July 2022 - WA Transport Magazine

THE TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY MAGAZINE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA

ISSN 2202-6193

100007516 July 2022 | price $6.95

TRANSPORT magazine

Page 5

2022 MACK MUSTER A GREAT SUCCESS

With 214 trucks in attendance and 6000 people through the gates, this year’s Mack Muster exceeded all expectations.

Pictured is Miocevich Transport's Mack Superliner Southern Cross Prime Mover – a 50th year limited edition model of which only approximately 20 were produced and this is the only one in WA. Michael Miocevich has retired this truck after many years of service carting into the Pilbara and Kimberley regions

IN THIS ISSUE: The power of Social Media Foreign drivers and climate change World’s largest Hydrogen Hub in WA New national driver medical standards WATM • July 2022

Our Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk is available 7 days a week.

Talk to us about: Permits

Accreditation

OSOM movements

Route Assessments

Traffic Escort bookings

Compliance

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

Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services 525 Great Eastern Highway REDCLIFFE 6104

Tel: 138 486 Fax: 9475 8455 Email: hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au www.mainroads.wa.gov.au 3 WATM • October 2021

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The fight for safe and sustainable rates

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

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fter nine long years of neglect, transport workers have a Federal Government that hopefully is prepared to listen and act on the pressures which make the transport industry unsustainable.

Transport workers now have a huge opportunity to win reform for a fairer and safer industry.

We know that trucking is in crisis.

Led by Senator Glenn Sterle over a two-year period, a Senate Inquiry into Road Transport saw horrific evidence given by dozens of drivers and others from the industry.

Recommendations from the inquiry include: • The creation of an independent body that can set universal and binding standards such as Safe Rates, as well as ensure safety and resolve disputes • A more proactive approach to education, licensing and training • More thorough investigation into truck crashes to increase understanding of contributing factors, including through the chain of responsibility • Improving rest areas, truck stops and other critical transport infrastructure Decades of research demonstrates that when truck drivers and truck businesses are under pressure, safety suffers. It means truck drivers are under pressure to speed, drive fatigued, overload and cut back on truck maintenance to make ends meet.

Since the Liberal Government abolished the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, which had the power to set enforceable standards in trucking, there have been over 1000 truck-involved crash deaths on our roads, 255 of those tragic incidents were deaths of truck drivers.

The former Morrison Government’s approach only made road

transport and aviation more dangerous. It refused to address the pressure on transport companies from forced rate cutting, was silent when some of Australia’s worst corporate bullies like Qantas launched assaults on secure jobs illegally sacking thousands of workers.

The incoming Albanese Government’s commitments give us hope that workers will finally see progress on the reforms we need for a fairer and safer transport industry.

In Opposition, the Australian Labor Party committed to Safe Rates through consultation and promised to establish an independent body with the power to set enforceable standards for transport workers to end road transport’s deadly race to the bottom.

The need for regulation of this kind has never been clearer, particularly when owner drivers and small fleet operators are being forced to wear astronomical fuel prices without a system to recover costs from wealthy companies (the clients) at the top of supply chains.

We know what happens when wafer-thin margins are slashed by rising operating costs and contracting pressures: the pressure is on to make up the difference and our roads can become even more deadly.

Regulation of this kind would also help turn the tide on the gig tsunami bearing down on road transport. Gig companies like Amazon and Uber are skirting the edges of our out-dated laws, shifting workers outside our industrial system and undercutting secure transport jobs. Without strong government intervention, the explosion of gig-style workers nationwide threatens the industry as we know it.

Creating a national regulatory system with teeth would strike at the heart of this problem by ensuring all road transport workers have access to enforceable minimum standards. Ending the ability of gig economy giants to undercut the industry would not only support but strengthen the protections workers won in last year’s job security fight.

Workers are bearing the brunt of economic shambles, with CPI skyrocketing and the reserve bank lifting interest rates.

Meanwhile TWU Members are winning increases to their wages, one site has just signed on the dotted line for an 8% increase this year the majority of our majors have committed to CPI increases.

The industry is howling for experienced transport operators and unionised sites are at the forefront of retention of workers and contracts.

Over the next few years, your participation in this fight will determine our success. The time for complaining is over and you need to get on board to fight for a sustainable transport industry.

It’s time for transport workers to be acknowledged and compensated as essential workers after carrying the economy throughout the pandemic. It’s time for a safer and more sustainable transport industry.

Are you with us?

WORK IN TRANSPORT?

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PROTECT YOURSELF! JOIN YOUR UNION

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Transport Workers Union - for the people who carry Australia 🌐🌐🌐 www.twuwa.org.au

🗨🗨🗨 www.facebook.com/twuwa

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📞📞📞 1800 657 477 ✉ info@twuwa.org.au

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Main Roads News

INTRODUCTION OF WEB FORMS AT MAIN ROADS HEAVY VEHICLE SERVICES If you have any questions or need help to set up your account, please visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/heavy-vehicles/moves/ contact our Heavy Vehicle Help Desk on 138 486, or email hvs@ mainroads.wa.gov.au

REMINDER OF RECENT UPDATES TO MAIN ROADS CUSTOMER SERVICE PORTAL, MOVES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

F

rom mid-May, Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS) began introducing Web Forms as part of the transition to provide our customers the ability to do business ‘on-line’ and to stop the use of out-of-date application forms.

The following forms are now available online: • Application to List or Update Vehicle Information; • Traffic Escort Services Booking Request, Cancellation or Amendment Application; and • Heavy Vehicle Incident Reporting.

The web forms include the ability to attach supporting documentation to your application if required, and they can be completed and submitted from a mobile device.

Once a web form is introduced, customers will be given a twoweek period to transition away from the old application process. All remaining application forms are expected to make their way online throughout 2022. For further information, contact our Heavy Vehicle Help Desk on 138 486 or email hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au.

Several new features and enhancements have recently been introduced to our self-service customer portal, MOVES. The enhancements and features aim to improve efficiency and streamline HVS services by allowing customers to manage their applications and payments in one place. The following is a quick reminder of what has changed and how it benefits industry.

WHAT’S CHANGED? Payments Permits - customers can now pay for up to twenty permit fees in a single credit card transaction, meaning you can make bulk payments as often as it suits you/your business.

Traffic Escorts - bookings can now be paid via credit card within MOVES. Accreditation - accreditation application fees and renewals can now be paid via credit card within MOVES. Pilots – payments for pilot licence fee and/or replacement cards, can now be made within MOVES.

Submit supporting documentation CHANGES TO PROCESSING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS AT HVS HVS recently made contact with its customers to advise of upcoming changes to credit card payments.

From 4 July 2022, HVS customers will be required to manage their own credit card payments via our online customer portal, MOVES. Application forms will be updated to remove credit card fields and old forms will no longer be accepted. All customers will be required to process credit card payments online.

All other existing payment options will be retained (cash, cheque, eftpos and electronic funds transfer) and there is no change to the current processing time associated with these payment options.

Don’t have a MOVES Account yet?

Set up your MOVES account by following the steps below or, view our tutorial videos on the Main Roads website: 1. Go to Create Account page 2. Link account to MOVES by sending an email to moves. enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au including your • operator name and number • physical address, and • the email address used to create your account.

Note: Only the ‘primary contact’ can nominate other users to have access to their MOVES account (the primary contact is the person who was nominated on the RAV Operator Registration Form). Once your request has been actioned, a confirmation email with the details to access MOVES will be sent.

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WATM • July 2022

Customers who undertake high-risk Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) movements can now upload OSOM Traffic Management Plans as part of the MOVES over size over mass permit application process.

If your OSOM Traffic Management Plans are yet to be finalised, you can now upload them after submitting your permit application.

Submit traffic escort booking amendments and cancellations Customers who use the HVS Traffic Escort Service can submit Traffic Escort booking amendments and cancellation requests online via MOVES.

Additional MOVES users The primary contact of an operator now has greater flexibility to: • Change email addresses and other operator information; • Nominate a new primary contact person in the list of registered MOVES users. Once the initial contact has logged out, the new primary contact person will take on the role; • Remove a MOVES user from the list of registered users; and • Nominate a primary contact for permits who can authorise anyone wanting to apply for permits through MOVES.

Are there any benefits to Heavy Vehicle Licensed Pilots?

Yes! Heavy Vehicle Licensed Pilots can now: • Make license fee payments; • Upload and submit medical certificates and training records; and • Pay for replacement Heavy Vehicle Licensed Pilots cards.

WATM • July 2022

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WA

TRANSPORT

magazine

VOLUME 28 | NUMBER 6

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: 0430 153 273 Email: karen@angrychicken.com.au WRITERS Karen-Maree' Kaye, Russell McKinnon CONTRIBUTORS Jan Cooper, Cam Dumesny, Carol Messenger, Ray Pratt ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Angry Chicken Head Office T: 0430 153 273 E: karen@angrychicken.com.au DESIGN / PREPRESS Cally Browning | Bare Creative ACCOUNTS T: 0430 153 273 E: accounts@angrychicken.com.au PRINTER Daniels Printing Craftsmen SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions available directly from the Publisher.

T: 0430 153 273 E: karen@angrychicken.com.au Australia: 1 year $76.45 (inc GST) 2 years $152.90 (inc GST)

W

elcome to the green path forward in Australia. To date, I have not heard ‘the plan’ from anyone in Government on how we get there. However, I am again thankful to be living in WA where a safeguard mechanism was already in place to protect domestic gas supply, we had a huge budget surplus and the economy does not seem to be suffering from the vast renewable operations developed, and being developed in WA. On Page 11 of this edition read about the world’s biggest hydrogen hub – here in Western Australia.

With all this energy change happening in the world and where it is heading I am having trouble imagining how it will work with the transport industry. In the cities yes, however regional and interstate Australia is not clear. How much is it going to cost, what rules and regulations will be bought in? You just have to hope that

common sense prevails.

I hope you all like the 2022 Mack Muster spread. Thank you to Kevin Toovey and the HCVC for putting this together.

Congratulations to everyone on a successful event - the organisers, the attendees and all of the WA transport operators from far and wide who bought your trucks to the event.

You all should be very proud and I was happy WA Transport Magazine could be involved as a sponsor.

I think it is time we send some more questions into Main Roads so if you have any questions concerning the roads in our state, please email your questions to karen@angrychicken.com.au and I will publish them and the answer in the magazine.

Thank you to you all for being here and welcome to all the new subscribers.

Best,

Karen

CONTENTS 1................................................. T WU WA – The fight for safe and sustainable rates

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

2............................................... Main Roads News

Editorial Submissions: The Publisher welcomes

5............................................... 2022 Mack Muster – A great success

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.

11............................................... W A to home the largest Hydrogen Hub in the world 14............................................ New National Medical Standards come into effect 22 June 15............................................ $5.6 for regional WA roads

West Australian Transport Magazine (WATM) is published by Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd

16............................................ W estern Roads Federation – Foreign drivers and climate change

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.

18............................................ L RTAWA – Make sure you have your say when you get the chance

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.

22.......................................... 2 021-22 Annual Wage Review decision

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WATM • July 2022

19............................................ M ain Roads Headquarters added to State Register 20.......................................... H all of Fame – John Soullier 23.......................................... $ 9 billion road network transformation for WA

Every Month 12............................................ Fair Go for Owner Drivers 21............................................ Bird’s Eye View 24.......................................... WA Transport History

Endorsed by

Over to you McHaffie Transports Western Star “Deliverance” and Kenworth “War Horse” Prime Movers

WA Limestones “Mandrake” the Mack Superliner

One of the winners of the event was Daniel Ridolfo's 1963 Peterbilt which gained Best Vintage truck of the show

2022 MACK MUSTER A GREAT SUCESS

(Above and below) Classic Mercedes; one with a sleeper, below, not often seen in its day

By Kevin Toovey

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here was a big build up for this year’s Mack Muster, what with all the cancellations that has hit different events, people were keen for this to go ahead and for it to live up to expectations.

Prior to the event a growing number of registrations were broadcasted on Social Media and I think the transport industry was getting excited about this event.

The HCVC President encouraged all our members to make a real effort to attend with or without their trucks and this resulted in I think, the best turn out we have ever had from HCVC members to an event.

The weather forecast was monitored closely leading up to the day, not that you are able to do anything about the weather and we were told the event was going ahead rain hail or shine. We were lucky and the weather held off long enough for everyone to enjoy the day.

Some of the trucks started arriving on the Thursday, the event actually started on Friday night with a gala dinner and 350 people attending. Then on Saturday night a driver’s dinner was held with 100 or more people attending.

On Sunday 214 trucks were lined up for the 6000 spectators that came through the gates. Approximately one third of the trucks wore the Mack badge and there was a big portion of Kenworth trucks and a mix of all other makes.

The day flowed very well, a great effort from the organising committee, sponsors, the owners with their trucks and the spectators. This is a great fund raising event for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. This time the Mack Muster raised approximately $200,000 for a very worthy cause. What an excellent day out. /...Continued on page 6 WATM • July 2022

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Over to you

One of our new members, Colin Blackburn brought his excellent Dodge 675 along

Mack of the show - Barry Napoli's 1988 Mack Superliner and the People’s Choice Mack - Jason Clatworthy's 1989 Mack Valueliner

Jake Piercy's Foden and Peter Collins Dodge

This Orange Flintstone Mack used to belong to the late member Bill McConnell and seen at the event with a new owner Daniel Ridolfo, who is also a HCVC club member

RAISING MONEY FOR CANCER RESEARCH

HCVC Members trucks

Run by a committee, WA Mack Muster and Truck Show is a grassroots organisation that started as a dream and was built into reality by a small group of dedicated individuals passionate about the West Australian Transport industry and raising money towards cancer research.

The aim of the WA Mack Muster and Truck Show is to provide a unique community event in Western Australia that brings not only Mack truck enthusiasts together but the industry as a whole in a “Muster” environment at the beautiful Quarry Farm in Byford, WA. The founding idea for a Mack Muster in WA stemmed from WA Limestone Director Steve Della Bona and CTS Low Loaders Director Jason Clatworthy, who share a love for the Mack truck and are both ValueLiner owners. They had an idea about hosting a small get-together displaying Mack trucks in /...Continued on page 8

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WATM • July 2022

Phil Wadley was pictured as he drove in through the gate with his International that we haven't seen for a while

HCVC Members trucks

(Above & above right) A close up under the bonnet of the Hulks motor in a Kenworth prime mower belonging to Bandana Earthmoving.

It shows immaculate attention to detail in construction and cleanliness.

(Left) Ex-Army six wheel drive International (right) Unrestored Mack Flintstone called “Twenty Four Slotter” (Below) Jailbar Ford delivering some water

(Right) Colli timber and Hardware's mural on the back of their White Road Boss prime mover is still one of the best around and Sludges Fantom is worth a close look too

WATM • July 2022

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Over to you The younger generation taking an interest in Mel Taylors old Chevrolet

“Who’s The Boss” White Road Boss Prime Mover

Swan Towing's Kenworths

Outback Truckers

Campbell Transport tri drive Kenworth

B & J Catalano's Mack fleet McHaffie Transports Western Star “Deliverance”

a paddock with some beers and a BBQ along with several other Mack enthusiasts. This idea took off and they established a committee, and the WA Mack Muster was born.

The 2020 WA Mack Muster and Truck Show was a huge success! 140 trucks from across Australia were on display and more than 3,500 spectators attended the show, raising a total of $100,000 for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and the Cancer 200 Ride for Research.

The inaugural WA Mack Muster and Truck show raised $100,000 towards Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research as our partner for 2020.

For the 2022 event, the committee again partnered with the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research raising $200,000 to help move towards a future free of disease.

The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research conducts innovative research into the diseases that most affect our families in the Western Australia community and the world at large.

The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research was established in 1998 to /...Continued on page 10

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WATM • July 2022

MGM Bulk had a brand new 60 metre long super quad road train on display.

You don’t often get to have a close up look at one of those trucks this far south

(Left) The oldest truck at the show was Wedderburn Transport’s 1927 Chevrolet and their new Volvo prime mover which won best European truck 1995 - 2022 (Right) Fuel Distributors’ Kenworths

Abell Haulage Mack Super Liner with a good looking dog on the side

Brad Embrey’s classic Western Star

Marleys Transport 50th anniversary Kenworth

Rumble in the Jungle V8 Mack Valueliner

Penns Transport T950 Kenworth

WATM • July 2022

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Over to you McHaffie Transports Western Star “Deliverance” and Kenworth “War Horse” Prime Movers

(This picture and right) Desert Towing’s heavy duty six wheel drive Mack

CTS Low Loaders fleet

V8 Mack Superliner

Mack Superliner

Vernice Earthmoving and Transport B model Mack

Macktrans Australia S Line International.

Beautiful Blue R model Mack

Black Mack Valueliner meets Pink Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls Mack.

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WATM • July 2022

unify Western Australian scientists in a collaborative research powerhouse. In the years since, they have grown to become one of the nation’s leading medical research centres, where a close knit team of more than 250 research and trial staff work together to defeat the major diseases that impact our community – diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and rare genetic diseases.

In 2021, the MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research raised $7,063,698 for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

Everyone at the Perkins is driven by a desire to keep families together for longer, but cannot do it alone. It is thanks to support like the WA Mack Muster that they can continue with their life-saving work.

News

WA to home the largest Hydrogen Hub in the world

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P has agreed to acquire a 40.5 per cent equity stake in and to become the operator of the Asian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH), which has the potential to be one of the largest renewables and green hydrogen hubs in the world.

Based on the development of world-scale renewable power generation, AREH, in the Pilbara region of WA, intends to supply renewable power to local customers in the largest mining region in the world and also produce green hydrogen and green ammonia for the domestic Australian market and export to major international users.

AREH has plans to develop onshore wind and solar power generation in multiple phases to a total generating capacity of up to

26 gigawatts (GW) – the equivalent of producing over 90 terawatt hours per year, which is around a third of all electricity generated in Australia in 20201.

At full capacity, AREH is expected to abate around 17 million tonnes of carbon in domestic and export markets annually, which would equate to roughly 0.5 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon savings over the lifetime of the project2.

Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, BP’s executive vice president of gas and low carbon energy, said, “AREH is set to be one of the largest renewable and green hydrogen energy hubs in the world and can make a significant contribution to Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region’s energy transition.

When fully developed, AREH could provide significant net renewable generating capacity for BP as well as making a material contribution to its strategic aim to capture a 10 per cent share in core hydrogen markets globally.

Frédéric Baudry, president, BP Australia added, "BP brings a broad range of capabilities to help bring the project to fruition, with extensive experience in constructing and operating facilities of this scale in remote locations in close collaboration with local communities, and leveraging our global shipping and trading businesses. We also have the benefit of deep experience in working with customers looking for decarbonisation solutions and delivering low-carbon energy to the global market.”

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WATM • July 2022

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

THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY – BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

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he transport industry is a pretty tough industry to operate in and it’s certainly got a lot tougher with rising fuel prices… especially tough for the many operators who already are only just surviving on very fine margins.

The Government was under pressure to help motorists who were suffering from rising fuel prices to drop the Fuel Excise. The Government responded by cutting the excise tax by 22 cents per litre for six months.

Very commendable of them but what they didn’t say was that from March 30 they were going to slash the transport companies Fuel Tax Rebate Credit that provides a rebate of around 17.8 cents per litre that truck operators can claim back quarterly.

While this does not seem a lot,many truck operators rely on this money to pay their Business Activity Statement (BAS).

The 17.8 cents per litre rebate certainly adds up when some larger trucks are using 1000 litres of fuel per day. You certainly don’t have to be too clever to do the sums and work out that this is a lot of money that has been

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stolen by stealth from hard working truck Owner Drivers that rely on this money.

This means that all the transport businesses that were previously struggling to exist are faced with selling assets in order to survive or becoming bankrupt.

We are already facing truck shortages as well as a truck driver shortage and Supply Chain issues. We have already seen how quickly the country can grind to a halt when the Supply Chain is disrupted.

So once again, decisions are being made by people who have no knowledge of how the transport industry works making life harder for our hard working truck drivers.

The industry is already running on the smell of an oily rag and the majority of operators are under a huge amount of pressure just trying to survive. This could be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back for a lot of West Australian operators.

So while most motorists have been offered a temporary relief in cheaper fuel prices the Transport Industry was dealt a cruel blow by receiving next to nothing.

I struggle to comprehend how this can happen. It certainly is not fair.

Owner Drivers are now stuck in between a rock and a hard place. They have to keep working harder than ever just to pay their bills but these rising cost have created more bills.

We have a right to be very angry over our treatment from the Government.

Transport companies customers are also angry because they expected a reduction in freight costs and so are disappointed with achieving zero reduction. I guess when supermarket shelves become empty we may get some relief but I feel that for many operators it will be too late.

On a lighter note, I recently attended the Mack Muster truck show south of Perth.

The organisers put on an excellent show and the trucks on display were world-class.

The passion and enthusiasm that truck driver’s show in caring for their trucks has to be seen to be believed. A real credit to everyone involved.

Keep it safe, Ray Pratt

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www.khitch.com.au WATM • July 2022

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News Older Drivers Part A of the standard also includes improved guidance regarding the management of older drivers. Based around an active management approach, it describes how consideration of fitness to drive can and should be integrated into the general health and lifestyle management for older people so that the inevitable transition to non-driving can be normalised and addressed to maintain independence and community connections.

Multiple medical conditions Related to the management of older drivers, but potentially an issue at any age, multiple medical conditions can prove challenging to assess and manage with respect to driving. The new edition contains updated evidence on this issue.

Drivers with disabilities

Assessing Fitness to Drive –

New national standards come into effect 22 June

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evised driver medical standards for ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive’ have been approved by Australian Infrastructure and Transport Ministers and will come into effect 22 June 2022.

Changes may affect older drivers, drivers with disabilities, those with multiple medical conditions as well as criteria changes for specific conditions including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological plus substance abuse.

All assessments to determine fitness to drive must be based on the new standards from that date.

For more information on the changes visit https://austroads.com.au/drivers-andvehicles/assessing-fitness-to-drive and as of the 22 June this page will include an intuitive navigation and search function to help health professionals and consumers find the information and resources they need.

The summary of changes to support the transition in the lead-up to the launch date is divided into two sections:

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• Changes to Part A which contains the general guidance information • Changes to Part B, the medical chapters.

Improved general guidance – Part A The current review of Assessing Fitness to Drive has resulted in improved guidance regarding the principles of assessing fitness to drive contained in Part A of the publication.

This is essential reading for all those involved in conducting fitness to drive assessments.

Roles and Responsibilities While the legal obligations of drivers, health professionals and licensing authorities remain unchanged, the new edition of Assessing Fitness to Drive emphasises the important role of health professionals in advising drivers about the impact of their medical conditions/ disabilities on driving in the short and long term. This acknowledges drivers’ reliance on health professional advice to inform them of driver legal reporting obligations and to support these processes. It also underpins the importance of early and repeated conversations about driving for people diagnosed with progressive conditions.

Also highlighted are the multidisciplinary management of fitness to drive and the importance of sharing of information between care providers, including specialists, general practitioners, optometrists and occupational therapists, to ensure appropriate care coordination for road safety.

Disabilities are not the same as medical conditions, and the management with respect to driving requires consideration of the person’s functional capacity and the stability of the disability. New material in Part A provides specific guidance in this regard. More detailed information regarding prosthetics is also included in the Musculoskeletal chapter.

Medicinal marijuana (Cannabis) With medicinal marijuana (cannabis) now being prescribed for various conditions, consideration about safety for driving is an issue to be considered by prescribing health professionals. The new edition includes extensive information to guide decisions about driving.

Changes to the standards – Part B includes the stakeholder submissions and evidence supporting the changes. The report also details stakeholder submissions that did not result in changes to the standards.

The Chapters with criteria changes concerning fitness to drive criteria include Cardiovascular conditions, Musculoskeletal conditions, Neurological conditions (Dementia and cognitive impairment), Seizures and epilepsy, Psychiatric conditions, substance misuse and vision and eye disorders.

The chapters with no change to the fitness to drive criteria however there may be improvements are blackouts, Diabetes, hearing, sleep disorders To read the full report go to https://austroads. com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/473595/ AFTD-2022_Final-report.pdf

News

$5.6 billion for regional WA roads

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he State Government is investing $5.6 billion towards improving and renewing regional road infrastructure in the 2022-23 State Budget to improve regional road safety, reduce travel times and increase freight efficiency.

New joint State-Commonwealth Government projects currently in procurement or planning and funded in the 2022-23 State Budget include: • $500 million to seal Tanami Road to the Western Australian border; • $250 million to deliver Stages 1 and 2 of the Pinjarra Heavy Haulage Deviation; • $120 million for Moorine Rock to Mount Holland road upgrades to support the Covalent lithium mine; • $50 million Great Northern Highway Newman to Port Hedland overtaking lanes; • $36 million towards the Secondary Freight Roads in Mid-West and Great Southern regions; • $20 million for a new intersection and road connection at Forrest Highway and Vittoria Road in Picton; and • $10 million Chidlow-York Road and Forrest Street intersection.

The following major StateCommonwealth regional roads projects currently under construction have received additional funding this Budget: • $400 million of additional funding for the $1.25 billion Bunbury Outer Ring Road Stages 2 and 3; and

• $40 million of additional funding for the $76 million Port Hedland Airport Deviation project.

In addition to the projects that received new funding, the following StateCommonwealth regional roads projects are also underway: • $500 million sealing of the remaining lengths of Outback Way, which will provide a third sealed route across Australia; • $250 million Great Eastern Highway upgrades at Coates Gully between Walgoolan to Southern Cross and between Ghooli to Benari; • $175 million Albany Ring Road; • $120 million Marble Bar Road upgrades; and • $85 million Bussell Highway Duplication.

The jointly funded StateCommonwealth Regional Road Safety Program will receive a further $159 million this Budget, bringing the total investment to $828 million, with around 9,000 kilometres of regional roads to be upgraded by mid-2023.

Road safety, funding has also been allocated for the following important regional WA programs over the next four years: • $146 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program; and • about $200 million for the Resealing Program.

Work has also begun work to return regional road maintenance workers back

in-house to Main Roads which will secure 490 ongoing jobs in regional WA and see new offices and depots established in Manjimup, Esperance, Karratha and Broome, along with upgrades to existing depots around the State.

Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan said, “The 2022-23 State Budget once again highlights our focus on building, maintaining and upgrading regional roads - delivering benefits for regional economies and setting communities up for the long-term.

“This is about creating a pipeline of work that will support local jobs and provide opportunities for businesses to invest and benefit from local projects.

"We are investing in a long-term sustainable program of works that will create jobs and improve road safety right throughout regional WA.” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “We are continuing to invest in our Regional Road Safety Program, with $828 million invested over four years to improve the safety of our regional roads.

“More and more people each year choose to hit the road and take holidays in regional WA, which is why it's important that we make sure our regional roads are safe.

“We are continuing to build strong and resilient communities that deliver real opportunities, allowing our regions to prosper for the future with ongoing work and a pipeline they can rely on.”

For more information, visit https://www. ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

If you’re a truck driver it pays to learn what you can claim

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Tax tips for truck drivers

he Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has a range of tips and information to help Truck Drivers lodge your tax return correctly this year at www.ato.gov.au/ uploadedFiles/Content/IAI/Downloads/ Toolkits/TaxTimeToolkit_Truckdriver.pdf Entitled, “If you’re a truck driver it pays to learn what you can claim” it covers the expenses you can and can’t claim.

Such as the COVID-19 tests you purchased for work purposes from 1 July 2021 which are now tax deductible as long as you:.

• used the test for a work-related purpose.

• had a qualifying COVID-19 test, such as a PCR test or a rapid antigen test.

• have a record of your purchase.

• paid for the test yourself and were not

reimbursed for the cost by your employer.

For more information on COVID-19 expenses visit https://www.ato.gov.au/ Individuals/Income-and-deductions/ Deductions-you-can-claim/Other-workrelated-deductions/COVID-19-testexpenses/?=redirected_covidtests Finally, if you’re lodging online, the best time to lodge is from late July. By then, all your information from employers, banks and health funds will be automatically included in your tax return. All you need to do is double check the information is correct and add anything that’s missing.

For more information, visit ato.gov.au/truckPR. WATM • July 2022

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Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO

Foreign Drivers and Climate Change

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he change of Federal Government in Australia has brought about an intention to take action on Climate Change.

But also it has brought about a political dilemma on skilled migration. Business wants migration and the Unions reportedly oppose it.

Both are discussed below.

Foreign Drivers There is no secret Australia particularly Western Australia simply does not have enough skilled people to fill jobs.

For the first time in this State’s history two months ago, it reported that we now have more jobs than unemployed people.

Truck Drivers are particularly in short supply as they have been for over two years.

Truck Drivers are not listed on Australia’s Skilled Migration list. People to fix horseshoes are, but not the people who drive the horsepower that fuels Australia.

BUT, if we do get Truck Drivers on the Skilled Migration list, should they still be 16

WATM • July 2022

trained? Well the answer is yes.

Western Roads Federation is pushing to have an international Truck Driver course that: • Independently verifies they can competently drive the vehicle combinations listed on their licence.

• Secondly, that they are formally trained in Western Australia’s Heavy Vehicle regulations.

• Finally, that they are trained in On Road Safe Trucking practices in Australia.

Everything from how to acknowledge and respond to calls from Escort pilots of wide loads to Truck rest area etiquette.

The course needs to be strike a balance in the time required.

Climate Action Transport is second largest generator of emissions after the Energy sector.

Therefore it is in evitable the Government will move its focus to us in due course.

Climate action presents both

opportunities and risks for our industry.

Western Roads Federation believes that proactive leadership can aid positive outcomes for the transport industry.

There are a number of things that come in to play in considering a ‘policy leadership role’ by the industry, such as: Diesel and AdBlue Security: As a nation we now effectively rely on global imports by sea through regions that are potentially becoming contested.

Therefore reducing our reliance on imported fuel is in our strategic interest both as a nation and an industry. To add to the issues, Australia’s on-shore AdBlue manufacturer is expected to close in Oct 22.

Alternative Energy Trucks: Globally there is up to a two year wait for new trucks. This backlog will inevitably slow down investment in and supply of new alternative energy vehicles as major manufacturers seek to fulfil their orders.

Conversion Technology: The West Australian Government invested

significantly to build 236 rail carriages in this state. Should WA now also consider attracting international companies with some of the emerging conversion solutions (battery or electric) to set up in the State, to help commence converting some of our 90,000 trucks?

This may be an interim solution which could have additional advantages as explained below.

Infrastructure: Prior to even early stage adoption (post the bleeding edge stage) investment will be needed in alternative fuel networks plus skills development to repair and maintain.

Would adoption of conversion technology as an interim solution help to speed up this process?

Productivity: Trucks held up waiting to load or in traffic due to congestion not only add operating costs it also adds to 2.7 kg of Greenhouse Gas emissions for every litre of diesel used.

Therefore, identifying and removing points of delay (idling) in the Supply Chain can help improve productivity whilst removing GHG emissions.

Lead or Get Taxed If we do not lead then it’s probable, we could get hit with some form of "transition encouragement or penalty" tax. Road transport is particularly vulnerable politically, as even though cars and light commercial vehicles contribute twice as much GHG as us, Government’s will be reluctant to apply such a tax the average motorist.

So, we will be vulnerable especially when consideration is already being given to replacing the Road User Charge with a new form of taxation.

Truck Drivers are not listed on Australia’s Skilled Migration list. People to fix horseshoes are, but not the people who drive the horsepower that fuels Australia

Incentives to Move Early What incentives either financial or nonfinancial (i.e.; productivity gains through improved access) could be provided to help you consider early transition?

Culture Change Diesel flows in the veins of our industry.

Do not underestimate the industry culture change that will be required to move us from climate change targets to leaders.

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

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

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

WATM • July 2022

17

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

Make sure you

when you get the chance

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here are a significant number of infrastructure projects either underway in Western Australian or in the planning stages. Eastlink, Albany Ring Road, the Bindoon Bypass, Bunbury Outer Ring Road, upgrades to the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, Anketell Road upgrades, Great Eastern Highway re-alignment, Tonkin Highway interchange upgrades, Tanami Road upgrades and Thomas Road to South-West Highway upgrades to name a few.

Improvements to the road network are always a plus for productivity and safety

but as the LRTAWA has consistently promoted over many years, the best outcome from these projects is always achieved if those who regularly use the roads have input to the design.

It is easier to fix the problems before they are constructed than afterwards. Can we forget the lack of stopping places along Northlink when it was opened? Main Roads usually have consultation periods for large projects and its important industry gets involved.

Whilst it is sometimes hard for individual transporters to find the time

News

Main Roads Headquarters added to State Register

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he Don Aitken Centre (DAC) in East Perth, currently the headquarters of Main Roads Western Australia, has been included in the State Register of Heritage Places.

The building was designed and constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s while the State was in the midst of a postwar minerals boom. The building illustrates the expanding role of the State Government in the development of road-based infrastructure in the late 20th century.

Significant demographic changes were playing out as the post-war baby boomer

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to make input on their own behalf, if they are members of an industry association, they can easily have their say through a collective process – another good reason to join an association. If we don’t put our views forward, we can’t complain about the outcome.

With that in mind I’d urge industry players to take an interest in The AnketellThomas Road freight corridor which is intended to be an uninterrupted route connecting the new container terminal in the Outer Harbour with Tonkin Highway.

Once completed, a new freight corridor

WATM • July 2022

generation moved into the suburbs and entered the workforce. The demographic shift created a greater demand for road infrastructure and office accommodation and the DAC was built to address those demands.

The inclusion of this place in the State Register recognises the architectural significance of the building, which employs the Late 20th Century International style and elements of the Brutalist style, both of which were pioneered in the postwar era and used in Perth civic buildings during that time. Other famous Perth landmark buildings which employed these

will connect the Port and the Kwinana industrial area with Muchea in the north, and the South-West via Anketell Road, Thomas Road and Tonkin Highway. Whilst a Planning Control Area has been put in place to ensure proposed developments in the area to support the future road freight corridor, previous planning decisions have allowed significant tension between freight and other land uses. Informal discussions I have had with the previous chair of Infrastructure WA suggest this issue may not be front of mind. It is important this tension is resolved during the planning phase. We need to make sure we have a say.

As many readers will know, we have been campaigning for some time to get better facilities for drivers.

Together with the Western Roads Federation and the Transport Workers Union we have started to gain traction on getting ablution facilities built at strategic rest areas with the go ahead being given for sites like Northam, Bunbury and Goldfields and up to ten new ablution blocks at various locations in the North.

At the same time Senator Glenn Sterle has been running his own very successful campaign to lift the standard of facilities at roadhouses. Senator Sterle deserves serious accolades for his persistence in making a real difference. We all know that some of the rest rooms at roadhouses are substandard. With a minimum of fanfare, Senator Sterle has shone the spotlight on some of these locations around Australia

and encouraged overdue clean-ups. You can follow his progress as the campaign continues by following Senator Sterle’s Facebook page. It is important we thank him for his work.

Whilst we are on the subject of rest areas, it defies reason that road contractors continue to use the sparse number of truck bays to store equipment and blue metal.

On Albany Highway where roadworks are underway at least two parking areas in close proximity are out of commission because they are being used as a storage dump. On previous occasions when this has been raised we have been told it is prohibited in the contracts but still it continues.

With the dust now settled on the Federal election and the installation of a new government, it’s important we don’t overlook some of the federal issues that have been on our on our agenda.

These include the fuel reserves available

styles include the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Western Australian Police Headquarters in East Perth, and the Public Transport Centre in East Perth.

The building is named after Don Aitken, Commissioner of Main Roads for 22 years.

Don Aitken oversaw the installation of the first traffic lights in the State and the completion of the Mount Henry bridge in 1982.

The registration also recognises Perth artist Margaret Priest, one of the foremost figures in post-war art in WA, whose bronze sculpture can be found in the building's foyer. The sculpture forms the basis for the Main Roads logo which is still in use today. The design of the building was by prominent Perth architectural firm Oldham, Boas, Ednie-Brown & Partners.

Heritage Minister David Templeman said, "This building marks a significant

point in the history of Western Australia as we began a rapid transformation from a regional centre to a major city.

"The building captures the optimism and growth which dominated Perth in the latter half of the 20th century.

"I am pleased that we continue to recognise our more recent history, and its associated architecture. It demonstrates a new and exciting phase of our heritage."

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "The Don Aitken Centre remains a place of great importance to the State where it still houses the Main Roads Head Office operations.

"The registration is timely as Main Roads WA is currently leading our State through a new era of rapid transport infrastructure delivery."

Together with the Western Roads Federation and the Transport Workers Union we have started to gain traction on getting ablution facilities built at strategic rest areas with the go ahead being given for sites

to Western Australia. WA is particularly vulnerable to any sustained interruption to the normal supply and there needs to be greater surety provided to the WA transport industry that there is a reliable strategy to provide fuel security. Whilst the Ad Blue shortage has abated for now, there is no certainty about long term supply.

This should be a priority for the new government. The deal with Incitec Pivot to supply locally produced product will come to an end and industry needs assurances that future supply is guaranteed.

Last but not least, is the previous government’s decision to halve the fuel excise by 22.1 cents a litre without changing the road user charge so that the net benefit to heavy vehicle operators was only 4.3 cents a litre. There was also a consequent impact on cashflow and ability to meet quarterly tax payments in some cases.

Again, it should be a priority for the new government to smooth the ripples out from this decision and ensure that an industry sector already reeling from high costs is not further disadvantaged.

The LRTAWA’s annual industry is on the 3rd September this year. The Minister for Transport, Hon Rita Saffioti has been invited to open the event. Non-members are welcome to attend and hear what the Minister and other industry representatives have to say. A tri-dolly with a 9.1 spread, built by Evertrans will be auctioned. Come and join us – there is always much to see and hear.

The registration is timely as Main Roads WA is currently leading our State through a new era of rapid transport infrastructure delivery

WATM • July 2022

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Hall of Fame

JOHN SOULLLIER

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ohn Soullier was born in December 1959 in Perth, Western Australia into a trucking family as his father, George, owned trucks.

When he was a youngster, John’s family bought a farm in Eneabba, Western Australia where his father also worked as the local cartage contractor. After school during harvest time, John would help out by shoveling grain from hessian and weld mesh field bins into a pencil auger which was then loaded onto a truck.

When John had finished boarding school in 1977, his parents sold the Eneabba farm and shifted to Dongara. There, John was able to get a job for a farmer, driving an eight-wheel Acco with a three-speed joey box, to cart grain to Geraldton.

In 1980 John bought a 250-horse powered 1973 Kenworth W series to cart grain, fertilizer and general freight. In 1993, he upgraded to a 350 horsepower 1976 Kenworth SAR and road trained with trailers, grain and fertilizer from surrounding areas to Geraldton.

In 1985 John sold up and moved to Darwin, Northern Territory, where he worked in the logistics of freight between Darwin and Sydney, New South Wales.

Returning to Western Australia in 1996,

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John started working for Keune Transport.

Driving a Volvo F series with triple belly dumpers, John carted Ammonium Nitrate to the Pilbara and Kimberly’s. Soon after, he was one of the first in the state to operate a quad road train, hauling 170 gross tonnes with a 520-horse powered Volvo FH. The truck did a mighty job but was known on the road as ‘a mobile stop sign’.

John then went to work for Giacci in

Geraldton in 2007 but when the business was taken over by Qube, John stayed on to do local work. He carted mineral sands from processing factories to the wharf for shipping, driving a 700-horse powered truck to do one-kilometre round trips!

Retiring in 2016 due to health issues, John still lives in Geraldton and goes caravanning every winter, ever mindful of not holding up the trucks on the road .

Over to you BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

The power of Social Media to bring back the ‘good old days’ ‘

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ack in the old days’ the Transport Industry was a hugely different place.

The majority of us learnt how to drive from our Fathers, Uncles, Husband or Brothers. We were a community, most of us knew nearly everyone and if you needed a hand, there was always someone that would stop and help you out.

I remember back in the late 1980’s when we were running a weekly Perth-SydneyPerth express run we broke down coming into Broken Hill. Local mechanic Billy Johnson offered us free use of his workshop and a room at his house whilst we did an engine rebuild on our 237 Maxidyne. This was from a complete stranger.

Today seems so different. Yes the old schoolers are still around but the younger generation seem to have an entirely different attitude. Everything seems to be me, me, and me and bugger you Jack.

Too many are just steering wheel attendants who don’t seem to have learnt the camaraderie and ‘unwritten rules’ of the road – call someone up and help them past, backing off if necessary, call up or stop to check on someone broken down (you never know when it is going to be you), park tidily in a parking bay to allow others access and don’t pull your freezer pan with motor screaming right up next to someone asleep.

The CB was our ‘Social Media’. A great chance to catch up with others in the trucking family for those few minutes as you

crossed paths up and down the highways.

Passing on news on road conditions, roos/ cows or cops floating around or just a ‘howdy doody’ how are you mate?

Today’s Social Media is just miles apart. Facebook, Twitter or any of the other platforms seem to be a breeding ground for trolls. People blame kids for the viciousness, hate and spite that they

It was therefore such a surprise to see some of the instances lately of Facebook ‘being used for good’. Like a broadcasted CB message of help required and warning were sent out – and people responded hear about – other kids being bullied to the point of taking their own lives. But it’s not just the kids. I am a member of many ‘Trucking groups’ and sometimes even I am shocked about the vile, disgusting and hate filled remarks that are spawned when someone asks a simple question.

It was therefore such a surprise to see some of the instances lately of Facebook

‘being used for good’. Like a broadcasted CB message of help required and warning were sent out – and people responded.

The driver stuck in a Menzies parking bay with COVID-19, a truck was stranded in floodwaters near Broome, the driver broken down near Cosmo, the driver broken down near Crossman on a wild and wet night. When things go wrong it can be very disconcerting, particularly if you are not in phone range and you are by yourself. But thanks to these Facebook messages, the requests for help did get out and messages came back in ‘yep dropped some food and water off’, ‘yep called your boss and tow truck is on the way’, ‘yep saw him and repair truck was with him’. These messages can be a huge sense of relief to the driver concerned or to co-workers or family of the driver in trouble.

The Transport Industry is like no other. So many things can go wrong and it is not being over dramatic to say that many situations can be life or death. Heat, floods, fire, breakdowns are all part of our lives – and if help is not received in a timely manner then things can go downhill very quickly.

CB’s are great for passing messages but have only a short range. The power of Social Media to get the word out and get help is huge. Like our trucks …we need to keep it shiny side up.

WATM • July 2022

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News

NTI and SEA Electric Strategic Partnership Strengthens

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he strategic partnership between Australia’s leading specialist insurer NTI and Australian EV truck manufacturer SEA Electric has strengthened, with NTI’s Truck Assist Roadside assistance service complemented by the company managing a 24/7 call centre for the OEM, while also offering insurance options for operators in the EV space.

For SEA Electric, gaining the support of an industry leader in NTI further eases the customer transition into the zero-emissions transport world.

“By manufacturing the world’s first true range of electric trucks in Melbourne, and supporting them via an extensive nationwide sales and service network, SEA Electric has normalised the process for companies to convert to all-electric fleets,” said Bill Gillespie, SEA Electric President, Asia Pacific Region.

“The next logical step was to strengthen our ties with NTI via this suite of initiatives and provide SEA Electric customers with the confidence that a specialist truck call centre is supporting their investment around the clock.

For truck owners across the country, Truck Assist has grown a reputation as a dependable partner that keeps businesses moving, with its insurance policy offering designed to meet the needs of electric truck owners.

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WATM • July 2022

2021-22 Annual Wage Review Decision

by Graham Lilleyman Director - Employment Services and Solutions Australia

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he Fair Work Commission (‘the FWC') has handed down the 2021-22 Annual Wage Review Decision (‘the Decision’).

The Decision has provided a significant increase in wage rates, with the amount of the increase differing between wage levels and being implemented at different times depending on which Modern Award employees are covered by.

As a result of the varying amounts and timing of the increases, the implementation of the Decision is more complicated than it has been in recent years.

The National Minimum Wage will increase by 5.2%. All Modern Award base rates of pay will increase by either 4.6% or $40.00 per week, whichever is the higher.

This equates to an increase to $812.60 or $21.38 per hour for employees on the National Minimum Wage. In hourly rate terms the increase is $1.05 cents per hour for permanent adult employees and $1.31 for casual employees. The increase must also be applied to each wage classification in each

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Modern Award and as such, the amount of the increase may vary even within the same Modern Award. In most Modern Awards the lower classifications will increase by the flat dollar amount and the higher classifications adjusting by the mandated percentage increase. The increase in wages will flow on to employees that are less than 21 years of age proportionally depending on the junior worker provisions that are relevant to those employees.

The cut-off point above which Modern Award classifications receive the mandated 4.6% increase as opposed to the $40.00 per week flat rate increase is $869.60 ($22.80) per hour.

Employers paying employees above Award rates may offset the increase subject to certain other requirements being met, but employers need to consider the very tight labour market that currently exists in forming their view on this issue.

The increase has effect for most Modern Awards from the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2022.

Superannuation Changes Employers are also reminded that from 1 July 2022, compulsory employer funded superannuation will increase from 10% to 10.5%. In addition to this, the current $450.00 per month wage threshold before superannuation is payable has been discontinued. Superannuation is now payable on all income earned by employees including those earning less than $450.00 per month from any employer.

Employers are reminded that they are legally obliged to comply with minimum wage and/or Award obligations and there are severe penalties for non-compliance.

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

WATT TO BAN SHEEP EXPORTS BY AIR

ederal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has announced that Labor’s live sheep export ban will cover both sea and air.

Sea export mortality rates have declined dramatically under the new rules imposed by the previous Coalition Government. Of

22,572 sheep exported by air in 2021 there was just ‘one’ mortality.

There is currently no timeline for the export ban. The Minister has promised to consult with industry and other stakeholders before action is taken.

News

$9 billion road network transformation for WA

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he WA State Government is investing $9 billion in major road projects and upgrades throughout Western Australia over the next four years, with $3.4 billion allocated for metropolitan road projects as part of the 2022-23 State Budget.

More than $6.5 billion has been delivered since 2017-18 for major road projects and upgrades throughout the State, supporting thousands of local jobs. This includes $2.8 billion for road and shared path projects in the Perth and Peel region.

The Budget also includes funding allocated by the Commonwealth and State Governments for a number of new projects, including: • $80 million for the Nicholson Road and Garden Street Grade Separation;

More regions to benefit from Driving Access and Equity Program

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earner drivers in the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions will receive targeted local support to obtain their driver's licence through the McGowan Government's expansion of the Driving Access and Equity Program.

A total of $2.4 million in grants is available to eligible community-based organisations to support initiatives that improve access to driving services, instructors and suitable vehicles.

Stakeholder engagement sessions will be held in the Mid-West and Gascoyne over June and July, and in the GoldfieldsEsperance during August, to identify and understand local barriers preventing people obtaining their driver's licence.

Grant applications will open for the Gascoyne and Mid-West in early September, and for the GoldfieldsEsperance in October.

Three additional Department of Transport remote service officers will also be employed as part of the program expansion who will travel to regional and remote areas in response to demand for licensing services.

The McGowan Government has committed more than $10 million to the Driving Access and Equity Program to improve access for young, disadvantaged people to a driver's licence and job opportunities.

• $290 million for Thomas Road - South Western Highway to Tonkin Highway Dual Carriageway; • $100 million for Tonkin Highway Corridor Upgrades - North Ellenbrook Interchange (including private sector contribution); and • $35 million for the East Perth Footbridge.

As well as investing in new road projects, the Government continues to deliver projects currently underway in Perth and Peel, including: • Tonkin Highway upgrade projects, including the Tonkin Gap project; • Mitchell Freeway Extension (Hester Avenue to Romeo Road); • Mitchell Freeway widening southbound from Hodges Drive to Hepburn Avenue; • Transforming (SMART) Freeways Mitchell Freeway corridor; • Stephenson Avenue extension; • Queen Victoria Street - Swan River Crossings (Fremantle Road and Rail Bridge); and • Leach Highway and Welshpool Road Grade Separated Interchange.

As part of the McGowan Government's continued commitment to road safety, funding has been allocated for the following programs in the Perth and Peel regions: • $16.2 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program; and • $98 million for the Resealing Program.

A notable component of the 2022-23 State Budget is the $73 million Principal

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Shared Path program, which will see even more upgrades and extensions to Perth's path network, improving connectivity and amenity for cyclists and pedestrians.

Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan said, "My Government continues to create a pipeline of works across the State, supporting Western Australian jobs and local businesses, and setting up Western Australia's road network for the long term.

"The $9 billion funding package includes $3.4 billion dedicated for road projects in the Perth metropolitan area, which will create thousands of local jobs and make it easier and safer for our communities.

"Our strong Budget management means we are able to heavily reinvest in important infrastructure around the State, with road improvements a key focus."

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Our ongoing commitment to investing in our major metropolitan freight and commute routes, including the Mitchell Freeway and Tonkin Highway, will continue to support safe and efficient trips around Perth.

"The decision to bring our road maintenance staff back in-house will see the incident response service managed by Main Roads on our Perth metro road network.

"This is another example of our commitment to bring outsourced services back into public hands and provide training and permanent job opportunities for metro and regional workers alike."

For more information, visit https://www. ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

Fresh faces set to tackle trucking industry challenges

he day Catherine King was declared the new Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; she posted a photo of bright pink Steel Blue safety boots on Twitter.

Under the photo she wrote, “This is a big portfolio that has a real impact on the lives of all Australians - from the cities to the country. I’m ready to pull on the safety boots and get to work.”

And Minister King certainly has her work cut out for her, with many thorny issues facing the trucking industry.

The Australian Trucking Association has urged Minister King to adopt key policies outlined in the ATA’s 2022 Election Policy Charter.

The charter recommends national road service level standards to guide road spending.

“We’re also talking to Minister King about the long-winded National Transport Commission’s rewriting of the Heavy Vehicle National Law and proposing she adopt the ATA’s solution – the federal Road Transport Act,” says the ATA. “The ATA is talking to other members of the government, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers. We have written to the Treasurer, asking to discuss the fuel tax credit change which we believe is disproportionately affecting the heavy vehicle industry.

Another issue we believe the new government must address is the AdBlue shortage.

WATM • July 2022

23

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon Railways Act to allow Westrail to become a total transporter.

1985

1984

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ARTA made a submission to the Minister for Transport, Julian Grill, on September 13 — “A response to the document ‘Proposals for a Competitive Westrail’”. The 27-page document (Ed: Housed in the Battye Library)was an attempt “to clarify the intent of the document and contesting claims made therein”. In the Overview, “It is the considered view of the Association that the document comprises a clever mixture of seemingly well-intentioned proposals in the area of staff motivation, management improvements, a general aim to become competitive and reduce deficits, but coupled to some highly questionable financial proposals which demand the closest scrutiny in terms of the underlying actions, plus their effects on the economy, the taxpayer, and the total transport system in Western Australia. There is a ‘smokescreen’ of good intentions, which hides a number of very dubious developments and proposals which, if not identified and checked immediately, will place an even greater burden on the taxpaying public and the rest of the State’s transport industry.”

The submission made the following six points: 1. The reasonable needs of all transport users should be reliably met in the most cost-efficient method.

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2. State transport policy should be to maximise the role of private enterprise, minimise the role of Government and relieve the burden on the WA taxpayer.

3. Any move by the Government to expand Westrail should not allow Westrail to provide transport services on a subsidised or non-commercial basis.

4. Cross subsidization of rail freight rates either between commodities or between commodities and passenger service should be prohibited.

5. Westrail should not be allowed to invest public money in road transport when the needs of the consumer are already ably catered for by the private sector.

6. It is commendable for Westrail to seek to be competitive WITHIN ITS OWN MODE with a view to reducing its deficit and burden on the taxpaying public. The best method of achieving this would be for Westrail to CONTRACT in size to its own level of efficiency by forsaking those areas of activity in which it is not profitable, and concentrating on those routes and cargoes which produce an economical return.

The submission responds to each section of the proposal in detail.

The Association was told by Minister for Transport J F Grill on October 19 that the Government intended amending the

A win for the Association came in late January when the Minister for Transport offered an “acceptable solution” to the Association’s disagreement with Westrail over its plans to purchase its own fleet of road-freight vehicles. The Minister confirmed by letter, which stated that the only extension over Westrail’s existing powers would be to enable Westrail to sub-contract road transport separated from the rail system. However, Westrail would employ the resources of the existing road transport industry for the subcontracted movements.

The ARTF was to be restructured and David Hoffman, the Acting Executive Director was in Perth to explain the changes.

The idea was to relocate to Melbourne from Sydney; to operate from the same premises as ARTIO; for the Executive Director of ARTF to be the Federal Secretary of ARTIO; Federal staff to report directly to Executive Director/Secretary; existing State autonomy to be retained; and any additional staff to be justified in terms of the recommendations finally adopted.

President D N Gilham was appointed as the Association’s representative on the Transport Strategy Committee established to inquire into Stateships, with the first meeting in Broome on February 11.

A General Meeting was held on June 20 and in 45 minutes, rates were set and the several topics touched upon, including the conditions of cartage and storage.

The Chairman explained that it was no longer feasible for the Association to issue standard conditions of cartage and storage given the diversity of the industry’s operations, hence, the Executive Council’s decision to cease the practice.

The upcoming America’s Cup yachting regatta was causing some concern among members regarding transport operations.

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News

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