Western Roads Federation - Lockdown creates shortages and problems

Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION byCam Dumesny, CEO

LOCKDOWN CREATES SHORTAGES AND PROBLEMS

The locking down of Western Australia’s borders has certainly helped protect the state plus has helped drive up the WA Premier’s popularity with the general community.

The border rules are generally working well, except that every time they change the Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol. These will be implemented on a state by state basis. Each individual state had up until Monday 17 August to implement the protocol. The NHVR is encouraging all operators to commence as soon as possible implementing within their business a framework that will cover the “Enforceable Measures” outlined in the protocol. The governments have agreed on a more consistent testing system and easier access to testing sites. They have also agreed that interstate freight workers will be screened at pop-up testing sites on major interstate freight routes. The facilities will operate for extended hours that meet industry needs, with the capacity for 24 hour operation where practicable.

Under the agreed code, testing will be free of charge. People with symptoms will be separated from people who do not have symptoms and just need a test to meet the border crossing requirements.

the rules, chaos usually follows for a week or so.

Public Concern

With the outbreaks of the virus in the East, WA talkback radio and social media went into hyper drive claiming truckies

Freight workers will not have to go into quarantine or self-isolation while they are waiting for the results of a screening test, unless they have symptoms or are a close contact of a known case. Testing sites will provide workers with evidence they were tested; the evidence will be recognised nationally.

States and territories will mutually recognise each other’s COVID Safe plans. were a risk of bringing the virus into Western Australia. Listening or reading the comments, it's clear many of the public do not realise just how dependent WA is on being able to transport food, medicine, and equipment from the East.

Inconsistent Rules

Aside from the public concerns, the transport operators trying to supply the state, have to deal with every state having different rules. This made it incredibly difficult for those companies to move stuff into and out of WA. Take for example the company that brings in fresh produce to WA from Far North Queensland. They crossed through: • Queensland/ NSW border, • NSW/ Victoria border, • Victoria/ South Australia border • South Australia / Western Australia border

Freight border crossing updates

National Cabinet has agreed to

• AND then do the same going back home

The governments have agreed on a more consistent testing system and easier access to testing sites

Operators will just need to develop one plan on their home state’s template, not a separate one with the same information for each state. To read the code visit www.infrastructure. gov.au/vehicles/vehicle_regulation/files/ freight-movement-code-for-the-domesticborder-controls.pdf and for up to date information for Western Australia visit freightandlogisticscouncil.com.au

The Federal Government and other national agencies ended up joining the Western Roads Federation initiated meeting, as clearly by then it was a hot topic

It’s hard enough keeping up with WA rule changes, imagine what it was like for the operators of the company above trying to keep up to date with all the rules in five states.

WA Drove the Push for National Standards

So in early July, Western Roads Federation convened a meeting of a number of cross border operators to put together a set of draft national rules that were easy to administer but would provide confidence to the Government and community that the industry could be trusted not to spread the virus. Above all else, a set of rules that would help protect the industry’s most important asset, its drivers.

The Federal Government and other national agencies ended up joining the Western Roads Federation initiated meeting, as clearly by then it was a hot topic.

The meeting agreed to a set of standards that were given to the Federal Government. These appear to have been largely adopted by the Federal government according to the latest information.

Skills Shortage

The other big issue is that with WA effectively banning FIFO a major shortage of drivers, mechanics, and other skills has emerged. WA already had a shortage of suitably employable MC drivers preCOVID-19. But now, without FIFO drivers (not the haulpaks but MC drivers), the problem is currently severe.

The state government wants WA people to replace FIFO. That is fine but the reality is we need: • People that want to be drivers; and • A training program that delivers competent drivers.

There is little to no argument that the current driver training and licencing system is not delivering the quality of drivers the industry needs. Therefore, we need a driver training program developed by the industry for the industry. To achieve this, Western Roads Federation has brought together the Industry’s in-house driver trainers, to help develop an agreed driver training program in the first instance for HC to MC drivers.

Industry Needs Time

But that will take time. And we are asking the state government to allow FIFO drivers until such time as the industry can train up local WA drivers. However, we will also need mechanics and other specialist skills. Ultimately, we are progressing towards an industry training program that will attract kids from school and then give them over time a structured pathway of real training that the industry values.

So COVID-19 has created problems, but with every problem is an opportunity.

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION IS THE UNITED VOICE OF WA TRANSPORT COMPANIES Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit. Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved. For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004