WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE - APRIL 2023 edition

INSTRUCKTA! –PUTTING WA’S PUBLIC IN THE SEAT OF A TRUCK DRIVER

Straight after its official launch, iNSTRUCKTA! – the ‘truck and customised semi-trailer’ which expands into a cuttingedge education space was out in the WA community teaching current and future road users on how to safely interact with trucks. This is the first experience in WA where the public can virtually ‘become’ the truck driver and is also opening the door for interest for career paths in the industry

The recent announcement of 1500 workers around the country receiving the devastating news that Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics, Australia’s largest cold chain operator, will cease operations after it failed to find a buyer, sent shock waves through the industry.

With no direct competitor, Scott’s, which delivers to all major supermarkets, the news spells certain supply chain chaos. You simply can’t have 500 trucks, 1000 trailers and 1500 workers stop operations with no impact.

This is incredibly distressing for the workers around the country who are now without a job.

The TWU is standing behind those workers, and we’re in the process of talking to other major operators including Global Express, Linfox, Centurion and Toll to maximise redeployment opportunities wherever we can in WA and around the country. We’re also working to make sure workers receive the entitlements they’re owed.

The collapse of Scott’s will have ripple effects across WA and all through the country, and it’s a tragedy that doubles as a dire warning: transport is in crisis, and it’s being fuelled by the wealthy companies at the top of the supply chain.

In Scott’s case, the company was relying on an array of high-leverage finance and loan companies to stay afloat. It was surviving, like many other

Transport Reform Now

By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

operators, on razor-thin margins. It’s an industrywide supply chain crisis caused by wealthy clients like Aldi squeezing transport contracts and profiting off those tight margins, while drivers and operators are pushed to the brink.

In the 2021-2022 financial year, almost 200 companies in the transport sector became insolvent, while their clients at the top of the supply chain have made mammoth profits.

In transport, Australia’s deadliest industry, financial difficulties are transformed into huge safety risks on our roads, with drivers pressured to work longer, harder, and faster to make ends meet. Already in 2023, 41 people have lost their lives on Australian roads, 9 of them truck drivers.

Accountability for safety in such a dangerous industry must come from the top – from those wealthy clients squeezing transport contracts.

Woolworths and Coles have signed charters with the TWU on supply chain transparency, fairness, and safety. Aldi, whose profit margins are much higher than its competitors, refuses to do the same.

Instead, Aldi has tried to silence truckies speaking out on safety in the Federal Courtbut lost, twice.

Transport needs reform. It needs it urgently. Reforms that should ensure client

Owner Drivers DESERVE BETTER!

accountability, supply chain sustainability and safe, sustainable rates for all transport workers including gig workers, owner drivers, employees and labour hire workers to ensure a safer, fairer and sustainable transport industry.

Scott’s collapse won’t ‘just’ impact the 1500 workers who are now tragically without a job – it will have effects throughout supply chains including the average shopper expecting groceries to be on shelves. It is also a warning that without change, there will be more mayhem because of profit-hungry clients like Aldi.

Wealthy companies must be made accountable for the strain they impose upon operators and transport workers. They must take responsibility for safety, fairness and sustainability throughout their supply chains.

It’s time to stop the practice of giving out work to the cheapest bidder – safety must be the cornerstone of transport contracts.

Last year the Federal Government committed to crucial reform that would see enforceable minimum standards set across the transport industry. Federal Parliament must now pass those reforms to make transport work fairer, safer and more sustainable for all participants; reform intended to prevent more instances like the Scott’s collapse.

Beware of questionable mandates

On the 3rd of March this year the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Murray Watt, announced plans to push ahead with a phase-out of live sheep exports (by sea) from Australia. This is a decision that will impact Western Australia more than any other state or territory in Australia.

Last year 99.2% of the 502,758 sheep shipped from Australia came from WA.

The industry is worth $92m in trade and employs around 3000 people. More importantly however Australia is the only country that actively improves animal welfare standards in the countries they send livestock to.

If Australia ceases to supply livestock, other countries with lesser standards will supply it, to the detriment of improvement of animal welfare globally. In addition to the influence Australia has at the other end of the journey, Australian sheep are reared and transported under one of the most highly

regulated animal welfare regimes in the world. The phase-out decision should ring alarm bells that any legitimate production industry could fall victim to political expediency and sectional interests. Will live cattle exports or livestock transport be next?

We’ve already seen what has happened to the timber industry in our South West.

Minister Watt claims that live sheep exports has lost its ‘social licence’. I can’t help wondering what an industry needs to do to maintain this nebulous accreditation. Who is the judge and are they impartial?

The live export industry has invested heavily in improving welfare management on board vessels. The industry today is not the same as it was in 2017 with significant changes being made since then. Improvements include increased space for each animal on board, improved ventilation, independent observers on every journey, heat management plans, automatic environmental sensors and a moratorium

on shipments to the Middle East during the northern hemisphere summer.

Heat stress is no longer an adverse animal issue on vessels. The issue has been addressed. Still, this is not enough for the shady arbiters of ‘social licence’. So much for decisions being evidence based.

It is not only live export in the firing line. There are ramifications for other commodities that we trade in the same markets our sheep go to. International trade is a finely balanced act, reliant on good will and reliability, particularly where cultural needs are at the forefront of discussions. To suggest that our Middle East markets will replace boxed and chilled meat with live meat, completely misrepresents the structure of the market.

The Middle East is already a large customer for chilled and frozen, but this trade exists cohesively with the trade in live animals which is their preference. It is arrogant in the extreme to suggest that

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

we as a Western country should attempt to dictate the cultural demands and food security needs of a trading partner.

A good example of the trade risks posed by the phase-out is what happened in 2012 when Saudi Arabia stopped importing Australia’s live sheep. The Saudis did not fill the gap left by Australia with chilled and boxed meat, they imported live animals from places like the Horn of Africa, where it is unlikely the animal welfare conditions can match those of Australia. With the Middle Eastern region forecast to import around 6.3 million head by 2026 they will look to markets such as Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia to fill any gap left by Australia.

We estimate that the loss of the live export trade will result in an immediate impact of between 30-40% to WA rural transporters’ bottom line.

Businesses that transport sheep, fodder, straw, hay will all be affected. This will result in staff being shed, equipment will not only be idle, but it will also lose its value.

Some businesses will become insolvent.

Local communities will be badly affected. Rural transporters are active supporters of

local community groups and punch well above their weight in sponsoring sporting groups and other local activities such as shearing competitions. These sponsorship dollars will be under threat.

Shearers, tyre fitters, mechanics, machinery dealers, grocery stores will all feel the pinch if live sheep export becomes a thing of the past.

The suggestion that on-shore processing can fill the void left by live sheep exports ignores the practical reality of the lack of construction capacity in WA and the inability to staff existing abattoirs quite apart from market realities. Taxpayers’ money will no doubt be provided to processors to give the impression this is a viable strategy.

WA Premier, Mark McGowan and Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis have both said they believe the existing management measures for sheep export were appropriate. That seems to be as far they are prepared to go however, as there has been no evidence they have lobbied the Federal Government to change its mind. Instead they have run up the white flag and

admitted defeat.

The broader transport industry should take note of the battle that is to be waged.

The transport industry will be front and centre of government policy to reduce emissions. You can be sure there will be claims about ‘social licence’ as part of the implementation of those policies.

As an industry we will do well to take heed about who determines whether an industry has ‘social licence’ or not, how it is measured, what value is placed on previous investments in reform and the extent to which government support can be taken at face value.

The LRTAWA does not accept or support closing a legitimate and lawful industry for short term political gain. Anything short of strong opposition to the Federal Government’s desire to shut down the live sheep export industry risks a contagion spreading to other commodities and other sectors of the transport industry on the basis of a questionable mandate and unsubstantiated community attitudes

We estimate that the loss of the live export trade will result in an immediate impact of between 30-40% to WA rural transporters’ bottom line

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

HAPPY Birthday MAX WINKLESS –95 years young.

Such sad news of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics end and we have broken it down for you on Page 6. So many factors were out of their hands however their demise does bring to light lessons every transport business can take from. In this edition, the ban on live sheep exports from Australia by sea, which the Federal Government committed to ‘not’ phase out during this current term of Australian Parliament is now going through a planning and consulting stage. A must read on Page 2 on how this is being allowed to happen – especially with an exemplary animal welfare system resulting in only 0.21 per cent mortality figures on voyages.

Nuclear not Nucular… Just saying… we talk a bit about the subs for Western Australia. Thank you to Cliff Graham who has kindly agreed to become a columnist with - This is

‘The Outback’ Page 17.

Lots more in this edition including iNSTRUCKTA!’s first week in action. It is already proving to be a magnet for all ages who are given the opportunity through virtual reality to sit in the seat of a truck driver and see what they see – or don’t. It is also attracting present and future participants in our industry.

To the valued subscribers who receive the hard copy of the magazine each month, my apologies that it was a little late last month. Our printer who also posts the magazines was hit by COVID-19 plus Australia Post is also taking longer.

It was a shock to me when I found out it was late as it was the first time ever this had happened – the magazine is 29 years old this year.

Best,

Every Month

COLLAPSE OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST COLDCHAIN REFRIGERATION TRANSPORT COMPANY

factors that were out of their hands.

In the aftermath of the announcement, KordaMentha were appointed receivers and set about finding a new long-term owner. They anticipated ‘high interest’ in the business and its assets considering its significance in the cold chain supply system in Australia.

Reported by The Australian, as many as 20 buyers were at one point interested in taking the company on – but some were put off by the ageing fleet and large debts.

In the end, no one was found to buy the business from owners Anchorage Capital Partners, a private-equity company that bought Scott’s in 2020 for A$75 million.

When news broke late February that one of Australia’s largest trucking firms which services major supermarkets - Scott's Refrigerated Logistics had been placed in voluntary administration many asked, “How did it happen?”

All of industry has been through the

natural disasters, broken supply chains, rising prices and are still contending with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and yes many businesses have failed over this time, but no one expected it to be one this large.

The company’s directors blamed the business failure on the high cost of maintaining an ageing fleet plus the above

Blockbuster high court case

Electric car owners, Kath Davies and Chris Vanderstock are taking the action against Victoria and its road user charge, and also have the support of the Federal Government.

Victoria introduced the Zero and Low Emissions Vehicles (ZLEV) distance-based charge on 1 July 2021 and imposes a 2.6 cent levy for every kilometre driven by an electric or hydrogen car, and 2.1 cents per kilometre for plug-in hybrids.

The Victorian Government said the levy was designed to replace fuel excise – a 47.7 cents-per-litre tax collected by the Federal Government and then distributed to the states as it sees fit – because electric vehicles were in effect getting a free ride by bypassing this revenue stream.

Victorian owners who have plug-in hybrids (either battery or petrol) pay both taxes.

The rest of Australia’s states and territories are standing behind Victoria.

However, the Commonwealth is arguing the ZLEV charge is a tax on goods – something only the Federal Government can impose.

The ATA has lodged submissions with the High Court in support of the plaintiffs, because of the implications of the case for road users and trucking businesses.

Without a sale, more than 1,500 staff were told they would be made redundant and the firm would enter liquidation, The assets include 500 trucks 1,000 trailers and warehouses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

The TWU jumped on board to help the drivers by talking to other major operators for redeployment opportunities and it would be hoped that some of this influx of

WA assistance notice extended to 30 June

The NHVR will be extending the National Class 3 Supplementary Access (Western Australia Assistance) Exemption Notice until 30 June 2023.

The extension of the Notice is an important step in supporting the ongoing recovery efforts in the floodaffected regions in the north of Western Australia, by authorising the continued access of Class 3 heavy vehicles that are road trains up to 53.5m in length to a specified network from Western Australia to South Australia.

Drivers of these vehicles are asked to please remember that the roads on this route are not designed for these longer vehicles, and to exercise particular caution and drive carefully when travelling to and from the affected regions.

The current version of the notice will expire on 28 February, and the new notice which can be found at www.legislation. gov.au/Details/C2023G00264 will be valid from 1 March.

For more information, please read the accompanying information sheet to the notice and the special access notices page.

drivers can take opportunities with medium and small transport businesses as well.

It is obvious that there were ‘many’ factors attributing to the demise however, if you look at ‘what they were doing’… being ‘Australia’s only truly dedicated national temperature-controlled supply chain network’ that gives a clue to some of the extra financial impacts their business model had – especially if the fleet was ageing and costing more to maintain.

In July 2020, they announced the addition of six new Kenworth T610 prime movers to their fleet, complementing another four new Kenworth K200 prime movers that had already been brought into service.

“This represents an exciting phase in the expansion of our fleet to improve safety and the impact on the environment. These latest models are more fuel efficient and feature the latest in truck safety technology, including autonomous braking, lane departure warning and blind spot indicators to assist our drivers and provide a greater level of safety to all road users,” as stated on their social media at this time.

It is a sad situation for everyone involved in the transport industry and brings to full light how Australia’s grocery retail sector is controlled by Coles and Woolworths (65% of market) and Aldi with another 10%. With a 75% monopoly you have to question if anyone in the food supply chain is at a disadvantage when it comes to negotiating contracts.

So how did Coles and Aldi respond to the collapse of Scott's Refrigerated Logistics?

“Our focus remains on continued availability of refrigerated products in stores and online for our customers," a Coles spokesperson told 9News.com.au

"Coles is no longer relying on Scott's Refrigerated Logistics for our deliveries and we have transferred services to our other transport partners.

Aldi, whilst voicing some sympathy for the situation told news.com.au, “We worked with our existing logistics partners to ensure the three per cent of Scott's business managed for Aldi transitioned to other logistics partners.

Administrator McGrathNicol estimated

WA OWNED AND RUN

employees’ claims on Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics total $25 million and warned the amount could rise as more details emerge, according to the first meeting of the company’s creditors.

Disruption to the key transport system and “uncommercial” customer arrangements due to intense competition also hit the group’s accounts. The final blow came when Scott’s failed to obtain further debt or equity funding, summarised McGrathNicol.

McGrathNicol said it is unclear how much will be left for employees’ claims due to the complexity of Scott’s financing structure, particularly around ScotPac, the owners of its receivables. As a secured creditor, ScotPac’s claims rank ahead of employee claims.

McGrathNicol said employees will have recourse to FEG, a government scheme of last resort that provides financial assistance for unpaid employee entitlements in the event of insolvency. The administrator noted that the last round of superannuation payments was potentially incomplete, but wages appeared up-to-date.

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We have all heard that Western Australia will be home to Australia's nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s, as part of an $8 billion expansion of Perth's naval base.

We also know that the Premier of WA, Mark McGowan has made it clear his government will not be volunteering to dispose of nuclear waste from AUKUS submarines in WA.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers made the announcement saying WA was set to play a key role in the AUKUS defence and security partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom on nuclearpowered submarines.

Speaking in Rockingham, near the HMAS Stirling naval base, he described it as the "biggest industrial undertaking in

Australia’s history”.

There will be four main elements for WA:

• Wharf upgrades and expansion of maintenance training, and expanded logistical capacity at HMAS Stirling;

• More frequent and longer visits of American submarines from this year, and UK subs from 2026;

• HMAS Stirling will host rotations of US and UK submarines from 2027 as part of Submarine Rotational Force West, known as SRF-West;

• WA will be home to Australian nuclearpropelled submarines from the early 2030s, the US Virginia class.

• Mr Chalmers said there would be 500 direct jobs to sustain the initiative from 2027 to 2032.

Australia’s nuclear submarine program

will cost up to $368 billion over the next three decades, with confirmation that the federal government will buy at least three American-manufactured nuclear submarines and contribute" significant additional resources” to US shipyards.

"[In] its workers, its industries and its economy, which will create around 3,000 jobs, plus another 500 or so when it comes to SRF-West,” he said.

The deal is expected to see $1 billion invested over the next four years, with the overall amount committed over 10 years.

"It will be all about making sure the infrastructure at HMAS Stirling can accommodate the increasing visits and the rotational forces, and when they arrive in the early 2030s, our own nuclear-propelled subs,” Mr Chalmers said.

He said the federal government would continue to work with Australian Naval Infrastructure and the WA government to develop options for large vessel infrastructure.

The chair of the Australian Industry and Defence Network of WA, Kristian Constantinides, said the federal government’s announcements for WA were welcome, as they would enable long-term planning.

“It’s been about having the capability we have here recognised, the vulnerability that we have in our north west recognised, and acknowledging that WA has something to offer in that national endeavour,” he said.

He also said WA should be able to provide technological support under the ‘trilateral’ concept.

“There are pathways in Western Australia for companies to allow their innovations to be seen, to engage funding and to be supported.

LIVE EXPORT BAN CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Federal Government has launched a consultation process to phase out live sheep exports by sea.

In making the announcement, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, named a panel to oversee the consultation process including:

• Phillip Glyde – Former Murray-Darling Basin Authority CEO (Chair).

• Heather Neil – Former RSPCA CEO.

• Sue Middleton – WA rural advocate.

• The Hon Warren Snowdon – former

Labor Federal Minister.

LRTAWA and ALRTA participated in an online meeting with Minister Watt prior to the announcement, who assured participants that the ban will not take effect during the current term of Parliament and that sheep exports by air and live cattle exports are not included.

The terms of reference for the consultation process include:

• how the government should phase out live sheep exports by sea

• the timeframe to implement the

phase out

• how the phase out will impact exporters, farmers and other businesses across the supply chain

• support and adjustment options for those impacted by the phase out

• opportunities, including options to expand domestic processing and increase sheep meat exports.

The consultation paper can be at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/ Live-Sheep-Phase-Out. Comments are due 31 May 2023.

The biggest industrial undertaking in Australia’s history

Temporary Special Assistance – Kimberley Flood Response – 53.5 m Access Permit Endorsement

In response to the closure of Great Northern Highway at Fitzroy Crossing, Main Roads WA has approved the Temporary Special Assistance Kimberley Flood Assistance 53.5 m Access permit endorsements. Suitably accredited transport operators who are delivering freight to flood impacted areas in the Kimberley Region and or the Northern Territory can apply for the temporary assistance permit endorsement.

The Temporary Special Assistance Kimberley Flood Assistance 53.5 m Access permit endorsement provides temporary access for road trains up to 53.5 metres in length to operate between Coolgardie and or Kalgoorlie and the WA/SA Border and include:

WA/SA Border to Kalgoorlie

• H003 - Eyre Highway, between WA/ SA Border and Coolgardie Esperance Highway.

• H010 - Coolgardie Esperance Highway, between Goldfields Highway and Eyre Highway.

• H049 - Goldfields Highway, between Coolgardie Esperance Highway and Anzac Drive.

WA/SA Border to Coolgardie Road Train Assembly Area

• H003 - Eyre Highway, between WA/ SA Border and Coolgardie Esperance Highway.

• H010 - Coolgardie Esperance Highway, between Great Eastern Highway and Eyre Highway.

• H005 - Great Eastern Highway, between Coolgardie Esperance Highway and Ladyloch Road.

• 6020053 - Ladyloch Road, between Great Eastern Highway and the Road Train Assembly Area.

The Temporary Special Assistance Kimberley Flood Assistance 53.5 m Access Endorsement can only be used in conjunction with the National Class 3 Supplementary Access (Western Australia Assistance) Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

Each vehicle will require a Class 2 &

3 Supplement Period Permit. To apply for a Class 2 & 3 Supplement Period Permit please complete an application form and return to HVS via email permit. applications@mainroads.wa.gov.au

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

Chain of Responsibility –Things to Remember

Chain of Responsibility (CoR) legislation, introduced in 2015, recognises the responsibilities others have in the transportation of goods by road, beyond that of just the driver and operator. This means anyone who has control in the transport chain, including the operator and manager, can be held legally accountable if their actions, inactions or demands cause or contribute to road safety breaches.

The safe loading of vehicles is vitally important in preventing injury to people, and damage to property and roads. There are also economic benefits to all with the load arriving safely at its destination intact and without damage.

Each year, Australians are injured or killed in crashes caused by unrestrained loads. Debris falling from unsecured loads can also cause road closures and disruptions and incur thousands of dollars in vehicle and property damage.

Under the WA transport laws, it is an offence if your load is not properly restrained and is at risk of falling from your vehicle. All parties in the chain are responsible to ensure the vehicle does not exceed mass or dimension limits, and that the load is appropriately restrained.

As part of the chain, you have to take all reasonable steps to ensure you comply with the CoR legislation. Taking reasonable steps could include:

• reviewing business practices;

• reviewing commercial arrangements;

• adopting a risk management approach;

• appropriate training policies;

• ensuring appropriate supervision;

• ensuring responsibilities are known. Under WA transport law the following fines can be applied where unsecured loads are detected: Depending on the severity, fines may be issued to all parties for $100 (minor), $500 (substantial) or $1,000 (severe). Things to always remember:

• Use appropriate equipment for the type of load you are carrying, which includes the correct vehicle and restraint equipment.

• Position the load correctly.

• Use good quality restraint equipment, and ensure it is maintained in good condition.

• Check your load restraint before leaving and during the trip.

• The load restraint should meet performance standards detailed in the Load Restraint Guide 2004. And most importantly, the security of your load is vital to your safety and other road users.

More information can be found on the Main Roads’ website www.mainroads. wa.gov.au or by contacting the Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk on 138 486.

Over to you

Getting bums in seats

Nearly every day we see a report in the media where a truck has had an accident or rollover and the road is closed while a clean-up and recovery is in place.

This is becoming a common occurrence and I’m left wondering what has changed as there was a time when this was a rarity. Sure, the transport task is busier than ever so each year more trucks are on the road. However, we appear to have inadequately trained truck drivers.

A check on statistics with some of the major insurance companies surprised me by showing that over the last decade in Australia, serious truck accidents have actually halved. Fatigue related accidents had dropped by two thirds and inappropriate speed accidents have dropped also by more than half.

While this is highly commendable, on the other side ‘human or driver error’ is the major cause of crashes caused by trucks at over forty percent. When combined with inappropriate speed and fatigue the human factor is responsible for two out of three serious accidents.

The trucking industry has long cried out that the majority of accidents are not the truck drivers fault and the statistics have backed us up.

Statistics are a ‘wonderful thing’ and they show that ten years ago truck drivers

were indeed careful and were at fault in only eight percent of crashes. Fast forward to the present time and this figure has jumped alarmingly to thirty percent.

This trend is ‘terrible’ and one has to be concerned at how we are training our truck drivers and the ease at which they are able to obtain a heavy vehicle license before they are let loose on our roads.

We do have a shortage of people wanting to become truck drivers and it’s a

schools are good at teaching a person ‘how’ to get a driver’s license but seem to lack the ability and time to teach them to be a qualified driver.

For too long now transport companies have failed to provide any training to encourage drivers to become suitable enough to become truck drivers.

Transport companies need to step up and offer training to potential drivers so they can eventually be qualified for the job.

big problem trying to get bums into seats but we must not compromise on standards. Driving trucks require lots of training, skill and education and this all takes time.

Fast tracking people into the industry is a recipe for disaster. We owe it to everyone’s safety that use the road to have properly trained drivers at the wheel of trucks. The potential for untrained drivers to have a major accident does not bear thinking about.

It is my opinion that some Driving

For too long these companies have been reluctant to put their hands in their pockets and fund driver training. They have the trucks and hopefully qualified experienced drivers to mentor our future drivers.

How else are potential drivers going to get the necessary experience to be qualified transport operators? We need the industry to be sustainable and up until now not much has been done to solve our driver shortage.

Keep it safe, Ray

Pratt

This trend is ‘terrible’ and one has to be concerned at how we are training our truck drivers and the ease at which they are able to obtain a heavy vehicle license before they are let loose on our roads

A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

iNSTRUCKTA! – Putting WA’s public in the seat of a truck driver

Straight after its official launch, iNSTRUCKTA! – the ‘truck and customised semi-trailer’ which expands into a cutting-edge education space was out in the community teaching current and future road users how to safely interact with trucks.

Congratulations to non-profit organisation TRANSAFE WA for taking this ‘safety and industry publicity initiative’ from idea to completion. And it is excellent that it is solely for Western Australia.

Enough good can’t be said. It is visually engaging inside and out, atmosphere, well placed lighting and messaging… and it draws in all ages as was evidenced by the long line waiting to enter it at its first event.

What is most exciting for the transport industry as a whole, is it the first experience in WA where participants actually ‘become’

Investment to boost engine room of Western Australia’s economy

Work is underway on a major project that will expand the export and import capacity at the Port of Port Hedland - unlocking trade and investment opportunities, creating hundreds of new jobs and helping drive Australia's Net Zero future.

The Commonwealth Government is investing $565 million to support common user port upgrades in the Pilbara.

Part of this funding will enable the expansion of Lumsden Point in the Port of Port Hedland, in partnership with the Western Australian Government - which is contributing $96.5 million to the project.

The project will deliver new multi-user

facilities and berths that will help diversify trade in the Pilbara and support the growth of renewable industries in Australia and overseas.

This includes increasing the capacity to export battery metals such as lithium and copper concentrates, as well as import renewable energy infrastructure including wind turbines and blades. It will also support the rapid growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara.

Growing the capacity of Pilbara Ports has been identified by Infrastructure Australia as a national infrastructure priority.

Lumsden Point forms part of the Port of Port Hedland Development Plan Review,

Below, L-r: TRANSAFE WA Executive Officer Rob Sharpe, Kamari Houlis and TRANSAFE WA Chairperson Niomi Hurley

the truck driver.

Ok, let’s walk you through the experience. Enter trailer and participants are encouraged to go to one of the 10 wall mounted tablets and complete the iNSTRUCKTA! interactive quiz.

Next they sit on one of the 10 real truck seats inside iNSTRUCKTA!’s trailer secure themselves in with a seatbelt and don a virtual reality headset.

They then become immersed into the cabin of iNSTRUCKTA! - where they get to learn about the trucks blind spots, the dangers of cutting in front of trucks, the importance of giving trucks more room to turn at intersections, not overtaking turning trucks and how to safely overtake trucks.

The VR immersion shows the truck drivers point of view from the cabin and the same scenario from a birds eye view so that participants gain more spatial awareness.

To end, for those interested an opportunity to sit in the actual cab of iNSTRUCKTA! so they can add the physical experience of getting into the cab. Then short road safety video clips on the rear projection wall before making a pledge to do their part in making interactions with

which was undertaken to maximise export capacity at the port.

The first stage of works on the project will construct two seawalls and a new causeway, which will connect the wharf to the proposed logistics hub.

MGN Civil was awarded the contract to complete the first of the seawalls, with a tender to soon be released for the delivery of the second.

Pilbara-based businesses will benefit from the first seawall contract, with 90 per cent of materials and suppliers to be sourced within the region, and additional sub-contracting and labour opportunities

trucks and heavy vehicle safer.

What a brilliant road safety initiative that will change people’s behaviour. iNSTRUCKTA! is travelling throughout WA to schools, communities and to events and if the feedback is anything to go on from its first event, the Eaton Foreshore Festival it is also planting the seed to become a truck driver in our young and giving opportunity

to ‘think about it’ for current road users.

Rob Sharpe- Executive Officer of TRANSAFE WA said, “We are really happy with the number of participants who got the chance to experience the learnings offered by our dedicated WA road transport safety truck. We had a continuous queue of people of all ages lining up and it was pleasing to hear the mums and dads with our future road users talking about what they had learnt.

“Our event sponsor Qube Bulk provided one of their driver trainers Mick Italiano as a helper for the day and he was kept busy chatting to passers-by about truck driving as a career and imparting his tips on safely interacting with trucks on the roads.

“TRANSAFE WA are a not for profit organisation funded by the generous support of our sponsors. Qube Bulk provided the funding to enable iNSTRUCKTA! to attend the Eaton Foreshore Festival and we are always looking for additional funding so that we can continue to deliver this great road safety initiative at future events”.

Rob Sharpe - Executive Officer, TRANSAFE WA

on offer. This will include partnerships with First Nations businesses and economic opportunities for communities across the north-west.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said, "Investment in good infrastructure opens doors and opportunities for businesses and communities, and that's exactly what this project is all about.

"By making use of local expertise and materials for the first seawall, this project will drive a real short-term employment and economic boost while delivering

lasting infrastructure that will continue to benefit the region well into the future."

WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti said, "The Pilbara is the engine room of both the Western Australian and Australian economies, and it's so important we have both levels of government working together to expand our export and import capacity.

"We have a lot of natural advantages in Western Australia, but we must keep investing in the infrastructure that will drive our future growth, and ensure our State and country capitalises on the opportunities that come from the transition to renewables."

Rio Tinto spends more than A$15.3 billion with Australian suppliers

Rio Tinto increased it’s spend with Australian suppliers to more than A$15.3 billion in 2022, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support communities where it operates.

New alliance calls for emergency funding for rural roads

The newly-formed Rural Road Alliance is calling for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion in the upcoming Federal Budget.

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

The Alliance includes GrainGrowers, the National Farmers Federation (NFF), Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA).

Since January 2022, there have been 23 flood events, with 429 declarations across 277 local government areas (LGAs). In the last two months, the ongoing east coast flooding event has seen more than 82,000 kms impacted by flood-related closures across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia, while Western Australia has experienced the devastation of Cyclone Seroja.

The Alliance said recent flooding had taken a wrecking ball to regional roads, including the nationally significant Hume, Newell, Calder, and Western highways. Natural disasters and extreme weather

events have already cost the Australian economy $5 billion in 2022, according to Treasury estimates, as a result of widespread disruption to key industries such as agriculture.

In the lead up to the 2023-24 Federal Budget, the Rural Road Alliance is calling for an emergency 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.

The Alliance said its proposed funding package was an opportunity for the Federal Government to stem the rapid deterioration of Australia’s rural road network, and to reduce the cost to the budget of future climate events.

This was an increase of almost nine per cent on the previous year and was spent with more than 6,200 businesses, including Australian owned and operated businesses and locally owned and managed branches of global companies. The spend helped support tens of thousands of Australian jobs and delivered a significant economic contribution to communities across the country.

As part of this spend, more than A$565 million was spent with Indigenous businesses across Australia – an increase of 40 per cent on the year before.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said, “Supporting local businesses in the communities where we operate is a key priority for Rio Tinto.

We strive to employ local people, buy local products and engage local services – especially from Indigenous, small and regional businesses.

We are working hard to improve our approach to Indigenous business development and engagement in Australia, and while there is still more work to do, last year we significantly increased our spend with Indigenous suppliers.

We couldn’t do what we do without our local supplier partners and having good relationships with them helps us find better ways to provide the materials the world needs and innovate to decarbonise our operations.”

Rio Tinto engages with more than 20,000 suppliers globally.

Preferred proponent named for Fitzroy River Bridge replacement

Aconsortium comprising Georgiou Group Pty Ltd and BMD Constructions Pty Ltd has been named as the Preferred Proponent to deliver the new Fitzroy River Bridge in the Kimberley region.

The consortium will form an alliance with Main Roads and design consultant BG&E to undertake this critical project. Preliminary design investigations are already underway, with site works expected to begin in May 2023 subject to weather conditions and resolution of relevant approvals.

Georgiou Group Pty Ltd and BMD Constructions Pty Ltd have considerable experience in constructing bridges in Western Australia and have the resources and capacity to commence construction activities as soon as possible after the current wet season.

In addition to the permanent restoration of connectivity between the east and west Kimberley, the bridge replacement project will see significant investment in the region's economy. The Alliance will generate opportunities for local suppliers and will work with Traditional Owners and local Aboriginal Corporations to maximise

employment and economic outcomes.

A formal Alliance Agreement with the Preferred Proponent will be executed in the coming weeks, with the new bridge expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

In addition to the freight subsidy support announced yesterday, the WA and Commonwealth Governments will also provide up to $80 million to undertake emergency road recovery works following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The initial works include emergency works to reconnect the region, the installation of the low-level crossing at Fitzroy Crossing, the barge infrastructure and operation, Gibb River Road reinstatement works and permanent repairs at Willare and Fitzroy Crossing.

Works are being prioritised by Main Roads and will get underway as soon as practically possible, working to the seasonal weather conditions.

Discussions between the Australian and Western Australian Government regarding the shared costs of the bridge

replacement are well progressed.

Great Northern Highway between Broome and Derby near Willare has re-opened.

Road and river levels will be monitored closely and if required, access may need to be temporarily limited.

You can stay up to date with the latest news on the road recovery effort by visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/travelinformation/driving-in-wa/kimberley-floodresponse/

WA Minister for Planning Hon Rita Saffioti said, “The new Fitzroy River bridge is a project of critical importance to the Kimberley region, the freight industry and all those businesses and communities that rely on the road network in the north of the State.

“I commend Main Roads for fasttracking its procurement process to allow construction to begin as quickly as possible.

“Main Roads and their Alliance partners will work closely with Traditional Owners to ensure key cultural and heritage considerations associated with the new bridge are carefully addressed and will maximise opportunities for local businesses in Fitzroy Crossing and the wider region.”

REVISED DANGEROUS GOODS CODE and REVIEW

The NTC is conducting a full review of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (the ADG Code).

The work is focusing on the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail.

A high-level update of the ADG Code happens every two years and this will be the first full review since the seventh edition was released in 2007.

NTC has released the Australian Dangerous Goods Code Edition 7.8 which can be used from 1 April 2023.

In summary, the most important changes are

• Inclusion of UN 22 amendments,

including new Chapter 6.9 for fibrereinforced plastics portable tanks.

• Inclusion of UN 21 Corrigendum

• Extensive minor amendments aimed at correcting typographical and translation errors that have occurred when incorporating past UN amendments

• Update of terminology, particularly in relation to pressure vessels and their components.

• Update of references, definitions, etc., as relevant,

To read more detail of the changes visit www.ntc.gov.au/sites/default/files/assets/

It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye

Truck drivers having rocks hurled at them tragically came into spotlight in the Northern Territory recently.

The truck driver’s name is Matt, and he had been tasked by his company to remove a stolen car that was involved in an alleged abduction.

He picked up the vehicle and was driving back to the compound to drop it off when a rock came flying through his window and hit him in the eye.

There are concerns he could be left permanently blind.

His employer Andrew Mowles told Sky News Australia's Laura Jayes that his employee had the window down as it was “quite a nice evening”.

“He’s driven past a verge in the road, slightly turning to the left and someone's

thrown a rock through the side window and hit Matt in the eye,” he said on AM Agenda.

Mr Mowles believes it was an “intentional" attack on the truck driver who was simply doing his job at the time.

“If you’re picking up a rock to throw at a truck or a vehicle, it’s a malicious criminal act. You’re trying to cause harm to the vehicle or the person,” he added.

At this time of writing, the Police had not found the culprits.

files/D-21-0127496%20-%20ADG%20 7.8%20Explanatory%20Document.pdf

NTC is currently seeking stakeholder feedback for the Classification of dangerous goods - Working group paper 1 and Dangerous Goods List (UN entries)Working group paper 2.

These papers are the first two in a series of topic-specific discussion papers and should be read in conjunction with Part 2 - Classification of the draft code which can be found on the NTC website. Opportunities to comment on other provisions in the code will be provided over the next 12 months.

New milestones reached on timesaving Tonkin Gap project

The Tonkin Gap project in Perth continues to motor ahead, with two new milestones finished in March including finishing works on the newly constructed Broun Avenue Bridge.

At more than 60 metres wide, the new bridge will be one of Perth's widest road and bus interchange bridges, accommodating 12 bus stands.

The finishing works on Broun Avenue Bridge come as a newly constructed 300-metre principal shared path located underneath the Redcliffe Bridge is opened.

When complete, the Tonkin Gap project is anticipated to save commuters up to six minutes during morning peak and up to 11 minutes in the afternoon.

If you’re picking up a rock to throw at a truck or a vehicle, it's a malicious criminal act. You're trying to cause harm to the vehicle or the person

This is ‘The Outback’

By Cliff Graham

Hey g'day my name is Cliff Graham and this is The Outback. Throughout this series, I will share my passion of the outback, the transport industry, and life experiences including the people I have met along the way.

There will be the odd ‘view or opinion throw in for good measure such as my opinions on road building in this state. In recent years driving road trains in Western Australia I have observed what I am calling out as a lack of standards and quality in road building – with no accountability for it in sight.

As many in my generation, I grew up understanding hard work. From helping my father milk cows around the area to working in small piggeries… at 12 catching the train to work in the bush on school holidays – This was my education.

At 13, whilst mustering cattle on horseback, my ride tripped on old fence wire at full gallop - landed on my leg. That put a spanner in things for a while.

Keen to get to the outback, I lived station life in central Queensland and this led to a new direction of interest – driving road trains.

At 18, the opportunity arose where I got to ‘tow’ a road train. I actually did more kilometres towing road train’s than I did towing a single trailer before I even got my license.

To make things official - off I went to the local police station to get my license and the sergeant asked, “How can I help you“.

I said, “I would like to get my semi license”.

To which he instantly replied, “I was wondering when you were going to sort that out “.

Remember this was over forty years ago in a time where we were taught to be accountable for our own actions and cop it on the chin if we stuffed up.

Fixing trucks and trailers on the side of the road when mechanics wouldn’t come out to replacing countless wrecked tyres from substandard roads became the norm.

I have not driven on Australia’s worst roads nor do I have any more kilometres or hours than anyone else; but it has driven me to care about the road transport industry and road safety.

My passion stems from the family history past down from the 1930’s depression years. It is told that my great grandmother said to my grandfather at the time, “Son, we can’t afford to feed you anymore.”

He was 13.

At 13, he left home with what he could carry and set off to find whatever work he could do to survive. No government handouts. No seeing his family again.

He eventually worked his way scraping and saving to central Queensland where he worked to buy a cow or two. This led to a small block of land and more cows. He became a dairy farmer.

This ethos has passed through the generations as I learnt from my father.

I bought my own truck in 1988 to cart grain for harvest. Next I bought some old stock

crates and as I could afford it I repaired them to road worthy. This led to more used trailers and crates that needed repairs and eventually I had reliable little fleet.

Life happened and I had to sell the lot and in 2000 I moved to Mackay and was employed driving heavy haulage trucks and floats. I loved that experience and learnt a lot.

Because of the oversized loads I was fortunate to meet many police involved in the escorting. This led to being asked my opinion on several truck accidents as to what might have caused it. This was an exciting concept to me and over the following years I observed and studied different accidents the contributing factors and the laws.

At 13, he left home with what he could carry and set off to find whatever work he could do to survive

Live Export Ban – Human Cruelty

In a joint letter to Minister Watt, 25 peak farming bodies have said that the proposed live export ban is a “red line that can’t be crossed”.

Groundbreaking start to agricultural supply chain project

Site works have begun at the Wheatbelt town of Brookton on the first of 11 rail siding upgrades to optimise the safe and efficient transport of the State’s bumper grain harvests to domestic and international markets.

The upgrade is part of Package 1 of the $200 million Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement (ASCI) Program, jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments.

Constructed by Western Australian company Multiplant, the Brookton rail siding extension will connect to the Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) grain bin, allowing longer trains to load grain adjacent to the Great Southern Line without causing congestion on the main line.

To complement the Government funding and further improve grain handling and loading, CBH will also invest in rapid loading bins and elevators at all 11 rail siding upgrade sites.

These sites include Broomehill, which will be the next to begin construction in March, followed by Moora and Cranbrook. The seven remaining sites of Avon (Meenaar), Kellerberrin, Dowerin, Konnongorring, Ballidu, Mingenew and

Perenjori North are expected to break ground during 2024.

ASCI Package 1 funds focus on freight rail upgrades in the Wheatbelt, MidWest, Great Southern and GoldfieldsEsperance regions.

In addition to allocating $68 million for 11 rail siding upgrades, $60 million has been allocated to upgrade the main Midland Rail Line between Carnamah and Mingenew, and $72 million for investigation and recommissioning of rail lines in the Narrogin-WickepinKulin area.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Western Australia’s agricultural products contribute approximately $8 billion annually to the WA economy and are sold to more than 30 countries around the world.

“With WA’s recent run of recordbreaking grain harvests, it’s more important than ever to optimise the efficiency of our agricultural freight transport supply chains to manage the increase in product.

“As well as an economic boost, the ability to transport more grain by rail will improve community safety and decrease environmental emissions and road maintenance, by reducing the need for road freight.”

The group has cited the loss of 3,000 jobs in Western Australia and the empowerment of animal activists as key reasons for their opposition. Many have vowed to boycott phase out consultations. Signatories include the National Farmers Federation, Australian Live Exporters Council, Sheep Producers Australia and Australian Lot Feeders Association.

Since 2017, the live sheep export sector has overhauled practices. Mandatory reporting to parliament demonstrates that mortality rates on voyages have dropped by three quarters to 0.21 per cent.

Yes that’s correct – 0.21 per cent.

Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud MP has made support for a future Coalition government contingent on reinstatement of the live export trade. Mr Littleproud has also extended an invitation to all crossbenchers’ wanting to learn more about the trade to join him on a tour of the supply chain and facilities in Western Australia. The invitation has been accepted by independent Senator David Pocock.

“Banning the trade cannot be done via export control orders because the industry has had a long-term permanent presence. Any new legislation entering the current Parliament is likely to require the support of several crossbenchers. However, there are some Liberals including Sussan Ley, Sarah Henderson and Jason Wood have previously supported a ban (however Ms Ley has since reversed her position in light of improving industry standards), says the ALRTA.

“ALRTA will participate in the consultation process while remaining opposed to the ban. We will highlight impacts on the road transport sector and adjustment options, including compensation.”

To complement the Government funding and further improve grain handling and loading, CBH will also invest in rapid loading bins and elevators at all 11 rail siding upgrade sites

Clients must be accountable for fair, safe and sustainable transport contracts

Truck drivers held protests outside Aldi locations across Australia following the collapse of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics to demand the supermarket sign a supply chain accountability charter, which rivals that of Coles and Woolworths.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said the collapse of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics was a “tragedy of supply chain crisis caused by wealthy clients like Aldi squeezing transport contracts and profiting off the razor-thin margins of operators”.

“Unlike Coles and Woolworths, Aldi has refused to sign a supply chain charter with the TWU and instead tried to silence truckies in court but lost twice,” Mr Kaine said.

“Scott’s is not the first transport company to be pushed out of the market by profit-hungry clients at the top of supply chains, and it won’t be the last unless we enact reform to ensure those clients are accountable for fair, safe and sustainable transport contracts.”

Aldi hit back at the TWU protests and rejected claims that they and other major

retailers are putting pressure on the operators and drivers transporting their goods.

In a statement Aldi said, “Our business model does not involve squeezing suppliers. Aldi sets clear expectations with our suppliers to ensure there is correct payment of wages, vehicles are maintained, delivery timeframes are realistic and achievable and drivers take breaks as required by legislation. Aldi understands that it accounted for just three per cent of Scott’s business.

Michael Kaine said retailers reported booming profits while transport operators and drivers in their supply chains were either going broke or under pressure to cut safety measures.

In 2020, Aldi lost a long-running legal claim against the TWU over a safety and wages campaign, in a case the union said would ‘gag’ civil society groups’ ability to challenge companies’ practices.

The grocery giant started the litigation in 2017 after the union launched an ad campaign highlighting what it said were safety issues in Aldi’s supply chain driven

by the retailer putting the ‘squeeze’ on truck drivers with contracts the union said were poorly-paid.

In conclusion, Justice Flick found the road safety concerns being expressed by the union “were concerns which it genuinely held”. He also ruled the union genuinely believed Aldi could “do more to further the company’s concerns as to road safety”.

Momentous year for WA’s resources sector

Iron ore continued its stellar run with sales of $137 billion while gold hit record sales of $17 billion. Lithium was WA’s third highest mineral by sales value at a record $6.8 billion.

Mineral exploration expenditure reached a new high of $2.5 billion with strong levels of spending on gold, nickel, copper, rare earths and lithium.

Interest in the resources sector remains strong with $24 billion invested during 2021-22, and there were around $57 billion of resources projects under development. A further $87 billion in medium and longerterm projects are under consideration.

The annual Statistics Digest attracts international attention and is used by a range of global market analysts, investment banks and industry associations.

Agriculture and Transport emissions on the rise

The national greenhouse gas inventory quarterly update indicates that Australia’s emissions increased by 300,000 tonnes last year. While electricity emissions are falling due to more renewable energy coming online, agriculture and transport emissions are increasing.

The longer-term picture is however more positive. Australia’s overall emissions are now 21 per cent below 2005 levels (the base reference year under the 2030 Paris agreement).

New Australian design rule

Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery recently launched the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s 2021-22 Statistics Digest.

The digest provides detailed information on the performance of Western Australia's resources sector, and the significant production and employment records broken during the past financial year.

These records include $231 billion of resource sales and all-time high employment of more than 157,700 workers.

Acting Mines and Petroleum Minister Sue Ellery said, “The Statistics Digest summarises the outstanding contribution WA’s resources sector is making to our State and national economies.

“With strong investment and multiple projects in the pipeline, I am confident WA’s mining and petroleum industries will continue to support decades of economic growth.”

For more information, visit www.dmp. wa.gov.au/Documents/About-Us-Careers/ Stats_Digest_2021-22.pdf

The Australian Government has now formally made ADR 80/04, which mandates Euro VI stage C and the equivalent US/Japanese standards.

The new ADR will apply to newly approved heavy vehicle models (M and N category vehicles with a GVM over 3.5 tonnes) from 1 November 2024 and all new heavy vehicles from 1 November 2025.

To access the final design rule visit www. legislation.gov.au/Details/F2023L00129

Grants give green light for National Road Safety Week events

Australia’s leading specialist insurer, NTI, has announced its acquisition of the Australian Logistics Council’s Master Code auditing service, with plans to enhance its capabilities.

ALC’s Master Code Auditing Service (AMCAS) helps businesses to put in place safety management systems to support compliance monitor the safety of transport activities across the supply chain, including retailers, producers, suppliers, distribution centres, and logistics companies.

Chain of Responsibility (CoR) systems audit all aspects of business, including management and culture, timeframes, and loads. NTI Chief Sustainability Officer, and Co-Chair of the ALC Safety Committee, Chris Hogarty said CoR systems were proven

to improve safety across the industry.

“Every year at NTI, we assess the cause of serious truck crashes across Australia, and we found a direct improvement in safety outcomes once Chain of Responsibility laws, and subsequent management systems, were introduced,” Mr Hogarty said.

“They are vital in ensuring transport and logistics workers, and other road users, reach their destinations safely, and we welcome this expansion to our portfolio to further improve safety across the supply chain.”

AMCAS is being acquired through NTI’s subsidiary’s end-to-end compliance management solution, CoRsafe.

“This is an exciting venture between

two of the leading CoR systems within Australia,” Mr Hogarty said.

“This acquisition means we can work towards an enhanced compliance management solution that delivers beyond the current outcomes of AMCAS.”

ALC CEO Dr Hermione Parsons said CoRsafe has the full support of the Logistics Council in moving forward with AMCAS.

“A working group has been established between the ALC and CoRsafe to develop a future plan to best continue the important role AMCAS plays in safety and compliance,” Ms Parsons said.

“ALC and CoRsafe will work closely during the transition to minimise impacts to stakeholders.”

Another bumper year for Australian agriculture Industry bodies reject charging increase

The ATA has come out strongly in support of putting truck charges on hold for 2023-24, lodging a submission to the National Transport Commission’s Heavy Vehicle Charges Consultation Report.

In December 2022, Australia’s transport ministers agreed to move to a three year pricing period for truck charges. The NTC followed up with a consultation report that looked at increasing charges by either six or 10 per cent per year for three years.

The ATA does not support either option. Instead, our submission argues that charges should be frozen in 2023-24, and that they should then increase by 2.75 per cent per year.

The submission also calls for a lower remote area road user charge on fuel set at half the national road user charge rate. This would save remote area trucking operators an extra 13.6 cents per litre.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) also rejected a proposal by an Infrastructure and Transport Ministers Meeting to increase heavy vehicle charges by between 6 – 10 per cent in each of the next three years. ALRTA has instead recommended 3 per cent increases commencing 2023-24.

In a submission to the National Transport Commission, ALRTA has argued that:

• COVID stimulus measures involving rushed or ill-considered projects should not be included in the cost-base;

• Road repairs relating to floods and bushfires should not be included in the

cost-base. Trucks have not caused this damage and should not be required to pay;

• Road expenditure figures supplied by state and local governments to NTC are not substantiated or subject to third party audit;

• Industry is not consulted on road works;

• Road works are often of poor quality delivering sub-standard pavements and

The gross value of Australian Agricultural production for 2022-23 is forecast to be $85 billion – just shy of the record set last year. Not a bad effort given the widespread flooding affecting production and transport right around Australia.

ABARES latest Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports indicates that the winter crop will be the second largest on record at over 62 million tonnes. Livestock production is steady with an estimated value of $34 billion.

ongoing maintenance costs. Roads that should last 20-25 years are only lasting weeks or months.

Given these factors and the high inflation environment, ALRTA believes that necessary charging increases should be levied at a more moderate 3 per cent.

ALRTA has also reminded governments that, in 2014, Ministers flatly refused to implement an NTC recommendation to decrease charges by 6.3 per cent. If Ministers can’t swallow a 6 per cent adjustment in single year, how is it fair for industry to swallow three six per cent adjustments in a row?

With commodity prices remaining relatively high, agricultural exports values are expected to break all-time records with a combined value of over $72 billion.

Payment times have tightened

The February 2023 CreditorWatch Business Risk Index (BRI) shows that business conditions, particularly around payment times have tightened due to high inflation and interest rates, in combination with falling demand.

An interesting finding in the data is that regions whose occupants fall into a lower median age category have a tendency for higher default rates (current and projected) than regions with higher median ages.

CreditorWatch CEO Patrick Coghlan says the February Business Risk Index results show that Australian businesses are under increasing stress.

“From inflation to interest rates, supply chain problems, labour shortages and falling

consumer demand, Australian businesses are doing it tougher now than they have since the GFC back in 2009,” he says.

“The businesses that have proper credit risk management processes in place and are monitoring the health of their ledgers will weather this storm much better than those that don’t.”

CreditorWatch Chief Economist, Anneke Thompson, says we are now entering a very difficult stage for businesses to operate in.

“The economy is in the early stages of its downturn,” she says “Prices are still rising, although we appear to have the worst of the price rises behind us, interest rates are likely to need to increase further, and consumer demand is slowing, and will continue to slow.

“The immediate impact is being felt by smaller businesses that are reliant on discretionary spending, before the impact flows through to the rest of the economy, including those businesses not directly exposed to consumers.”

ALRTA has instead recommended 3 per cent increases commencing 2023-24

Agricultural exports values are expected to break all-time records with a combined value of over $72 billion

Response to inquiry on the impact of weather events on roads

• The Commonwealth’s role in road resilience planning; and

• Any related issues.

ALRTA National Council considered the terms of reference at a meeting on 17 February 2023. It was also important for Council to consider the nexus with a separate National Transport Commission consultation paper proposing to increase heavy vehicle charges between 6 – 10 percent annually for the next three years.

The ALRTA submission makes 11 recommendations as follows:

road drainage maintenance and clearance of problematic vegetation.

Recommendation 7: That road construction contracts are awarded only to accredited construction professionals with a greater focus on value for money and quality outcomes, as opposed to meeting minimum standards at the lowest cost.

Recommendation 8: That Australian Governments cooperate in planning and working towards improving the resilience of the Australian road freight network.

Recommendation 9: That the Australian Government allocate and emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion, including:

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) have responded to an Inquiry into the implications of severe weather events on the national regional, rural and remote road network

The Inquiry is being undertaken by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport following a referral from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP. The terms of reference for the Inquiry include:

• Road engineering and construction standards required to enhance the resiliency of future road construction;

• Identification of climate resilient corridors suitable for future road construction projects;

• Opportunities to enhance road resilience through the use of waterproof products in road construction;

Recommendation 1: That Australian Governments increase the proportion of road funding spent on maintenance on national regional, rural and remote roads.

Recommendation 2: That Australian Governments fast-track work on road funding and supply-side reform to provide improved equity and certainty for local road managers in regional, rural and remote areas.

Recommendation 3: That Australian Governments ensure that road funding and supply-side reforms consider road quality objectives such as safety and economic utility, as well as whole-of-life infrastructure costs.

Recommendation 4: That technical specifications for road base construction materials be reviewed and revised towards an outcomes-based model.

Recommendation 5: That the application of ‘green’ road surface emulsifications be abandoned pending a review of their effectiveness. Traditional tar-based products should instead be used.

Recommendation 6: That Australian Governments place greater emphasis on

• 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.

Recommendation 10: That expenditure related to bushfire or flood damage be identified and quarantined from the cost-base applicable to heavy vehicles. Natural disaster related road expenditure must be a whole of community responsibility.

Recommendation 11: That heavy vehicle registration and Road User Charges be increased by 3 per cent in 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26.

A copy of the submission can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/ Committees/House/Regional_Development_ Infrastructure_and_Transport/ ResilientRoads

Ofload step in to help

Sydney-based logistics start-up

Ofload stepping up to support former shippers, carrier sub-contractors and employees of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics, following the bankruptcy filing and is leveraging their 1,600+ network of carrier to help find new opportunities for the customers, drivers and employees affected.

“We understand the challenges the logistics industry is facing right now

and that the sudden closure of a business has a massive impact on partners and employees," said Geoffroy Henry, Founder and CEO of Ofload.

"That's why we are committed to helping those who have been affected by the closure of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics find new opportunities and continue their careers in the logistics industry."

Having recently completed Series B fund raising and the acquisition of CIA Logistics,

Ofload has the required expertise and resources to help the employees, carriers and shippers affected by this unfortunate news.

In addition, through its network of carriers, Ofload is working to connect former Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics employees with opportunities across our carrier network to keep qualified and experienced truck drivers and logistics professionals in the industry.

Not bad for an old bloke on his own in an old truck

Here are the photos and story of the truck I bought in Victoria and drove home to Western Australia.

It is a 1994 International AACO 1850, with a Perkins Phaser 210 HP engine. By 1994, they had at last started to galvanise the cabs, so this one has no rust. Earlier ACCOs were real rust buckets.

The trip started out a bit difficult. I was booked to fly over early morning on Tuesday and at the last moment the flight was cancelled. Then the next flight was delayed two hours which would result in missing the Adelaide to Melbourne connection.

I ended up on the red eye midnight horror - arriving in Melbourne at 6.30am on Wednesday.

My son picked me up and we drove 350 kms to Warracknabeal to pick the truck up.

When we got there, we found that it was impossible to find any gears as someone had decided to ‘adjust’ the linkages.

So, we drove 500 kms back to Gippsland and about half way there we received a phone call to say they (sellers) had fixed the problem.

That was enough for one day, so the next day we drove up to Ballarat and I caught a bus back to Warracknabeal to get the truck.

It was about 7pm Thursday when I finally headed out of town in it for the Vic/SA border.

After only 90 kms, the motor started to cut out and within a

By Trevor Tough

couple of minutes it stopped completely.

Obviously a fuel problem, but I couldn’t find where. I was stopped on the edge of the main Melbourne to Adelaide highway and road trains were whizzing by a few feet away at the rate of about 100 trucks per hour.

RACWA, RACVic, TruckAssist and others would not help because the truck was unlicensed and moving on permits.

My son finally found a young bloke who would come out from Border Town, about 70 kms away and just over the SA border. He arrived at about 1.00am, complete with flashing safety lights, work lights and all the tools in the world.

After about ten minutes, he tracked down an electrical fault in a bunch of old wires – oily and dirty that were all taped together and we were back in business.

He then followed me into Border Town to make sure I was safe and we arrived cold and tired at about 2.30am.

For the rest of the trip the old ACCO went like a dream.

Friday Border Town to Port Augusta, Saturday was 1000 kms to WA Border Village, Sunday 800 kms to Widgiemooltha and home Monday by 2.00pm and in time to turn 75 on Tuesday.

Not bad for an old bloke on his own in an old truck.

I had no number plates, but even when two Police cars followed me in Adelaide, they were not interested and then I never saw another Police car all the way home.

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

an editorial in the December Road Runner that: “No doubt many of you will have reacted as I did and felt disturbed by some of the material that it contained“. He continued: “Whilst I have had a number of meetings with the Minister and his senior advisory staff to ensure that we are not going to be burdened with aspects of the review that serve no good purpose for anyone — contractors or the kids — I would again ask you all to be ever vigilant and let Brian know if you see evidence of bits of it sneaking in. As previously indicated, this is not how the Minister sees the application of the review. However, given his busy schedule and therefore his inability to scrutinise every move from officers in DOT, we need to play our part, too — after all, we are the businessmen and women directly affected.”

WARTA was being heavily supported by the following sponsors: 10 Star — Commercial Union; 4 Star — BP Oil, Crown Equipment, Drake Low Loaders, Max Winkless Volvo, Motorola, Telstra, Western United Insurance Brokers; 2 Star — Caltex Oil, CJD Equipment, Fairport Technologies, Howard Porter, Modern Motor Trimmers, Western Transport; 2 Star — BOC Gases, Drive Straight Alignment Services, General Transport Equipment, Reflex Computer Systems, ROH Steel Wheel Co, Shell Company; 1 Star — HDTE, Westrac Equipment.

1999

Newly appointed President Frank Marley was born in Katanning and moved to the Merreden area. His parents ran a 24-hour service station at Naneenan, which in the 1960s was the only service station between Merredin and the WA border. He worked in Waroona as a boilermaker/welder before doing a 12-month stint on the Merredin-Koolyanobbing standard gauge railway line. He then bought a 20-foot tray truck, a Commer powered by a 354hp Perkins engine and carted fertiliser, rain and livestock. The business grew to a fleet of 28 trucks, mainly carrying grain. Frank was at the forefront of removing the regulations, which dictated that freight had to be carted by rail. Frank is a former president of the Livestock Transporters’ Association of WA and currently is a vicepresident of the Australian Livestock Transporters’ Association. He is an industry representative on the newly formed Remote Areas Group and is president of the Merredin Tourist Bureau.

Minister for Transport Murray Criddle announced the release of the Student Assistance Review on December 2. He said that the Association would be involved in ongoing discussions during the implementation phase as the recommendations are gradually introduced between now and 2003. President Frank Marley said in

Association President Frank Marley and Executive Director Alan Layton met with the State Opposition Transport Spokesperson, Allanah MacTiernan, early in December to discuss a range of road freight issues. Her concerns included road freight access to the Perth metropolitan area; heavy vehicle traffic in her electorate of Armadale; fatigue management, a strong legislative base needed; the restructuring and performance of Main Roads; and the lack of investment in rail and under-utilisation for freight transport.

2000

It was a busy year for the Association. A Special General Meeting was held at the Ascot Inn in Belmont on March 25. It dealt with the sale of the Wellington Street premises, and more precisely, the lack of interest from buyers at a projected sale cost of $700,000. It was stated that the market was flat and that the for-sale sign would be taken down. The Association had by now shifted offices to the Road Transport Training Council site at 47 Cohn Street, Carlisle at a rental of $13,000 per annum. It was hoped that perhaps the Wellington Street premises could be rented out for $20,000pa. There was much discussion at the April 20 Executive Council Meeting when the only offer was in the $630,000 region. The council finally decided to get an accountant to draw up a cashflow projection before deciding on how to progress.

The financial situation of the Association was not good with a loss of $50,000 up until June 30, 1999 and the shortfall had been addressed by sending out the 1999-20000 subscription invoices early. It was noted that the 1998-99 financial year had ended with a surplus of $40,000 and that over a two-year period there was a $90,000 decline. There was talk of securing an overdraft facility to the tune of $100,000-$200,000. This could clear the budget by June 2000 and the debt could be serviced through a reduction in staffing costs. Cont… next edition

Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0

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