WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE - OCTOBER 2023 EDITION

THE JOLLY NAME HAS COME A LONG WAY IN 60 YEARS

From humble beginnings as a hardware agency and fuel distributorship in Ballidu, Jolly & Sons has grown into a multi-milliondollar business in vehicles, farm machinery and transport. Managing Director Steele Jolly, a third-generation family member steers the company maintaining a tradition started 60 years ago by his grandfather John – strong family values and integrity

Why we Urgently need a Government Inquiry into the Transport Industry

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

Refrigerated Logistics and Rivet Mining Services collapsed as a result of tight margins and transport operators having no regulatory mechanism to recover rising costs from wealthy supply chain clients like retailers, manufacturers, and mining companies. More must be done to ensure that there are safeguards in place to protect workers and small operators from insolvency and

can lead to non-compliance. An inquiry can help identify regulatory gaps and streamline standards to ensure uniformity and clarity.

3. Workforce Wellbeing: Transport workers, face challenging working conditions. Long hours, tight schedules, and pressure to meet delivery targets contribute to fatigue and mental health issues. An inquiry can address these issues and promote better working conditions.

Why a Government Inquiry?

something has to be done to protect workers from losing their jobs. The TWU would like to see a State Government inquiry that investigates:

1. Safety Concerns: One of the most pressing reasons for a government inquiry is the alarming increase in safety incidents. Truck rollovers, fires, and accidents are becoming tragically common. These incidents result in injuries, fatalities, and significant economic losses.

2. Regulatory Gaps: The transport industry operates under a complex web of regulations, which vary from one jurisdiction to another. These discrepancies create confusion and

A government inquiry is essential because it provides a comprehensive, unbiased, and authoritative assessment of the challenges facing the transport industry. A Government inquiry can be objective and recommend solutions from impartial experts who are not tied to industry interests; it can have a broad scope to investigate multiple aspects of the industry including safety, regulation, and workforce issues. An inquiry can hold those responsible for safety lapses, regulatory failures, or other issues accountable for their actions and a government-led inquiry enhances public trust in the industry and the government's commitment to addressing concerns, demonstrating a genuine effort to improve the sector for the benefit of all.

The transport industry is at a critical juncture. It is evident that the transport industry is facing a multitude of challenges that require immediate attention. A government inquiry can serve as a catalyst for change, identifying the root causes of these issues, and proposing practical solutions to ensure the safety of transport workers, protect the environment, and safeguard the well-being of the public. It is not a matter of if, but when, we must take decisive action to reform and enhance the transport industry for the benefit of all.

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Thank you to Haydn Jolly for choosing WA Transport Magazine to celebrate Jolly & Sons 60th Anniversary and congratulations to you all on this inspiring milestone that has seen this third-generation Western Australian family business continue to expand whilst still holding true to strong family values and integrity.

The Jolly & Sons profile starting on Page 12 is a must read and particularly the interview with Managing Director Steele Jolly where he talks candidly about the highs and lows and challenges of running a successful transport operation in this day and age.

I love doing these profiles. They remind me that I am so lucky to be a part of the transport industry – where there are so many good people within it with the good values I was bought up with. It is so important to document the milestones of our industry and with WA Transport Magazine they will last forever in our Libraries both local and national.

I must thank our newest columnist Cliff

Graham for speaking about the things that usually people won’t touch in the press. In the last edition [September] Cliff spoke about the new age phenomenon of posting others mistakes and accidents on social media and just how destructive this not only to the person making the mistake but to drawing attention to the industry from law enforcement. Personally, it can have a devastating effect on a human, we all make mistakes… but for the life of me, I can’t understand why people themselves break the law to do this i.e., videoing or taking images on their phones whilst driving. This column got a lot of feedback.

A lot is covered in this edition; livestock roaming is still a problem [Ray Pratt’s Fair Go for the Owner Driver], lots of news from Main Roads HVO, the latest improvements to road infrastructure and more.

In closing, well done to the TWU for holding Qantas to account. Well done.

Best,

Every Month

Colin Tieman, Jeff Borg, Brad Onley, Brodie Tieman

Transport

NatRoad, SARTA and ALRTA teamed up to give evidence to the Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living.

NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said the current economic and regulatory environment was the most difficult for the road transport sector in his lifetime.

“Following the pandemic, operators are struggling with continually high fuel prices, inflation, unfair highway motor tolls, the impact of natural disasters, a disrupted global supply chain and a chronic shortage of drivers and mechanics,” Warren said.

State Government continues safety upgrades on Forrest Highway

Work on a new acceleration lane on Forrest Highway northbound at Binningup Road is now underway.

The scope includes a free-flow left-turn lane for northbound traffic entering Forrest Highway from Binningup Road. This will continue on to a dedicated 700-metre acceleration lane on the highway.

Complementing the recently completed acceleration lane from Wellesley Road on Forrest Highway southbound, the new lane will enable motorists to reach appropriate speeds, improving merging safety with traffic already travelling along Forrest Highway.

In 2021, the State Government committed $7.5 million to deliver a suite of upgrades,

northbound acceleration lane from Forestry Road and Preston Beach Road, as well as intersection improvements at Forrest Highway and Myalup Beach Road. These additional works are expected to be completed in late 2024.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Our Government is aware of the demands experienced in our South West and Peel regions during peak tourism periods, and we are cognisant of the impact this has on our roads and the commuting public.

“This is the reason we have committed funding for a series of upgrades on the Forrest Highway that will improve safety and reduce delays at key intersections.

SARTA Executive Officer Steve Shearer said that every cost increase on trucking would flow through to the community's cost of living.

including acceleration lanes on Forrest Highway and intersection improvements.

When completed, this commitment will improve safety and reduce delays at key intersections on Forrest Highway, particularly during periods of high tourism demand.

The current project will also feature new line marking, lighting and signage. Completion is expected by late November 2023.

Planning is continuing for another

“We have already completed the construction of an acceleration lane from Wellesley Road to Forrest Highway southbound, to cater for the increasing number of heavy vehicles exiting the area east of the highway.

“Once works for the final acceleration lane and intersection upgrades are completed next year, road users will experience an improved journey.”

“Government should not unilaterally increase taxes and charges or impose regulatory reforms on trucking without consulting the trucking industry and fulling understanding the impact. The consequence will usually increase the cost of living and often prove counterproductive, as in the case of the abolition of the fuel tax credit,” Steve said.

ALRTA Executive Director Rachel Smith said biosecurity issues had significant impacts on the price of livestock for export.

“Operators within the sector are investing in biosecurity measures. However, this all comes at a cost and eats into their already lean bottom lines. Navigating levels of government to gain support and approval for the construction and operation of effluent and biosecurity truck-wash facilities proves to be costly in both time and money," Rachel said.

“Support from government would be appreciated in resolving these types of planning and infrastructure issues.”

NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said the current economic and regulatory environment was the most difficult for the road transport sector in his lifetime

Associations give evidence to Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living

We have completed an acceleration lane from Wellesley Road to Forrest Highway southbound, to cater for the increasing number of heavy vehicles exiting the area east of the highway

WA’s domestic economy fastest growing in the nation

The June quarter State Final Demand (SFD) data released shows the resilience of the Western Australian domestic economy, which grew by 3.7 per cent between June quarter 2022 and June quarter 2023 - the strongest in the nation.

By comparison, growth in the national domestic economy was 2.2 per cent in year ended terms; while the next best performing state was Queensland, which recorded growth of 2.9 per cent.

WA household consumption grew by 0.8 per cent in the June quarter - the

strongest growth of any State or Territory. Household spending has grown in each of the past 12 quarters, since June quarter 2020 Covid-19 period - the only State which has experienced consistent positive growth over the period.

Dwelling investment was another highlight in the June quarter, expanding by 4.2 per cent - also the strongest in the nation. Growth in the quarter was underpinned by spending on the construction of new dwellings. Encouragingly, dwelling investment has

now grown over the past three quarters.

The WA domestic economy has now grown by a cumulative 16.5 per cent since the onset of Covid-19 the strongest growth of any State, and stronger than national growth of 11.1 per cent over the same period.

Growth during this period has been underpinned by household spending and business investment, which made stronger contributions than in most other jurisdictions. Overall, household spending has grown by 9.2 per cent since the onset of Covid-19 and business investment has increased by 23 per cent.

Fair Work Commission will not regulate safety

The Fair Work Commission will not regulate safety as part of setting standards for gig economy workers, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, said.

In response to a question at the National Press Club, Mr Burke said workplace safety was already managed by the states.

“In terms of a jurisdiction, the states

already regulate workplace safety,” he said.

“There is for riders, for example, an additional safety issue that if you're paid such low rates you have to absolutely rush to be able to get any sort of meaningful income – that regardless of safety rules creates an additional risk on the roads.

“That’s the only real relevance to safety. The issues that the Fair Work Commission

WA OWNED AND RUN

will be empowered to do is effectively to deal with establishing minimum standards that don't break the form of engagement. That's effectively the remit,” he said.

Mr Burke will introduce the Government’s legislation into Parliament and the legislation will also enable the commission to set minimum standards for road transport.

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Roaming livestock still a problem on outback roads

Pick up any truck magazine and you will find that any article that is written by a truck driver is painting a picture of doom and gloom within the transport industry.

Roaming livestock, especially cattle are a serious problem to all road users in our outback.

Great Northern Highway and North West Coastal Highway have copped criticism for poor management of straying livestock for as long as I can remember. The responsibility of keeping stock off the roads does really fall to the station owners but they argue that if a road goes through their property then Main Roads should be more responsible.

Because of the huge area of our state it seems to be that what happens in our outback is out of sight and out of mind and so very little priority is given to fixing the problem.

The fact is people are having accidents with straying stock and some are losing their lives because of this lack of action.

It was only recently reported that a young man in an Isuzu truck hit two cows in the Pilbara and died as a result of the accident. It was because of this accident I’m thinking about what a waste of a life and question what is being done to ensure that it never happens again.

Because it was an accident on the highway it probably just becomes another highway statistic. As any long distance

truck driver knows straying cattle are constantly on our mind as we drive this vast state of ours. As vigilant as we are, we constantly have to take evasive action as hardly a trip goes by without some sort of interaction with straying stock.

It is traumatic hitting stock. If the animal is dead then you are obliged to remove it from the road for safety purposes. Try doing that in the dead of night on your own when it weighs several hundred kilograms.

Australia and they said it was a good idea so that’s what I did for many years. It certainly made animal hits easier to deal with.

I keep saying that the truck and the highway are our place of work so why can’t we minimise the risk by removing the straying stock and make our workplace safer.

I believe that animal strikes account for 22% of heavy vehicle accidents in Western Australia. Damage sustained from animal strikes accounted for insured losses in excess of $13 million. $13 million every year would over time build a lot of fences.

Plus the value of the stock that is killed on our roads must be huge. I know that Main Roads and station owner’s claim they are working to solve the straying stock problem but I’ve been driving trucks most of my life and the lack of action in solving this problem is terrible.

If the animal is injured you cannot leave it to die in agony so that also becomes quite difficult in putting it out of its misery. I once hit a big bull and injured it near Katherine in the Northern Territory and I couldn’t get near it to put it down. Concerned, I rang the Police in Katherine but they were not interested but told me I should carry a firearm so I could look after myself.

I checked with the Police in Western

Apparently Main Roads have offered to fund 50 per cent of the cost of materials and installation of fencing and then it’s up to the pastoralists to be responsible for the maintenance of those fences.

Main Roads have also been more active with signage on the road network and looking at relocating water points away from the highway to stop cattle congregating near the road.

Hopefully action is taken soon to minimise the risks of straying cattle on our roads for the sake of motorists and our hard working truck drivers. Keep it safe, Ray Prat

A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

As vigilant as we are, we constantly have to take evasive action as hardly a trip goes by without some sort of interaction with straying stock

Traffic

Escort Services –Join Our Team

Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS) continues to experience a high demand for Traffic Escort Wardens (TEWs). To continue providing a high level of service to the transport industry, we are looking to increase our TEW numbers.

About the Role

HVS is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient and sustainable heavy vehicle access to the Western Australian road network and our TEWs play a critical role in ensuring the safe movement of high-risk Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) loads, working across the State in various metropolitan and regional areas to provide on-road escort services. In this role you will travel with OSOM vehicles and ensure compliance with the relevant processes, procedures, policies, regulations and approved permit requirements, whilst ensuring the safety of all road users and minimising the disruption to traffic flows

New Fitzroy River Bridge Launching into place

The first segment of the new Fitzroy River Bridge deck has been launched, marking the latest milestone in rebuilding this vital link following flood damage associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.

The bridge deck is being launched span by span with a 36-metre segment positioned

and the public.

This role involves extensive travel across the State and often requires you to be working away from the metropolitan area for the duration of your roster. To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate aptitude and attitude to safely escort OSOM vehicles, the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation and policies, and the ability to work well with others and build relationships with transport operators.

How to Apply

If you possess the right attitude, skills and attributes to work alone and within a team environment, please contact our Senior Traffic Escort Wardens on 138 486 for a confidential discussion and details on how to apply for the role.

Check out the YouTube video on a typical day in the life of a TEW. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3XK3rlFjhNg

Introduction of the Accredited Containerised Freight Period Permit

In May 2021 HVS notified industry that there would be no further expansion of the Containerised Cargo (import/ export) Period Permit Networks, due to the high risks to the road infrastructure and road safety concerns associated with the generous mass concessions and minimal loading controls.

Since this time, HVS has received numerous requests for additional access for containerised freight with increased mass limits. As a result, in August 2023 HVS introduced the new Accredited Containerised Freight (ACF) Period Permit.

The Accredited Containerised Freight Period Permit allows specified tandem drive prime mover combinations to

every eight days until completed.

A launchpad is located on the western side of the river, on to which the deck components are being assembled, before being launched in stages. Launching the bridge deck from this side of the river means construction should not be affected by the upcoming wet season and rising water levels.

The new Fitzroy River Bridge is funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

This important milestone follows

the installation of seven steel and concrete piers which provide structural support for the deck. Pier construction, using prefabricated concrete shells, was completed in just 49 days – an average of one pier every seven days.

Reconstruction works will also include repairs to the adjoining sections of the Great Northern Highway, which were severely eroded by flooding associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.

Main Roads Western Australia, together with the Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, continues

have generous additional mass on axle groups when transporting intermodal containers that have been imported or are being exported overseas on approved networks, subject to the vehicles meeting certain eligibility criteria.

To address the previous concerns with the Containerised Cargo (import/export) Period Permit, the criteria of the ACF Period Permit includes having in-vehicle telematics fitted to the prime mover and on-board mass management fitted on all vehicles, or having a certified weighbridge at the loading site that measures the mass on individual axle groups.

Operators will be required to provide supporting evidence with their permit application to demonstrate that all vehicles meet the eligibility requirements, prior to a permit being issued.

Vehicles approved under this permit will operate on the new Accredited Containerised Freight Networks, which are now available on the RAV Mapping Tool on the Main Roads website and operators will be able to apply for additional roads to be added to the approved networks, in the same manner as other route assessment applications.

The ACF application form, fee schedule, Supporting Evidence and Eligibility Checklist and Operating Conditions are all now available on the new Containerised Freight page on our website. RAV Mapping Tool - https://mrwebapps. mainroads.wa.gov.au/hvsnetworkmap Containerised Freight - www.mainroads. wa.gov.au/heavy-vehicles/permit-orderscheme/containerised-freight/

Over Size Over Mass Transport Management Plan (OSOM-TMP)

Over Size Over Mass Transport Management Plan (OSOM-TMP)

Transport Operators are reminded of the requirement to submit an OSOM-TMP for all high-risk OSOM movements to HVS a minimum of four (4) weeks prior to the proposed movement date.

An OSOM-TMP is a comprehensive document that describes how a high-risk OSOM vehicle movement will be safety conducted. The purpose of the OSOM TMP is to complement the route survey by documenting plans, procedures and other operational activities that are required to manage risks identified in the route survey.

Common mistakes HVS sees when receiving an OSOM-TMP for review are:

• No cover sheet provided with the OSOM-TMP.

• The cover sheet does not align with the content of the submitted OSOM-TMP.

• Deficient Route Survey (Failing

to identify issues and address all identified issues).

• Deficient Swept Paths (Missing information, incorrect scaling, incorrect vehicle configuration, etc).

• Failing to lodge an OSOM-TMP within an acceptable timeframe.

The Movement of High Risk OSOM Vehicles Policy is available on the Main Roads website on the Over Size Over Mass page, along with the Guideline for Preparing an Oversize Overmass Transport Management Plan (OSOM-TMP) under ‘Reference Materials’ - www.mainroads. wa.gov.au/heavy-vehicles/permit-orderscheme/osom/

To avoid any delays in processing and to ensure the plan has covered all elements as per Heavy Vehicle Services Movement of a High Risk OSOM Vehicle Policy, please check that you have addressed all the components required of an OSOM-TMP prior to submitting it to HVS.

to work with local Traditional Owners, training and skills development agencies and other third parties to maximise opportunities for local workers and businesses, ensuring the project leaves a lasting and sustainable legacy.

To date, the project has provided over 132 local jobs, with approximately a quarter of total crew hours worked attributed to Aboriginal people. In all, $11 million has so far been committed to Aboriginal-owned businesses in the Fitzroy Valley.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure,

Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said, "The Australian Government continues to maintain strong, working relationships with state and local governments, and this largescale infrastructure project is a fantastic example of that.

“I’m pleased to see construction on this vital piece of infrastructure is on track as it will re-connect this remote part of the country with national supply chains.

“This will be vital during the upcoming wet seasons the area is all too used to.”

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said, “This project has now reached the stage where critical substructure works in the river channel are now complete, which will significantly minimise the impact of rising river levels and allow the project to continue during the wet season.

“For a project of this magnitude, the progress being made is incredible and I want to thank everyone involved, particularly those from the Fitzroy Valley who are working to deliver this project for their community.”

HVS has received numerous requests for additional access for containerised freight with increased mass limits

ALRTA supports campaign to improve train visibility and level crossing safety

Lara Jensen, representing 12 families who are campaigning for improved train lighting and passive level crossing safety, contacted ALRTA President Scott McDonald in late July requesting the association's support.

Ms Jensen said that the lack of safety lighting on locomotives and rolling stock in the regions, and passive level crossings, represent serious dangers to regional motorists and have for decades claimed many lives or have been the location of serious, life-threatening injuries.

Ms Jensen delivered a moving presentation to the ALRTA/LRTAWA combined conference in Busselton in August 2023, where items were auctioned to raise funds for the national campaign.

This grass roots campaign is now seeing increasing support across the transport industry including with the WA Transport Magazine.

At the ALRTA National Council meeting in August, association representatives wholeheartedly agreed to join the campaign calling for rail companies to fit auxiliary lighting to locomotives (i.e. hazard, side, and front lighting) and for upgrades to passive level crossings.

In the November edition of WA Transport magazine we will further this campaign with the thoughts and findings of someone from inside the rail industry.

Closing Loopholes Bill to deliver fairer trucking contracts

The Closing Loopholes Bill will deliver fairer contracts for all trucking businesses, the Chair of the Australian Trucking Association, David Smith said.

Mr Smith was commenting on the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023, which the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke, introduced into Parliament.

Mr Smith said the bill and future regulations would enable the Fair Work Commission to issue two new orders. Road transport minimum standards orders would apply to owner drivers and similar small trucking businesses. Road transport industry contractual chain orders could apply to the whole contract chain.

“One of the ATA’s objectives in our discussions with the Government was to avoid a repeat of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s decision to set minimum rates for owner drivers that were too high for the industry to pay,” Mr Smith said.

“The result was that prime contractors and industry customers chose to move their freight in other ways.

“Under this bill, the commission would be required to avoid unreasonable adverse impacts on sustainable competition and compliance costs. The commission would also be required to have regard to the commercial realities of the road transport industry and that owner drivers have chosen to be contractors not employees.

“The commission’s potential power to make contractual chain orders could

enable it to stamp out unfair contract terms including excessively long payment times, unfair rate review and fuel levy clauses, and one-way terminations for convenience.

“The bill would also allow the commission to hear unfair contract and termination cases from owner drivers and other small road transport contractors. The minister would be able to make a Road Transport Industry Termination Code to guide businesses. The commission’s powers to resolve unfair contract disputes would be subject to a high income threshold.”

Mr Smith welcomed the Government’s decision to restrict the commission from issuing orders about road transport issues covered by the Heavy Vehicle National Law or other laws.

“We argued that the commission’s powers needed to be separated from safety regulation, because otherwise the industry would end up with conflicting safety requirements,” he said.

Mr Smith said the bill included extensive consultation provisions, including a requirement that road transport minimum standards orders be published for a period of time before they come into force. The period set out in the bill is 24 months.

“As introduced, the bill would also enable the Government to make regulations for road transport orders to be internally reviewed,” he said.

Mr Smith said the Government had consulted with the industry on the road transport provisions.

“During the consultation process, Minister Burke met our representatives in person on three separate occasions. The ATA also worked closely with Minister Burke’s office and his department.

Our policy staff were able to review and comment on the in-confidence exposure draft legislation. It is evident that most of the checks and balances ATA asked for have been included in the bill introduced today.

“There are still issues to be resolved with the bill and the regulations that will underpin the commission’s extended role. We look forward to making a submission to the Senate inquiry into the bill and to working with the Government on Senate amendments and the regulations.

“In that process, we will be guided by the views of our member policy committee, which has been meeting regularly to provide us with input. I want to thank the members of the committee for their guidance and the time they have devoted to the issue,” he said.

Three crosses for the young lives lost.

Further funding to support more licensed drivers in Kimberley and Pilbara

The positive impact of the State Government's Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP) has resulted in nine community organisations in the Kimberley and Pilbara, receiving funding to run the program for a second year.

The nine organisations were among a group of 12 in the Kimberley and Pilbara that received funding in the first round of the program, and will share in an additional $2.9 million to run the program for a second year. Three organisations are still expending their initial funding.

The additional funding will allow these organisations to purchase more vehicles, and continue to employ mentors, driving instructors and supervisors, to help disadvantaged people obtain their driver's licence and improve their employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, a first-year grant of $300,000 has been awarded to a new

recipient organisation, Kimberley Group Training, to support its Deadly Driver Program.

The second-year funding follows an independent and internal evaluation of the first 12 months of DAEP, which found the program is strongly contributing to its objectives of helping disadvantaged people become safe and employable drivers.

The evaluation showed the effectiveness of the program model, and noted an overwhelmingly positive response to the initiative from participants, providers and stakeholders.

Program benefits highlighted included improvements in participant confidence, access to employment and diversion from the justice system.

In the first year of the program, the 12 Kimberley and Pilbara organisations worked with 1,320 program participants, assisting 243 people to obtain their

driver's licence. 71 people reported securing employment or a promotion after participating in a DAEP grant-funded project.

The organisations also sourced 22 vehicles, provided more than 4,000 hours of supervised and professional driving instruction, and nominated 37 people to undertake DAEPfunded driving instructor training.

More than half of the participants that have taken part in the program in the Kimberley and Pilbara, had never held a driver's licence, and two thirds identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The State Government has invested more than $11 million in DAEP initiatives including grants, regional driver instructor training and the development of simplified and culturally appropriate learner driver publications. In February this year, the program was expanded to the Mid-West, Gascoyne, and Goldfields-Esperance regions.

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION IS THE UNITED VOICE OF WA TRANSPORT COMPANIES

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.

THE JOLLY NAME HAS COME A LONG WAY IN 60 YEARS

By Russell McKinnon

From its humble beginning as a small hardware agency and fuel distributorship in Ballidu, Jolly & Sons has grown into a multi-million-dollar business in vehicles, farm machinery and transport.

In 1963, after years on a farm in Nungarin and six years with the Shell Oil company, John Jolly decided to up stumps and buy a hardware store in Ballidu, about

200km from his home town.

John moved his wife Val, and sons Ken, Haydn and Craig to the small town of Ballidu and began a hardware agency and school-bus run from the old Dalgety store.

Around this time, John began work as an agent for Wigmores until he started work as a spotter, finding out who needed a new tractor, or where a harvester was needed

and getting a good deal for the farmer and for the company.

He was so good, that in 1966, when John Deere moved to Australia and set up shop at Bankstown, it offered John a John Deere dealership — the first one in the country.

At this stage, John and Val went into partnership with Ron and Joy Kittler and set up JK Sales & Co and stayed in Ballidu until

1972, when the partners moved the business to Dalwallinu. They bought the R & M Machinery Business on Johnston Street in Dalwallinu, continuing to provide farm machinery and repairs for producers in the district.

Son Ken started working in Ballidu in 1970, driving the school bus, delivering fuel and the general administrative work, soon growing to become a Wesfarmers agent and a Shell fuel supplier.

On fuel days, Ken could be seen hauling pyramids of 44-gallon drums to farms throughout the region, before bulk fuel.

Ken stayed in Ballidu until 1982, when he moved to Dalwallinu, shifting into spare parts before taking on an administrative role and taking over the business with his two brothers in 1984, when John Jolly retired from the business.

In 1993, the Jolly sons sold the Ballidu store and Craig bought the transport business from his family, which has grown from three trucks into 33, with more than 160 staff looking after them.

Jolly & Sons continued to prosper and in July 2001, the business bought the John Deere dealership from Agro machinery in Wongan Hills.

In 2004, Haydn moved to Perth to concentrate on the transport business, which has prospered under his care.

In late 2005, after 34 years in its office on Johnston Street, the Jolly & Sons business moved to its new premises on Great Northern Highway in Dalwallinu, giving it more room to grow and prosper.

And so, the third generation of Jolly sons is now part of the business — Ken’s sons — Dan Jolly has moved into a sales role for the John Deere machinery, Nissan and Ford vehicles they continue to sell and brother Kirk is now the AG foreman with the business, while Haydn’s son Steele is the managing director of the transport business.

So, after a 40-year association with John Deere, Jolly & Sons continues to prosper as the partnership continues to get the job done in the Western Australian Wheatbelt.

From humble beginnings as a hardware agency and fuel distributorship in Ballidu, Jolly & Sons has grown into a multi-million-dollar business in vehicles, farm machinery and transport

L-r: Director Haydn Jolly and Managing Director of Jolly & Sons Steele Jolly

Family values run through Steele’s blood

Jolly & Sons has been plying the PerthDarwin-Perth run as its flagship service for the last 15 years and recent cyclonic conditions have made that a harrowing experience.

However, as with every transport company, there are highs and lows and the troughs created by natural phenomena are just part of the business landscape.

Jolly & Sons managing director Steele Jolly is a third-generation family member who steers the company through the tough and seemingly good times, maintaining a tradition started 60 years ago by his grandfather John.

Family is the bond

Family values run through Steele’s blood as he tried to instil them into his company.

“My grandfather used to say your word is everything and if you don’t have integrity,

you don’t have anything.

“Everything you say you do and stay true to your word. Customer needs must be met and staff feel valued. It becomes the foundation of a successful family, successful business and successful relationships with your customers. I always felt that was true.

“In recent years it lost its way in the world. Integrity started to lose its value.

“We’ve stuck here as best we can, open and honest with each other and have integrity. There’s plenty of things my father was taught by his father and passed on to me; they are still very valid today. The world has changed, but these principles remain.

“Working with family members is challenging at times, but one thing I’ve always valued working with my family, nobody holds grudges. Working with people who share the same passions, driven the

Managing Director of Jolly & Sons Steele Jolly

Profile: Jolly & Sons ~ 60th Anniversary

Family values run through Steele’s blood as he tried to instil them into his company

same. You always find circumstances of disagreements. Dealing with family, not public, emotion comes into it. Behind the passion is emotion.

“At the end of the day, the show must go on and life goes on and don’t hold a grudge.

“My dad, old school, wasn’t shy of giving a tongue-lashing back in the day. I copped it more than anyone. That’s the way he communicates and gets his point across. I try to do it differently; the passion and emotion are still there, and I try not to let the emotions get a hold of me, but your staff still want to see you are human, as well,” Steele said.

My

sincere congratulations to you on your 60th Anniversary and I look forward to our relationship into the future.

Paul Vawdrey – Director

As the nation’s largest family-owned Australian made and designed manufacturer of semi-trailers and associated transport equipment, we have a responsibility to lead from the front and keep Australian transport competitive.

We are proud of our long-term business relationship with Jolly & Sons; another Australian family owned and operated business that is nationally recognised as a market leading transport and logistics firm with a first class reputation.

Profile: Jolly & Sons ~ 60th Anniversary

Northern Territory expansion

The Jolly Darwin depot was a product of the company’s expansion into the Northern Territory and a new purpose-built depot was established in 2014-15, some 10 years after that service lane was established for Jolly’s.

“That’s the premise we operate. We also service Broome and Karratha — scheduled services every week into those destinations. They include refrigeration and general freight.”

The recent flooding that wiped out the Fitzroy River Crossing Bridge has had a significant impact on the company’s deliveries to Northern Territory.

“The only way to service Darwin-Perth now is to go via Port Augusta-Alice Springs, adding 1080km to the trip. That’s only one way, so it’s an extra 2200km round trip.”

This means additional team management constraints having quite a profound effect on Jolly’s capacity.

“It’s something we were not prepared for. It was taking a lot more trucks and trailers to do the same amount of work instead of

the direct route through the Kimberley. It impacted capacity and income. We could recover a large percentage of direct costs by placing a surcharge on services, but what we weren’t able to recover was our utilisation (of vehicles).

“It meant more assets and human resources sitting idle not generating income, only costs.

“It was a tough time and a time we will have to endure again during the next wet season because they have built a temporary causeway, low-lying, across the riverbed. There are restrictions on crossing, but that will only be accessible during the dry season, then it’s back through Alice. They are not expecting to have the bridge rebuilt until late next year. This has meant we would have had one to one-and-a-half wet seasons travelling via SA to get to NT,” Steele said.

The unfortunate side effect is the unbudgeted financial impost of going via SA.

“Because we are servicing NT and not the eastern Kimberley region, subsidies from the State Government are not accessible for us. Unfortunately, unless the

NT or Federal Government dip into their pocket, there is not really a lot we can do about that.

“If we were to pass on the direct and indirect costs to travel that way, the services would be unaffordable, and they would source from different States. We just have to pass on what we can and make it work. It’s never been tougher, but we’re getting through it. We’re used to having road closures and weather patterns when you go via the Pilbara and Kimberley.

“Cyclones are seasonal things and wipe out roads for months at a time. We do budgets for cyclonic impact for road closures, using days at a time, instead of months and even years.

“We’re glad to be making most of the old road and heading up the Kimberley, which allows us to get trucks back faster, increasing our capacity and volumes we are trying to move. Those benefits are passed on to our customers by keeping up with their needs,” Steele said.

Keeping fleet updated

During the last boom, Jolly’s had

l-r Gerald Cunnold, Travis Franklin, John Lubrano and Brad Daff from Truck Centre WA and Steele Jolly

My grandfather used to say your word is everything and if you don’t have integrity, you don’t have anything

exponential growth. This time around it has been much more cautious and conservative. Steele said that in this economic cycle there was a “double whammy” with oil dropping under $50 a barrel and iron ore under $50 a ton.

The overall impact meant some oil companies weren’t in production mode, instead doing a lot of exploration drilling and not making a return.

“Everybody became inward focused, cost-focused and our workload reduced 30-35 per cent. This followed a period of exponential growth. It was the highest debt we had experienced when income was significantly reduced.

“It was bloody hard work to survive; lot of stress, sleepless nights, long days, long nights to do whatever you could to make it work. The only alternative was to sell the assets in a depressed economy.

“Selling off reduces your ability to provide income and reduce overheads. It was a tough time,” Steele said.

During this part of the cycle, which is extremely busy, Jolly’s is taking a more conservative approach to be more sustainable in its growth strategy and not

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just seizing any opportunity. It’s a case of looking at least three to five years ahead,” Steele said.

“To qualify, during the previous boom time we doubled the size of our fleet. This time it’s very hard to get assets; so, we’ve been using more contractors because it’s been so hard to get new assets.”

“Rather than growing our fleet, we have been ordering new fleet to replace existing machinery to keep maintenance under control. It’s a case of using more contractors, finding more ways to be more efficient and optimising our assets.”

Legislation bites

“The difficulty with a business like ours in

this market is that we’re operating in two markets – customers and workforce.

“There is not enough legislation supporting employers with growth needs and day-to-day IR and HR when we are trying to run an efficient, profitable business. We don’t get enough support as employers.

“It’s too one-sided. We pay payroll tax to the State and don’t get anything back from them. We are constantly under scrutiny.”

Steele feels that the values this business was built on — integrity, dependability, reliability — in recent years has been lost in the workforce. “It’s more about what can you do for me? It makes business much harder.

“In the boom, demand for workers was

high and supply less. This time, off the back of closed borders, lack of interstate workers and overseas workers to help us keep up, WA now has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, and this shows.

“There are gaps everywhere. You can walk into almost any business in any street and there is a shortfall in every business.

“The State Government really set us back when they closed the borders. No FIFO workers could fly in from interstate when new mines were coming on line. They all needed to get their product to port and not all those sites had access to rail, so the only way was with trucks. Hundreds of trucks are not on the road because of a lack of drivers and we can’t source from interstate or overseas, so we have to get from the local market,” Steele said.

The problem with training drivers nowadays is that once they get their licence, mining contractors let them loose in a vehicle carrying 250 tonnes and on very big money – without any experience. When we train them, and once they get some experience, Steele says, “Bigger companies and miners dangle the big carrot to lure workers away from businesses like ours, leaving us short.”

“The same mining companies luring the drivers away are the same companies expanding their need for freight carriers.

With Steele at the cutting edge in such uncertain times, the Jolly name will be heard for some time to come

Profile: Jolly & Sons ~ 60th Anniversary

All the Team at CJD Equipment would like to congratulate Jolly & Sons on this milestone achievement and thank them for their continued support.

It’s a double whammy and the industry struggles to keep up.”

Steele rues the slow-moving legislation implementation, which when it finally goes through parliament, it is probably a year or two too late.

“Two years down the track, when the issue is first identified, it is a little too late. Slow wheels of government always lag industry.”

Western

Profile: Jolly & Sons ~ 60th Anniversary

you can’t blame fuel levies. The price of fuel doesn’t send transport companies under.”

Some businesses are working on fixedrate contracts with variable fuel levies.

“The cost of suppliers’ finished product, people, shipping and it all flows on. The cost-of-living climbs because the cost of production climbs and it too continues to climb — one goes on and the other follows.

“There’s the lack of workforce and the costs associated. Trucks are parked up, loan payments, insurance, rego, etc are costing a significant amount of money. They are only working on a part-time basis because you can only get part-time drivers.

Pressure on transport companies

The current climate has seen many a transport company go to the wall. Steele sees it a little differently.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to, a lot of the companies that have gone under went voluntarily – too hard and liquidated assets. It all stems back to the workforce and cost of production. In the modern era, all transport companies operate a fuel levy, so

“To buy a new truck or trailer you are looking at 18 months-two years’ waiting time. Because you can’t replace them quickly, you need to rebuild; you can’t get components; overseas orders are backed up, waiting for parts and there’s a shortage of mechanics.

“It’s a tough space to operate in. In the last 20 years it’s the toughest I have seen it.

“In the last cycle where the State went into recession, it was easier to run a business than it is now. Even during Covid it was easier to run a business than it is

Australia’s

Transport Equipment Specialist

We are a small business specialising in the manufacture of road train dollys for all applications, custom built trailers, modifications and repairs to trailing equipment.

We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Jolly’s for supporting our local business with the purchase of your new dollys and repairs and semi-trailer rebuild and modifications to suit and adapt to your ongoing requirements.

A big congrats and well done for the past 60 years of servicing the industry and many more to come with the next generation stepping up to the plate. ~

PaulElsden

Tel: (08) 9356 9500

Mobile: 0414 900 483

Email: workshop@drivestraight.com.au

Workshop:

•

now. When Covid hit we were an essential service provider.

“There were strong team dynamics. Everyone pulled together as if we have to get through this. No task was too much. Everyone was willing and had the right attitude to get through together. It was an absolute pleasure to work under those circumstances. Come to work, everyone knew what to do and was happy to do it,” Steele said.

Fourth generation?

“I don’t know if there will be a fourth generation as I have two daughters. The industry as it stands right now, is probably not what I want to bring them into.

“The way the industry is with the over-reaching regulations forced on us by government and slow-moving legislation to support the sector’s needs, it has become so much harder to enjoy and be profitable in; it’s not the best. When I first joined the industry, you just had to be a hard worker to get ahead, and it was much more enjoyable, plus there are much narrower margins nowadays than what we used to work on.

The commercial landscape of a trucking business like Jolly’s is much more challenging

to make the bottom line,” Steele said.

“It still happens nowadays when the east coast slows down and the west coast resources sector is booming, Eastern States operators come here and take work from the locals. When you are in a free-trade environment, it’s a competitive space. Many operators come from the school of hard knocks and time behind the wheel. For many, the only way to win work and keep busy is to quote cheaper. It’s a race to the bottom.”

Time to hit re-set button

One final thought on the state of transport in WA: “Supply and demand of workers will meet an equilibrium and everything will settle, like hitting the re-set (button). Hopefully that circuit-breaker is coming soon,” Steele says.

With Steele at the cutting edge in such uncertain times, the Jolly name will be heard for some time to come.

Congratulations to the Jolly family on 60 years in the WA transport industry, spanning three generations. Having had a working relationship, becoming mateship with Haydn and Steele since 2005, we wish you the very best and hope to continue our relationship well into the future.

Jolly may be the name on the shingle, but the Thornhill name has been intertwined with the company for three generations, as well.

Bruce Thornhill worked with John Jolly in the initial days and son Brad did a 20-year stint with the Jollys in a variety of roles while wife Lynda and children Meagan and Ryan also had brief appearances in the businesses.

Brad started in the agriculture side before getting his teeth into transport.

“When Haydn moved to Perth, I joined soon after; we always said we would shift to Perth for our children’s higher education. That timing lined up. That enabled me to continue in the transport-only side instead of ag.

“Whilst I was with Haydn, our daughter Meagan and son Ryan, both had stints at the business with my daughter doing admin as she was interested in accounting. Both had short stints to gain practical work knowledge before they moved on,” Brad said

He reflected on the fact that having a father in the business before him had a positive impact on his career.

“When I first came down (to Perth) I was running the workshop, maintenance mechanical, refurbishment of trailers for the fleet and assisting with manufacturing of new dollies when the transport side was a little bit smaller.”

On the business side, Brad moved into the office and looked after the operations and linehaul as operations manager. Sometime later he moved to Darwin for a change, with the company, “They wanted to have a company person to turn things around in Darwin. My wife Lynda ran the office side of things. I did two years as branch manager and on my return to Perth took on the role of general manager of operations dealing with the operational side and the day-to-day running of the business. I also assisted with the oil and gas side up until I finished up.

“I was with the company 20 years and there were plenty of opportunities — general freight, oil and gas, vessel work, flying to Karratha, Dampier, Broome and Darwin to assist at portside. It was interesting and challenging,” Brad said.

He has one last thought about the company his family had such a long liaison with: “Jolly & Sons is a family-owned business and both Haydn and Steele are very hands on. That’s what makes the difference. The man who owns the business runs the business, leading by example.

“With the way transport is at the moment, this is a good example when leadership starts at the top — when it counts, they’re out there beside the others. They are as successful today as when they first kicked off.”

The Thornhill name has been intertwined with Jolly & Sons for three generations

Jolly may be the name on the shingle, but the Thornhill name has been intertwined with the company for three generations, as well

Following on from an article in our July edition entitled “Why the future of transport is connected” by Tim Staley, CEO and Transport and Logistics Lead of NCS Australia, WATM spoke to him to find out what the NCS report uncovered in relation to trends in the industry, the adoption of new digital technology and why people should look towards the transport industry for an exciting and rewarding career.

Can you talk about your role as lead of transport at NCS?

The biggest part of my role as the Transport & Logistics Lead in Australia is to ensure we have a deep understanding of the transport sector and the issues facing our clients today and tomorrow. We then use these insights to develop the right solutions for their specific challenges. Transport is a major area that NCS focuses on - looking across both the public and private sectors - and helping clients to drive the outcomes they’re looking for – these can include improving the experience of their customers or citizens, improving safety, or increasing the performance of their operations.

What are the five trends shaping up the transport and logistics industry in Australia, according to the latest NCS report?

Our new report, NCS Transport and Logistics Trends highlights five key trends driving the Australian Transport and Logistics market:

• The rise of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles

• Increased adoption of Mobility as a Service

• Optimisation using big data

• Increased use of Intelligent Transport Systems

• Push for more sustainable transport options

These trends contribute to a more efficient and sustainable way of operating. For instance, machine learning is being used by several car manufacturers to monitor driver awareness. Intelligent technology devices such as sensors can provide real-time updates, improving visibility. Additionally, advanced analytics and predictive algorithms can optimise

encompass all forces – rapid technological advancement and adoption. We know that Cloud, 5G and artificial intelligence are only the beginning. As our lives become increasingly integrated with the data and intelligence around us, what we define as ‘technology’ will be redefined, and the potential of it will change entirely. We’ll be looking at the new ways this ever-advancing technology can play a part in transforming industries and advancing our communities.

In the age of hyper-digitalisation, things move fast, therefore, it’s important to keep on top of the trends and integrate emerging technology into your operations. New digital technologies are seemingly emerging every day, and as they gain traction in all spheres of life, these technologies are transforming organisations and entire industries at an unprecedented rate. There’s much room for organisations to grow and become more efficient in many ways.

What’s compelling about working in Australian transport at the moment?

We see some exciting innovations for transport operators to drive safety, performance, and sustainability improvements, particularly in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the shift to electric and hydrogen. But one of the underlying areas that has been picking up is a much deeper focus on customer experience. We see that this human element is sometimes missed, with an over-focus on technology, but to make the technology useful, it must be designed around real human needs.

delivery routes and schedules, reducing fuel consumption and minimising delays, contributing to the overarching goal of a more sustainable future.

Can you discuss the adoption of new digital technology and the opportunity for growth?

There are a variety of forces shaping the world as we know it. From the emergence of new economies, an expanding population, and the increasing focus on sustainability, there is one thing that will

Autonomous vehicles are being tested on public roads in various parts of Australia. In addition, Australian start-ups are developing technologies for the autonomous vehicle market, including facial recognition and voice analysis. As discussed, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are also gaining traction in Australia, with initiatives such as the Smart Cities program, which aims to improve transport efficiency and reduce congestion using ITS. We’re also seeing the Australian government invest in initiatives such as the Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems program, which aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of transport with advanced technologies such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and traffic management systems.

NCS Transport and Logistics Trends - www. ncs.co/en-au/dam/jcr:8e92e74f-692f-471f8ebe-b18ddf7e5902/key-trends-drivingthe%20Australian-Transport-and-Logisticsmarket-today-ncs-report.pdf

What’s compelling about working in Australian transport at the moment?

We see that this human element is sometimes missed, with an over-focus on technology, but to make the technology useful, it must be designed around real human needs

Tim Staley

Government ripped up Parking Bay to make revegetation site

By Cliff Graham

This month around the campfire we're going to move onto the subject of parking bays… and this will be short and to the point.

This being 2023, the amount of heavy vehicles, caravans and general public travelling on the highways and Shire roads is increasing. It makes sense then for governments to implement more parking bays for the increase of population.

It is no longer a luxury but a necessity that new parking bays are installed; especially ones that provide ‘all-weather’ facilities for heavy vehicles to safely access at night during rainy conditions.

Lately, I see the Road Safety Commission of Western Australia advertising on Facebook about the dangers of ‘micro sleeps’.

Sleep experts say a micro-sleep can last three to five seconds and they are the main cause of fatigue-related crashes. A micro-sleep of five seconds at 110km/h is like travelling the length of an Aussie rules football field with your eyes closed.

This of course creates a very dangerous situation for all road users and I applaud this wise initiative from Government departments to highlight the needs for more parking bays. We all know in the industry, there are few places heavy vehicles can just drive off the road safely where the shoulders aren't too steep or aren't too soft.

Years ago, someone within a Government department recognised the need for a parking bay on the top of the hill just north of Jurien Bay turn off heading north on the Brand highway where trucks can pull up check the load, cool down or

generally pull up for whatever reason. In doing this, they organised truck-loads of gravel to be carted there to make a safe, all weather facility on and off the road.

A few weeks ago, I was travelling north on the Brand Highway and I see a few welldressed people walking around the above mentioned parking bay. I assumed, “Great perhaps they are going to upgrade this parking bay to seal it or maybe make it bigger”.

The next time I travel past, a few days later I find they had ripped up the parking bay up to make a revegetation site.

I can't express how frustrated and angry I am as a road safety advocate, begging for more parking bays, to find that our tax payer dollars were used by someone within any level of Government to come along and rip this parking bay up.

There are hundreds of thousands of hectares of wallflower country where people can walk to look at flowers without needing this hundred metres along the side

of the road as well. Obviously these people have never been in the situation where they need a parking bay for their work or a safe place to camp at night.

As someone who carts cattle, I try and respect other vehicles already in parking bay. I try not to park where other vehicles are parked however, with the shortage of parking bays it is virtually impossible to find a parking bay after 9pm that has any space which then leads to the situation if someone is fatigued and they can't get into the parking bay where do they go? How far is to the next one? Will it even be there?

So, with all the regulations and requirements to combat fatigue, I think it is grossly inappropriate and offensive to find someone in our Government, or however many were involved, ripping up this particular parking bay - yet be so unaccountable for diminishing the ability for our industry to have better working conditions.

From obsolescence to opportunity:

How Australian fleet operators can quickly adapt in the post-3G world

If you plan on driving a truck along the Eyre Highway in June next year, make sure your telematics solutions are up to date. Because if they rely on 3G technology, they might stop working.

Unfortunately, this is a hardware issue that providers like Geotab cannot fix with a software update. By next June, Telstra will switch off the 3G signal, with other operators following suit soon after. Any device that isn’t running on 4G LTE or higher will no longer work.

With three million active IoT devices still operating on 3G in Australia as of February, many businesses need to upgrade now. This might seem like a hassle, but it’s also an opportunity. New telematics can boost efficiency, drive down maintenance costs and improve safety outcomes.

This could be particularly important in

Western Australia, where the rail network is limited, and many rural communities are almost entirely dependent on road freight. The Federal Department of Transport expects road freight to grow 77% between 2020 and 2050. That means more trucks, drivers, and distances travelled on roads in Western Australia, all of which could be more safely and efficiently managed with updated telematics solutions.

Additionally, the state’s mining industry is the world’s most advanced when it comes to operating autonomous vehicles, which depend heavily on connected devices. Telematics will be essential to the safe and efficient operation of these vehicles.

The case for a software and hardware upgrade Australia’s first 3G network launched

in 2003, and since then it has helped to accelerate mobile technologies. It is being switched off so that more bandwidth can be dedicated to newer networks. Ultimately, the switchover is good news, because newer networks will empower better telematics. A hardware refresh to 4G and 5G technologies would enable a faster connection. Newer devices offer more processing power, new features, lower latency and better reliability.

To upgrade effectively, fleet managers should take an inventory of their 3G devices, carefully consider their business needs, identify opportunities to upgrade, set a timeline and clearly communicate the plan to drivers and fleet coordinators. With a well-planned programme, they will be able to avoid disruption.

A new generation of telematics will enable more powerful solutions for fleet managers, empowering them to better manage drivers, improve visibility over vehicle location and reduce fuel consumption, resulting in cost savings and better sustainability.

Fleets can reduce idling by up to 30 percent using Geotab’s live-tracking function for route optimisation. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into drivers’ behaviour and performance on the road. Making positive changes based on this data can lead to a fuel cost reduction of up to four percent. Telematics can also give a good overview of each vehicle’s health, helping to schedule predictive maintenance.

Effective overall fleet performance and efficient fuel consumption can help companies to reduce their carbon footprints and work towards achieving netzero emissions by 2040. So too could the adoption of electric vehicles.

And although the adoption of electric heavy vehicles is only in its infancy in Australia, telematics solutions could support the transition by enabling a direct comparison between EV and conventional vehicle performance, while providing fleet managers more transparency on technical issues such as how temperature can impact range.

Passing the baton

Australia’s move away from 3G services is an industry milestone, and an opportunity for fleet managers. Embracing new telematics will put them in a better position to adopt upcoming advancements, while leveraging insights to drive better decisions. This will set the stage for more efficient, connected, and sustainable fleet management in Australia.

Toll Group drives operational efficiency LowCode Platform

Mendix, a Siemens business and global leader in modern low-code enterprise application development, has partnered with Toll Group, supporting the organisation’s ambitious modernisation effort.

Dedicated driver assessment centre set to open in Joondalup

The Department of Transport's (DoT) Joondalup site will reopen in late 2023 as a dedicated driver assessment centre.

Plans are underway for the Joondalup Driver Assessment Centre to open in November to cater for all practical driving assessments (PDAs) including C class, aged, heavy vehicle and motorcycle.

Recent demand for PDAs has been unprecedented, with the PDA booking system under pressure due to driver assessor availability, PDA no-shows, last minute cancellations, increased migration to WA impacting demand for overseas licence transfer PDAs and the demand for additional bookings as, on average, learners sit up to three tests before passing.

DoT will recruit an extra 24 driver assessors over the next six months to be based at the Joondalup Driver Assessment Centre, with an additional 130 PDAs expected to be delivered each day. This

equates to about 35,000 additional assessments being made available each year.

An additional eight customer service staff will come on board to assist customers when applying for their learner's permit or WA Photocard, sitting their theory and hazard perception tests, and to issue provisional licences when a PDA is successful. Customers will also be able to transfer their interstate or international driver's licence at the new centre.

The changes have included turning off the booking swap function for authorised driving instructors, moving PDA bookings behind DoTDirect for learners and licence class upgrades to increase customer security, and implementation of a search limit to stop the bots from sweeping the system to bulk book available tests.

It is anticipated the Joondalup Driver Assessment Centre will open Monday to Saturday 7am to 6pm.

Implementing Mendix has enabled Toll Group to rapidly build multiple custom applications in 12 months, enhancing operational efficiency and customer solutions, while empowering business users with no coding experience to build applications.

“Like many established organisations, we were using legacy systems and processes across our technology stack, leading to inefficiencies and high operational costs,” said Stuart Robertson, Global Head of Digital Technologies at Toll Group.

“As our competitive environment changed, we needed a modern IT system that enabled us to become more agile while fostering a culture of innovation across the organisation in order to drive business process efficiency and rapidly meet the changing needs of our customers and employees.”

Prior to embarking on its IT modernisation initiative, like many organisations, Toll Group relied on legacy IT systems. These systems encompassed a variety of development technologies and languages resulting in a scattered IT landscape. It was in this environment, that Toll Group recognised the potential to optimising operational efficiency and boosting profitability by streamlining its processes.

Telematics data streamlines supply chain

The automated tracking of empty freight containers can improve turnaround times by more than 30 per cent.

A collaborative project, using data supplied by Transport Certification Australia (TCA), has demonstrated that empty container parks with high levels of automation are significantly more efficient than those that use paper forms to track vehicles.

The trial, commissioned by the Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, studied automation levels at empty container parks in Victoria, aiming

to better understand the benefits of paperless and contactless truck arrivals.

Keeping, carrying, matching and exchanging paper forms at gatehouses can be a major cause for delays and loss of efficiency. The study found that empty container parks with medium and high automation levels can experience 20 to 32 per cent faster truck turnaround times compared to those with low automation levels.

TCA’s data insights on truck movements and turnaround times were used to calculate key metrics for the impact of automation

in truck arrival processes, including estimating the number of trucks visiting the participating empty container parks.

TCA provided data about the movement of high productivity freight vehicles enrolled in an application of the National Telematics Framework. TCA’s data was based on Global Navigation Satellite System records within geo-fenced site boundaries. To view the Empty Container Park Trial visit https://ctaction.com.au/wp-content/ uploads/2023/08/ECP-Paperless-TruckEntry-Trial-Report-August-2023.pdf

Catalano's Workshop

By KEVIN TOOVEY

After the visit to Colin Taylors International collection, we then travelled further south to Brunswick Junction, home of the Lights on the Hill event and also B & J Catalano.

The Catalano family have been in business for over 60 years, they are a major employer in Brunswick Junction and surrounding areas. They maintain and operate their entire fleet of over 1000 pieces of machinery including, trucks, trailers, bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, dump trucks, loaders, crushing equipment and much more.

The main event was a comprehensive tour of their workshop facilities where Bill and Clem Catalano along with workshop manager Jacko told us how each section worked and what rebuilds, repairs and maintenance were being carried out at the moment.

About 30 staff are employed in the workshop alone. There is dedicated sheds for workshops, construction, spare parts, sand blasting and painting. HCVC Members commented that all of the workshop floors were very clean and no clutter left lying around.

Then it was a short drive up to the hill where they have a dedicated truck shed where their favourites are kept.

All of the trucks have been fully

restored and look ready to go back to work tomorrow. The Diamond T, Mack Superliner, Value Liner and B model have been to many Lights on the Hill events and are always a good candidate for a photo.

We all enjoyed the afternoon tea and refreshments as we sat on the outcrop overlooking the farm.

A big thank you to the Catalano family for an excellent afternoon visit.

etired Mack watercart at the farm

Small dump truck in for repairs

Members vehicles in front of Catalano’s road trains

Caterpillar Scrapers in for major repairs

Bill Catalano talking about the parts shed

Restored Mack B model, Superliner and Value liner all at home in their shed

Loader with very big woodchip bucket

Loader with very big woodchip bucket

Afternoon outlook

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

2003

The February 26 Board of Management Meeting was a heated affair. It started with the Chairman of the Training Division being asked to leave the meeting because he was not a member of Transport Forum and represented no transport business, thus relinquishing his seat on the BOM. Then the issue of the new CEO came up and discussion arose over a telephone hookup earlier where one member, Max O’Dea, viewed his concerns about the pre-selection process for the new CEO. The Chairman has subsequently sent him a letter asking him to resign as Vice Chairman of the Forum and Chairman of the School Bus Division. He apologised for his words and it was eventually accepted and the Chairman withdrew the letter. The meeting then heard that three applicants were interviewed for the CEO position and it was offered to Debra Goostrey, who then withdrew. It was then offered to the second candidate, but his wish for a much higher salary than that on offer was a stumbling block. Debra was then to be approached again, allaying any fears that she had over

support from the BOM. She accepted and was to start on April 7.

Howard Croxon was thanked for his “considerable effort and dedication over the past two and a half years” in his consulting role as Acting CEO.

Debra Goostrey attended her first Board of Management Meeting as CEO on May 14. She outlined her objectives, tabling organisational analysis, strategic plan and operation plans.

The June 26 Board of Management Meeting was informed that the accounts showed a positive amount of about $200,000, the best position since the amalgamation.

The School Bus Division Annual General Meeting (date unknown) saw many new faces attend. Chairman Max O’Dea spoke of the Composite Rate Model (CRM), saying: “Our belief is that the CRM that we once discussed and are now working on, does not reflect what we thought it was. (I) Firmly believe that the profit margin is wrong”. Solicitor David Taylor spoke of the CRM draft contract as “absolute shock, horror”. He said that “it breaks all negotiation principles and has been substantially redrawn, substantially

By Russell McKinnon

re-organised” and he could not give sound advice on it. “Something is going wrong in this process, (and I) feel that the process itself has a lot of bad feelings”.

At the July 1 Board of Management meeting Chairman Frank Marley resigned. Much talk flowed for the need for the new Chairman to come from the freight/ trucking side of the Forum. Derek Nathan was installed as the interim Chairman until the Annual General Meeting.

••• Minutes of August 27 BOM Meeting and Annual General Meeting are not available.

Chairman Derek Nathan said at the first Board of Management Meeting of the new term that his vision was for Transport Forum to be “the” place to come for transport industry training and to increase membership.

The National Drive for Safety was staged on December 13.

2004

Reported at the February 25 Board of Management Meeting: The Freight Division was organising a “stunt” to attract media attention to the lack of funding for transport infrastructure in the State. It stated that by 2010, traffic in 80km/h zones would be travelling at no faster than 36km/h. One of the suggested themes is “Congestion Kills”. The meeting also decided that the Forum should work towards relocating to new premises by the year 2009.The Forum was to launch its (Training) Academy with extensive media coverage and a luncheon to the tune of $2000

Left, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia - 2003: Bertha, one of the pioneering cattle trucks in central Australia, now at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame museum in outback Alice Springs

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