the industry should be paid sustainably and promptly. We particularly support practical measures that would assist owner-drivers and small fleet operators, including mandatory 30-day payment terms,” Mr Maguire said.

“The ATA is keen to work with the Labor Party to make sure its policy approach would improve safety and working conditions for everyone,

my statement will include how your behaviour contributed me having no choice but to take the action I took to avoid colliding with you.

“You pulled directly in front of a fully loaded moving truck and came to a dead stop – giving the truck no time or space to stop. The good citizen didn’t say anything and drove off.

A lot of people are good citizens however do that stupid move at lights not considering at all that trucks can’t stop on a dime.

Where is common sense, or are they on their own little planet?

However, the law will always favour the person in front if they are rear ended for

without creating a fixed pricing regime based on spreadsheets in a Fair Work Commission office rather than real world costs and practices,” he said.

The ATA General Council unanimously agreed on the need for practical safety measures including: • Mandating Autonomous Emergency Braking for all new trucks • Increasing the quality and quantity of driver rest areas, with more support for Rod Hannifey’s pioneering work on marking informal rest areas • Enabling the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to provide independent, no-blame safety investigations for road crashes involving heavy vehicles, and • Reviewing the prescriptive work and rest hours, including work and rest hour tolerances for electronic work diaries.

“The industry’s safety record is continuing to improve, including since the abolition of the RSRT, although we recognise that we still have much to do,” Mr Maguire said.

whatever reason.

This is one of the reasons you see so many truck drivers nowadays creep up to the lights and inevitably the lights change when they are going through them.

I know drivers are getting fined over this.

A while ago, I was going to the city with a load on my Jap Truck and the local police went pass then turned around and pulled me over to ask me why I had curtains in my front windscreen.

My reply was it is to keep the sun off my legs.

I was told that the Police Department had decided to give out fines for the obstruction it causes to the drivers view.

Western Australia and beyond to share ideas and develop an understanding of the role everyone can play in improving industry safety, productivity and viability.

Deloitte Access Economics will join the conference to present ‘Regulation in the Australian Trucking Industry’ and NTI will share its latest truck crash statistics.

Additionally, supply chain recruitment specialists Labourforce will present its Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain Job Index to help guide strategies to resolve the important issue of driver shortage in the industry.

There will also be opportunity for delegates to ‘ask an expert’ in the ConnectHUB. Delegates can drop into the ConnectHUB for a one-on-one chat with specialists from a range of companies, including Deloitte Access Economics, Labourforce, Seeing Machines and The Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities.

Key program sessions include: • what makes WA trucking great, with well-known Western Australians Heather Jones and Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall • the latest facts on truck safety • the national truck law review, and how the eastern states can learn from Western Australia • what government-imposed freight rates could mean for your trucking business.

Catering to everyone in industry from drivers to managers and directors, the program also features collaboration sessions and workshops that take a deepdive into the key issues of fatigue laws, driver licensing standards, access and permits, and truck rest areas.

Seriously, why would I put my life at risk by obstructing my view of the road and other road users?

Later on I heard that the real reason for the fines was that they could not see if the driver was talking on or using his / her phone.

In this instance, Mr Policeman gave me a warning and if I was caught next time it would be noted on my license plus a $100 fine.

The things you see when you are driving a truck. People getting dressed, cleaning their teeth, having a shave, eating their breakfast, a bowl of cereal may I add… surely things like this are more dangerous on our roads?

WATM • April 2019

35

Over to you 1

2

3

What the HCVC members are up to

By Kevin Toovey

4

1: A New Truck - Truckin Eddy Van Dongen has just bought an old Kenworth with a sleeper cab as big as a small apartment; it will be good for country runs.

2 & 3: I had the pleasure of taking overseas visitors around to Reg and Coral Blewett’s place recently. Lots to look at in their great collection including this recently restored petrol bowser, it looks immaculate. Reg also has another project on the go, this time it’s an old Ford Model A truck. Reg has found some very good salvage timber from the Kelmscott Hall renovations to use for the chassis bearers and some of the tray.

4, 5 & 7: There will be three Detroit powered Dodge prime movers rebuilt within the near future. All have major work in progress.

Kim and Beverley Martin have a red one - it will most certainly go faster and probably will be finished first. Kim can be seen having a pretend drive. The resident Dodge panel beater / spray painter Steve Falconer owns the green Dodge. The third Dodge is owned by Kevin Toovey and will according to his family members be a boring flat white.

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WATM • April 2019

5

6

7

8 6: Steve Falconer has another R600 Mack in the shed from Eudemallah station. Steve has just removed the sleeper to find a white ants nest of rust at the back of the cab, lots of work here

9

8 & 9: Kevin Smith from Merredin sent in a few photos of his latest Dodge project. One photo showing Kevin and his mate contemplating the enormity of the job. Looking forward to seeing more updates.

10: Cat BBQ - Eddy has also progressed with the building of his Cat crawler; it will join the line-up of other mini barbecues once finished.

10

WATM • April 2019

37

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

1955

T

he High Court of Australia delivered a decision that fees levied upon road hauliers by State governments for the haulage of merchandise interstate was an infringement of the Australian Constitution.

The February 21 General Meeting of the Furniture Removers’ Section dealt heavily with the transport of new furniture via rail as opposed to commercial vehicle. It was found that transport by rail, incurring five handlings, led to increased damage. The Section was seeking from the Government a free trade zone for the delivery of new furniture throughout the State, It was, however, seen as a good move to “soft-pedal” the railway damage tact as it was a sore point with the Minister for Transport and could react against the application. It was stated that there were 30-40 furniture manufacturers in the Perth Metropolitan area.

From The Transporter of November 1955:

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WATM • April 2019

Image E.W. Digby

“The first tractor radio to appear in Australia was introduced recently by the Ford Motor Company at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Technicians have developed the tractor radio for Ford as part of a continuing effort to help ‘the man on the land’. It will help break the loneliness of the farmer who spends long hours on his tractor.” Car radios were also introduced and a general warning issued to members to be careful when using while driving.

By the mid-1950s, the road transport

industry was continuing to boom with 60,000 trucks (40,000 of them operating outside the metropolitan area) compared with only 13,000 some 20 years before.

In his annual report, President E G Somes derided the Perth council for not tackling the congestion problem within its precincts — “no worthwhile effort has yet been made to overcome the problem”. He also noted the Transport Workers’ Union had gained an increase in margins by the court by two and a half times the 1937

“T W” wrote to The Transporter editor stating that the new Narrows Bridge should be called the “Stonkin Bridge”, in view of the “stinkin’ delay and paying tribute to Minister of Works Mr Tonkin”

award resulting in increased wages of about five percent. The lack of qualified labour was also still a problem.

Walter Road, Bassendean came under fire for its lack of adequate width for overtaking. It was reported to the Annual General Meeting that the width of the road was 16ft and as buses and trucks were 8ft in width, overtaking was “difficult”. Several accidents had occurred and repeated pleas to the State Government resulted in a reply of “lack of funds”.

Best heading in The Transporter? “Facts of Life”. “Members, please mark your calendar for Friday, September 16, 1955, for attendance at the Association Ball, to be held at the Pagoda, Como. Why the heading? Just to make sure you read this!”

Transport concerns in 1955 as reported

by The Transporter of May? Delay in building the Causeway (not yet completed although commenced many long years ago) and the lack of speed on the erection of the much-needed new bridge at the Narrows; the new siting of the railway goods yards at East Perth and Welshpool, the road linking South Perth via the Narrows Bridge and George Street with West Perth over a new bridge across the depressed railway line at William, Barrack, Moore Street and Claisebrook Road.

Traffic accidents in Perth cost more than £1 million and the ratio of fatal accidents was higher than in other capital cities.

From The Transporter of March 1955: “Will members please note that there is no hire-by-time rate for 30cwt truck. The appropriate rate, which would include a vehicle of this capacity, is included in the second item of the Seventh Schedule of the Government Gazette, which states: “In respect of a vehicle and driver, such vehicle being of a licensed carrying capacity of up to and including three tons, the rate is 15s 6d per hour on a distance of up to six miles and 11s per hour plus 1s 3d per mile in excess of six miles.”

1956

The School Bus Operators’ Section was born in January.

“Oh, Damn,” said the ram as he fell over the cliff. “I didn’t see the ewe turn.” — The Transporter, November 1956.

Vice-Chairman J Vaughan, in a report to the Annual General Meeting, bemoaned the State’s restrictions against the use of road transport. There was an increase in

commercial vehicle registrations during the year but a decline in long-distance haulage vehicles. “This, of course, has been brought about by State legislation, which enforces transport of goods by rail, notwithstanding extra cost to the community. It is a sad state of affairs that a producer or manufacturer may not engage the most suitable or the most economic means of transport to place his goods on the market. The law says he must patronise the railways, whether they be run efficiently or not. We, on the other hand, say there is a place for rail and for road and justly claim that the public should be allowed to use road, rail, sea or air, whichever service is most desirable.”

Mr Coles reported to the November 21 meeting of the Furniture Removers’ Section

By the mid-1950s, the road transport industry was continuing to boom with 60,000 trucks (40,000 of them operating outside the metropolitan area) compared with only 13,000 some 20 years before that he had recently shifted a television specialist, who arrived from England and he said that operators would need to be extremely careful in removing TV sets when they reach WA. The cathode is under a pressure of 250lbs to the square inch and people in England have been injured when these, through a slight knock, exploded and even buried parts of the set into plaster walls and ceilings. They should be handled from the back and never the front, he advised.

WARTA inspected premises at 46 Richardson Street with a mind to purchasing as a headquarters.

The Furniture Removers’ Section Committee Meeting of June 27 took exception to the naming of a truck driver in the criminal court as a carrier, “whereas

he was not”. The Section was to contact both The Daily News and West Australian to inform them of this error. Badges of the Furniture Removers’ Section were distributed to be displayed on vehicles, stating they were members of WARTA. From The Transporter of July, 1956: “Our member, Don Guest of Albany, had a narrow escape from death at a level crossing smash near Cannington on the 6th instant, when he was rescued just in time from a jammed cab in the flaming wreckage. Don is at the moment in the Royal Perth Hospital suffering from burns and other injuries.”

A minute’s silence was observed at the 1956 ARTF annual conference in Melbourne for the late Eric Somes, President of WARTA. He died just six days before the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Association, at the age of 46. He established the first of Somes Warwick Pty Ltd in 1947. He represented WARTA at national conferences in Hobart, Canberra and Katoomba.

Only 7.6 percent of the total petrol tax receipts this year was spent in the metropolitan area. Most was spent in outer rural areas.

“T W” wrote to The Transporter editor stating that the new Narrows Bridge should be called the “Stonkin Bridge”, in view of the “stinkin’ delay and paying tribute to Minister of Works Mr Tonkin”.

Highlights from the Chairman of the Shipping and Forwarders’ Section in his report to the Annual General Meeting of July 16: “Despite with the tally clerks; repeated arguments regarding landing credits with the Interstate Forwarders’ Federation, the trouble having eventually been ironed out when Mr Rowsthorn visited this State; landing credits by rail; Waterside Workers’ dispute, which caused losses to many operators; short landing of cargo, which created a problem to carriers and has been the cause of forcing much cargo to be transported by rail in lieu of ship; increase in cartage rates ex and to the wharf; the monthly attendances at the Harbour Trust meetings — two representatives from the Perth Chamber of Commerce having been added to the conferences (Messrs Pugh and Hammond); Mr Tydman’s reiteration of the statement that should any member give notice to the Trust or the shed clerk in the afternoon by 3.30, that he desired certain cargo, this cargo would be available to the consignee next morning; the move in certain quarters for night deliveries in the city, which is not favourably looked upon by the Section.”

WATM • April 2019

39

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.

TROPHY-WINNING GULF TRANSPORT KENWORTH C500 QUAD ROADTRAIN WEST AUSTRALIAN MODEL truck builder Murray Bradley has recently completed this ‘trophy winning’ Gulf Transport Kenworth C500 Tri drive Quad Roadtrain complete with side tipping bowls.

The truck started as Revel Kenworth T900 kit.

Murray converted the W900 to an Auslowe C500 day cab. He also converted the truck from bogey to a heavy duty tri drive.

Murray added an array of Auslowe parts including RHDash, Bullbar, Spider rims and much more for that Australian Outback ‘authentic’ look.

Murray has also painstakingly scratch built and hydraulically plumbed all the trailers and bowls.

All the running gear and dollies are all from the Auslowe Catalogue with all the decals printed by a local sign writer.

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 40

WATM • April 2019

REPAIRS

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TRUCK TYRE CHANGER

This space could be your spot to reach over 12,000 readers in the Western Australian transport and associated sectors.

Contact Karen at Karen@angrychicken.com.au or

18/9 Inspiration Drive Wangara WA 6065 PHONE: NEVILLE BAKER 0419 515 151 www.tyreequipment.com.au sales@tyreequipment.com.au

Ph

08 9296 4488

ON THE ROAD TRUCKS

Now infor transport The available ‘must have’ book operators giving you the locations DIGITAL format

(distances) of Transport Parking HARD the locations (distances) of transport parking bays, bridge information, Bays, Bridge information, roadside COPIES NOW roadhouses and their facilities and dirt tracks suitable for parking throughout AVAILABLE ~ facilities and their services mainland Australia. $ throughout mainland regional 35 EACH PRINT or use on your TABLET Australia.

Hurry Limited copies left On the Road - Trucks is now available in high resolution PDF format which means you can use it on your TABLETOnly as well as$30 print it. plus You will postage be sent an invoice with EFT details, and once payment is received the book (5 The ‘must have’ publication for anyone in the transport industry requiring

mb) will be emailed to you.

To order: Email this form to karen@angrychicken.com.au

ace in rest areas?

Having trouble finding sp in this edition WA GRAVEL TRACKS

TO ORDER visit www.angrychicken.com.auCompany Name karen@angrychicken.com.au • Ph 08 9296 4488

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Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd T: 08 9296 4488 or 0430 153 273

For the people who keep Australia moving.

In a world that never stops moving, where supply is frantically trying to keep up with demand, time has become our most valuable commodity.

From the food in our supermarkets, to the petrol in our cars, none of it would exist if it weren’t for the people who, day in day out, keep Australia moving – you.

So at TWUSUPER, we’re proud to be the people who look after you.

And we do this by investing over $380 million in Australian infrastructure – the roads, bridges, stations, airports and ports that keep Australia moving.

TWUSUPER.COM.AU for the people who keep Australia moving.

And, as your Industry SuperFund, we’ve delivered more to our members over the past 15 years than the average retail super fund.

Disclaimer: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and should never be the sole factor considered when selecting a fund. Comparisons modelled by SuperRatings, commissioned by TWUSUPER and shows average differences in net benefit of TWUSUPER’s balanced investment option and the main balanced options of retail funds tracked by SuperRatings, with a 3 (147 funds), 10 (77 funds) and 15 (45 funds) year performance history, taking into account historical earnings and fees – excluding contribution, entry, exit and additional adviser fees. Outcomes vary between individual funds. Modelling as at 30 June 2018. TWU Nominees Pty Ltd, ABN 67 002 835 412, AFSL 239163, is the trustee of TWUSUPER ABN 77 343 563 307 and the issuer of interests in it. Transuper and TransPersonal are divisions of TWUSUPER. This information is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should consider your objectives, financial situation and needs. A copy of the product disclosure statement should be obtained from TWUSUPER (at www.twusuper.com.au or by calling 1800 222 071) and considered carefully before you make a decision to acquire the product or continue to hold the product.