WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE - MAY 2023 EDITION

MENTORING GETS RESULTS

Like a lot of people in our industry, Jayson Penn, Managing Director of Penn’s Cartage Contractors and current LRTAWA committee member knows the value of mentoring the younger generation and he believes industry must take responsibility for making sure only competent drivers get behind the wheel

We could finish this year with national life-saving transport reform in place.

Years of campaigning from TWU members has got us to this point, and we are on the precipice of securing the lifeline our industry needs.

But there is still a way to go, and we must not be complacent.

At the end of 2022, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke committed to giving the Fair Work Commission scope to set enforceable standards in transport.

This would be revolutionary. It would give all transport workers– employees, owner drivers, contractors, and gig workers alike –regulation to provide appropriate rights and protections that would ensure transport jobs are good, secure jobs with safer conditions.

As we’ve seen from the collapse of Scott’s, from FedEx’s move into gig-style piece rate models, from the rise of gig models in freight around the world (US, Canada, Europe, China), and from the booming profits of wealthy clients whose goods we transport, this reform cannot come soon enough.

But it is not a done deal. This reform will have to pass through Federal Parliament.

Already we’re seeing opposition start to rear its ugly head, spreading lies and falsehoods

Convoys for reform

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

These changes have been introduced in response to the challenges faced by owneroperators in the transport industry. Challenges include issues related to unfair contract terms, payment disputes, and unconscionable treatment by larger transport companies. In many cases, owner-operators have found themselves at a disadvantage, facing exploitative contract terms and conditions that limit their earning potential.

The new legislation also includes provisions related to payment disputes. Under the new laws, transport companies will be required to pay owner-operators within a specified period, and any disputes related to payment will be subject to mediation and arbitration. This will help to ensure that owner-operators are paid in a timely manner and are not subjected to unnecessary delays or disputes.

that we’re going after small business. This reform is for everybody working in transport – small businesses included. In fact, small businesses arguably need this the most, just look at the collapse of Scott’s where small fleet owners are $200,000 out of pocket with no access to the government’s Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme while debts and ongoing operating costs continue to pile up.

The TWU will be holding convoys in all national cities in August to call for this National reform.

In WA, the TWU has successfully advocated for changes to the Owner Driver (Contracts and Disputes) Act 2007 (WA). Late last year, the State Parliament passed amendments aimed to improve standards for owner operators, but also the conduct of the industry.

The Owner Driver Amendments 2023 also introduces a number of changes that are aimed at improving the working conditions of owneroperator truck drivers. One of the key changes is the introduction of mandatory minimum rates based on the type of vehicle owned by the driver. This will help to ensure that owneroperators are paid fairly for their work, and are not forced to accept rates that are below their costs of operation.

Overall, these legislative reforms are a positive step for owner-operator truck drivers in the transport industry. By providing greater protection and support for owner-operators, the reforms will help to improve the drivers’ standards and ensure that they are able to earn a fair income from their work.

These Owner Driver Amendments come into operation on 1 June 2023.

So if you aren’t already a member of the TWU, now is the time to join.

Participate in convoys in August and use your voice to campaign for change in the transport industry.

At the end of 2022, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke committed to giving the Fair Work Commission scope to set enforceable standards in transport

Automation is the ‘space race’ Australia’s auto industry needs

By Brent Stafford - Executive Director at Directed Technologies

It’s been five years since the last Australian designed and made passenger vehicle rolled off the factory floor at Holden in South Australia. Following the fate of Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi, Holden closed its last plant, ending a pivotal chapter in Australia’s manufacturing industry that spanned more than 100 years.

While the impact of those closures was measured in economic impact ($29 billion in lost economic output) and jobs (estimated up to 50,000 gone), one of the most significant and lingering side-effects has been the brain drain of high-tech skills.

When the production lines shut, so did the talent pipelines. Siphoned off to SaaS companies, construction, sales and other industries happy to claim a small victory in the talent war.

Fast-forward five years and Australia’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem is very different. And it’s changing as rapidly as the automotive industry at large.

The sector needs a spark

Electrification is the flavour du jour in the global automotive market. Customer demand is skyrocketing and the charging

infrastructure is struggling to keep pace. And unfortunately, as a once proud automotive manufacturing nation, so have we.

While we may have missed the opportunity to be a market leader in electrification, there’s a bigger opportunity for Government and the auto sector coming a little further down the road.

Level four automation of passenger and freight vehicles has taken longer to become mainstream than many predicted. But it’s coming in the next two decades, and the window of opportunity for Australia to define our role in this new generation of technology and claim a genuine leadership position that could reignite our talent pipeline is closing by the day.

I’m not talking about producing the next Tesla, BYD or Polestar. I’m talking about the high-tech software, platforms and components to support automation of supply chains and the road network.

Australia is transitioning to a knowledge economy. And the wealth of a knowledge economy doesn’t come from mining dirt and manufacturing metal. It comes from mining data and manufacturing algorithms.

Building sovereign capability in high-tech manufacturing

The majority of government investment still goes into physical infrastructure: roads, bridges, airports and precincts. Don’t get me wrong, these are critical to support our growing populations and evolving transport needs.

The area we really need to fasttrack investment into is building more ‘infostructure’. The digital superhighways of connectivity through LTE, 5G, vehicle connectivity, smart infrastructure, centres of digital excellence. We need to be investing in advanced manufacturing and high-tech companies that are innovating in the digital as well as the physical world. And yes, I do mean actually creating our own technology hardware as well as software.

We're never going to compete on volume and price with the global consumer and b2b tech powerhouses like China and Germany. But we can and are competing on quality, localisation, security and end-to-end surety and visibility of a local supply chain.

This next generation of job creation for the infostructure economy will be around well beyond the lifespan of the next rail or roads project. And it has the added

benefit of opening up growth opportunities through export to global markets.

The next turn for auto manufacturing

Traditionally, auto manufacturing has invested heavily in hardware, such as metal and the manufacturing of hard parts. As a result, the government has also prioritised investment and regulation in this space.

In recent years, however, this has evolved somewhat to focus less on the actual manufacturing of the components for vehicles, towards ensuring the integration of the digital aspects of vehicles within fleets. This is where the Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector has a unique opportunity.

At Directed Technologies our telematics technology has monitored more than two billion kilometres of road travel, across more than 2,000 fleets.

In recent years we’ve seen the fleet data volumes go from megabytes to petabytes, with near-real time video and sensor data available for every vehicle 24/7.

This flow of data and the analytics are completely digitising traditional business models.

Our fleet monitoring systems see an average 90% reduction in driver violations in the first three months. That’s eliminating incidents of harsh breaking and acceleration which comes at a huge maintenance and fuel cost, speeding and other breaches which could otherwise cost lives.

And in an industry that operates on

knife edge margins, being able to achieve efficiency gains of 5% are significant. If you think cars are expensive to refill with 60 litres of fuel, heavy trucks regularly carry 1,000 litres of fuel, which could mean saving $50 per truck per refill across a fleet of hundreds or thousands of vehicles each day.

Ready set platoon

The first generation of freight automation is already here.

Truck platooning allows heavy vehicles to electronically connect using radar, sensors and vehicle-to-vehicle communications to form and maintain a tight formation, following each other closely to reduce air drag and improve fuel economy.

When trucks travel close together at a constant speed, they don’t accelerate and brake as much. That results in using less fuel with estimates showing platooning could

reduce CO2 truck emissions by as much as 10 percent and fuel by four per cent.

Trials have also shown it reduces human error leading to safer road conditions, improved traffic flow and a reduction in traffic congestion.

This is the next frontier for Australian auto manufacturers and one we can rightfully play a crucial role, from coordinating the data, to driver and road network qualifications and harmonising the hardware and software needed to convert freight fleets to be platoon ready.

With Government support, through investment in research and development, financial incentives and tax breaks for advanced engineering and manufacturing, rather than a continued focus on finding the next vehicle to manufacture, Australia could reclaim its role as a leader in the automotive sector once again.

Fuelling growth in this sector will not only create new business opportunities and help to diversify the economy, but it will also plant the seeds of the next generation of skills.

Skills like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced robotics that will help our economy continue to punch above its weight and move up the knowledge economy rankings.

About the author… Brent Stafford is the Executive Director at Directed Technologies, which design, manufacture and manage tailored digital solutions for automotive, transport and logistics from its Melbourne Airport Headquarters.

Truck platooning allows heavy vehicles to electronically connect using radar, sensors and vehicleto-vehicle communications to form and maintain a tight formation, following each other closely to reduce air drag and improve fuel economy

Russell McKinnon

CONTRIBUTORS

Jan Cooper, Cam Dumesny, Carol Messenger, Ray Pratt

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Some great stories in this edition with as usual people saying the same thing about the same subjects, namely driver shortage, big and small businesses going bust, I also try and bring some diversity, a look at the future, technology such as Page 2 of this edition where we investigate the next frontier of Australia auto manufacturing –specifically Truck platooning.

Thousands of West Australians have shown their support for future live export trade by signing a petition which you can link from the story on Page 6.

Good news for the state that the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations training program has been expanded to the Kimberley and Pilbara, to help train local people for local jobs – Page 13.

And Cam Dumesny, CEO of Western Roads Federation asks if Russell Coight was a

consultant to the Inland Rail Project and lays out clearly ‘why’ you would assume this to be the case – Page 14.

Our new columnist – Cliff Graham [This is the Outback] after a warm introduction in the last edition has gone straight into his thoughts and experiences on WA roads… and accountability – Page 19.

Hope you enjoy the read, and as always thank you to everyone who supports the magazine. If you have any yarns you would like to share, please always feel free to contact me. The magazine is in the state and national library and I think it is important that the people and businesses who ‘drive’ this state’ are recognised and remembered.

Best,

Every Month

THOUSANDS OF WEST AUSTRALIANS SUPPORT FUTURE LIVE EXPORT TRADE

Thousands of West Australians have showed their strong support by signing a petition for the continuation of the live sheep trade, keeping West Australian jobs secure for the future.

The petition’s driving force, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and The Nationals WA Peter Rundle, tabled the first collection of signatures in Parliament at the end of March, showing the State’s support for the sustainable industry.

Mr Rundle said the Albanese Government’s decision to ban the live sheep trade would directly put more than 3,000 West Australian jobs at risk.

“The petition tabled shows more than 2,000 West Australians have joined our call for the Federal Agriculture Minister to back

down from his decimation of the trade,” Mr Rundle said.

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed he was for Western Australia during the Federal Election – now, his Government must listen and help WA farmers and their families.”

Mr Rundle said the live export industry was crucial to Australia’s economy, with Western Australia providing 97 per cent of national live sheep exports.

“The Albanese Government must back science and reverse its ideological decision to shut down the animal-welfare focussed, job-creating industry.”

Shadow Agriculture and Food Minister Colin de Grussa said it was disappointing to see further requests from industry to the

Premier for help in this fight be dismissed.

Mr de Grussa said the McGowan Labor Government has continually failed to stand up for WA farmers, regional communities, and global supply chains.

“Just weeks into the job, the new Agriculture Minister announced her support for the live sheep trade, but now we see it was nothing more than lip service with no action to back it up.

“We’ve also seen the Premier basically give up on taking the live export fight to Canberra, despite major agricultural stakeholders pleading with him for help." Mr de Grussa said.”

To sign the petition, visit: https://bit. ly/41uGsaX

Rio Tinto releases details of $10.8 billion of taxes and royalties paid in 2022

Rio Tinto has published its 2022 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, detailing $10.8 billion of global taxes and royalties paid during the year.

This compares to $13.3 billion in 2021, during very strong commodity prices, and is the third-highest annual global taxes and royalties paid by Rio Tinto since it published its first annual Taxes Paid report, for 2010.

In Australia, which is home to almost half of the company’s assets, $8.5 billion (A$12.3 billion) was paid in taxes and royalties in 2022, down from $11.1 billion (A$14.8 billion) in 2021. Rio Tinto also

made significant tax and royalty payments in Canada ($718 million), Chile ($678 million), Mongolia ($294 million) and the United States ($135 million).

Rio Tinto Chief Financial Officer Peter Cunningham said, “At Rio Tinto, we are finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs, and it is important that we do this responsibly and transparently, while contributing to the host countries and communities where we live and work.

“Taxes and royalties play a critical role in the economic and social development of the regions and communities we operate

in. As temporary custodians of the land where we operate, we have a responsibility to extract value from the minerals and materials we produce in the safest and most sustainable way. This includes providing economic opportunities; safeguarding and promoting health, wellbeing, and human rights; combating climate change; and being the best possible stewards of the natural resources entrusted to us.”

In the past ten years, Rio Tinto has paid $74.9 billion in taxes and royalties globally, of which more than 78% was paid in Australia.

Australian trade focus shifting away from China

Aunique set of data compiled by Australian port authorities shows that local importers are moving strongly away from China and Europe and driving Australia to a greater reliance on South East Asian manufacturing.

Global logistics company, C.H. Robinson has analysed the data, a compilation of all sea freight movements through Australian ports in 2022 and produced surprising results which highlight Australia’s declining reliance on China for consumer goods.

Overall imports from all countries remained almost static in 2022 (up 0.1 percent) following strong growth in 2021 and 2020. However, imports from China declined

by 0.1 percent, a mammoth reversal on the 18 percent growth in the previous year.

C.H. Robinson’s Oceania Sea freight Director Lyndon Mcgrath said Australia’s decrease in imports from China was reflective of what was happening in the rest of the world.

“We have seen manufacturing in China slow and it will continue to do so this year with imports by Australia expected to decline between three and five percent,” Mcgrath said.

“This decline is related to China’s approach to COVID-19 and increasing manufacturing costs in that country. Coupled with uncertainty of supply, these

WA OWNED AND RUN

factors have driven companies to look to other countries for manufacturing.

“Many have moved manufacturing to South East Asia where labour is cheaper and disruptions are fewer.”

Sea freight from South East Asia increased more than 10 percent in 2022, despite a downturn in December which related directly to the timing of Lunar New Year.

Mcgrath said that commodity exports remain high, but with little manufacturing taking place in Australia exports are restricted largely to primary produce.

“Depending on world economics and with the possibility of a recession at home needing to be factored in, there is the strong probability that exports will continue to fall,” Mcgrath said.

“This will be influenced not so much by supply chain costs but by the high cost of labour and energy in this country.”

In summary, Mcgrath believes that exports will continue to fall, imports from China and North America will maintain their downward trend, European imports will recover slightly, and South East Asia will continue to supply even more goods for sale to Australian consumers.

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In March 2022 the WA Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) was convened to assist in the review of the WA Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Scheme, the first since the Scheme’s implementation. The review is considering a number of key areas including the Pilot Code of Conduct.

The review found that the Code was not comprehensive and that a number of requirements that Pilots need to comply with were spread across various documents. The revised Pilot Code of Conduct 2023 clearly sets out all the requirements that Pilots must comply with in one, easy to access, document. The revised Pilot Code of Conduct can be found on the ‘Pilot Licence’ page on the Main Roads website.

The SRG is made up of representatives from the transport industry, heavy vehicle pilots, training providers and Government agencies and continues to work with Main Roads in reviewing the WA Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Scheme.

The revised Pilot Code of Conduct 2023 can be found at mainroads.wa.gov. au/globalassets/heavy-vehicles/pilots/ heavy-vehicle-pilot-code-of-conduct. pdf?v=495204 and information on the progress of the Review is available at mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/pilot-licencescheme-review

EVENTS

HVS Industry Information Sessions –2023 series: Building on the successful awareness sessions of 2021 and 2022, Main Roads is currently developing the agenda, format, dates and locations for our 2023 series of industry information sessions. Keep an eye on your inbox or the HVS News and Information page at www. mainroads.wa.gov.au/heavy-vehicles/ news-industry/ for details on upcoming sessions and advice on how to register for these sessions.

Agricultural, Field Days and Expos: Look out for representatives from our

Heavy Vehicle Compliance Unit and Traffic Escort Services at the following events across Western Australia:

We recently attended the Wagin Woolorama and the Perth Caravan and Camping Show.

The revised HVPL Code of Conduct

Transition Period Ends – Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme

As part of Main Roads taking on the WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (WAHVA) Auditor Training and Certification process, and with input from the WAHVA Review Stakeholder Reference Group, changes were made to the WAHVA Business Rules, Management Systems Standards and Operator Guide: How to become and stay accredited that came into effect as of 31 March 2022. Accredited Operators at that time had until 31 March 2023 to transition to the new documentation.

Since that announcement, Heavy Vehicle Services has hosted both online and in person information sessions with operators and auditors as well as the annual WAHVA Certified Auditor conference which has led to some further changes to the aforementioned documents.

Some of these changes include:

• Removal of the Quarterly Compliance Statement, to be replaced with bi-annual (6 monthly) Internal Reviews

• Removal of the Table of Tolerances

• Wording changes to a number of criteria in the Management Systems Standards document

• mendments to the requirements of the Vehicle Register

• Amendments to the requirements of the Employee/Driver Names Register

• Amendments to the daily vehicle check brake requirements

• Updated templates in the Operator Guide

You can view the updated documents on the Accreditation and Auditing page at mainroads.wa.gov.au/heavy-vehicles/ accreditation-auditing/

The transport industry is reminded that all audits conducted from 31 March 2023 will include the amendments from 31 March 2022, and all audits conducted from 1 May 2023 will include those and incorporate the amendments made since.

HVS Travel Impacts Mapping Layer

Updates to the Main Roads RAV Mapping Tool at https:// mrwebapps.mainroads.wa.gov.au/ hvsnetworkmap will soon provide the transport industry with access to mapped Heavy Vehicle Travel Impact Notifications (TINs).

The enhancements to the RAV Mapping Tool will allow users to spatially view planned road closures and restrictions on the WA road network that may impede the movement of Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs).

Transport operators will have the ability to view TINs in conjunction with other mapped information, including RAV Networks and Restricted Structures, making it easier for the transport industry to plan ahead.

A list view will also be available as an alternative way of viewing travel impact information and will include search, print and filter capabilities to assist in locating travel impact information quickly.

The new features are expected to be available in the RAV Mapping Tool by May 2023.

For further information please contact the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk on 138 486 or email hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au

Big and Small going BUST

The collapse of two large transport companies in the last few months is not surprising but it should send alarm bells that the transport industry is in deep trouble.

First, we saw the demise of Rivet Mining Services and more recently the end of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics.

Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics were a very large refrigerated goods transport company and had many large customers including Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. The companies 1500 workers across the country included 450 transport workers in Western Australia.

While it’s distressing for workers to lose their jobs I’m sure most will be snapped up quickly with our driver shortage.

While the collapse of these two large transport companies made news headlines literally dozens of small transport businesses are closing their doors every month that seems to escape the attention of most people and the media.

The tight margins that have been imposed on transport operators by major retailers is not sustainable and this exodus of companies, medium and small business and all of the workers involved with them needs to be addressed now.

In typical transport fashion the industry rallies around and steps up to the challenge of keeping the wheels turning and the supermarket shelves full so very little

discomfort is ever noticed by the general public. However, the transport industry is in deep trouble and if it is not thrown a lifeline soon it will disintegrate.

These collapses of transport companies big and small are a common occurrence now and will keep on happening until we see a change in how transport companies and major retailers do business together.

I agree that we are contractors and competition is healthy but for some reason

maintain and unfit to be on the road.

I believe that the majority of large retailers need to be held accountable for the poor condition of the transport industry. The squeeze they impose on suppliers and the transport industry is shameful and they all post huge multi-million dollar profits every year at our expense.

We have recently been through difficult times with COVID-19, exorbitant fuel prices and inflation just to name a few and

transport is at the bottom of the food chain so to speak and rates are dictated to transport companies by the major retailers.

The tight margins that trucks are expected to operate on coupled with fluctuations in fuel prices and a myriad of unforeseen expenses are a recipe for disaster. Eventually the trucks and trailers are worn out and need replacement and it becomes easier to close the doors and exit the industry.

Some companies try and carry on but the equipment becomes expensive to

with all these issues trucking companies are battling to stay viable while the major retailers have all posted record yearly profits. We see all the advertisements on the media where these companies sprout how they are good corporate citizens here for the’ good of the country and its people’ but in reality it seems that all they are interested in is bettering their bottom line at every opportunity.

Is anyone listening or caring?

Keep it safe, Ray Pratt

These collapses of transport companies big and small are a common occurrence now and will keep on happening until we see a change in how transport companies and major retailers do business together

OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

NHVR Commercial Benefits Orders

For those going east, The NHVR has obtained two Commercial Benefits orders following two companies who attempted to profit by cutting corners on safety.

End of the road for the old Baysie Bridge

It’s the end of an era, as the old Bayswater Bridge will be dismantled to make way for the new METRONET Bayswater Station.

The works to demolish the bridge are taking place over two days during the current 26-day shutdown of the Midland and Airport lines.

The shutdown was essential to carry out critical construction on the new METRONET Bayswater Station and Morley-Ellenbrook Line projects.

Works being undertaken during the shutdown include the demolition of the old train station and old bridge, as well as the relocation of 1.8 kilometres of track and rail systems onto the new, higher rail bridge.

All concrete removed from the old bridge, along with the steel supporting beams, bracing from the structure and steel reinforcement from the supporting walls will be recycled.

Old signage from the bridge will be

donated to the City of Bayswater and retained for historic value or repurposed for use by local businesses and community groups.

In addition to segments of the old bridge being incorporated in landscaping around the new station, a public art piece has been commissioned that will repurpose the existing LED low-clearance signage, to create an interactive audiovisual piece for the new station forecourt.

A final farewell event was held at Bert Wright Park on Sunday 30 April from 10am-1pm to commemorate the old Baysie Bridge with a free sausage sizzle, live entertainment, face painting and free popcorn and fairy floss.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “The day has come to say our final goodbyes to the old Bayswater Bridge, and while it will come with a tinge of sadness for some, I am sure many will be rejoicing – especially truck drivers.

South Korean agreement to bolster WA’s battery chemical industry

The State Government, through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).

KIGAM is a Government-funded geoscience research organisation founded in 1918 which is at the forefront of leading innovation in geoscience and technology solutions to respond to current global

issues such as climate change.

The MoU will support cooperation and provide a framework for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge across the entire mining value chain with a particular focus on critical minerals.

This MoU further strengthens the relationship between WA and the Republic of Korea following the signing of a historic letter of intent by the Premier on 1 February 2023.

Commercial Benefits orders can be sought by the NHVR under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to ensure industry is doing the right thing. Any profit obtained through a breach of the HVNL can be recovered through this order in an amount up to three times greater than the profit received from the breach.

Types of offences that can result in the NHVR obtaining a commercial benefits order include breaches of mass or dimension requirements.

One of the two orders applied for by the NHVR involved a heavy vehicle that was intercepted and weighed at 120.6% of the vehicles permissible mass. The defendant was charged with one count of permitting a heavy vehicle to be driven while over mass –a severe risk breach.

NHVR Director of Prosecutions

Belinda Hughes said that Commercial Benefits orders have been crucial in holding those companies to account who are profiting from breaking the law.

“We’ve been asked what we’re doing for companies that are profiting from offending or jeopardising safety to get ahead financially,” said Ms Hughes.

“Commercial Benefits orders are one way for us to address those concerns. No longer can a company benefit financially from offending. These orders calculate how much profit was made through breaking the law and then recovers that amount.”

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston said, “Transformational change is needed in how we find commodities, extract and process them, and convert them for use in manufacturing processes to support the global efforts in decarbonisation.

“This cooperation is an important step in developing a strong battery chemical industry in Western Australia, in partnership with the Korean industry.”

Heavy vehicle driver training expanded to cover new ground

Mid-West over the past two years, the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations program trains new workers and upskills existing workers to combat skills shortages and supports the transport and logistics industry.

Since February 2023, of the 552 participants enrolled at a TAFE college to undertake the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations program, 282 had achieved either a Heavy Rigid, Heavy Combination, or Multi Combination licence.

Significantly, around 30 per cent of participants in the course have been women, compared to the overall female representation among truck drivers in Western Australia being less than four per cent.

More information on the initiative is available on the Jobs and Skills WA website at www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready

Training Minister Simone McGurk said, “The McGowan Government's partnership with industry to deliver this course – the first of its kind in Australia - is helping to create the highly skilled and inclusive workforce needed for a strong, diversified and sustainable economy.

“Participants are given practical, handson experience, ensuring they're job-ready when they complete their course, and I'm particularly excited to see so many women taking up the opportunity.

The McGowan Government is rolling out its successful Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations training program to the Kimberley and Pilbara, to help train local people for local jobs.

The expansion, funded as part of the 2023-24 State Budget, is expected to result in more truck drivers, including women and Aboriginal people, hitting the road.

Developed in collaboration with industry to address the truck driver shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian-first program provides theoretical and practical hands-on truck driver training to train job-ready workers for the priority transport industry.

The additional $3.5 million investment in the program will support North Regional TAFE to deliver the training to around 350 participants in the Pilbara and Kimberley over a four-year period, providing employment opportunities for local people, including Aboriginal people, living in these regions.

It will also support the economy, including Government civil construction projects, by providing a trained, local heavy vehicle workforce, and address the need for heavy vehicle driver training in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

Run in the metropolitan area from April 2021, and expanded to the South-West and

“The Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations training program has helped hundreds of people gain employment in the heavy haulage industry, and I'm confident that success will be replicated when it's expanded to the Kimberley and Pilbara.

“Our 2023-24 State Budget continues important work towards removing barriers so all Western Australians can gain the skills needed for rewarding careers."

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “It’s fantastic to see such a strong uptake in the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations course since it began two years ago, and this expansion will provide a much-needed boost to the transport industry in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

“With 350 participants expected through the course over the next four years, the McGowan Government is helping to create a pipeline of skilled workers for this essential industry well into the future.

“Supporting economic growth, industry diversification and greater regional engagement, remain our key priorities.”

It will also support the economy, including Government civil construction projects, by providing a trained, local heavy vehicle workforce, and address the need for heavy vehicle driver training in the Kimberley and Pilbara

WA’s Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set

One of the targets of the WA Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Program is to attract entrants who may have never considered a career in transport. Two such ‘success stories’ are friends Sarissa White and Joanne Ford who were looking to re-enter the workforce, saw the program advertised online and applied… and they are now employed

Over to you

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION

by Cam Dumesny, CEO

Was Russell Coight a Consultant to the Inland Rail Project?

Ok, many of you may ask what has the question what has this got to do with WA Transport industry?

Well, it has a lot to do with our industry, because it highlights how East Coast political projects are soaking up dollars that are desperately needed to fix our existing roads (and rail) networks, build rest areas, repair bridges and to open up new freight corridors.

So, let’s start.

What have Russell Coight, Thank God you’re Here, Frontline, The Dish and The Castle all got in common?

Well they were all created by a company called Working Dog productions.

Working Dog productions also created a comedy called Utopia, which many of you may not have seen but it is brilliant. Essentially it follows the exploits of the fictional “National Building Authority” an organisation responsible for major rail, tunnel, road and airport infrastructure projects.

“Throughout the series grand projects are frustrated by self-interest, publicity stunts, constant shifts in political priorities and bureaucracy.” (Source Wikipedia)

Now park that thought in the back of your mind, whilst I quickly document the key facts of the Inland Rail Project connecting Melbourne to Brisbane with high capacity double stacked container trains.

You make the Decision, Was Russell Coight a Consultant?

The estimated $10 Billion project started construction in 2018 expecting to be finished by 2027.

But by 2020, the projects costs had risen to $16 billion.

Now the latest Government report says:

• The project will now cost at least $30 Billion (a 300% cost increase), but will probably cost even more.

• It won't be finished by 2027; instead it may not be actually finished for another decade, i.e. mid 2030s.

• It is still trying to finalise where it will start and finish (you read that right and construction began five years ago)

• Still has major community push back on parts of the route, including

• The latest where a Local Government in Queensland has won support to stop the

“high capacity double stacked” trains from actually reaching Brisbane’s port.

So, was Russell Coight a Project Consultant or was it a script for Utopia that was scrapped because even the comedians thought it was too far-fetched?

Does Inland Rail have a Business Case justifying it?

In May 2016, Infrastructure Australia gave the then estimated $10 billion project a Benefit -Cost Ratio of 1.1.

What a BCR of just 1.1 means is that the project was estimated to have marginally more benefits than the cost. Note good projects usually have BCR of three of higher, i.e. deliver three times more benefits than the costs.

But, the BCR by Infrastructure Australia was based on an estimated cost of just $10 Billion; it is now over $30 Billion. So rough estimates based on the new costs mean that for every dollar spent on the project the nation only gets back about 30 cents.

Furthermore, the Infrastructure Australia business case identified that if Coal Exports weakened then so would the

business case for the project. Well guess what, Australian policy is committed to basically running down our coal exports industry.

We Need Rail BUT its Track Record is Disgraceful

The inland rail cost blow out is just one example of the inability to effectively cost Rail Projects. MetroNET was forecast to cost $3billion, it is now on track to exceed $10 billion (it is actually a good project) and in Victoria an outer loop rail project for Melbourne forecast to cost a whopping $50 billion is now being forecast to cost a staggering $200 billion. (That is equivalent to Australia's annual combined Federal budget expenditure on Defence, Health, Education and the Aged Pension).

So, think about this

All those multi-billion dollar cost blow outs are taking money away from fixing existing roads and rail networks, making our existing roads and rail more resilient and safer, building proper rest areas etc.

These project blow outs are coming at your expense.

So, is Russell Coight a rail project consultant?

It highlights how East Coast political projects are soaking up dollars that are desperately needed to fix our existing roads (and rail) networks, build rest areas, repair bridges and to open up new freight corridors

Over to you

LRTAWA by Jan Cooper, Chief Executive Officer

Mentoring gets results

One of the most talked about topics in transport circles is the truck driver shortage.

All of us in this industry are only too aware of how hard it is to recruit the right people. The reasons for the shortage are many and varied including an inflexible licensing regime, a lack of driver facilities, a poor industry image, strong competition from high paying industries, official designation as a ‘low skill’ industry and an ageing workforce that is gradually retiring.

Labour force statistics tell the story of how bleak the picture is. Those statistics also suggest it is only going to get worse.

The median age of a truck driver in Australia is 48 years – 8 years older than the average for the general workforce. Most truck drivers fall into the 45 – 54 year old age bracket. Less than 15 per cent of drivers are under the age of 30. Nearly 74,000 people are employed in transport and logistics in Western Australia out of a total workforce of 1.4 million.

Although estimates vary widely, it is thought that more than 30,000 additional drivers Australia wide will be needed by 2027. In February this year online jobs platform SEEK listed more than 22,000 vacant truck driver jobs.

With this in mind, we all know the importance of nurturing a young driver with potential. It takes commitment and a willingness to invest time and resources. The dividends are worth it in terms of longer-term productivity, safety and efficiency. The commitment usually generates loyalty that flows-on to a healthy workplace culture.

Just ask Jayson Penn, Managing Director of Penn’s Cartage Contractors and current LRTAWA committee member. Like a lot of people in our industry, Jayson knows the value of mentoring the younger generation.

Jayson got his start in the industry when he was 13 years of age. In between completing a diesel mechanics apprenticeship, he was always helping his father, Gary in the family transport business. Incidentally Gary was a founding member of the LRTAWA. Jayson laments the situation the industry finds itself in

eNVD APP IS HERE

Integrity Systems Company’s (ISC) new electronic National Vendor Declaration (eNVD) Livestock Consignments app is accelerating the digitalisation of the red meat industry by enabling consignment details to be transferred from creator to transporter, even while offline.

The eNVD app is a completely offline solution and uses QR codes to transfer consignment data from producer to transporter, saleyard, feedlot and processor. If a transfer takes place where there is no internet, the data will sync with the eNVD database when the receiver is back in a service area.

The eNVD app was released in November 2022 and since then has been downloaded more than 3,000 times with 69,000 head moved using the app.

Developed in collaboration with the red meat industry, ISC has been onboarding processors, transporters, agents, feedlots and saleyards since the app was made available on the Google Play and App stores.

Frasers Compliance and Central QLD Manager Athol Carter said the eNVD app helps avoid the back and forth that often comes with moving livestock.

“No more having to stop, take a photo of an NVD, send it back, send it to the office or the receivers – it’s already been done and managed online. This way is going to alleviate a lot of manual processes that take up so much time and eat unnecessarily into your day,” Mr Carter said.

“There is still work to do to ensure this is adopted and ready for everyone, but I think one of the beauties is how simple it is.

Aaron Morley driver for Penn’s Cartage Contractors

currently where younger people are not knocking on the door looking for work but he stresses the industry has to take responsibility for making sure only competent drivers get behind the wheel.

‘Once upon a time people wanted to be a truck driver and the job had a bit of status.’

Mr Penn says that while the licensing system is too inflexible, it is important that people are trained properly.

‘We can’t just take someone with a licence and put them in a triple road train and say, ‘see you later’.

‘I have a duty of care and I’m not going to put anyone in a truck until I know what they are capable of,’ he said.

The driver shortage has forced some changes in the Penns Cartage business with the fleet size being reduced from around 19 trucks to 15 and certain contracts being surrendered in an effort to make it a little easier on the next generation coming through. All three of Jayson and Meagan Penn’s children work in the business. Daughter Brittany works in the office, Zachery and Frazer both drive trucks. Zachary also runs the workshop.

Young Tasmanian man, Aaron Morley is testament to the Penn’s belief in giving people a chance and mentoring them.

When Mr Morley left his retail job in Tasmania and moved to Kalgoorlie he didn’t have any immediate employment prospects. He obtained his HR licence and dropped resumes to businesses around town. The early bird catches the worm they say, and Gary Penn immediately contacted Mr Morley and invited him for an interview. Six years later he is an experienced and well-trained Penn’s driver.

Mr Morley says he is very grateful to Penns for giving him the chance and for the mentoring and support he received.

He initially started driving a rigid truck carrying general freight and working around the yard where he was shown how to undertake a range of tasks such as hooking up and securing a load. Eventually Jayson suggested he should obtain his MC licence at Penn’s expense. He is now regularly driving an 80-tonne float.

On a daily basis we hear reports of incidents on our roads that seasoned drivers intuitively know was more than likely caused by inexperience. Apart from the obvious risk to road user safety there is something of a self-fulfilling prophesy involved in that the transport industry’s reputation will not improve while these incidents continue. Perhaps more people need to follow the Jayson Penn approach of not putting a driver in a truck until they know what they are capable of.

Once you get in the app, there's some great tutorials and all the information you need is right there. If it can keep us moving and, on the road, this will provide a complete solution across the supply chain. After all, an animal doesn’t carry their own briefcase to market!”

eNVD app users are encouraged to contact their transporters and receivers to check that they are digital ready before submitting their consignments.

“If a producer or processor is embarking on this journey and using the app – let us know. We want to be prepared and get our staff on top of it, so they know what to expect. Due to our responsibilities, we're always reinforcing the fact that our drivers must have some sort of movement record, so we want to be ready for all possibilities,”

Mr Carter said. ISC Chief Executive Officer Jane Weatherley said releasing the eNVD app was just one milestone in ISC’s vision to increase the use of digital consignments.

“Digital consignments are an opportunity for Australia’s red meat industry to strengthen its integrity systems and reputation as a leader in biosecurity

and food safety. However, the success of digital consignments relies on the whole of industry embracing the eNVD app and web system,” she said.

“Currently 30% of all consignments are completed digitally. To ensure the supply chain is adequately prepared for an increase in digital consignments, our adoption team is working with stakeholders to assist with setting up supply chain capabilities and upskilling where needed.”

A series of webinars will be held in the coming months to support the red meat industry as it transitions to the eNVD app and web-based system. For more information, please visit: www. integritysystems.com.au/about/news-events.

The eNVD app was released in November 2022 and since then has been downloaded more than 3,000 times with 69,000 head moved using the app

L-r: Meagan, Jayson, Zachary, Frazer and Brittany Penn

cost pressures.

“RMS will continue to trade on a business-as-usual basis while the Receivers conduct an independent assessment of its financial position and seek to sell the business as a going concern.”

Blondie Trading, the parent company of the Rivet Group, has also gone into administration under FTI Consulting's leadership.

“The objective of the appointment to Blondie is to take control of the group at a Holding Company level to ensure it is sufficiently capitalised and not adversely impacted by the insolvency of the RMS business,” FTI Consulting said.

Rivet Mining Services, chaired by ex-Toll executive Mark Rowsthorn is believed to have owed $12 million to the Australian Taxation Office and was struggling with the rising cost of maintaining its ageing fleet when it collapsed last month.

Filings by administrators from EY suggest the WA-based mining services group had not met its tax obligations for more than six months when its secured creditor Varde Partners lost patience and put the company under on March 22.

Rivet Mining Services (RMS) was a provider of bulk haulage to mining companies in Australia, particularly in Western Australia.

Administrators from FTI Consulting

have been appointed to handle the collapse and in a statement said that while Rivet Mining Service is part of the wider Rivet Group, only the former has entered administration.

“All other entities of the Rivet Group will continue to trade in their usual manner and have the ongoing support of their senior secured lender to the group to do so to ensure that customers, suppliers and employees are not adversely impacted,” the firm said.

“Based on a preliminary assessment, it appears RMS has been deeply affected by a number of adverse economic factors including extreme weather events, project delays, labour shortages, and

Collapse of another transport giant Contract awarded for three Kimberley bridge upgrades

Safety improvements are coming for road and freight users in the eastern Kimberley thanks to three bridge upgrades for the Great Northern Highway between Halls Creek and Kununurra.

A contract has been awarded to Fortec Australia Pty Ltd for the delivery of the upgrades.

Three existing single-lane bridges will be replaced with dual-lane bridges over Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek on the Great Northern Highway.

The existing single-lane bridges at Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek present considerable safety hazards to motorists. From 2017 to 2021, 44 crashes were recorded within the project area.

The upgrades will result in the removal of three of the remaining 13 single-lane bridges in the Kimberley, significantly reducing the risk of crashes at each location.

The $33 million works are jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments under an 80:20 funding split.

Construction is scheduled to commence by mid-2023.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, "This is great news for the people of these communities who depend on reliable and safe travel and freight transport links between and beyond these localities.

"Projects like this are important to not

The Australian Financial Review’s Street Talk column reported in May 2021 that Varde, an investment house with $US13 billion ($19.6 billion) under management, had acquired all of Rivet’s $300 million debt from Anchorage Capital Group, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America and IFM Investors, among other lenders.

Varde engaged EY in September last year, and again in February, to conduct an independent business review on the entire Rivet business, including evaluation financial forecasts, working capital and the overall financial position.

Rivet’s other businesses include SMS Mining Services, Rivet Energy Aviation, and Refuel International. The company was formed after the collapse of McAleese in August 2016.

only assist employment and businesses in the communities these bridges connect, but also to provide better infrastructure and safer roads lasting long into the future.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "The long-awaited bridge improvements on Great Northern Highway in the eastern Kimberley are becoming a reality with a contract awarded to construct three bridges over Arthur Creek, Frog Hollow Creek and Tickalara Creek.

"The project will support the continued growth of the Western Australian economy by improving the efficiency, safety and reliability of Great Northern Highway between Port of Broome and Port of Wyndham.

Why can’t roads be built better to last longer?

In this month’s edition I would like to highlight road safety and I question if there is a level playing field across the board for everybody involved.

First, I want to make it clear I am not anti-government.

However, I have issues with any government departments be they federal, state or local who are not accountable for their actions if they are to the detriment of road safety.

Especially considering we as the tax and fine payers are part of the machine that funds them.

I believe government departments should be the bastion of high standards, the role models of accountability and they should be spending our dollars wisely to benefit the safety of every one who uses the roads – public or commercial.

In this day, every sector has a chain of responsibility. Either set by government or the private sector, the transport chain in Western Australia must comply with accreditation standards to travel on our state’s roads.

So, who holds the government departments responsible or accountable when they or their contractors have a failure?

For instance, I believe Main Roads contractors must comply to the chain of responsibility with their Traffic Management Plans (TMP).

Every TMP I’ve read clearly states that everyone on the road construction site ‘must’ adhere to their TMP.

So what are the penalties for not complying with a TMP?

By Cliff Graham

Nothing it would seem, zip, nada – and I don’t think this is acceptable. What do you think?

I have just recently travelled the back roads of Western Australia and the Great Eastern Highway and there are so many places where there are severe drop offs along the edge of the bitumen.

Another prevalent issue I found was the dirt/clay roadsides which have been swept back onto the bitumen to make smooth shoulders.

Well and good until it rains, then this stuff turns to slop and if a heavy vehicle or road train needs to pull over for any reason or drop the wheels off the road there is a good chance that is where they will stay until the ground dries out enough to able to drive off… or the weight of the vehicle squashes the mud out onto the road.

I myself have a crack in my windscreen from meeting a road train right where this mud was dragged out onto the road and I know I am not the only one. Broken windscreens are a common occurrence and all happening from this exact same reason.

Ironically, we are the ones paying ‘again’ for repairs on our own equipment because (yep) some government department deems cracked windscreens unsafe enough to receive a defect notice on the vehicle. Go figure.

So if any vehicle drives off the road at even low speed especially trucks the wheels dig big trenches in the substandard clay/dirt and could just drag any vehicle straight off the road. Especially if it’s dark and are unable to determine how wet the shoulders are.

How does this contribute to road safety?

We are told to ‘drive to the conditions of the road. Well, how do you know what the conditions are until you drive over it?

Are our roads in Western Australia the best of Australian standards?

With today’s technology – Why can’t roads be built better to last longer? It is our taxpayers money, and it makes sense financially to do it right the first time instead of constant repairs and replacements.

Right from a very young age I was taught that it only takes a little bit longer to do a task properly the first time; especially when it costs my time and money to go back to repair dodgy workmanship.

I really don’t believe it’s that hard to see the way things are being done isn’t working. Just my observations.

I believe government departments should be the bastion of high standards, the role models of accountability and they should be spending our dollars wisely to benefit the safety of every one who uses the roads – public or commercial

First chargers go live in regional WA as part of the WA EV Network

Tourists heading north and residents in the Mid-West can now charge their EVs in Geraldton and Northampton with the first chargers in the WA EV Network operational.

The fast chargers, which will provide up to150kW, will allow drivers to top up their EVs in as little as 20 minutes.

In Geraldton two 150kW fast chargers will be located on the bustling and vibrant Marine Terrace.

Northampton will have a 150kW fast charger and a back-up charger at their Visitors Centre in the centre of town.

Construction has also begun in Albany, Manjimup, Walpole and Williams with the chargers expected to be operational by the middle of the year.

The WA EV Network will be the longest in Australia stretching over 7,000 kilometres from Kununurra in the north, to Esperance in the south and east to Eucla.

The $21 million project is part of the McGowan Government's State Electric

Strategic land allocated for new integrated battery material facility

Vehicle Action Plan for Western Australia.

Energy Minister Bill Johnston said, "Residents and tourists in the Mid-West region will be able to charge their electric vehicles at fast chargers in Geraldton and Northampton.

"Synergy and Horizon Power are working closely with local governments across WA to develop a fast and enjoyable user experience.

"When the project is complete, charging stations will be averaging less than 200 kilometres apart, ensuring EV owners can

explore our amazing State without any range anxiety.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "This investment highlights the McGowan Government's commitment to building the transport network of the future.

"I'm proud that Western Australia will ultimately have the longest EV Highway in Australia stretching over 7,000 kilometres as a result of this initiative."

To view the plan visit wa.gov.au/government/ publications/electric-vehicle-action-planpreparing-was-electricity-system-evs

Western Australia is one step closer to being the home of Australia’s first commercially produced precursor cathode active material (PCAM), with the State Government’s Industrial Lands Panel approving IGO Limited’s application for land in the Kwinana-Rockingham Strategic Industrial Area (SIA).

The panel has allocated about 30 hectares to IGO and its partners for an integrated battery material facility that will produce high-value nickel dominant PCAM.

PCAM is a form of advanced chemical manufacturing and is a key material used in lithium-ion batteries, which power cleans technologies such as electric vehicles.

The project has an estimated Capital Expenditure of between $600 million and $1 billion, and aims for the integrated battery material facility to become the first

to commercially produce PCAM in Australia.

The Kwinana-Rockingham SIA is one of three SIAs in WA to which the McGowan Government is allocating land for green energy projects to further strengthen and diversify the State’s economy and create local jobs for the future.

The 2023-24 State Budget will include a $35 million top-up of the Industrial Land Development Fund, taking this fund to $135 million. This top-up will be used to develop business cases and commence deconstraining activities for SIAs in the Pilbara.

WA holds the majority of Australia's critical minerals resources, and is leading the country in large-scale investments in value-added processing, including billions of dollars’ worth of investment in lithium hydroxide and nickel sulphate refineries.

Leading Law Firm warns of Impending wave of insolvencies in 2023

Leading Australian law firm Taylor David is sounding the alarm on the number of insolvencies about to hit the Australian economy in 2023 with a warning that the number of companies facing financial headwinds is likely to be significantly larger than during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Partner Scott Taylor is foreshadowing that the financial uncertainty facing Australian businesses, across all sectors, is only just beginning and will exceed the worst of the global slowdown in 2008. The firm Taylor David is an internationally recognised leader in restructuring, bankruptcy annulments and insolvencies.

“In many ways, what we’ve seen over the last six months is the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

"When you start seeing global banks getting anxious, being sold off or collapsing, it’s a clear indication of wider uncertainty, with more to come," Mr Taylor said.

"What happens is that people become nervous and start selling down. Term deposits are generating a more certain yield than the stock market. Global markets have been struggling since the middle of last year, and they still have a long way to go. Consumer confidence has declined."

Mr Taylor said he expects the impact of insolvencies to be felt across most

economic sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and logistics.

"Cyclically, these sectors are prone to insolvencies," he notes.

The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) found that personal insolvencies increased in January 2023. During January 2023, there were 772 new formal personal insolvencies, rising from 612 in December 2022.

Mr Taylor said interest rate rises, inflation and cost of living pressures were all starting to have a downstream impact on the Australian economy leading many businesses, big and small, to cut back or close entirely.

“Additionally, over 50% of household fixed-rate mortgages are estimated to expire in 2023. These increased mortgage repayments will have a significant impact on households and the wider economy” he said.

Mr Taylor said with the COVID-19 rescue package payments and tax concessions at an end - the real financial impact of the post pandemic period had started to hit the balance sheets of all businesses.

“The Australian Tax Office quite rightly showed some leniency during the COVID-19 period; however there are many businesses that have not paid tax for the last two years.”

“With the ATO now back in

Leadership scholarships for women in transport

Women in transport and logistics can now apply for a leadership development scholarship from Women & Leadership Australia.

Providing world-class leadership development programs for women at all stages of their careers, Women & Leadership Australia brings together the latest in leadership theory and practice with a focus on applied learning, building networks and a flexible, part-time delivery to fit in with your schedule.

Scholarships are now available through Women & Leadership Australia to encourage more women to enhance their impact at work and beyond, and to support the development of women leaders at all levels.

Partial scholarships of $1,000-$5,000 will support participation in one of four courses designed for women in nonleadership roles through to senior leaders. For more information go to www.wla. edu.au/ Applications close 9/6/23.

enforcement mode, it’s inevitable that many of these businesses will be turning off the lights for good. In a practical sense, there are consequences for business owners who have swept their financial turmoil under the rug.”

Taylor David is urging businesses to be proactive before it’s too late.

The State Government is committed to harnessing the competitive advantages provided by an established mining and mineral processing industry to further support value-add opportunities for our battery and critical minerals that will help deliver a smarter, more sustainable and diversified economy for Western Australians.

Using next generation technology, the project partners plan to build a globally competitive integrated facility with strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability credentials.

IGO and Wyloo are committed to a carbon neutral project with a focus on ethical and sustainable creation of product. Their proposal also emphasised the project's potential future contribution to renewable energy industries.

IGO, in conjunction with Wyloo Metals,

is working towards making a financial investment decision, which remains subject to engaging a PCAM partner on the project, delivery of a feasibility study in the second half of 2024, environmental permitting and approvals, broad stakeholder engagement and achievement of commercial metrics.

The project will have an expected peak construction workforce of up to 1,200 people and approximately 250 once in operation.

State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook said, "We know that the Kwinana-Rockingham SIA is prime real estate for advanced industries such as PCAM.

"With the potential to be Australia’s first commercial producer of PCAM, this integrated battery material facility is a perfect fit for the Kwinana-Rockingham SIA.

“As the global energy transition continues, the State Government is backing

projects that will help us decarbonise and set up Western Australia’s economy for future success.”

Mines and Petroleum and Energy Minister Bill Johnston said, "When it comes to battery and critical minerals, Western Australia has significant competitive advantages both nationally and internationally.

“The State has welcomed more than $9 billion of investment across the sector, including the establishment of globallysignificant mineral processing facilities.

“There is no better home for Australia’s first commercial PCAM producer than Western Australia. I look forward to seeing how this project helps the State move down the battery value chain and grow the industry for years to come.”

Abra Ships First Concentrate

Galena Mining Ltd. announced the first Abra concentrate shipment left the port of Geraldton on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

“The first Abra concentrate shipment is a very important milestone for the project and it is one that is very rewarding for all those who have been involved with the successful build and transition of the mine into production,” said Galena Mining Managing Director Tony James.

He continued, “I’d like to acknowledge the very professional approach taken by the MidWest Ports Authority and Qube who provide our integrated logistics services for our concentrate handling.

ROTABOXTM rotating container technology is used with the lifting and transfer of the concentrate to the ship hold. Once inside the ship hold, the lifting mechanism rotates the container to place the concentrate in the hold.

Located in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, the Abra base metals mine is accessing a world-class deposit that can easily be concentrated into a clean, high-grade concentrate containing extremely low amounts of deleterious elements, according to Galena Mining.

WA Fitzroy River low level crossing opened ahead of Easter

Work on the first temporary Fitzroy River low-level crossing, a five metre-wide 200 metre-long, single-lane rock causeway, has been completed and opened to four-wheeldrive vehicles early April.

The crossing has been constructed with more than 10,000 tonnes of rock and with steel pipes donated by BHP. It will initially provide access for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. Access may be expanded to heavier vehicles, such as singleaxle trucks and tourist buses, pending ongoing conditions on the ground.

Work will soon start on a second temporary crossing suitable for higher traffic volumes and larger vehicles that are expected over the upcoming dry season. The two-lane, temporary lowlevel crossing, located approximately 150 metres upstream from the flooddamaged Fitzroy River Bridge, will have sealed approaches, catering for freight vehicles, caravans, campers and pedestrians.

If river conditions continue to recede, Main Roads anticipates the second low-level crossing will be operational in May 2023.

Design work for the new Fitzroy River Bridge is progressing well. Early

site works began in April 2023, subject to weather conditions and the resolution of environmental and heritage issues.

The new bridge is scheduled to be operational by mid-2024. Both the temporary low-level crossing and the new Fitzroy River Bridge are being jointly funded by the Albanese and McGowan Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the second low-level crossing would provide a vital connection for the Kimberley region.

“The destruction of the Fitzroy River Bridge has isolated much of the West Kimberley and cut off the East Kimberley, a major agricultural region, from its supply centres and markets in Perth for at least five months.

“The Albanese and McGowan Governments are working together to support communities impacted by supply chain interruptions by rebuilding this low-level crossing and through a $42 million ongoing freight assistance package” Minister Watt said.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King said this is an important step on the way to

recovery.

“The devastation caused by flooding was simply extraordinary.

“Reconnecting the community is an important part of recovery and the start of the work to that will allow freight to move again and reconnect supply chains" Minister King said.

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti MLA said road construction crews had been working through difficult conditions since the Kimberley flooding associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie, to help restore connectivity for communities across the Kimberley.

“Right from the start, our reconstruction crews have been working tirelessly to reconnect the Kimberley after the unprecedented flooding and damage caused by exTropical Cyclone Ellie.

“We understand the level of disruption that has been caused by the loss of the Fitzroy Crossing Bridge, and this new low-level crossing is another important step in reconnecting the Kimberley and its communities”, Minister Saffioti said.

For more information visit: mainroads.wa.gov.au/travel-information/ driving-in-wa/kimberley-flood-response/

Image: Galena Mining

My project – The Oshkosh restoration

By Kevin Lockyer

I’ve always maintained that an important part of any restoration is to track down the history of your project. As far as I can trace it back this Oshkosh started out as part of Wigmores transport. They were the Caterpillar dealers in Western Australia before Westrac moved in.

Grays House Transport bought it next followed by Jay Mills. After Jay it found its way to Albany to an unknown buyer and then ended its working life in Hyden when purchased by

Bob and Graham Williamson.

I got hold of it in 2021 and started work on it not long after.

I’ve never planned on it being a 10 out of 10 restoration, but more of a sympathetic rebuild. If I can get it back to original colours and good enough to drive, then I’ll be content with that.

As with most projects there are times when you wonder why you ever started, then you dig deep and remember the history of this truck deserves to be told.

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

be an Executive Director, President Frank Marley was appointed Honorary Executive Director until the Annual General Meeting. The premises were sold, but it took some time to assess what money was left over after the overdraft and other expenses were taken out.

Thoughts of closing down WARTA were not acceptable as the Minister for Transport had said recently on several occasions that it was a necessary voice for the industry. There was also the question of the redundancy payout for Executive Director Alan Layton and whether it could be contained within the budget.

A final motion was put that: “The general meeting endorse the use of WARTA assets, including the Wellington Street property, as security for the raising of an overdraft/loan to a maximum amount of $150,000, to meet the Association financial commitments.” It

was carried after much discussion and soulsearching with some members criticising the hasty calling of the meeting.

The President stated at one stage that if the motion were not carried then the Association would be insolvent.

Long-standing Executive Director Alan Layton was made redundant in the financial shakeout. Executive Officer Brian Hanson was also made redundant, but this was rescinded at the March 23 Executive Council Meeting. It was all part of saving money going forward and a means of getting the Association back on to a financial footing. As the constitution states that there must

In what appears to be the final edition of Road Runner, President Frank Marley laid out the situation of the Association in April: “Over recent months your Executive Committee has been spending a lot of time reviewing the structure and operation of the Association. As a result of these deliberations, a decision was taken to call a Special General Meeting (which was held on March 25, 2000) to lay in front of the membership the findings of the review and propose a way forward. As a result of the special meeting, the Association is now undergoing a restructuring process. Part of this restructuring has involved a review of staffing levels and this effect Alan Layton is no longer with the Association. Alan served the Association for nearly 17 years and he will be missed, along with the tasks that he performed. I thank him for his achievements and wish him well for the future. The Association has relocated to 41 Cohn St, Carlisle, which is next door to the Road Transport Training Council (RTTC). Tina and Brian have settled in well to the new environment and are eager to receive your calls. We are currently working with the RTTC to establish how we can work more closely together for mutual benefit as we try to share our resources. Over the next 12 months there are likely to be more changes in areas such as the constitution, our future direction and issues relating to our ongoing survival. I will do my best to make sure that members are kept up to date as we progress forward.”

Transport House WA is registered as the name for the new premises at Cohn Street. Six applications were received for the management of the Association.

Hall of Fame, 2012 - Frank Marley with the rig he donated that year

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