WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE - JUNE 2023 EDITION

THE ROAD TRAIN DOMAIN CAMPAIGN

The latest in HVS’s series of heavy vehicle awareness campaigns and safety initiatives aimed at motorists in order to change their perception and behaviour around trucks

Motorists had the opportunity to provide feedback via a survey indicating the need for more education around road trains and awareness in relation to overtaking them

Road safety must be prioritised by Governments

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

Hearing about the number of truck rollovers on our roads is extremely concerning, both in the metro area and on regional roads especially in our North West.

Rollovers are extremely dangerous to both the truck driver and other motorists, adding to congestion and frustrations on roads and making our roads a ticking time bomb of carelessness and inefficiency. Something must be done to urgently address this safety hazard.

According to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics, in 2022, Australia recorded 185 fatalities involving heavy vehicles. According to the National Transport Insurance, National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) report, typically, around 70% of incidents involving both heavy and light vehicles are the fault of the light vehicle.

It is disappointingly a fault of Governments and the system as a whole that motorists fail at interacting with heavy vehicles.

I recently wrote to the Chair of the Road Safety Commission outlining my concerns about road safety and some key areas that require reform. We desperately need amendments to truck driver training courses, new passing lanes in the North West (Newman and Port Hedland), and to address the lack of certified training for caravan owners.

An increase in Quads and 60m long vehicles carting iron ore in the North West and the lack of passing lanes, coupled with a lack of licencing requirements for the Grey Nomads heading up is a recipe for disaster.

Governments have a responsibility to educate road users on how to interact with heavy vehicles, which should be a part of every new driver’s journey. Not to mention that when a new Caravan is purchased, there should be an additional licencing requirement for towing it, or a regimented course to prove you can tow it safely.

A couple of months ago, there was an accident reported in the press where a caravan flipped and was destroyed after the Ford Ranger towing it tried to overtake a road train.

The Ford Ranger driver was issued a traffic infringement notice for overtaking when it was unsafe to do so, which I must say does not attempt to solve the underlying issues.

There should be a requirement to undergo a training course before you can purchase a caravan, teaching people the skills to tow a caravan, the correct load distribution and how to interact safely with heavy vehicles,

including how to merge and overtake safely.

The roads in the North West are used for carting mining equipment, freight, and iron ore. We have seen too many accidents caused by inexperienced people towing caravans and the lack of passing lanes doesn't help either..

We conducted a survey of TWU members to get feedback from truck drivers on some of the areas that require improvement to reduce the number of fatalities in the Northwest.

In our survey, 98.15% of the truck drivers identified that they were unsatisfied with the state of the Northwest Highway, highlighting the lack of adequate passing lanes as a major concern.

The transport industry is vital to the economic growth of the region, and the increased traffic on the roads is causing congestion and frustration for drivers. There are multiple ways to improve road safety and providing more passing lanes will help alleviate some of these issues and improve the safety for all road users.

Currently, Main Roads have a program to widen regional roads and highways in WA which has been making the roads safer, giving more room for oncoming traffic to pass especially wide loads and Quads.

The WA Government have committed to allocating more money to passing lanes between Newman and Pt Hedland we encourage them to make this a priority.

However, I believe that a greater awareness and greater education of how to interact with heavy vehicles is needed to decrease the amount of heavy vehicle rollovers.

As well as adequate training for heavy vehicle truck drivers in load restraint, fatigue management and defensive driving, which must be prioritised by Governments. It is no longer appropriate for heavy vehicle truck drivers to only have a few hours training before they can be on the roads operating heavy vehicles.

We desperately need amendments to truck driver training courses, new passing lanes in the North West (Newman and Port Hedland), and to address the lack of certified training for caravan owners

UNITY IS REQUIRED

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) released Trucking Australia –The Report in March 2023.

The ATA began identifying the problems experienced by industry over the past couple of years including COVID-19, supply chain shortages, natural disasters, the cost of doing business and government interactions such as the temporary reduction in tax on fuel and the removal of fuel tax credits.

More grim news, skills and driver shortages, inadequate roads and facilities and broken truck laws in the east coast, decarbonisation and the transition to net zero … whilst at the same time transport operators are keeping the Australian economy moving.

So what is the answer?

The ATA have come to the only possible conclusion which is through unity and say that recent crises have shown the value of

industry associations.

Here in Western Australia, Cam Dumesny CEO of Western Roads Federation certainly had his work cut out for him during this period from helping members navigating natural disasters, border and road closures, to keeping industry open through lockdowns.

The ATA say we face a pivotal moment in trucking and they are focused on the long-term challenges and future trends facing the transport industry.

They admonish the HVNL and say it is stifling the economy and say they will now expand the national Road Transport Act proposal into a chamber-ready bill. “We will ask the political parties to pass that bill into law,” the ATA say in the report.

The ATA has campaigned strongly for the national rollout of an automated heavy vehicle access management system, based on the model used in Tasmania.

The system could eliminate 90 per cent of permit applications and the Tasmanian system had a benefit-cost ratio of between 16 and 46.

The ATA are dedicated to achieving vision zero and say, “Failing to achieve vision zero would be one of the most significant failures of public policy – we must get this right. No one should pay for mistakes on our roads with their life.”

“The ATA was established to improve the trucking industry’s safety, professionalism and viability after the Grafton truck and bus crash in October 1989. The crash claimed 21 lives and was the worst crash in Australian road transport history at the time”, it said in the report.

“Whilst the industry’s safety performance has improved, every single crash, fatality and serious injury is one too many.

“Recent years have seen important

safety policy gains, including more funding for rest areas and new rules to mandate advanced braking technology.

“However there have also been policy failures, including the lack of action to implement no-fault safety investigations into crashes involving heavy vehicles where there are lessons to be learned.

“ATA member associations have taken a practical focus to improving safety, by developing and delivering programs focused on reducing truck rollovers, improving driver training, developing training materials, and improving the health and wellbeing of drivers.

“Australia needs ambitious road safety targets to put us on track to achieve vision zero and Governments have agreed on a ten-year road safety target.

“The ATA supports a stronger, more ambitious target of a 25 per cent reduction in serious crashes involving trucks per year.

Another subject on everyone’s lips is truck rest areas which the ATA say must go from being band aids to ‘best practice’ –rest areas for the 21st century.

“15 years ago a government audit found not a single route met rest area guidelines. That audit should have led to this issue being fixed in the 15 years which has now passed,” the ATA say in the report.

“Industry has warmly welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment of an additional $80 million for rest areas over the next four years, with input from drivers and industry into the funding program.

“Standards should include the distance between rest areas, their design and a requirement that new rest areas on the national highway network be able to accommodate 53 .5 metre combinations.

“The 2019 rest area guidelines are not mandatory, and there is no obligation on governments to ensure both new road projects and existing routes meet standards on quantity and quality. This should change.

The ATA also talk about the tyranny of distance and how modern roads are vital for a fair go and a better future.

“Australia needs a truly modern road national highway network with frequent rest areas as standard offering quality services. Road quality should not damage vehicles and roads should meet minimum safety ratings,” say the ATA.

They also say there should not be one-way bridges on a national highway and they should provide gazette access for higher productivity vehicles reducing the

number of truck trips, improving safety and reducing emissions.

However, modern roads must be funded the ATA says – by a system which secures road funding into the future, and is fair, transparent and predictable.

According to the ATA, In June 2022, almost 58,000 of the industry’s 59,100 businesses had fewer than twenty employees. 31,600 trucking businesses had no employees at all – showing clearly that trucking is an industry of small businesses that have a limited ability to pass on increases in cost. ATA survey research shows that—

• only 34 per cent of trucking businesses can pass on increased fuel costs

• Businesses that can raise their charges are rarely able to increase them by more than CPI .

Automation is on the way will enter the Australian fleet in stages and the ATA suggest the impact on our workforce is likely to be gradual.

“With an increasing freight task, and in the near term a need to maintain drivers for use in cases which automated trucks cannot perform, Australia will continue to need our essential truck drivers . Automated trucks will also create new, technology-focused jobs.

“In 2022, after years of argument by the ATA and its member associations, the Australian Government finally recognised there was national shortage of truck drivers,” says the ATA.

“Around Australia, the ATA and its member associations are undertaking great work to address the skills shortage . Each of these programs is a piece of the puzzle . What we need to do now is to understand the whole puzzle. We need a national transport workforce strategy.

“Under the leadership of Western Roads Federation CEO Cam Dumesny, the ATA

held its first consultation workshop on the strategy at Trucking Australia 2023 . The consultations are focused on attracting more people to the industry, improving industry image, training staff better and retention.

And to end, net zero where the ATA say we must secure the future of trucking in this significant economic transition.

“We know that Australia’s trucking industry can reduce emissions whilst driving a growing economy because we have done it before.

“Australia has achieved a considerable reduction in noxious emissions at the same time as the size of the truck fleet and the kilometres travelled have increased substantially. We can do this again . Zero emission trucks will enable us to cut carbon emissions whilst driving a growing economy.

The ATA’s zero emission truck plan for Australia includes—

• signing the global zero emission truck memorandum of understanding

• fixing vehicle design rules, including 7 .5 tonnes steer axle mass and increasing width for trucks and trailers

• investing in electric recharging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for trucks

• delivering a purchase price incentive

• exempt zero emission trucks from truck curfews.

In line with the ATA’s recommendations, the Australian Government has committed to mandating Euro VI and equivalent emissions standards and has begun to increase funding for deploying zero emission trucks and infrastructure.

To read the report in full visit www.truck.net. au/advocacy/submissions/trucking-australiareport

Australia needs a truly modern road national highway network with frequent rest areas as standard offering quality services. Road quality should not damage vehicles and roads should meet minimum safety ratings

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Iam finding it hard to believe that this is the June 2023 edition… it seemed like only a minute ago it was the beginning of the year. They say, time flies when you are having fun but I don’t think that is the reality when you just don’t have enough hours in the day to do everything.

Whilst our energy situation is better than the east coast, we are all feeling the cost of living and it was really disappointing to see the Federal Government raise the heavy vehicle road user charge by six per cent a year for the next three years from 27.2 cents per litre to 32.4 cents by 2025-26.

This will save government $1.1 billion over four years through reductions in the cost of the fuel tax credit. The bit I can’t understand is how does this help the transport industry or the cost of living?

The transport industry must pass this cost on and it will ultimately affect every

day consumers. The decision to lift the charge was made jointly by federal, state and territory transport ministers. It will be interesting to see what industry makes of this, which I will bring you in the next edition.

In this edition, HVSs Road Train Domain Campaign, how AI will soon be on our roads, how the Bindi Bindi Toodyay Road is progressing, a new Inghams’ Warehouse opening in WA, insufficient signage on buildings, what happens after native logging finishes in 2024, VALE to Peter Swift and the chance to win a 1954 Chev with a fuel injected V8. Her name is Daphne – Page 12.

As always, thank you to ‘everyone’ who supports the magazine and welcome to the new subscribers. Best,

Every Month

BIG MILESTONES REACHED ON BINDI BINDI-TOODYAY ROAD

The Shire of Toodyay reports three kilometres of Bindi Bindi-Toodyay Road (SLK 0.00-3.00) have been reconstructed as part of the Federal Black Spot Program.

This program offers funding for nominated road locations where vehicle accidents are a high risk, allowing changes and improvements to be made that reduce that risk. The Shire of Toodyay’s funding has allowed them to complete:

• 33,000m² of road formation;

• 28,000m² of sealed road (including primer and a two-coat seal);

• 800m of W-BEAM barrier;

• 320m of mountable concrete kerbing;

• 9000m of line marking; and

• 300 raised pavement markers, guideposts, and culvert markers.

Sealing and Asphalt Intersection Upgrade

The Shire has also completed sealing works and an asphalt intersection on another two kilometre section of Bindi BindiToodyay Road.

Innovative temporary traffic management devices

Asolar powered mobile traffic gate is amongst the first temporary traffic management innovations to be put through its paces as part of the Austroads Innovative Temporary Traffic Management Device and Solution Assessment (AITDSA) scheme.

AITDSA allows innovations used for temporary traffic management to be assessed and recommended for use in Australia and New Zealand. It responds to the emergence of new technologies,

innovative solutions and devices which can be used to improve safety at work sites.

The solar powered traffic gate is being assessed in New South Wales and other in-field assessments being progressed through AITDSA include illuminated guidance technologies, temporary road surface covers and innovative approaches to manage temporary lane closures.

Since commencing operation in July 2022, the AITDSA panel has recommended

four devices for use by transport agencies in Australia and New Zealand. Most of Australia’s road agencies have since adopted the use of these innovations to improve road safety at work sites.

More information about the approved devices and solutions can be found on the Austroads website.

The Austroads Guide to Temporary Traffic Management can be found at https:// austroads.com.au/network-operations/ temporary-traffic-management/guide

Images: Shire of Toodyay

FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR CARS

The Australian Government has opened consultation on a new Fuel Efficiency Standard for cars. The proposal is part of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy which aims to increase the supply of low or zero emissions vehicles to assist in meeting a net zero target.

Heavy vehicles not in national Electric Vehicle Strategy

The ATA says that Australia risks falling behind on electric, hydrogen and zero emission trucks after heavy vehicles were left out of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy.

Incentives in the United States mean that cost parity for US electric urban trucks will be met imminently, brought forward from later this decade. Regulatory, financial and infrastructure barriers are denying Australian trucking operators the option to use zero emission trucks where it makes sense.

The ATA has called for a national zero emission truck

WA OWNED AND RUN

The transport sector makes up 19% of Australia's emissions and is projected to be the largest source of emissions by 2030. On average, passenger cars in Australia emit 40% more carbon than cars in the European Union, 20% more than the US and 15% more than New Zealand. Australia is one of the last industrialised countries to develop a fuel efficiency standard.

According to a Government fact sheet, Fuel Efficiency Standards will set an ‘average CO2 emissions’ target for cars sold by each vehicle supplier. They only apply to new cars, not cars that are already in the market or being used on the road. If suppliers sell more fuel efficient cars than the target, they get credits. If they sell more polluting cars than the target, they need to buy credits from a different supplier or pay a fine.

strategy to include:

• Setting clear climate ambition by signing the global MoU on zero emission trucks

• Fixing vehicle design rules, with initial changes to be sorted by 2025

• Increasing investing in electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for trucks

• A temporary purchase price incentive

The ATA has welcomed the Australian Government opening consultation on light vehicle fuel efficiency standards, to improve the supply of low and zero emission light vehicles, including for commercial fleets.

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New Inghams' warehouse opens late this year in Hazelmere

Australia and New Zealand’s largest poultry supplier Inghams has opened the second of three new distribution centres in South Australia which consultant TMX Global is delivering for the Inghams Group.

The SA 15,380 sqm fridge and freezer facility, which achieved Practical Completion on April 18, will accommodate 100 staff. The facility sits adjacent to the company’s existing processing plant.

“Sourcing a site next to Inghams’ processing plant will enable significant cost savings, in terms of transport and freight efficiency, as well as a significant reduction in environmental impact,” TMX Director Sam Dellios said.

Inghams National Distribution Manager Chris Ong said, “We are excited to be entering into the next phase of our distribution network strategy with the practical completion and go live of our new, state-of-the-art, and sustainably designed Adelaide Distribution Centre.”

“Working closely with our property & supply chain partner TMX Global, we have designed a facility under 5 Star Green Star guidelines that will drive operational efficiencies and improve our ability to service customers across Australia and internationally. To deliver a project of this size in Adelaide – through global supply chain challenges – is a testament to the collaboration of Inghams, TMX, Texco, and Goodman,” Mr. Ong said.

Designed to a 5-Star Green Star rating, the facility demonstrates Inghams’ commitment to carbon reductions, and is partly solar-powered, with 500kw of solar installed on its roof. Highly efficient refrigeration systems will reduce electrical consumption by 50% in comparison to older plants.

Last year, the first new facility opened in Truganina in Melbourne’s west. The third facility, in Hazelmere, Western Australia, will open later this year.

AI on our roads

Australia’s peak body for advanced transport technology - Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) has awarded road safety developer Acusensus, its highest accolade - the ‘Excellence in Research and Development’ award.

The Excellence in Research and Development Award – presented at an awards ceremony in Sydney and recognises organisations for their ground-breaking transport technology, research, development, or innovation.

Acusensus founder and Managing Director Alexander Jannink said he was honoured that his company was acknowledged for its contribution to reducing road trauma and fatalities.

Acusensus launched its worldfirst ‘Heads-Up’ safety solution in 2018 to drive behavioural change on road networks, enabling authorities to easily prosecute drivers for illegal mobile phone use.

Acusensus ‘Heads-Up’ technology automatically detects illegal phone use via fixed or roadside smart cameras that autonomously capture high-resolution photographic evidence of driver behaviour. The AI-based system can also simultaneously detect speed, seatbelt compliance, incorrect lane use and unregistered vehicles.

Sourcing a site next to Inghams’ processing plant will enable significant cost savings, in terms of transport and freight efficiency

The new facility in Edinburgh, South Australia, represents new efficiencies in supply chain by sitting next to the company’s processing plant

The 15,380 sqm fridge and freezer facility is the second of three warehouses TMX Global is delivering for Inghams

Carol Messenger

INSUFFICIENT SIGNAGE –a dangerous practice

Iwas sent to do a pickup in Malaga the other day. The customer had given me the street address but as I am crawling up the street peering left and right I realised how ‘few’ business there were that had their street number ‘anywhere’ on their property.

Surely, if you run a business you want your customers to be able to find you – but some make it damn near impossible.

I mean, how hard is it to put your street or unit number up there next to your business name on the front of the building or the property? Fred’s Plumbing 220 in nice big bold numbers.

It’s not like it is easy to turn a truck around, or back up when you realise that you have missed the building - especially on a busy road.

Thanks to those business owners who do the right thing. With an ‘easy to spot’ nice big metre square sheet on the gate or front of building with the number on –easy to spot.

But for those who don’t think signage is important– or that think that little gold numbers on a cream brick letterbox out the front is sufficient – I say wake up and think about the truck drivers who are trying to find your business to make a pickup or delivery.

That’s not to mention road safety in general.

It can turn into a hot mess when there

are truck drivers picking up or dropping off intermingled with the public in cars and a percentage of both groups looking for these ‘hard to find’ businesses.

It’s hard enough to negotiate some of these streets. Many are so narrow and as you crawl up the street, looking for street numbers, trying to dodge the cars parked each side and the oncoming traffic, getting whiplash as you flick your head from side to side looking for anything that might indicate how close you are -only to realise that you must have passed the business three buildings ago. And all this time you have impatient car drivers who scream past you honking their horn because they consider you are travelling too slow.

So now you have to try and backup or see if you can do a lap of the block to get back where you need to go. The industrial areas of Malaga, Osborne Park and Kelmscott seem to be particularly bad.

Don’t even get me started on Lot numbers.

Lot numbers should not exist. They seem to bear no resemblance to street numbers. How can it be that Lot 248 is between number 42 and number 46? Why is it not called number 44? At least you can Google Maps number 44 and it gives you a rough idea; but Lot numbers you have no chance.

They use Lot numbers a lot (pardon the pun) in the country areas. I have been doing a number of deliveries to farms and get told Lot 1652 Smith Street, so I drive up past Lot 1400 and think oh a way to go yet and all of a sudden you are at Lot 1780 –like where did all those other numbers go? And then it is nigh on impossible to turn around on some of those country roads.

I am getting older I know, and yes I even have to wear glasses for reading and for paperwork now. But I think it would be a great idea if businesses were made to have a set size street number displayed on a building or front of property.

As truck drivers we find it hard enough – what happens in an emergency? It could easily be a matter of life and death if an ambulance can’t find you.

BIRDS EYE VIEW by

It can turn into a hot mess when there are truck drivers picking up or dropping off intermingled with the public in cars and a percentage of both groups looking for these ‘hard to find’ businesses

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We should talk about this more ...

The discussion of death by suicide is a taboo topic and unless we are confronted with knowing someone who has died by suicide then the subject is rarely mentioned.

In the transport industry it is fairly well known that train drivers face the fact that trains are a vehicle that are sometimes used as a means for people to take their own life. What is probably a lesser known fact is that trucks are also used as a means for pedestrians or car drivers to do the same.

It has been suggested by insurance companies that out of all truck related fatalities - between ten and twenty percent are suicide by truck. This is also supported by figures from The National Truck Accident Research Centre’s report which was released in 2019.

It is very difficult to establish a firm estimate on numbers due to the nature of the accidents. It is very hard at times to distinguish what is just an accident and what is a deliberate.

As a long distance truck driver I occasionally heard of truck accidents that were definitely caused by intentional suicide. It was always brushed off and hardly ever talked about and was considered something that only happened to someone else.

That is until one day a work colleague was unfortunate to be involved in a suicide by truck when a car deliberately swerved into his lane and hit him head on. My work colleague wasn’t injured apart from a bit of bruising.

He was on a quiet bit of highway and had to contend with the accident on his own until help came which was very confronting. His truck was extensively damaged.

He spoke to me about the accident and mentally he coped really well. What was difficult was that his truck was written off and getting established into another truck created a huge financial burden for him which he struggled to get over. Even though he was insured, being out of work and getting into another truck shows that you never have enough insurance.

This all happened many years ago so

effort to avoid the car but it still resulted in a fatality which was deemed to be another suicide. Also mentally the driver of the truck has coped very well and the transport company has been very supportive.

However, he is only human and it has played on his mind and he asks himself regularly, “What could I have done to avoid this?”

The answer is that you can never prepare yourself enough to avoid this situation from arising.

Personally, I think it is a selfish act to involve an innocent truck driver as a means of suicide but it must be remembered that a person wishing to take their own life is not in a good state of mind and likely only thinking about achieving their end goal.

It is tragic that truck drivers are involved in these types of accidents that they have no control over.

The only preparation there can be is for businesses to educate and prepare their drivers and a dash cam is a great device to have in such a time also.

I do apologise for bringing up such a taboo subject but the fact is it is happening regularly on our roads and in the transport industry. It becomes another issue for truck drivers to face. We should talk about it more.

fast forward to just a few weeks ago and a family member was driving a loaded road train for a large transport company when he was also involved in a head on accident with a car.

The truck ended up off the road in an

Keep it safe, Ray Pratt

If you have been affected by this article, help can be found at Lifeline on 13 11 14 and beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

That is until one day a work colleague was unfortunate to be involved in a suicide by truck when a car deliberately swerved into his lane and hit him head on

FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

WIN

‘Daphne’ – a 1954 Chevrolet Cab Over Engine (CoE) with a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 6.2-Litre Fuel Injected V8 engine

Win a 1954 Chev with fuel injected V8 to help find a cure for MND

Since 2017, NTI has restored and modified vehicles, and raffled them off, to help fund research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

NTI’s former CEO, Wayne Patterson, suffered from MND and NTI decided to honour his passing by joining the search for a cure.

This year, in conjunction with MND & Me, NTI will be raffling ‘Daphne’ – a 1954

Chevrolet Cab Over Engine (CoE) with a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 6.2-Litre Fuel Injected V8 engine.

Daphne’s newly restored ‘hot lava orange’ bodywork and running gear make her quite the looker, and her unique engine makes her a real performer. She’s a beauty, and a beast.

To get a ticket or three go to www.raffletix. com.au/?ref=5ctuk&sref=6fum22dr

QUBE Expands Councils to receive $250m road funding

Qube Holdings Limited has acquired a 50 per cent stake in New Zealand’s Pinnacle Corporation Limited and 100 per cent of Kalari Proprietary Limited in Australia, further delivering on its strategy for diversification by geography and market.

Pinnacle is a New Zealand owned and operated group of companies operating both port-based and stand-alone facilities in nine locations throughout NZ.

The acquisition of Kalari Proprietary Limited from Swire Investments (Australia) Ltd will enhance Qube’s existing resources logistics offering. Kalari is a leading logistics provider to the Australian mining and resources industry, specialising in on road and remote bulk haulage through a fleet of predominantly performance based standards (PBS) vehicles, materials handling and supply chain optimisation.

Kalari currently services a range of Tier 1 customers with significant mining operations, predominantly across Queensland and South Australia.

Qube Managing Director Paul Digney said, “Kalari’s operations are complementary with Qube’s existing bulk mine to market and mine resupply

operations and the acquisition offers a number of synergies, as well as an opportunity for Qube to strengthen the Kalari offering through its rail and port infrastructure.

“Kalari is a natural fit for our business, providing us with an excellent opportunity to expand our inbound mine resupply services, and opening new markets and regions for Qube, including in future focused critical minerals.

“For over 45 years, Kalari has established and maintained a strong customer base and built a high performing team with a strong culture and similar values to Qube. I am delighted to welcome this trusted and respected team in the mining services industry to the Qube family,” Mr Digney said.

The initial focus will be to work with the management team to ensure the same high level of service continues for Kalari’s valued customers and to progress new opportunities.

The total consideration for both transactions is expected to be in the order of $145 million AUD (subject to a small number of post completion adjustments

The federal government announced $250 million in funding to councils classified as rural, regional or outer-urban in Phase 4 of the Local Road Community Infrastructure Program. Transport Minister Catherine King said the funding will prioritise road upgrades and support councils in delivering critical infrastructure for their communities.

Individual council allocations are available at https://investment. infrastructure.gov.au/about/localinitiatives/local-roads-and-communityinfrastructure-program

typical for transactions of this nature) and will be funded through Qube’s existing undrawn debt facilities in Australia and New Zealand.

THE ROAD TRAIN DOMAIN CAMPAIGN

Over the last 12 months HVS has been working on the delivery of new creative material to complement the heavy vehicle awareness campaigns #biggerthanyou which have been running since 2021.

The campaigns to date have provided general road users with education and awareness in relation to interacting with Over Size Over Mass (OSOM) and agricultural equipment. The OSOM and agricultural campaign continued to run over 2022/23, coinciding with peak holiday / harvest periods and acted as a timely reminder for people travelling on the WA road network.

The 2023 community awareness campaign is focussed on interacting with road trains. The tag is #roadtraindomain

In line with #biggerthanyou, #roadtraindomain has a dedicated page on the Main Roads website. Using feedback and analysis from the first #biggerthanyou campaign we arranged media coverage spanning television and radio advertisements State-wide, social media, on-demand viewing, billboards, etc. It is aimed at general road users and specifically new drivers, holiday makers and urban

residents. The gentleman who provided the voice over is a former truck driver.

The campaign was launched during April 2023 and was timed to coincide with the school holiday period.

A road train warning sign trial commenced in October 2022 to provide motorists with a visual clue that indicates how long and what type of road train is in front of them. This safety initiative is designed to assist road users to make informed decisions about how they share the road with and overtake road trains.

As part of the trial motorists had the opportunity to provide feedback via a survey on My Say Transport. Feedback received indicated the need for more education around road trains and awareness in relation to overtaking them.

Road trains are the most common type of Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) operating on the WA road network. Our key freight routes also attract tourists, caravan retirees, and holidaying families throughout the year. This campaign will assist those motorists.

With ongoing promotion, we aim to educate and inform road users of the risks in order to change perception and

ultimately change behaviour. The essence of the education is as follows:

Our State relies on road trains and drivers to keep the economy moving. This ensures our supermarket shelves are stocked and the world’s resources and produce reach global markets. The size of the task-at-hand is matched only by the size of the road trains that perform the task, and they are as much a part of the landscape as caravan parks, roadhouses and Chiko Rolls.

The size of road trains can feel intimidating, and therefore understanding the ‘Road Train Domain’ will assist in everyone getting to their destination safely.

So whether you are travelling for business or taking that well-earned break and driving to your holiday destination, there is no doubt at the same time you will find yourself behind a road train. It’s important to be patient and wait for the next overtaking lane if possible. If there is no overtaking lane and you need to cross over into the on-coming traffic lane to overtake, remember these 3 steps: For more information and tips on sharing the road with Road Trains in WA, go to www. mainroads.wa.gov.au/travel-information/ driving-in-wa/safety/road-train-domain/

Check ahead for a long, straight stretch of road, remembering that road trains can be up to 60 metres long and you will need plenty of distance to overtake. Never overtake on a curve or hill where visibility is reduced. When safe to do so, indicate and move out.

Accelerate to the speed limit and maintain speed as you pass. If you're towing a caravan or trailer, you will need to give yourself extra room.

Leave plenty of space when you move back into your lane. Wait until you can see the truck's headlights in your rearview mirror. Leaving space will ensure you are not caught in the driver's blind spot. Don't forget to indicate when returning to the left lane.

“how-not-to” documents; and

• That timely information be given to the industry about the causes of fatalities and serious injuries.

Inquiry

IndustryAgriculturalintoreport released

The report on the WorkSafe Commissioner’s independent Inquiry into the Agricultural Industry has been released, with most of its recommendations supported and currently under consideration.

The Commissioner has indicated his support for the majority of the recommendations, however two have been noted as they will require further work or consultation if the State Government wishes to progress them.

The Inquiry was conducted last year by former Chief Industrial Relations Commissioner Pamela Scott when WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh called for it in June after the twelfth workplace death in the industry over the preceding 12 months.

A total of 62 written submissions to the Inquiry were received and Ms Scott held community meetings in person across the State and a series of webinars for those who could not attend in person.

Ms Scott also had meetings with more than 25 individuals and organisations, either in person or by telephone and either

at the instigation of those individuals and organisations or at her initiative, to discuss safety issues in the industry.

The result is a comprehensive report on health and safety in the Agricultural industry that presents the findings and delivers eight recommendations that have been supported or noted by the WorkSafe Commissioner and Director General of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

The recommendations include:

• That a specialist Agricultural team of inspectors and liaison officers and an advisory service be established to conduct inspections, attend industry events and develop advisory material for the industry;

• That steps be taken to raise industry awareness of safety with the participation of industry groups, including specific Agricultural industry web pages and utilisation of public events to educate farmers;

• That a suite of codes of practice and guidance notes directed to the Agricultural industry be developed, written as simple “how-to” and

The WorkSafe Commissioner expressed his gratitude to Ms Scott for her work on the Inquiry, and assured the industry that he generally supported its recommendations.

“I support the recommendations of the Inquiry and am giving them consideration, and I intend to consult the State Government on the recommendations that require government action,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“I called for the independent inquiry because I was increasingly concerned with the number of deaths in the industry. The statistics were not acceptable and I was concerned that the number of deaths had continued to increase.

“I was concerned that in some Agricultural workplaces, the workplace culture seemed to accept much greater risk than any other industry, with farm production appearing to be put before the safety of families and workers.

“I will now work with industry stakeholders, worker representatives and peak bodies to further drive work health and safety improvements in the Agricultural sector, in line with the recommendations of the report.”

To view the Inquiry and the Commissioner’s response visit www.wa.gov. au/organisation/worksafe-commissioner/ agricultural-industry-inquiry

The Inquiry considered a range of issues and recommendations on matters that affect the safety performance of the agricultural industry and have influenced the increase in deaths.

The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference included:

a. Analysing circumstances of all deaths and serious injuries in the agricultural

Regulatory Advice - Steep Decents

Recent heavy vehicle crashes and near misses on steep descents have highlighted the significant risk these routes pose to heavy vehicle drivers and other road users.

When planning a journey for your transport activities, you must consider potential safety risks associated with the route. Failing to do so is a breach of your primary duty obligations.

It is important that parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) and their

executives understand the risks associated with steep descents. All parties must proactively manage the safety of the vehicles and drivers to help meet their legal obligations and protect themselves and the company from possible regulatory action.

The NHVR has developed a Regulatory Advice - Managing the risks associated with heavy vehicles travelling down steep descents to help parties in the CoR and executives understand the risks associated with operating heavy vehicles on routes

with a steep descent, including possible measures to help manage the risks and legal obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law which whilst not relative to Western Australia, still provides important information for all transport operators Australia wide.

To view visit: www.nhvr.gov.au/ safety-accreditation-compliance/chain-ofresponsibility/regulatory-advice/managingthe-risks-associated-with-heavy-vehiclestravelling-down-steep-descents

industry in Western Australia for five years to 30 June 2022;

b. Comparing the number of deaths and serious injuries in agriculture in Western Australia with other industries in Western Australia and with the agricultural industry in other Australian jurisdictions, including changes or trends over the five years to 30 June 2022;

c. Incident data collection and coordination across Australia for the past five years, considering agricultural work activities that cause fatalities, but which are not recorded due to the scope of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification Code (ANZSIC) for agriculture;

d. Recommending strategies, performance measures and targets to reduce and eliminate deaths and serious injuries;

e. Workplace based consultation, participation and representation provisions, including the appointment, powers and functions of health and safety representatives and committees;

Employee-Like Work

The Australian Government has released a consultation paper on ‘Employee-like’ forms of work and stronger protections for independent contractors. There are three distinct parts to the consultation paper, covering:

• Empowering the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to set minimum standards;

• Challenging unfair contracts; and

• Specific considerations for the road transport industry. All of these areas have relevance for road transport industry.

f. Measures to ensure State and Local Government policies, training and support to the agricultural industry is effectively aimed at eliminating deaths and serious injuries in the industry;

g. Enforcement and compliance including the role and powers of Work Health and Safety (WHS) inspectors and the application of enforcement tools including policy and codes of practice;

The ALRTA say it is important to note that the concept of a ‘standard’ includes determination of a minimum rate of pay, along with other elements such as defining work time, payment timeframes, leave/ breaks, business costs, record keeping, training and dispute resolution.

ALRTA will consult with members in developing a response to the consultation paper.

To read the consultation paper visit www. dewr.gov.au/2023-workplace-reformconsultations/resources/employee-formswork-consultation-paper

h. Arrangements to improve the health and safety of those engaged in high risk work and the use of certain plant and hazardous substances;

i. Issues affecting the industry associated with environmental factors such as the global pandemic and external influences;

j. The role of WHS regulatory agencies in providing education, advice and assistance to duty holders.

Call for more road funding

Over to you

What will the transport industry and road network of the future look like?

The annual Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia conference will be held on the 4th and 5th August at Abbey Beach Resort in Busselton. This year is a joint conference with the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association. The weekend is an ideal opportunity for members of the transport industry to join others in the industry for few hours of camaraderie. It is also a chance to hear from leading decision and policy makers in transport –Ministers, Main Roads Western Australia, Department of Primary Industries as well as thought provoking speakers on alternative fuels and future road construction technology. Attendance at the conference is not restricted to LRTAWA members - everyone is welcome. If you have never been before I’m sure you will find it the perfect mix of entertainment and useful information.

One topic that is sure to generate discussion at the conference is road maintenance. Most people in the industry have an opinion about road maintenance and what should be done. At the conference we hope to have presentations from technical experts to shed some light on why there are sections of our network that are perennially in disrepair despite regular efforts from Main Roads to address them – is funding the issue or is it about weight on the road or the materials used? What part does climate and geography play, what is the optimal life cycle? These are important questions that undoubtedly don’t have simple answers, but it is vital we keep the dialogue open as it is generally accepted that we have something of a road maintenance crisis on our hands. Ultimately transport companies will be faced with a duty of care dilemma as to whether it is worth the risk to ask drivers to travel on certain sections of road or what size configuration suitable. Anecdotally we know this is happening already.

Last year a federal Joint Select Committee on Road Safety

The newly-formed Rural Roads Alliance has given evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, reiterating its call for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion in the Federal Budget.

The latest call comes as the Government commits to a review of infrastructure spending – a process the Alliance hopes will not lessen rural road funding.

The Alliance includes GrainGrowers, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Australian Local Government Association

(ALGA) and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA).

Appearing before the House of Representatives Standing Committee, ALRTA Executive Director, Mat Munro, said that urgent new funding was needed right across the rural road network.

“Severely damaged roads are dramatically increasing the time and cost of moving freight to and from our rural production centres. It’s harder on our vehicles, it’s harder on our drivers, and it’s

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

singled out rural roads as being particularly dangerous and found that national road faults including poor design, repair flaws, inadequate safety treatments and insufficient infrastructure were all contributing factors to the road toll.

In Western Australia, Main Roads manages nearly around 18,500 km of roads across 2.5 million km². This includes 5,539 km of National Land Transport Routes. Local Government maintains more than 127,000km of roads connecting to State or National networks. Additionally there are 36,000km of roads and tracks in national parks and state forests managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions of which 1% are sealed roads. Local Government in WA is responsible for 70.1% of the roads in the State. This is a heavy burden for all governments to carry but there is no denying the burden has to be faced.

In 2022 it was announced that road maintenance and some minor capital works would be delivered in-house by Main Roads. This decision will result in 660 new employees being recruited, 490 in regional Western Australia and 170 in the Metropolitan Region. I understand that recruitment is currently underway. It remains to be seen what the impact of this reform will be, but it is to be hoped it results in improved maintenance outcomes and better supervision of the entire maintenance effort.

The Road Assets and Expenditure Report 2020-21 produced by the WA Local Government Association noted that local governments in the Wheatbelt South have the lowest capacity in the State to satisfy their road maintenance needs. According to that report shires in this region would have to spend 99.7% of their entire estimated revenue on road preservation to make up the difference between their road preservation needs and the road grants they receive for preservation. In 2020-21 the Wheatbelt South was able to spend only 11.1% of their revenue capacity on road preservation works, well short of the required percentage. It was concluded that roads in regions with low revenue raising capacity are more likely to be in poorer condition. Every measure considered in the report leads to the conclusion that current funding arrangements do not properly recognise the road needs of the Wheatbelt South and Wheatbelt North Regions. Roads in these two regions are in a worse condition than roads elsewhere. The analysis suggests that these regions have the lowest preservation performance, the oldest roads in the State, poor performance in road asset consumption and low capacity to fund their road needs. Local Governments in the Wheatbelt South have the lowest capacity in the State to satisfy their road maintenance needs.

With a state road network of 18,500 km and a projected life span of 50 years it could be expected that around 370 km of reconstructed road would be built each year and 925 km for a 20 year life cycle. For local roads we could expect 2,540 km and 6,350 km of new road each year for 50 and 20 year lives respectively. Although comparative figures for the kilometres actually constructed each year are not readily available, I suspect it is a long way short of this estimate. Consecutive governments have reaped the benefits of all primary industries over the years, including agriculture and mining, so it is reasonable to expect a state and federal funding investment that measures up. While an increase in maintenance funding is always welcome we need a long term strategy for road reconstruction otherwise we will continue to become further and further behind.

Although it is no solace, the road funding deficit is a nationwide issue. The Rural Road Alliance, which the ALRTA is party to, and includes GrainGrowers, the National Farmers Federation and the Australian Local Government Association is calling for an emergency road funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion, including:

• A one-off injection of $1 billion over four years directed at regional road and infrastructure reconstruction for councils impacted by flooding and other natural disasters to ensure the rebuild is to a standard more resilient to future disaster events;

• $800 million a year over four years for the Roads to Recovery Program;

• $300 million a year over four years to address first and last mile freight productivity; and,

• Targeted funding through the Roads of Strategic Importance program to improve the long-term climate resilience of freight networks.

This proposed funding package is an opportunity for the Federal Government to stem the rapid deterioration of Australia’s rural road network and reduce the budget impacts of future climate events.

Fortunately there are a few glimmers of hope. I recently had a very productive meeting with Main Roads Wheatbelt personnel who recognised the need for improved maintenance. Importantly there was an acknowledgment that ‘shoves’ needed to be fixed urgently. I’ve got high hopes we will see some action in the region soon.

Hope to see many of you in Busselton at our conference in August. Please contact jan@lrtawa.org.au if you need more information.

harder on our livestock. At the end of the day it’s a basic safety issue that needs to be addressed,” Mr Munro said.

Rob Anspach, representing the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia, spoke about problems in road construction.

“Road construction material standards differ across Australia and many engineers and contractors don’t know how to use local materials. Bitumen standards are also suffering to meet environmental goals.

Roads built to minimum standards at lowest cost require constant maintenance and cost more over the longer term,” he said.

The Alliance – which represents diverse stakeholders from across regional Australia including farmers, transporters and local councils – was formed in response to the critical challenges facing Australia’s rural road network in the wake of flooding and high rainfall.

Road construction material standards differ across Australia and many engineers and contractors don’t know how to use local materials

Peter Swift (Swifty) who passed away peacefully at home on the 14th April 2023 aged 74 years.

My deepest condolences to Jenny and family.

Peter will be remembered as a strong and hardworking man who loved to tell stories for hours. He was a great believer in a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.

I met Peter through the magazine and he soon became a monthly columnist with the popular ‘Hornet’s Nest’ which always managed to ruffle a few feathers. He was passionate about the transport industry.

Later on, Peter introduced me to the HCVC who he was a member of and they too became a part of the magazine.

We shared a love of boxing and I will always remember his deep love for his wife and family, and his many friends.

He always made me laugh and was always your champion if you were wronged.

One of his friends summed him up perfectly I thought... Truckie, boxer, politician, debating champion, author, comedian, defence attorney, a man of many talents, but above all, a loyal friend.

Peter was cremated privately on the 3rd May and bought back home to be with his beloved dogs.

Rest in Peace Peter.

~ Karen-Maree’ Kaye

Snouts in the trough

is illegal as they should be paying Superannuation. The ATO legislation is that if they are doing the work of an employee they are an employee and you are obligated to pay Superannuation and Workers Compensation. Just because they have an ABN does not make it

theirTheobligation. ATO should be out there advertising this and pushing for it but then guess they can’t make money from fining people if they educated them and prevented it in the first place. Most of the time they don’t get the fine money because the company will just wind up like this man on a Current Affair did who just started up under another company name. It’s a joke and is about time the government did something to stamp this out but as with everything else today the only justice you get is what you dish out yourself as there seems to be no reprise through the legal system. A friend of mine wants to build a workshop in an industrial area where he brought some land a while ago and when he went to get the permit to build the workshop he told me the powers to be wanted $200,000 which they called a ‘contribution fee’. In my mind, that seems like extortion, but then again don’t know the full facts. think the government should put a stop to scenarios like this and the people responsible should be put in jail. think two thirds of the councils should be shut down, if they can’t budget for the money that they get for rates then they should be shut down and charged as being insolvent. Instead they bring in new rules and fees and charges and rip the rate payers off. They are getting out of control. As have said before the country ones are a lot more community minded than the blood suckers you seem to find in the metropolitan area. The Lord Mayors and Councilors even seem to get a ridiculous allowance for clothing which am sure they would not spend if it was coming out of their own pockets. They seem to me to just be pigs with their snouts in the trough. ■

This is ‘The Outback’

A special kind inconsiderationof

By Cliff Graham

Hey, G’day from ‘The Outback ’and in true outback form I am writing this column whilst sitting around the campfire.

With the winter months upon us, the caravans, mobile homes etc. are starting to travel on roads which are generally occupied by triples and quad road trains.

I would like to go into some details regarding overtaking, and manners or ‘lack of’ in many instances.

First, there are not too many drivers on the road haven’t made a mistake at some stage. Sadly in some cases these accidents have caused loss of life, quite often through no fault of their own.

I have made many mistakes. I have also had to take evasive actions many times over the years as a truck driver.

I have been overtaken in dangerous situations and in a dangerous manner from everything from motorbikes to road trains.

Caravans have every right to travel on any road. Although, they understandably cause frustration when two or three are travelling 20-30 metres apart in convoy, under the speed limit for a long distance.

I think it would be great for all road users to check their mirrors more often than some do. As the law states - have your mirrors adjusted and be constantly aware of your surroundings. This includes having mirrors located so you can see other vehicles travelling behind you.

Too often, towing vehicles are unable to see down the side of the caravan/trailer being towed.

Occasionally, heavy vehicle operators can be complacent regarding looking in their mirrors often enough and being aware of their surroundings such as the traffic

accumulating behind them.

If a vehicle catches you up from behind that’s a fairly good indication they are travelling faster than you. It shouldn’t be that difficult for any vehicles travelling together in a convoy to spread out enough for the quicker vehicle, (which could be a road train) to overtake one at a time in a safe manner. Then it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. It’s not that hard.

It’s a ‘special kind of inconsideration’ when a couple of slow vehicles travelling

who is usually the vehicle right behind the slower vehicle and takes the distance of the whole overtaking lane to get past. This leaves many frustrated drivers stuck behind at the end of the overtaking lane.

Apparently, we are not allowed to use the phrase ‘use your common sense’ anymore. So instead, how about ‘try using the using your manners’. However, in a society of entitlements and rights, not so many seem interested in the concept that it is a privilege to drive on the roads and their responsibility to consider other road users.

I’m not trying to make out I’m a perfect driver or operator. However I’ve never had a build-up of traffic behind me that I didn’t do everything I could to help other drivers pass me at the soonest possible safe opportunity.

I’m not condoning speeding but the most dangerous situation on the road is being on the wrong side of the road doing 100+ kph overtaking a triple road train that doing 95+ kph on a narrow rough stretch of road.

Some states have a law called ‘Driving with due consideration for other road users’.

in convoy end up with a great line up of vehicles behind them and they make no effort or attempt to reduce the vehicle congestion behind.

Regulations regarding vehicles travelling in convoy vary from state to state.

So now if we look at overtaking lanes... If you are a slower vehicle and have a buildup of traffic behind you and are coming up to an overtaking lanes it is ‘really good manners’ to move to the left lane, slow down and let everyone behind you pass.

But as we know, every circus has a clown and there will be that one person

However in Western Australia it comes under ‘Driving with due care and attention’. I learnt xyz years ago under ‘Defensive driving which states (the short version), “Doing whatever possible without endangering your own life or the life of others to avoid an accident/collision that will harm a life or property”.

So remembering the political correctness of today that we can’t say, “Use common sense” anymore -let’s just try going with ‘using our manners’ and considering other road users as we all want to enjoy our travels and get home safely.

It shouldn’t be that difficult for any vehicles travelling together in a convoy to spread out enough for the quicker vehicle, (which could be a road train) to overtake one at a time in a safe manner

Native forest logging ends 2024 –What’s next?

In September 2021, the WA State Government announced a $350 million investment to expand the State's softwood plantation timber estate, to ensure a sustainable future supply of timber for the WA construction industry and increase the State's carbon sequestration.

The Forest Products Amendment Bill 2021 was passed in June 2022 to allow the Forest Products Commission (FPC) to purchase freehold land and trade in carbon.

Since the Amendment, seven properties were purchased, providing nearly 3,000 hectares of additional land for pine plantations and the FPC continued discussions with real estate agencies and private landowners to identify and place purchase offers on suitable properties that meet the scope of the 10-year expansion project.

The timber harvested from plantations supplies about 70 per cent of the pine products used in the WA’s housing and construction market.

Alongside the land acquisition process, the FPC nursery workers and silviculture team started ramping up planning for the 2023 and subsequent planting programs.

In February 2023, the WA Government launched a $4 million grant program to support community and business projects in communities transitioning from native timber logging.

The Community Small Grants Fund is to support businesses and community groups based in Western Australia's native forest regions and offers funding of up to $100,000 for sustainable projects that aim to create jobs, expand and diversify the local economy.

Since September 2021, the WA Government has committed $80 million to support the transition of workers,

businesses, and communities linked to the native forest industry.

The decision to end native forest logging from 2024 saves an additional 400,000 hectares of karri, jarrah and wandoo forests, resulting in the protection of almost two million hectares of native forest for future generations.

Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie said, "I've been fighting hard to make sure communities in my electorate are supported through this transition away from native forest logging.

Additionally, WA Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis announced late April 2023 that 21 businesses across southern WA will share in $7 million worth of funding,

through the first round of the McGowan Government's Small Business Development and Diversification grants program.

The grants of up to $400,000 will help small businesses with a reliance on the native timber industry remain open and invest in job creation through diversification, expansion and innovation.

The recipients include furniture makers, transport companies, children's playground builders, firewood contractors and garden suppliers.

Through the Small Business Development and Diversification grants program, $15 million in grants is available across two rounds.

The second round is due to open in late 2023. Eligible applicants that were not successful in the first round are encouraged to reapply.

The Small Business Development and Diversification grants form part of the Industry and Community Development Programs, which are the third and final pillar of the McGowan Government's $80 million Native Forestry Transition plan.

Funded by $30 million announced in the 2022-23 State Budget, the Industry and Community Development Programs also include the:

• $10 million New Industry Development Grants program;

• $4 million Community Small Grants Fund program; and

• $1 million Closure of Impacted Businesses program.

Brookton Old Time Motor Show

By Kevin Toovey

The biennial Brookton Old Time Motor Show, like the HCVC - encourages the restoration, preservation and display of vintage vehicles.

So as a club, we decided this would be one of our main events this year. After promoting the event to our members to get as many old trucks there as possible, an extra incentive was added - the club offered a free pub dinner for members on the Friday night.

That sealed it, and there were seventeen members enjoying a great meal which

included starters that were accidently put at our table by a young waiter that got the orders mixed up. No complaints from our table.

Conversation was free flowing both at the Bedford Arms hotel and afterwards back at the campsite. Topics included what is a Delineator? How many times members have laid a crane over? And will Giulio fix some of the recently washed away Fitzroy River Bridge. There must be some warranty on a job he did there nearly 50 years ago.

At the campsite Geoff from the Shire of Brookton had done a great job making

us comfortable by slashing the prickle bushes and bringing in spare chairs and other items that he salvaged from the tip.

There were a few reportable incidents.

The presidents Acco never quite made the distance as it experienced oil pressure problems which ended its journey early and 55mm of rain over night is not good when you are parked with your car and your vintage caravan on red clay soil in a paddock at Brookton.

This one was for sale

Pete Haynes Volvos

Morris and Colin Danks unrestored Chev 4 in the parade

British Chevrolet Historic Military trucks

Kenworth “Hudson Special”

The very nicely restored Chev 4

Fordson Thames

Ford Mainline Ute and period caravan

Slimline Atkinson with Detroit motor

Classic 70s Falcon Ute

Ryan Devenish found his old Inter that he sold a few years ago

The Bedford Arms Hotel in Brookton

HCVC members enjoying Friday night meal at the Bedford Night photo, what’s under here?

Steel wheels on parade

Heavy duty Mack B 85

Hundreds of people watched it start and run on the day.

Some of the tractors on show HSCS Steel Horse

This picture and right: HCVC member’s trucks

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

Hanson were to report to him and he to the Executive Council.

The Freight Division was inaugurated on June 14 with Bob Taylor from Jolly’s Transport elected Chairman and Ian King from Toll as Vice-Chairman. There was concern raised over the transport of dangerous goods when the Graham Farmer Freeway opened in Perth. The flow of goods to the northern suburbs was a worry, the Division meeting was told.

The boardroom table, bought many years ago, was dismantled and sent to Wesfarmers for storage. Later in the year it was shifted to the Cohn Street, Carlisle premises. The August 24 Executive Council Meeting was staged at Cohn Street, although the June and July meetings minutes did not show where they were staged.

The School Bus Division staged its Annual General Meeting on May 27 and, as quoted from the minutes of the June 15 Executive Council Meeting, “some 200-300 people attended”. These included the Minister for Transport, Murray Criddle, who was scheduled to speak at noon, but instead arrived at 10am to sit through the entire meeting to listen to the concerns of drivers. He later launched the Mercedes Benz/Coach Driver of the Year award, which was decided to be three different categories as it was thought too hard to select an overall winner.

In a first for the Association, the May 8 Executive Council Meeting was a teleconference.

Howard Croxon came on board with his Croxon Management Solutions Company to assist the Association through this tough time. Howard has been involved in the road transport industry for 30 years and has been on WARTA committees, including 21 years as an Executive Council member, four years as President and the past 12 months consulting to the Freight Division. His remuneration was well below that paid to the previous Executive Director. The decision to employ his services was not taken lightly, considering the Association’s coffers were alluded to as being “broke”. The May 18 Executive Council Meeting moved that he be appointed for a 12-month basis on the proviso that he be flexible to the changes of the Association. Association staff members Tina Murtha and Brian

The Executive Council formerly decided to merge with the Road Transport Training Council (RTTC) at the August 24 Executive Council Meeting.

Steve Melville, Chairman of the Owner-Drivers’ Division, was elected Deputy Chairman of the Industry Training Advisory Council, it was reported at the September 21 Executive Council Meeting.

At the Annual General Meeting of October 6, concerns were raised over the formation of the Committee with the merging of so many divisions. It was stated that a person must be a member of a division to be considered for the Committee. If one division wished to pull out of the Forum, then it could not take any financial interest in it. Also there was a plea not to stack the committee.

Serg Cassotti took the floor and advised members that he was very passionate about WARTA becoming a forum to talk to the Government. “There is a big advantage to become the Forum,” he said. In regard to the constitution, he admitted that mistakes could be made, though he did stress that: “We must start somewhere, we must unite or we will die. As a united body we can open doors. The Forum needs the strength to go forward to achieve something good for the industry and each member.”

It was reported that the large amount of income in the accounts was due to the sale of the Wellington Street property and that if it had not been sold a loss of $80,000 would have occurred. Boosting those funds was also the sale of the Executive Director’s car.

Sergio Casotti

Serg Cassotti took the floor and advised members that he was very passionate about WARTA becoming a forum to talk to the Government. “We must start somewhere, we must unite or we will die. As a united body we can open doors.”

This space could be your spot to reach over 12,000 readers in the Western Australian transport and associated sectors. Contact Karen at Karen@angrychicken.com.au or Ph 0430 153 273

We are looking for a person who would like to work their own hours from home talking to our ‘long established client base’ to secure sales.

If you like communicating with people, the WA Transport Industry is full of genuine people who will benefit from the magazine.

If you have never done anything like this before, all you need is computer, basic computer literacy (email, word etc) and the want to talk to people.

If you, or any of your friends are interested, please contact Karen Maree Kaye at karen@angrychicken.com.au

The ‘must have’ publication for anyone in the transport industry requiring the locations (distances) of transport parking bays, bridge information, roadhouses and their facilities and dirt tracks suitable for parking throughout mainland Australia.

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The ‘must have’ book for transport operators giving you the locations (distances) of Transport Parking Bays, Bridge information, roadside facilities and their services throughout mainland regional Australia.

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

TO ORDER visit www.angrychicken.com.au karen@angrychicken.com.au

Behind the people who keep Australia moving

Everything we do, every day, relies on the people who literally keep Australia moving. From the fresh food in our supermarkets, to the petrol in our cars, from the school bus, to the train you catch to work, even your holiday travel. None of it would happen without transport workers. And behind them is TWUSUPER, the industry super fund for the people who look after you.