WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE - JULY 2023 EDITION

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION SUBMISSION ON RESILIENCE TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Western Roads Federation (WRF) was invited to give evidence before the Federal Inquiry into Resilience. Following the evidence, the committee invited WRF to provide them a view on what good resilience looks like. The WRF response begins with weather-hardening identified high risk freight routes

UNION T RANSPORT WORKERS

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) WA Branch has proven its commitment to securing substantial wins for transport workers through fierce industrial and political campaigning. Following Mark McGowan’s recent retirement, and a new Cabinet coming into power, the TWU want to acknowledge the support Premier Mark McCowan and Transport Minister Saffioti had for Transport Workers.

The TWU will always continue to be relentless in our pursuit for our members, with an unwavering dedication to improving working conditions, advocating for fair wages, and prioritising our members’ wellbeing.

Over the last several years the TWU has successfully achieved significant milestones that have positively impacted transport workers in WA. The TWU has a history of organising industrially and politically, working hard to back-in legislation that assists working people and successfully lobbying State and Federal Governments for wins that include:

1. $50 Million Commitment for Road Transport Assembly Areas (RTAA): Recognising the importance of safe and adequate facilities for transport workers, the TWU campaigned for the construction of RTAA’s. Through our fierce political advocacy, the union secured a $50 million commitment towards the development of these areas. RTAAs provide designated spaces for drivers to sleep, rest, relax, and eat during their journeys. This initiative ensures that transport workers have access to suitable facilities, promoting their wellbeing and enhancing road safety. Yes, more needs to be done and the TWU will be fighting for more.

2. $1.1M Funding over 4 years to Improve the Mental Health of Transport Workers: The TWU has been at the forefront of addressing the mental health

The TWU’s Achievements for Transport Workers in Western Australia

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

successfully advocated for the passage of the Owner Driver (Contracts and Disputes) Amendment Bill 2022. This legislation aims to protect owner drivers from unfair contract practices, ensuring they receive fair compensation and can address disputes effectively. By fighting for stronger legislative protections, the TWU is leveling the playing field for owner drivers and safeguarding their rights.

challenges faced by transport workers. Through vigorous political campaigning, the union successfully advocated for funding to support mental health initiatives within the transport industry. Specifically, the Steering Healthy Minds peer-to-peer mental health initiative. Seeking to train transport workers in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and make a difference in the lives of transport workers by normalising speaking about mental health, promoting healthy practises and supporting workmates.

3. Integrated Driver Training Courses: The TWU has actively championed the importance of comprehensive driver training programs. The TWU successfully advocated for the establishment of a pilot integrated driver training course. These courses provide for people to be adequately trained before entering the transport industry with training that encompasses both technical skills and industry-specific knowledge. By facilitating access to high-quality training, the TWU is promoting safer driving practices and ensuring that transport workers are equipped with the necessary skills when they enter the industry.

4. Owner Driver (Contracts and Disputes) Amendment Bill 2022: The TWU has been instrumental in promoting fair and equitable working conditions for owner drivers in Western Australia. The union

The TWU's campaigning in Western Australia has resulted in significant achievements for transport workers. From securing funding for RTAA’s and prioritising mental health initiatives, to investing in regional road development, widening shoulders, and constructing passing lanes in regional hotspots, and advocating for fair working conditions for owner drivers, the TWU has demonstrated its commitment to the welfare and rights of its members.

The TWU continues to campaign for further changes to the Owner Driver legislation both State and Federally. The Albanese Federal Labor Government have committed to use the Fair Work Commission to implement minimum standards for transport workers.

The former McGowan state Government committed to reviewing amendments in the Owner Driver legislation to include Owner operators under 4.5tonne. And the TWU will continue to advocate for these commitments from the new Cook state Government.

Achieving this legislation will aim to protect couriers and extend to gig economy passenger and delivery drivers and offer a solution to the increasingly exploited parcel industry.

the TWU will not stop its relentless advocacy and determination, to continue to drive positive change in the transport industry, ensuring Governments introduce Transport Reform for a more equitable future, no matter who is in Government.

The TWU has been tirelessly working to amend the Owner Driver Act, with changes made by a new Owner Driver Bill being very beneficial to owner-drivers

Women’s Work – How Women are Shining at a WA Freight Forwarding Company

Despite figures from the Federal Government showing that less than a quarter of people working in the transport, postal and warehousing industry are women, a freight-forwarding company is bucking the trend, now employing more women than men in their West Australian office.

Women make up just 24% of workers involved in transporting freight and passengers by road, rail, water, or air, and yet at EES Shipping’s Cockburn office, they employ 11 women and 10 men.

Among them is a veteran of the industry, Operations Manager Amanda Bradfield, who has been with the company for more than 25 years, after first joining the business as a 17-year-old.

“I started as a runner back when documentation still needed to be physically taken from place to place, and since then I’ve learned a variety of different roles

in the company before ending up in my current position.”

“I came to EES after being sent for an interview by a recruitment agency and from there I fell in love with the industry and the opportunities that have been presented, but it sometimes blows my mind that I’m still here all these years later.”

Ms Bradfield says the industry has changed significantly in her time, largely as a result of digitisation.

“The advances in technology and the shift to online and digital documentation has completely changed the way we operate, not only as a business but as an industry.”

“Physical documentation has been removed to the point where we are now a completely paperless office. It’s created business efficiencies and streamlined our processes, and in many ways has created roles and responsibilities that didn’t exist 20 years ago.”

Ms Bradfield says her experience as a woman in the industry has been largely positive, and she hasn’t felt disadvantaged or discriminated against because of her gender.

“Of course, there are people you deal with along the way who might not always be pleasant, but I’ve had that experience

with both men and women. For the most part, I’ve felt that women in general have always been welcomed into the industry.”

“However, the numbers don’t lie, and it’s clear transport and logistics are still quite male-dominated.”

Ms Bradfield says rather than women being excluded, she believes there are other factors that may play a role in a woman’s decision to enter the industry.

She says addressing a few key issues may help boost the numbers of female workers overall;

• Accessibility to Parental Leave for Both Men and Women: Ms Bradfield says allowing men to stay at home for longer following the birth of a child will greatly help women. “Supporting men to be the primary caregiver allows women the opportunity to get back to work sooner, if they want to, or perhaps not give up their job when they might otherwise have wanted to stay.”

• Flexibility: It might be a ‘buzz word’ but many workers are now pushing for greater flexibility in their jobs to be able to balance family and life commitments, and

the industry must also adapt. While the pandemic created various challenges, it also highlighted the ability for employees to work remotely, which may be an attractive incentive to encourage new workers into the industry.

• Encouraging Younger Workers: The majority of workers in shipping and transport are in older age brackets, and Ms Bradfield would like to see a greater focus on encouraging younger people – both men and women – into the industry whether it be through word of mouth, school or government campaigns. “It’s not just about encouraging young women into the industry, it’s about encouraging younger people, period.”

• Highlight Career Opportunities: Having worked in a number of roles over the two and a half decades, Ms Bradfield says the industry needs to better highlight the training and growth opportunities that exist, as well as career longevity. “There are so many different positions available, for both men and women, and I think we need to do a better job as an industry in highlighting that.”

Despite having a female dominated WA office, EES Managing Director Brian Hack says the company has never set out to employ a specific number of women, but rather have always focused on hiring the right person for the job.

“While it’s currently resulted in us now having more women than men, it’s always been about who can do the job best.”

“We’ve always tried to surround ourselves with smart, knowledgeable people, and it just so happens we have a lot of smart, knowledgeable women working with us.”

“In fact, all our outside business coaches and mentors are also women, which once again wasn’t a conscious decision, it was about engaging with people we felt could assist us in growing the business and achieving our goals.”

The company is no stranger to having women at the helm, with EES Shipping originally established by Mr Hack’s parents Helen and Geoff in 1986.

“I know some companies are still trying to wrap their heads around having women in leadership positions, but for myself and my brothers growing up, that was just the norm.”

“Our Mum remains a key part of the business as Chief Financial Officer and is yet another example of having the right

person in a particular role. Like Amanda, she knows this business inside and out.”

Mr Hack says while all team members bring specific skills and strengths to the team, he acknowledges women have a natural ability to bring more empathy to their roles.

“That empathy is vital in building genuine, strong relationships, and in our industry that’s a huge advantage.”

Ms Bradfield also acknowledges that empathy and says while some might try to use the idea of women being ‘emotional’ as a negative attribute, in her experience, it can be a powerful tool.

“I think showing some emotion and letting your clients, suppliers and colleagues know that you care about them and care about your job can actually be a good thing. In fact, that’s often the basis of a strong, trusting relationship.”

“At the end of the day, we’re dealing

with other people, and what people want most of all is to feel like they’re being heard and that somebody ‘gets them’.”

“I think women do that especially well.”

Reflecting on what the future of the industry might look like, Ms Bradfield believes there will continue to be challenges around recruitment, which is why she’s passionate about encouraging the next generation of workers to look at transport and logistics for career opportunities.

“Whether it be young women or young men, there are so many job opportunities that exist, but we as an industry have to sell that more.”

“Having worked a variety of different roles in my time, I know firsthand how diverse and exciting it can be – it’s why I’m still here more than 25 years on.”

Ms Bradfield is a finalist in the Women in Industry Awards, Excellence in Transport, and was recently named a Gold Winner in the 2023 TITAN Women in Business Awards, in the category of Female Executive of the Year.

About EES Shipping

EES Shipping is one of Australia’s major international freight forwarders and plays an extensive role in the promotion and development of overseas markets for Australian manufacturers and suppliers. Led by Brian, Glenn and Shaun Hack, the brothers have a combined decades of experience in the freight forwarding and logistics industry. EES Shipping was named Champion Transport and Logistics at the 2022 Australian Small Business Champion Awards and DCN Freight Forwarder of the Year 2022.

Above: Amanda Bradfield Right: l-r – Shaun, Brian and Glenn Hack

Carol Messenger, Ray Pratt

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Whichever way you turn lately there is a tragedy and perhaps the one that has shook the Australian public the most is the bus rollover with huge loss of life in Singleton, New South Wales.

It is just so close to home and I doubt there would be few of us that had not been in the similar situation in our life when attending events.

This brings home just how responsible ‘every’ person with no exception must be on our roads.

At this time of the year, the articles about the grey nomads increase as they head up north to the warmth and who could blame them. This made me look into caravan accidents and what I found was not surprising.

According to IAG based on data

collected through claims they isolated their caravan collision data to focus on the risk involved in towing a caravan on the Australian road network. It was found that 89% of collisions, or roughly 1,350 claims in 2016-17, were the result of the driver of the tow vehicle losing control of the caravan (because no other person or object was involved) or not driving with due care and attention (because they hit a stationary object).

This would in turn indicate that those towing caravans are more a danger to themselves (and to stationary objects) than other road users.

As always, thank you to everyone who supports the magazine and a special thank you to all the contributors.

Best,

Updated laws introduced by the State Government to safeguard the rights of Owner Drivers of heavy vehicles operating in the road freight transport industry in Western Australia have come into effect.

The amended Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) Amendment Act 2022 passed Parliament in October last year and is the result of extensive consultation with the Road Freight Transport Industry Council and the Road Freight Industry Tribunal.

The amendments will help improve business dealings between Owner Drivers of heavy vehicles who transport freight and

We have consulted extensively with industry to update these laws which will result in more streamlined and reasonable business dealings between Owner Drivers and people hiring their services

outcomes in dispute resolution between Owner Drivers and hirers.

Non-compliance with Owner Driver guideline pay rates will now be factored into dispute resolution decisions made

by the Tribunal. This change places more responsibility on hirers to offer fair pay for Owner Driver services.

In addition, workplace right of entry provisions have also been updated to allow an authorised Owner Driver's representative to enter a workplace to investigate suspected breaches of the Act.

Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “The updated laws protect the rights of small businesses and independent operators who own and drive trucks in the freight industry.

“These are the small operators who are making a big difference to our economy and our lives, by helping to keep our supply chains going and delivering goods across our State.

“Our new laws will provide them with better protection and improve their position in matters including job security and fair pay, as well as clear processes to follow to resolve disputes.

“We have consulted extensively with industry to update these laws which will result in more streamlined and reasonable business dealings between Owner Drivers and people hiring their services.”

For more information on the updated OwnerDrivers Act, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/ ownerdrivers.

ATA Council considers employee-like work

ALRTA representatives Athol Carter (Executive Member) and Mat Munro (Executive Director) attended ATA Council in Canberra recently. Also in attendance were Andy Divall (ATA Board and LBRCA member) and Kevin Keenan (ATA Owner Driver Rep and LRTAV member).

One of the primary matters under consideration was employee-like work.

The ATA Council considered the various positions articulated by members in response to Australian Government consultation on employee-like work and independent contractors. They said, “Included in this reform package are potential reforms that would establish a division of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to perform a role similar to that of the former Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT).

“While we understand that the former RSRT has no friends within industry, unions or government, it is reasonable to

be cautious about the particular nature of the head of power that would establish the new FWC division – primarily to limit the potential for rogue independent Commissioners to embark on reforms not supported by regulated stakeholders,” the ATA reported.

After much discussion, ATA General Council passed a motion regarding the proposals:

That the ATA General Council—

• considers that the trucking industry must be safe, progressive and sustainable, and supports practical, evidence-based policy measures to achieve these aims

• nonetheless, agrees that the Government’s employee-like forms of work/road transport industry proposal presents potentially devastating consequences for our supply chains and national productivity

• agrees that responding to the proposal is within the ATA’s scope, while noting that ARTIO is responsible for and should take the lead on responding to the commission on IR matters

• calls on the ATA and its members to identify and articulate common positions on as many issues as possible, as well as being aware of where different views are being advanced

• to achieve the best outcome possible, agrees that the ATA and its members will need to work together closely to respond to the Government’s consultation process and to lobby parliamentarians

• agrees to establish a council committee to meet at least fortnightly once the proposal is released to develop the industry’s response.

ALRTA will remain engaged in the consultation process in cooperation with like-minded industry stakeholders.

NEW LAWS NOW IN PLACE TO SUPPORT ROAD FREIGHT OWNER DRIVERS

Viva Energy completes acquision of Coles Express

Viva Energy Group Limited have announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Coles Express Convenience Retailing business covering more than 700 stores nationwide.

Together with the recently announced acquisition of the South Australia-based OTR group (subject to regulatory approval), this will see Viva Energy begin the transformation of its Retail Fuels business to become the leading convenience and mobility retailer in Australia.

“This is an exciting day for Viva Energy,” said Viva Energy CEO of Convenience and Mobility, Jevan Bouzo.

“The acquisition of the highly successful Coles Express Convenience business provides the foundation for Viva Energy to directly enter the fast-growing convenience market. We’re excited about the 6,000 passionate and customer-centric team members joining our business today and we look forward to learning from each other and growing this business together.

“The convenience market has enormous potential for growth as customers seek a broader range of convenience, food and energy offers while they are on the move. The further acquisition of the OTR Group will secure a proven convenience offer which will complement and further extend our position in the convenience market.”

Mr Bouzo said Viva Energy’s relationship with Coles has spanned 20 years, and while the Coles Express brand will eventually be replaced by OTR, customers will still be able to continue to redeem their Coles discount dockets and earn

WA OWNED AND RUN

Major policing boost to tackle youth crime in the regions

Police officers and operational assets will continue to be made available to respond to communities experiencing youth crime as part of an $11.7 million boost in the 2023-24 WA State Budget.

Operation Regional Shield delivers an ongoing, flexible response to combat youth offending in regional Western Australia. The police strike team is made up of specialist officers from the Regional Operations Group and Regional Investigations Unit, with additional support from the Police Air Wing, Canine Section and State Intelligence Portfolio.

Staff are deployed predominantly on two or three-week rotations and can be placed anywhere within WA based on operational need. Police Minister Paul Papalia said, “Regional Shield allows for the fast deployment of a police strike team to regional WA when and where it's needed.

“This targeted crackdown on youth crime is having real results apprehending offenders, bringing them to justice and helping to keep the community safe.

“This funding boost will see regional WA continue to benefit from additional police resources.”

Flybuys points. Coles will continue to provide product supply arrangements, including the Coles Own Brand product range and support the operation of the business through a Transitional Services Agreement.

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Safety review sees major change to Passive Level Railway Crossings

Amajor safety review into the State’s public road, passively-controlled level crossings has been completed, with safety improvements recommended for 87 level crossings.

There are currently 960 public road level crossings within Western Australia located on operational rail lines, with around half of these fitted with active level crossing controls (flashing lights or boom gates).

There are 491 level crossings fitted with passive controls (405 with stop signs and 87 with give way signs).

The safety review was commissioned by Main Roads in mid-2021 and involved visiting all 491 passively-controlled level crossings and undertaking detailed site assessments at each crossing location, in line with an Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM).

The ALCAM process involves the collection of data through a combination of level crossing site surveys as well as train and vehicle volume information from respective rail and road authorities.

Each level crossing is assessed uniformly using a standardised procedure to gather and interpret level crossing data. ALCAM identifies key safety risks, whilst also producing a unique risk score for each individual crossing.

Following a completion of the review in December 2022, Main Roads assessed the information with the key findings as follows:

Of the 491 passively-controlled level crossings, 87 are to have upgrades made to their regulatory control. This includes:

• an upgrade of seven give way-controlled crossings to active flashing light controls, with an estimated cost of $6.16million;

• an upgrade of six stop sign-controlled crossings to active flashing light controls, with an estimated cost of $5.28million; and

• an upgrade of 74 give way-controlled crossings to stop sign controls, with an estimated cost of $370,000.

Of the 87 level crossings to be upgraded:

• 81 are in the Wheatbelt region;

• two are in the Goldfields-Esperance region;

• two are in the Great Southern region;

• one is in the Mid-West Gascoyne region; and

• one is in the Metropolitan region.

The 13 crossings proposed for upgrade to active flashing light controls will be undertaken as part of the 2024-2029 5-Year Level Crossing Capital Works Program, with the remaining 74 give way-controlled crossings to be upgraded to stop sign control by 30 June 2024.

Following implementation of these changes there will no longer be any give way-controlled level crossings located on main line railways within WA. Additionally, more than 50 per cent of all public road level crossings in WA will now be controlled by flashing lights or boom gates,

2022/2023

ANNUAL WAGE DECISION HANDED DOWN

By Graham Lilleyman Director Employment Services and Solutions

The Fair Work Commission has handed down the 2022-23 Annual Wage Review Decision which has provided a significant increase in minimum wage rates for Award classifications and in addition, it changed the basis of the federal minimum wage which means that the Decision provides the highest increase in minimum rates of pay for more than 30 years.

The National Minimum Wage will increase by 8.65%, whilst all Modern Award base rates of pay will increase by 5.75%.

The increase of 5.75% must also be applied to each wage classification in each Modern Award and as such, the amount of the increase may vary even within the same Modern Award. Because of the way the NMW has been adjusted this year, some employees covered under Awards will also get greater increases than the 5.75% provided by the FWC. This will typically only be those employees paid below the C13 classification in the Award system.

The increase in wages will flow on to employees that are less than 21 years of age proportionally depending on the junior worker provisions that are relevant to those employees.

which is above the national average.

It is expected the changes will result in a 33 per cent reduction in the cumulative ALCAM risk score across these 87 locations.

There will be no changes to the existing 469 actively controlled level crossings.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “The upgrades of 13 level crossings to either flashing lights or boom gates means more than half of the level crossings on public roads in Western Australia will have active controls, one of the highest proportions of any State or Territory in the country.

“We intend to undertake these works as quickly as possible, with the vast majority of the give way signs to be removed by the middle of next year, and the upgrades of the 13 level crossings to active controls to be undertaken progressively over the next few years.

Employers using enterprise bargaining agreements and old Australian Workplace Agreements also need to check that the rates of pay they are paying meet the minimum obligations under section 206 of the Fair Work Act 2009.

Employers paying staff a salary or higher flat hourly rates of pay must ensure that the salary paid to employees is sufficient to meet your minimum Award obligations to your staff member and that the salary agreement has been recorded in writing with clear language citing which entitlements have been offset against the higher amount. Failure to adequately address these issues may result in a compliance claim being made against you.

The increase has effect from the first pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2023.

Following implementation of these changes there will no longer be any give waycontrolled level crossings located on main line railways within WA

Heavy vehicle related incidents are almost a daily occurrence in WA

Rob Sharpe Executive Officer of TRANSAFE WA says the WA road transport industry is facing some challenges.

“Heavy vehicle related incidents are almost a daily occurrence in WA and there’s only a certain amount that the

police and government can do in terms of enforcement and infrastructure.

“It’s ultimately up to us as road users to make sure that we’re doing the right thing. In these times it's important to stay focused, remain positive and continue striving toward our objectives of zero

harm,” says Rob.

TRANSAFE WA hit the ground running in 2023 with the very successful launch of their dedicated Western Australian Safety Truck. Nearly 3,000 visitors have already been shown how to safely interact with heavy vehicles via the virtual reality immersion, touch screen interactive quizzes and road safety videos offered inside iNSTRUCKTA!'s custom built trailer.

“With the greater number of unsafe interactions between heavy vehicles and the vulnerable road users being seen on social media platforms, the on-roading of iNSTRUCKTA! will play an important part in helping to reduce these unsafe interactions through education and we also plan to resurrect our popular Road Transport Safety Forums in 2023.

Being a not-for-profit organisation, TRANSAFE WA relies on the support of industry through safety partnerships to help ensure adequate funding is available so that we can continue to deliver our great road transport safety initiatives.

“Help us help you and protect our road transport industry and our current and future road users,” finishes Rob.

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Sharing the roads

Winter is well and truly here and it’s a great time for grey nomads to head north on their annual pilgrimage to seek the sunshine and warmth.

Truck drivers have a lot to contend with on the road and this becomes the time when trucks and caravans have to learn to share the roads. This can be an interesting time for both parties.

Truck drivers have a tight schedule as time means money so many see caravans as an unnecessary obstacle for them to negotiate.

Caravan drivers are on holidays so their brain is in holiday mode and they are intimidated by the size of trucks on the road.

Some give and take is required as trucks share the road with these caravans. Many truck drivers have come up behind a slow moving caravan that’s wandering all over the road and wondered why the caravan driver does not have to have special license to tow a caravan.

The question often asked is should caravan drivers be required to undergo training and have a special caravan license.

I have owned both large trucks and caravans and I consider myself competent to drive caravans especially with my trucking experience so I do not see the case for me to have a separate caravan license.

However, many people as they get older dream of heading off in their own van to see this magnificent country of ours. A lot of these people have only ever towed a small trailer to the rubbish tip and have very little

Over to you

experience towing anything larger.

The purchase of a large four wheel drive vehicle and caravan is easy to buy and you are ready to hit the road. Wrong. What you now have is a vehicle combination that is loaded to its maximum weighing over six tonnes and driving this on the road is a whole different ballgame.

Plenty of people do it and get away with it but many do not, and they become another accident statistic.

drive forklifts etc. in an effort to be safe in the workplace and so some sort of training is common sense if you want to go caravanning.

I believe the best advice is to take matters into your own hands and do a caravan towing course.

You will be amazed at what you will learn. I recently helped manage a caravan park in a small country town and I was amazed at how poorly many caravan drivers drove.

I constantly had to hop into vehicles and back them into the parking bays. The male caravan driver always said that he was capable of reversing the caravan but his female companion always said that he was useless at reversing and got me to do it. It saved many arguments between couples. Many had no idea on how to reverse and use their mirrors and the drive through caravan bays were popular because they did not have to unhook the van.

My view is we should not have to have a special caravan license as our licensing system is shown to fall short in training and all you are doing is buying a license, however some sort of training is necessary to improve the skills of would be caravan drivers.

I think it is absurd that people with an ordinary car license can buy a caravan and be let loose on our roads. Often when we take up employment we are offered training to drive four wheel drive vehicles,

My advice to caravan drivers is do a training course and have a UHF radio so that you can communicate with trucks and especially oversize loads. I mentioned this to many caravan owners but they were reluctant to spend money on a radio and training course. They have already spent a huge amount of money on a four wheel drive plus a caravan and all the accessories and could not see the value in nonessential equipment.

I cannot fathom their way of thinking. Keep it safe, Ray Prat

The male caravan driver always said that he was capable of reversing the caravan but his female companion always said that he was useless at reversing and got me to do it

A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

someone you know for an Australian Freight Industry Award

State BudgetTransport infrastructure investment

The 2023-24 State Budget will include $13.6 billion worth of investment on transport infrastructure including $5.9 billion for the METRONET program.

The investment in the 2023-24 State Budget will continue the significant expansion of Perth's passenger rail network through the METRONET program including 23 new train stations, removal of 16 level crossings and 72 kilometres of new rail.

Nearly $6.5 billion will be invested to improve the efficiency and safety of our State's road network. Projects include:

• Tonkin Gap through Bayswater and Redcliffe;

• Bunbury Outer Ring Road;

• Albany Ring Road;

• Bussell Highway Duplication; and

• Mitchell Freeway upgrades.

The State Budget will also address the significant cost pressures that are currently impacting infrastructure delivery across the country.

Regional roads will see $5.3 billion allocated to improve and renew road infrastructure and major StateCommonwealth regional road projects funded in the 2023-24 budget include:

• $215 million for the Albany Ring Road;

• $76 million for the Port Hedland Airport Deviation;

• $115 million for the Bussell Highway Duplication;

• $55 million for the Indian Ocean Drive - Jurien Bay to Brand Highway;

• $1.35 billion for the Bunbury Outer Ring Road;

• $380 million for the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway (Stage 4);

• $120 million for the Marble Bar Road Upgrade;

• $275 million for the Great Northern

Highway - Bindoon BypassConstruct new alignment; and

• $250 million Great Eastern Highway upgrades at Coates Gully between Walgoolan and Southern Cross and from Ghooli to Benari.

Of the $542.75 million funding committed by the Australian and State Government towards sealing the 311km section of Tanami Road in Western Australia, $110 million is allocated over the next four years. Road works are planned to commence in mid-2023.

Works to seal the Outback Way also continue, with 222km of priority sections to be sealed through to 2026-27 with $150 million allocated over the next four years.

Funding has also been allocated for the following important WA regional programs over the next four years:

• $162 million for the Safer Roads and Bridges Program;

• $299 million for the Resealing Program; and

• $20 million for the Rail Crossing program.

A further $175 million will be invested in the jointly-funded State-Commonwealth Regional Road Safety Program, with around 8,500km of regional roads to be upgraded by mid-2025.

$135.8 million of additional funding has been budgeted for WA ports over the coming four years to nearly $1.9 billion and will include the expansion of Geraldton Port and Port of Port Hedland via development of Lumsden Point, delivery of a new cargo wharf at Dampier Port and planning for a new container terminal through Westport.

For more information, visit www. ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

The Australian Freight Industry Awards are among the most coveted accolades in the Australian transport industry, recognising the outstanding achievements of Australian freight and logistics operators and the people they employ. 2020 marked the 31st Anniversary of the Awards.

The Australian Freight Industry Awards are but one way that recognises the fantastic achievements of operators, organisations and individuals right across our industry. Associates within the industry are encouraged to nominate for any of the six award categories that are contested each year including the:

• Female Leadership AwardProudly Sponsored by Viva Energy Australia

• Investment in People AwardProudly Sponsored by Logical Staffing Solutions

• Best Practice Safety AwardProudly Sponsored by Gallagher

• Application of Technology Award - Proudly Sponsored by Transport Certification Australia

• Sustainable Environment Award

• Young Achiever Award - Proudly Sponsored by Daimler Truck Australia Pacific Individuals and organisations may enter on their own behalf or be nominated by their industry peers. Each nomination must be accompanied by a typed summary (of no more than 1,500 words) outlining why the nomination is being put forward.

Supporting material in the form of charts, publications, diagrams or photos may be submitted with the summary.

Nominations are open to all organisations in the freight and logistics industry including suppliers, authorities and customers within Australia and you can enter multiple categories.

The closing date for nominations is Monday 14th August 2023 and if you would like to attend the 2023 Australian Freight Industry Awards visit afiawards. com.au/2023-afia-tickets

Nominate

Insurance Coverage – Owner Drivers versus Wages Employees

Recently, I was talking with a work colleague and we were discussing an employee and his near miss on the road.

The employee had been contravening some road regulations at the time and the discussion went down the line of what would have happened had he actually caused an accident and whether insurance would have paid out.

It was an interesting discussion and out of interest I phoned my Insurance Broker to ask him how the insurance companies would look at this situation. And it turns out that the Insurance companies can treat an accident differently depending on if the driver was an Owner Driver or a wages employee.

So Scenario One is a wages employee who is found to be speeding and as a consequence causes an accident. In this case, the insurance would pay out the claim – they may well try and recover from the employee later but at least the employer would be covered as it would be deemed that the employer had no knowledge or control over the actions of the employee at the time.

Now take that same circumstance but this time put an Owner Driver behind the wheel and the end result can be quite different.

The Owner Driver, who is the policy holder, is knowingly breaking the law by speeding and as a result is at risk of having the claim denied by the Insurance Company.

Scenario Two is the wages employee who has hung a heavy one on over the weekend. Too much alcohol and too little sleep but he rocks up to work and hops in the truck and takes off. Down the road he rolls the truck and the Police come out to find he is over the limit and he is subsequently charged.

Again because he is a wages employee the insurance would pay out as the employer had no knowledge of the driver’s weekend escapades and the driver had signed a fit to work declaration.

In this circumstance, if the truck had been driven by an Owner Driver then the claim would most likely be declined by the insurance company as the Owner Driver would have or should have, been aware of their alcohol affected situation and as such

were knowingly putting themselves in a risky situation.

Had it been the Employer that put on a weekend function and provided the alcohol then it would have been the Employers responsibility to test the employees before allowing them to drive.

Basically, it all boils down to what the Employer (the policy holder) knows or should be expected to know.

An employer is often unaware of what the employees are doing up the road and so can’t be held responsible for their actions (unless they have contributed to them).

With an Owner Driver, there is no such excuse. The Owner Driver is obviously fully aware of their own actions and as such any action that is unlawful or risky and that compromises safety can see the Insurance Company reject the claim.

It is great to know that the Insurance companies will protect the employer when the employee does the wrong thing, but just know that they don’t show this same leniency to misdemeanours by Owner Drivers.

BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by

Cam Dumesny, CEO

Extract of Western Roads Federation submission on Resilience to Federal Government

Western Roads Federation (WRF) was invited to give evidence before the Federal Inquiry into Resilience. Following our evidence the committee asked us, to provide them a view on what good resilience looks like.

Note our response includes input from the NT Road Transport Association.

Weather Hardening

Investing in the weather hardening of identified high risk freight routes. Weather hardening to include elevating road infrastructure design whilst strengthening and upgrading bridges and culverts.

Productivity and Safety: Integrating the removal of productivity constraints should be included in the weather hardening projects. Additionally, improved rest areas (see comments below on Refuges and Defence) should also be integrated.

Early and Accurate Warning: The lack of timely information and warnings especially re flooding risks on remote and regional highways is required.

Develop Alternative Routes and Modes

Prioritising the sealing of alternative freight routes to the highly vulnerable Port Hedland to Katherine route. Options could include accelerating the sealing of the Great Central and Tanami Roads, with consideration given to the Plenty Hwy connecting Alice Springs to Western Queensland.

The current Katherine River bridge is a considered a critical risk by our industry. The loss or major disruption to this bridge means that Darwin is isolated by road. The planned second (alternative) Katherine River bridge is currently in the 15-20year forward plans, these plans must be brought forward.

Consideration to having a coastal shipping capacity, noting that it took 6 weeks for one single ship to be organised, loaded, and arrive in Perth when the EastWest rail line was closed to flooding. Where barge arrangements are implemented, wherever possible containers should be double stacked to maximise freight capacity. For that to

occur there will need to be a capacity to load and unload containers on to trailers at either end.

Locally Held Buffer Stocks

Identified vulnerable regions need to have the capacity to hold a defined number of days of essential stock. As this provides time for the freight and logistics system to adjust and respond. Finally, management of community expectations needs to be improved such that unreasonable and unsafe pressure is not placed on drivers and our industry to respond

Standing Arrangements

Leadership and Co-ordination: Consideration should be given to establishing an appropriate leadership team where multi jurisdiction response is required. Such a team be stood up when required to plan and co-ordinate the freight and logistics system response.

Pre-Approvals and Delegated

Authorities: That standing arrangements be put in place to enable identified alternative freight routes to be quickly approved and upgraded if required.

Financial Arrangements

Local Government: Local Government own 88% of WA’s and similar

percentages in the NT. The ability of Local Governments to response to immediately commence repair and improve roads damaged in events is delayed by current Federal and State funding arrangements.

Transport Financial Subsidies: That standing pre-agreed freight subsidy be available to cover any additional cost of freight travel. This will significantly speed up the response effort on any alternative routes.

Federal Funding: Rain events are by nature unpredictable and the NT Government does not have enough funding to address flood mitigation on even the most critical sections of the Stuart Highway.

Roadhouse Refuges

As per our evidence before the Royal Commission into Natural Disasters, we identified that disruptions to major routes on our remote and regional highways can leave both trucks and cars isolated for prolonged periods. A key issue identified during the major Eyre Highway fires was that both travellers and trucks were spread

across multiple formal and informal rest areas over 100’s of kilometres. This made support to such stranded people extremely difficult. Therefore, we recommended that:

• Remote Area roadhouses to be designated as refuge points along vulnerable routes.

• Such roadhouses to be pre-supplied with containers of food and water, to be unlocked when directed. (Note: One family of six was reportedly charged $10 for a litre of water when stranded for several days).

• That upgraded Heavy Vehicle rest areas be co-located near such Roadhouses, as these can also provide additional response and refuge area benefits

That in collaboration with Telstra, the mobile digital capacity be increased of such designated refuge’s

Integration with National Security

Australia’s ability to support and sustain high level intensive operations from its Northern bases is perceived as an

identified weakness due to the highly vulnerable internal lines of supply (freight routes).

Alternative freight routes and options discussed above should be supported and integrated into any national defence plans.

That heavy vehicle rest areas along major freight routes should be upgraded and sealed to enable military convoy packets to use them when required.

Other

That road reserve fuel loads adjoining major freight routes be cleared, as our industry believes these significantly contribute to freight route road closures during fires as well as increasing the risk of animal strikes.

Related to the above is the threat posed by to overhead power lines by the perceived increase in high intensity bushfires. The loss of power to communities and response agencies will impact the recovery time frames.

That financial incentives be given to transport companies operating along vulnerable routes to have both Satellite phones and telematic tracking.

ALRTA responds to phase out of live sea exports

ALRTA has prepared a supporting response to the Australian Government consultation process on phasing out live sheep exports by sea. A consultation paper was released in March 2023 and an Independent Panel formed to advise the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by 30 September 2023.

“Given that the main impacts of the phase out will be felt in Western Australia, the National Council was strongly supportive of the detailed submission outlining impacts and options under development by the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia”, says the ALRTA.

So, what did they say?

ALRTA acknowledges that the Independent Panel is not considering the merits of phasing out live sheep exports by sea. However, they feel so strongly about this matter that they have nonetheless offered comments in this regard.

“As an industry, rural road transport does not shy away from the fact that live sheep export standards and practices were deficient in the past and needed to improve.

“However, in response to community and industry concerns about live export practices, the Australian Government has commissioned several internal and independent reviews, adopting a myriad of recommendations aimed at improving oversight, reporting and ultimately animal welfare outcomes. These include the McCarthy Review and the Moss Review.

“Most recently, new rules came into place for live sheep exports in April 2023, and the Australian Government has progressed the establishment of an

Inspector-General for Animal Welfare that will complement and strengthen the current functions of the Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports.

“While new restrictions have resulted in a significant fall in the number of live sheep exported by sea, mortality rates have improved dramatically, and are continuing to improve. Key statistics contained in official reports to the Australian Parliament are reproduced in Table 1 (below)

“These objective, and publicly available, statistics confirm that live sheep exports by sea could and should continue under strict regulation.

“ALRTA believes that the majority of Australians are not opposed to meat production, transport, processing, consumption or live export provided that reasonable animal welfare standards are met.

“Given the very significant benefits that the live export trade delivers to Australian rural and regional economies, many of which have few other economically viable options, our first obligation must be to fully explore solutions that reduce risks and facilitate continued trade.

“Our domestic livestock supply chain benefits from international trade and other nations rely on Australia to supply food to their growing populations. Over

100 countries around the world export livestock, but in establishing the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock and requiring that all exported animals be slaughtered in approved premises, Australia has gone further than any other nation to protect animal welfare.

Asian and Middle Eastern markets simply cannot afford to substitute live imports with chilled boxed meat, nor does Australia have the capacity to supply it. Already, meat processors across Australia cannot find enough staff to process current domestic livestock production. Despite this, meat processors will of course support closure of live exports because domestic livestock prices will fall and farmers will have no alternative but to accept the processor price.

If Australia prohibits live sheep exports by sea, Middle Eastern countries will continue to import live animals from other countries with lower welfare standards, such as countries located around the Horn of Africa. Australia should not surrender the live export trade to less regulated competitors.

Further, as with any complex policy issue, it is important to take a balanced perspective and consider the views of all affected stakeholders.

It would be fair to say that the public outcry about live exports has been at least partially fuelled by a lobby that is philosophically opposed to meat consumption and associated production systems. If live sheep exports are banned, this lobby will move onto their next target. ALRTA is concerned that giving ground on live sheep exports by sea, especially when the trade has demonstrably improved under better regulation (Table 1), will embolden extreme animal activists who will have succeeded in destroying an industry regardless of its actual animal welfare performance. Australian livestock producers, transporters, handlers and processors will likely be subject to increased trespassing, harassment and disruption in the hope that a similar outcome can be achieved across the entire livestock supply chain.

We must fight to save this important part of the Australian livestock value chain,” finishes the ALRTA.

Table 1: Key Statistics for Live Sheep Exports by Sea. Source: Reports to Parliament.

David Fyfe, President,

LRTAWA focuses on the future ahead

The Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia will gaze into the future at its upcoming conference on the 4th/5th August at the Abbey Beach Resort in Busselton and explore some of the changes the industry has ahead of it, including having a close look at emerging technologies.

The WA Government has established a long term policy of economy-wide net zero emissions by 2050, but has not yet set interim targets or formalised emission reduction targets through legislation.

Led by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the State Government is developing sectoral emissions reduction strategies (SERS) in consultation with business, industry research institutions and the community to transition our economy to net zero emissions. A specific strategy is being developed for transport so it is important that we inform ourselves about new developments in carbon friendly technology and make judgements about what will suit our industry so we are in the best position to choose outcomes rather than having them imposed on us. As the Cummins Asia Pacific Director and General Manager, Mike Fowler has reminded us ‘it’s a path to zero emission, not a light switch event.’

Although several speakers are still to be confirmed we are hopeful that Cummins will showcase its 15 litre hydrogen engine, which is built on Cummins’ new fuel-

agnostic platform, where below the head gasket each fuel type’s engine has largely similar components, and above the head gasket, each has different components for different fuel types. This version, with expected full production in 2027, pairs with clean, zero-carbon hydrogen fuel, a key enabler of Cummins’ strategy to go further faster to help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also hope to hear from Volvo about their electric vehicle technology and how it is evolving and what impact Australia’s front axle weight restrictions will have on the expansion of the electric vehicle size.

Janus Electric will explain their exchangeable batteries able to power electric heavy vehicles which are changed in four minutes at an electric charge and change station - powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind. This technology utilises current electrical infrastructure to create a 100% carbon zero solution for electrifying Australia's road transport fleet using renewable energy.

bp Australia is an important national sponsor of our group and has made significant investments in new and emerging low emissions technologies such as hydrogen and renewable diesel. We are looking forward to hearing how these developments can be applied to the work that we do. In particular how the Australian Renewable Energy Hub (AREH) in the Pilbara will take advantage of solar

and wind resources and be operationalised for local customers.

Everyone who drives a truck has a theory about road pavements – what materials should be used, when and where? We will lift the lid on some of the myths at the same time as highlighting innovations in pavement technology. New pavement materials are frequently being trialled such as glass, crushed concrete and rubber, but how effective are they, what impact do certain climatic conditions have, are all potholes created equal?

The heavy vehicle industry already has an enormous amount of technology available to it to increase safety and efficiency. The pace of innovation is such that it is tempting to think we will be left behind if we’re don’t adopt the latest trend. Our conference speakers will help put some of the latest technology into perspective and remind us that we are running a marathon not a sprint.

The conference this year is being jointly held with the national Livestock and Rural Transporters Association so it promises to be bigger than ever. It is not all serious work and we leave plenty of time for fun and frivolity.

You don’t have to be an LRTAWA member to attend and it’s a golden opportunity to get to the heart of those issues that we talk about at roadhouses and truck stops. If you are interested in attending contact jan@lrtawa. org.au for more details.

LRTAWA by

Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Western Australia (Inc)

Contractors appointed for grain rail lines recommissioning study

Agonis Group and Jacobs Australia have been appointed to conduct a study on the recommissioning of sections of Tier 3 freight rail lines in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region, following a tender process conducted earlier this year.

The Narrogin-Kulin-Wickepin Tier 3 Recommissioning Study will provide clarity on the engineering, economic and network potential of recommissioning sections of the Tier 3 Narrogin-Kulin-Wickepin rail lines.

Agonis Group have been appointed to deliver a capital cost estimation of recommissioning the lines, while Jacobs Australia have been appointed to deliver an

economic assessment of the project and collate all study components into a final report.

As part of the economic assessment, Jacobs Australia will consult with key stakeholders including Co-operative Bulk Handling, local shires, rail and road freight operators, local grain and export commodity producers, and community members.

The study and the first stage of works will be funded through a $72 million allocation from Package 1 of the $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) Program, jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments.

Collaborative study to help understand dangerous

goods vehicles movements

Anew industry-led data sharing initiative between Transport Certification Australia (TCA) and the National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) aims to provide better understanding of the movement of vehicles transporting dangerous goods and bulk liquids on the road network.

Speaking at the Bulk Tanker Day 2023 in Brisbane, TCA’s General Manager of Strategy and Delivery Gavin Hill said the new initiative builds upon the success of an earlier data sharing arrangement between TCA and the NBTA, which involved transport operators in the dangerous goods sector.

Study proves feasibility of gas to hydrogen pipeline conversion

Laboratory testing conducted by APA, the owner and operator of the Parmelia Gas Pipeline, has successfully proved that it is technically feasible, safe and efficient to run the southern section of the pipeline at the current operating pressure using pure or blended hydrogen.

The 43 kilometre section of the pipeline

being considered for conversion runs between the Kwinana Industrial Area and the Alcoa Pinjarra Refinery.

The testing was conducted as part of APA's second phase of research into converting the section of pipeline and was partly funded with $300,000 from the WA Government's Renewable Hydrogen Fund.

The WA Government is investing more than $170 million to accelerate the growth of Western Australia's renewable hydrogen

industry and meet the commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The pressurised hydrogen testing was undertaken at Australia' first dedicated hydrogen test laboratory at the University of Wollongong, in partnership with the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre.

The next phase of the project will

consider preparing the pipeline for hydrogen service, including detailed conversion plans and safety studies, while continuing to investigate potential supply and offtake opportunities.

To read the public knowledge sharing report for APA Group's Parmelia Gas Pipeline Hydrogen Conversion Project Technical Feasibility Study go to www.wa.gov.au/government/documentcollections/public-knowledge-sharingreports-wa-renewable-hydrogen-fund

“What we found from the previous study was that many dangerous goods transport operators had not necessarily seen a macro view of their vehicles’ footprint across the network. So, instead of leaving that as a one-off study, we’ve decided to launch an evergreen study, where we’ll work with the industry to make sure they get true benefits out of it,” Hill said.

A key aspect of this new initiative is that the types of dangerous goods being carried by vehicles will be collected. When combined with vehicle movement data, the collection of dangerous goods types will provide valuable insights into the movement of dangerous goods on the road network, Hill explained.

“We recognise that different operators may collect this information in different ways, and we’ll work with individual operators to ensure there’s streamlined process to share dangerous goods load information with us.”

He also highlighted how the construction transport sector has established a data sharing initiative with TCA.

A key foundation of all industry-led data sharing initiatives managed by TCA is the transparent consent arrangements, which fully disclose the purpose for which data is collected, how it will be used and importantly, how it will not be used. These arrangements, coupled with TCA’s independent role, are essential to establishing the trust necessary for transport operators to enter into voluntary data sharing initiatives.

To find out more or get involved go to tca.gov. au/dangerous-goods-voluntary-data-study/

The 43 kilometre section of the pipeline being considered for conversion runs between the Kwinana Industrial Area and the Alcoa Pinjarra Refinery.

This is ‘The Outback’

Take time out for your mates

By Cliff Graham

Iwant to pay tribute to a couple of true old school legend mates we’ve lost over the last couple of months. Paul (Blue) Wilton, Walter Nepier along with Gavin, an old ringer from Queensland I met many years ago.

Sometimes life gets that busy that we forget to take time out for our mates.

I admired Blue who was an old school, straight shooter cattle carter. He told it how it was and didn’t sugar coat anything - language just rolled of his tongue. He was always willing a belt someone if he thought they needed it and likewise he would give anyone the shirt of his back and was always keen to offer advice to anyone who would listen. Sadly nowadays it seems these are rare qualities to find anywhere, let alone on the road.

I admired Walter’s passion for the transport industry and we shared and swapped many like-minded ideas. These truckies will be truly missed and our conversations will never be forgotten.

This month I want to highlight my old mate Gavin who I met around 199293 delivering hay to a property called Monklands – north-west of Alpha in Queensland. After unloading we had the customary cup of tea and a snack. During this time, I see in the distance on the veranda an aged gentleman walking by and I ask my mate Martin, “Is that your grandad?” Martin replies, “No that’s Gav and knowing I was a bushy and always out for yarn called him over for a cuppa.

Upon introduction, I found Gav to be a quiet reserved type of bloke. Martin said Gav was born in 1900 so whatever year it

was, that’s how old Gav was.

At 13 years old, Gav walked to Monkland and has lived and worked there ever since. Martin’s family inherited Gavin in 1965 when they bought the station.

The more I heard of Gav’s story the more questions I had for him and he opened up and shared his story. He didn’t say too much about his own achievements

and return to Alpha then two weeks to Longreach with the mail unload reload with wool then back to Alpha.

He told the story of how they both went to Alpha show and saw a road train loaded with wool. He recalled how his father was in shock of how technology had advanced. Gav said, “He looked me in the eye and said ‘that bugger will probably be in Brisbane in the morning’. A tear welled in Gav’s eye as he remembered what his father had been through for years prior to this advancement.

I asked Gav, “What is the toughest thing you've ever had to endure in the Outback?”

He replied, “I never thought I'd see the day I couldn't carry my saddle back to the saddle shed from the horse yards”.

I had tears in my eyes as I slapped Martin on the shoulder and asked, “Are you recording this old bloke’s history?”

but Martin told me that every fence on the property was built by Gavin as well as all the loading ramps at every set of cattle yards (years before trucks were invented) to load and bring the few missed weaners back to the homestead yards on a horse and dray (even if they had to be pulled up and tied to the dray with ropes) because it was impossible to walk a couple of weaners home on their own.

Gavin told me his father was a horse teamster who had the mail run from Rockhampton to Longreach and then carted wool on his wagon for the return trip back to Rockhampton. From Alpha it would take him two weeks to take wool to Rockhampton unload and load the mail

Martin assured me that his dad is starting to write a lot of things down which Gavin talks about so this history is not forgotten.

I could have stayed and kept listening to Gav but had to get on the road home. A few days later, talking to Martin he mentioned Gavin said he thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Well I had to admit not near as much as I did.

Although I wanted to, I never got back to see Gavin again. He passed away before I made time.

I will never forget these above mentioned legends. Now more than ever with so much of the crap going on in the world we need mates that we can listen to and learn from and bounce off… even talk a bit of BS and have a laugh. Go find a mate today and have a yarn.

Upon introduction, I found Gav to be a quiet reserved type of bloke. Martin said Gav was born in 1900, so whatever year it was that’s how old Gav was

New airline for regional WA

Second rail upgrade project underway to improve grain transport

Work to upgrade rail infrastructure in the State's grain growing regions is gaining momentum with construction at Broomehill rail siding now underway as part of the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) Program.

The Broomehill project involves replacing the rail siding and installing rapid rail loading infrastructure which will significantly increase the amount of grain that can be loaded at any one time.

AState Government investment of more than $4 million has culminated in the expansion of the State's InterRegional Flight Network (IRFN), with the launch of Western Australia's newest carrier, Nexus Airlines.

The launch of Nexus Airlines, which is owned by Aviair, will deliver more routes, upgraded services and cheaper airfares for regional Western Australians.

The State Government granted Aviair a monopoly right to assist in the establishment of the IRFN service in 2019 and has now committed $4.05 million over four years until June 2027 to enhance the service and extend the network to Geraldton.

Nexus Airlines will fly 76-seater planes on the expanded IRFN operating between Geraldton-Karratha-Port Hedland-Broome and return along with other regional routes across Western Australia.

The larger planes accommodate more than eight times the capacity of Aviair’s

nine-seater planes currently used on the existing IRFN and will make air travel on the network more affordable.

The IRFN provides direct air travel for regional residents between major business and tourism centres in the State's MidWest, Pilbara and Kimberley regions, saving time for travellers by removing the need to travel via Perth.

Nexus Airlines has also announced a new Geraldton-Perth service.

Customers of Nexus Airlines' GeraldtonPerth service will have access to the Government's popular Regional Airfare Zone Cap Scheme, which is making air travel more affordable for regional Western Australians.

More than 100,000 capped airfares were booked in the first nine months of scheme.

Nexus Airlines is expected take flight on the expanded IRFN on 28 July this year. For more information visit nexusairlines.com.au

Safer Freight Vehicle Discussion Paper

Feedback is being sought on reforms to increase the width of heavy vehicles into Australia to boost safety.

The NHVR has released a Discussion Paper on how to implement the Australian Government’s Safer Freight Vehicle (SFV) reform proposals, including increasing the width of heavy vehicles fitted with modern safety technologies.

NHVR Chief Regulatory Policy and Standards Officer David Hourigan said the reforms would support the uptake of safer heavy vehicles by increasing the overall

width up to 2.55m or 2.60m.

“The proposed SFV reforms would increase the fitment of safety technologies to new heavy vehicles by aligning local width regulations with those in major markets such as Europe,” Mr Hourigan said.

“These reforms will give industry access to a greater range of heavy vehicles fitted with the latest safety technologies.” To read the discussion paper visit nhvr.gov. au/consultation/2023/06/30/implementationof-safer-freight-vehicle-reforms

The $200 million ASCI Package 1 is jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and includes $68 million for upgrading 11 rail sidings at major Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) grain bins, complemented by investment from the CBH Group.

Broomehill is one of the top five grain receival sites in the Albany region and is the second siding upgrade to begin construction following Brookton which broke ground in February this year.

The project will also move grain loading facilities away from the Broomehill town site, reducing noise and impacts on local residents.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "The ASCI Program has specifically targeted infrastructure projects that will have maximum effect in terms of making freight more productive, efficient, and safe.

"While Broomehill is one of the top five grain receival sites in the Albany region, its current rail loading capability means it isn't equipped to keep up with handling the bumper harvests of our grain producers.

“Demand for WA's quality grain products amongst international markets is outstripping what we currently export, including in the Albany region.

"The upgrades now underway at Broomehill will help to address this shortfall and move thousands more tonnes of grain each month to port to meet market demand and boost the WA economy.”

For more information on the ASCI Program, visit www.transport.wa.gov.au

Why the future of transport is connected

By Tim Staley, Chief Operating Officer and Transport and Logistics Lead, NCS Australia

As transport demand returns to pre-COVID levels, transport and infrastructure owners and operators are turning to technology to help keep our country moving safely and efficiently. Sectors such as mining are already turning to connectivity combined with cloud computing and data analytics to improve safety and efficiency. We see land transport systems undergoing a similar transformation, propelled, in particular, by 5G technology.

The latest report by NCS Australia highlights the rise of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) as one of the five trends driving change in the Australian transport and logistics industry.

Rise of connected vehicles

Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV’s) are vehicles that are equipped with communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular data and have the ability to respond autonomously in certain situations. In Australia, many CAVs are already in use across the road network with varying degrees of automation such as lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and park assist.

One of the most significant benefits of connected vehicles is the potential for reducing accidents. Drivers can receive alerts and warnings about potential hazards on the road ahead, as well as early detection of fatigue. Connected vehicles can also alert other vehicles on the road about their position and speed, reducing the likelihood of collisions. Several CAV strategies and pilots are underway at Federal and State levels to understand the impact of increasing automation, especially when operating in a hybrid model as we do now; and over time we see these scaling up and having significant safety, performance, and efficiency benefits across the country.

The emergence of 5G

The increasing prevalence of 5G promises to deliver higher speed, density, and availability at ultra-low latency. This enables near real-time streaming, processing, and optimisation controls for

a vast number of IOT (Internet of Things) devices being progressively built into transport vehicles and infrastructure.

One major use case for this would be autonomous driving. With the low latency of 5G networks, the safety of autonomous vehicles can be enhanced with road hazard and accident-avoidance systems capable of triggering an automated response in close to real-time.

5G also paves the way for improved facilities and service innovation such as connected buses and bus stops, in-vehicle infotainment and shopping, detection of illegal parking, and real-time discovery of parking availability.

Connected infrastructure

Another area that connectivity is driving change is Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). This is where Vehicle-to-Everything technology connects transport vehicles with infrastructure operators to alleviate congestion, improve safety, and traffic conditions.

Australia is at the forefront of this trend across a range of areas including traffic management, smarter motorways, capacity management and routing, and interactive rail signaling.

For example, traffic lights, road signs, and parking meters are becoming

increasingly connected and ‘smart.’ This is helping transport agencies and local governments to collect and analyse data to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Adoption of connected services

Another major trend being driven by connectivity is the adoption of micromobility (scooters, bikes), ridesharing and car-sharing services that are enabled by technology and come under the term Mobility as a service (MaaS).

These connected services are helping to open choice for people, helping them get from A to B in a way that suits them. It can also help people who may not have access to a car or public transportation. For example, ride-sharing services can provide affordable transportation to people living in areas without public transport.

Environmental benefits

Growing demand from customers and the government for sustainable solutions has led to an increase in environmentally friendly practices in the logistics and supply chain sector. We are seeing organisations increasingly prioritising Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and often turning to technology to help them walk the talk: from emissions reporting systems to more efficient journey planning. And it’s connectivity that is enabling much of this.

These innovations can enable seamless communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and services, enhancing safety, efficiency, and accessibility. In terms of connectivity the challenge for many organisations is often around managing the exponential increase in data volume: how to gather it, manage it and make best use of it. As we move towards a more connected world, it will be essential that transport organisations channel their resources towards advancing the development of their data capabilities to ensure a more sustainable future for all.

To view the report visitncs.co/en-au/ knowledge-centre/the-key-trends-drivingthe-Australian-transport-and-logisticsmarket-today

Tim Staley

Lights on the Hill at Talbott’s farm at Brunswick Junction

By Kevin Toovey

There are some big gum trees at Talbott’s farm and this day was one of those days when you didn't walk or park under them. The wind was strong enough to blow a dog off its chain.

There was never any trouble to see what club we belonged to either, the HCVC flag stood straight out all day making it very easy to read.

I have been to this event several times now and when you come and it is very nice weather it all seems very romantic out

there in the paddock with the machinery working. On days like that the nostalgia sets in, however a bit of wind and rain brings back some different memories and puts it all in a different light. It was still a great day out and many thanks to Tracmach South West Branch for inviting us.

There were two of the green painted Cat graders in action. They would blend in well with the bush if they ever worked out on the road. There is a reason for why shire graders and main roads maintenance vehicles are

usually those bright yellow colours.

The heavy duty fire pits were appreciated to keep us warm, they were very substantial and had to be put in place with a forklift before lighting up.

The tractor pull always attracts an audience. Smoke and noise appears to be the crowd pleaser, many of the old machines had a go. The Detroit powered Oliver was certainly the loudest, many operators of these old tractors are a bit deaf these days.

Robert Hyde's red Inter with his dumper on the back. Eddy’s Chev ute with his Caterpillar on the back. HCVC flag flying strong

Cat D4 pushing up

McCormick Deering crawler did well

Fire pits

Massey 1150 on the tractor pull sled

Massey Ferguson mouldboard ploughing

International Loadstar and B Model Mack

1924 Republic truck

Vintage John Deere tractors

Chev and international

A nice pair of Fords

F series Ford truck International tractor line up

A pair of old Dogs

Colin Blackburn’s V8 Massey Ferguson

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

building is owned by the RTTC.”

Transport Forum’s website was inaugurated as www.transportforum.com, preferring the United States of America finish as opposed to the .au.

An Associate Member category was introduced at the December 7 Board of Management Meeting with a fee of $1000. Another new division was established during the year with the Training Division having its inaugural meeting on December 14 after the Annual General Meeting on October 11. Greg Vigus was elected Chairman.

2001

The Board of Management, at its January 4 meeting, endorsed a recommendation to hire a training facilitator to assist the Training Manager.

2000

The previous administration was described as being “in a shocking state” and the financials were unaudited.

Resolutions were passed that included changing the name to Transport Forum WA and that RTTC wind up and hand over surplus assets within 14 days; accept all paid members of RTTC as members of Transport Forum WA; accept the appointment of the Executive; and agree that the initial divisions of the Association would be training, school bus, freight and owner-driver.

The appointments for the Executive were Frank Marley as Chairman, Derek Nathan and Max O’Dea as Vice-Chairmen, Mark Popham as Treasurer and the three elected members as Ian Tarling, Glen Sterle and Len Della. Also the four divisional representatives would be part of the committee.

Howard Croxon was confirmed as the Acting CEO at the November 16 Transport Forum Board of Management Meeting — the first under that name — and one of his first tasks was to sort out an office at the Cohn Street premises.

WARTA and the Road Transport Training Council (RTTC) merged on December 1 to become Transport Forum WA. RTTC owned premises in Cohn Street, Carlisle and the property would be signed over to Transport Forum. RTTC could not sell the property before the merger. Derek Nathan stated at the Annual General Meeting of October 8 held at Cohn Street that the RTTC would wind up and give the assets and liabilities to the Association. The name on the title deeds would be Transport Forum WA. It was asked how the RTTC came to have the building and property. The reply was: “The Commonwealth Government gave RTTC a grant and if it had not survived it would have had to repay the money. It survived and that is why the

Contract trainer Phil Loffman was engaged as a full-time staff member, seen by the March 15 Board of Management Meeting as a cost-saving measure and beneficial in the long run.

Max O’Dea stated it would be his last year as Chairman (little did he know he would do a further two terms) and said: “He had learnt a lot about himself and human nature” while in the role. Minister for Transport Michelle Roberts addressed the meeting, stating that the ALP had been in opposition for many years and it was time “to deliver changes and differences that the public expected and that the Government now had an obligation to deliver”.

Under Howard Croxon’s expert leadership, the workings of the office were improved considerably in 2001. The same could be said of the work of Treasurer Mark Popham in returning the finances of the Forum to an even keel at a time when auditors’ fees topped out at four times the budgeted amount.

Image by OSX - wikimedia.org

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