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BIGGER IS BETTER FOR BUSINESS page 3
United front to tackle issues page 2 New hands take the wheel page 7 Call to abolish registration labels page 17
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United front needed to tackle industry issues Maintaining and improving safety, viability and professionalism should be a focus of the trucking industry. This is the view of Australian Trucking Association chief executive officer Ben Maguire. He told the Livestock and Bulk Rural Carriers Association conference in March there were a number of issues facing the industry and they needed to be tackled “with a united front”. “The ATA is working with the Australian Logistics Council to form an Industry Code of Practice that covers areas such as fatigue, chain of responsibility and risk assessment,” Mr Maguire said.
“The industry is changing and we need to change with it. Issues like animal welfare are becoming more and more important.” Mr Maguire said ATA-based accreditation programs, such as TruckSafe and TruckCare, ensured operators were running their business as safely as possible and adhering to due diligence practices. “Preparing for the future and understanding how the industry is changing is critical for future success,” he said.
Contents United front needed to tackle industry issues ..2 Larger truck enhances productivity..................3 Industry leader retires from key role ................6 New hands take the wheel ...............................7 ‘Sherby’ honoured to be on Wall of Fame .........8 Looking to the future ......................................9 Drivers lend a helping hand ..........................10 Call to prohibit extended payment times.......12 Gross vehicle mass thresholds increased .........13 Significant step for Shepparton bypass...........14 Call to abolish registration labels ...................17 Training must focus on drivers and safety ......18
On the cover: Hicks Transport Group managing director Brian Hicks.
Editor: Damita Lamont Ph: 5820 3183 email: damita.lamont@sheppnews.com.au Advertising manager: Aaron Brown Ph: 5820 3187 email: aaron.brown@countrynews.com.au Editorial content: Jessica Ball, Alana Christensen, Thomas Moir and Pastoral Times Photography: Jessica Ball, Holly Curtis and contributors Editorial design: Bella Considine Graphic artists: Nathan Cook and Brendan Cain
20–22 Welsford St, Shepparton | Ph: 03 5821 7777 | E: admin@ggib.com.au | W: www.ggib.com.au Griffiths Goodall Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 52858454162)(AFSL 237533) are licensed to apply for, acquire, vary or dispose of a general insurance product on behalf of a retail or wholesale client. Any advice given on this advertisement is general only and may not be right for you. To decide if an insurance product is right for you please carefully read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and our Financial Services Guide. These are available on request from our office.
Page 2 Trucks and trailers, June 2017
Published by: Country News, 7940 Melbourne Rd, Shepparton 3630 Ph: 5831 2312
www.countrynews.com.au
Feature TRUCK
Story and pictures by Jessica Ball
Larger truck enhances productivity
Trucks and trailers, June 2017
Page 3
For the Hicks Transport Group, efficiency is a top priority. When it was time for the family business to add a second twin-steer truck to its 50-strong fleet, the Scania P 400 was the most suitable for the job at hand. Specialising in general freight and produce, the new truck is based at the Hicks Transport Group’s Cobram depot, working between Melbourne and Shepparton with the occasional long-haul trip interstate. Managing director Brian Hicks said the new addition — with its increased 16-pallet capacity and improved weight distribution — enhanced the business’ profitability. “The European vehicles in all facets are above other brands and the Scania stands out,” Mr Hicks said. “We can get the extra two pallets on because of the chassis dimension but also it is far better for weight distribution. Because we carry a certain amount of mass we need that weight distribution best as we can. “Sometimes it means one extra or two extra customers can be supplied with a run. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t otherwise get their run, it Page 4 Trucks and trailers, June 2017
just means we can do it in one run instead of two.” With a focus on reducing fatigue, Mr Hicks said Scania’s automatic transmission, accessibility and comfort delivers a smooth driver experience. “We’re had a number of different drivers in it and they all love it,” he said. “There’s natural comforts in it and the actual sound, the quietness is just so refreshing for a driver, they get there and it’s been a relaxing drive. “The in/out accessibility is good on it, it’s not high, accessibility of a vehicle is important for a person’s fatigue over a day because they’re in and out all the time. “If they’re in a comfortable environment their fatigue is less and that’s a plus for us.” Alongside this advanced comfort, the truck has been fitted with a body curtain system that is easy to open and close and Mr Hicks said at the end of the day staff are fresher and achieve more. While it was purchased for regional work, with plenty of
“If they’re in a comfortable environment, their fatigue is less and that’s a plus for us.” Brian Hicks power, good brakes and a sleeper, the Scania offers flexibility. “This one does have a refrigerated body on the back of it so it is used for fruit pick up and distribution during the produce season,” Mr Hicks said. “We do have the option to put behind it a pig trailer because of the power of the vehicle. “We could take it out to a 30-pallet capacity with an additional pig trailer behind it and if it was going to Melbourne or Sydney more regularly that would be a consideration. “We didn’t buy it for the sleeper need but we can send this one when a sleeper is required. “We can send it wherever we need it.” Continued on page 5 >>
Scania P400 LB 8 x 2 MNB Engine: 13 litre 400 hp Transmission: 14-speed Rear axle: Scania Tandem with Lazy Axle Front axle: Scania Rear suspension: Air Suspension with In Dash Weight Display Front suspension: Air Suspension with In Dash Weight Display Brakes: EBS Disc with 4100D retarder Cab type: Scania CP19 Sleeper Fuel capacity: 450 litres GVM: 33 200 kg CGM: 50 000 kg
Hicks Transport Group managing director Brian Hicks.
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Industry leader retires from key role Noelene Watson retired as chair of the Australian Trucking Association at the organisation’s annual general meeting in April. First elected as chair in 2014 and re-elected last year, Mrs Watson is managing director of Don Watson Transport, one of Australia’s leading refrigerated logistics companies. Mrs Watson said it was time to retire from the demanding role and hand over to another industry leader. “Under my leadership the ATA campaigned for strong, practical road safety measures, including the reforms to the truck safety laws that will come into force next year,” Mrs Watson said. “We also stood up for ownerdrivers and small family trucking businesses. “I’ll never forget the chilly April morning when I watched our truck convoy against the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal roll up to Parliament House.” Mrs Watson said one of her personal goals as ATA chair had been to work for better health for truck drivers. “The ATA pressed the NTC and Austroads to upgrade the truck driver medical standards,” she said. “As a result of our work, the standards now warn treating doctors against relying on subjective measures of sleepiness to rule out a patient
having sleep apnoea.” Mrs Watson said she had also sought to promote a more professional perception of the transport industry. “I believe it’s the ATA’s job to stand up for our industry when it’s attacked. “I well remember the day in 2014 when the ATA media unit phoned me to say that Cardinal George Pell had insulted Australia’s professional truck drivers by comparing them to paedophile priests. “I stood up for our industry and our drivers then, and would do it again. I have no regrets. “More positively, I had the privilege of helping to present the National Trucking Industry Awards for three years to some amazing people. “I also had the chance to honour the winners of the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian Award, which recognises heroic and selfless acts by drivers in the course of their work.” Mrs Watson will remain a member of the ATA board and its council.
Newly elected Australian Trucking Association chair Geoff Crouch (right) with outgoing chair Noelene Watson.
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NEWS Newly elected chair of the Australian Trucking Association Geoff Crouch.
New hands take the wheel Geoff Crouch was elected as the new chair of the Australian Trucking Association in April, replacing former chair Noelene Watson. Noelene I will consider my tenure very successful indeed. “I look forward to working with the ATA board and council, and I wish to thank them for all of their hard work and their support.” Former chair David Simon and the association’s safety committee chair, Tim Knowles, were re-elected to the board, with Border Express director Geoff Luff also elected to the board. The association’s secretary and treasurer Andrew Garrety was also re-elected to his position.
Mr Crouch was previously president of the ATA member association NatRoad in 2015, and is currently managing director of Ron Crouch Transport. He said he was excited by his new appointment. “I am very proud to represent the ATA and the trucking industry as the new chair,” Mr Crouch said. “I wish to thank my predecessor, Noelene Watson, for all of her tireless hard work. “If I can be half as good a chair as
“I look forward to working with the ATA board and council, and I wish to thank them for all of their hard work and their support.” Geoff Crouch
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Page 7
NEWS By Pastoral Times and Jessica Ball
‘Sherby’ honoured to be on Wall of Fame Having grown up around trucks, the transport industry was the only career option David ‘Sherby’ Grimison considered as a young man. A third generation transport operator, Mr Grimison was honoured with induction into the Deniliquin and District Transport Industry Wall of Fame in September 2016. He was an inaugural inductee, sharing the honour with Alan and Kate Murphy. Mr Grimison continued a legacy started by his grandfather Herbert Grimison and father Ken Grimison before him. “My grandfather had a truck in Balranald and only ever operated with the one truck,” he said. “My father was a prisoner of war in World War II, and on his return he went straight into the transport industry. “He started his own business here in Deniliquin — Ken Grimison Transport.” Initially inheriting his father’s business alongside his brother Ian, who then pursued a different career, Mr Grimison then went out on his own and started his business in Jane St, Deniliquin, 49 years ago. It wasn’t long before expansion was required, and at one time David Grimison & Co Transport had 14
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trucks and depots at Deniliquin and Wagga Wagga in NSW and at Millmerran in Queensland. Now solely operating from Deniliquin, on Saleyards Rd, with seven trucks and 12 employees, Mr Grimison still gets out on the road himself. “I grew up in the industry and have been around trucks all my life; I never thought I would do anything else,” he said. “We mainly do livestock cartage and grain storage.” Mr Grimison and his wife Debbie’s son Jamie is the fourth generation to enter the industry. He owns his truck and works for his father and other companies. While the nomination for the Wall of Fame was not a surprise to Mr Grimison, he said being inducted certainly was. “I didn’t think I would have much hope because there were a fair few (nominees) in there. “It was a great night and the committee did very well to organise it — it’s a credit to them.” The second annual Wall of Fame presentation dinner will launch
the 2017 Deniliquin and District Transport Industry Expo on Friday, September 8. It is again expected to be a highlight of the event and committee member Fiona Petersen said guests would hear from two interesting speakers. Keynote speaker is Oxford Cold Storage transport manager Jacquelene Brotherton and the second guest speaker will be former Trucking Life magazine cartoonist and Deniliquin Police Command Highway Patrol sergeant Steven Bloomfield. Mrs Petersen said a new Memorial Wall would be unveiled on the Sunday of the expo. “You can buy a plaque for a loved one who has passed away who has been involved in the transport industry,” she said. “We’ve had quite a few people asking about the Memorial Wall so we hope to get a few plaques.” Nominations for the Wall of Fame and Memorial Wall are now open, closing at the end of June. More information can be found at: www.denitruckshow.com.au
David ‘Sherby’ Grimison and Alan Murphy at the inaugural Wall of Fame dinner in 2016.
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Looking to the future The future of the trucking industry will take centre stage at the Trucking Australia 2017 conference in June. Speakers from across the country will discuss how technology, infrastructure and the population will influence the industry moving forward. Brendan Richards — a partner at business advisory firm Ferrier Hodgson who will be speaking at the event — said it was important that everyone in the industry was able to picture the future, and then work backwards from there. “As we see more and more emerging technologies like drones and 3D printing, those advances will change how we interact with freight transportation,” Mr Richards said. “It could well be possible that one day you go into a store and 3D print clothing to size from
a diagram; so the movement of freight changes to moving raw materials as opposed to finished goods.” Mr Richards said a number of things would influence the industry moving forward, including an ageing population and infrastructure. “The freight industry as we know it today is set to be dramatically different by 2050. “Mega trends like demographic changes in populations and technological innovation will change and impact every aspect of how we do business along the value chain.” Trucking Australia 2017 begins on June 21 at the Darwin Convention Centre.
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NEWS By Alana Christensen
Drivers lend a helping hand
Moglonemby farmers Gerard and Vanessa Williams with Euroa and District Hay Run Support Team co-ordinator Coll Furlanetto. Gerard and Vanessa were the first to offer a donation of hay to the Burrumbuttock Hay Run. Page 10 Trucks and trailers, June 2017
The convoy of trucks that headed to Muttaburra on the recent Burrumbuttock Hay Run.
Truck drivers have again given back to the community by donating their time to the Burrumbuttock Hay Run. The annual charity drive takes hay and other helpful items to Queensland farmers who are struggling due to various economic and environmental factors. The first hay run was held in 2014. Three years later and volunteers are still donating their time to drive hay and goods north. This year’s run saw 185 trucks and 260 trailers deliver almost 7000 hay bales — setting off from Darlington Point in the Riverina in NSW on February 23 for Muttaburra in western Queensland. Burrumbuttock Hay Run organiser Brendan Farrell said the 2017 run was very successful. “It was really good, everyone was in great spirits,” Mr Farrell said. “We were overwhelmed by the support of the Australian public.” Euroa and District Hay Run Support Team co-ordinator Coll Furlanetto said she thought the community involvement was “terrific”. “We had Rotary of Euroa helping us with some fuel costs, we had the community donating to some fuel costs,” Mrs Furlanetto said. “People have just been more than happy (to donate) and it’s a testament to Brendan Farrell and the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners in that as soon as I said what it was for (people replied) ‘Yep, no problem’.” Mrs Furlanetto said trucks had come from across the country including Tasmania, Western Australia, South Australia and across the state, including Benalla and Bacchus Marsh, with a number of farmers donating hay, including herself. “We have 300 rolls (of hay) from here (at my property in Euroa) and
200 from Rochester. The Burnewang North Pastoral Company near Rochester donated 200 rolls of hay,” she said. “We had lots of farmers … donating a full semi load themselves which is just wonderful.” Euroa’s John Sargood donated two semi-trailer loads to do his bit to help the cause. “We’ve had a fantastic spring. It’s never been as good before. The fellas up north are really doing it tough. We have excess and I’ve been a farmer and been in the rural industry all my life,” he said. Mr Sargood said although he had donated hay to the cause, it was the truck drivers who needed recognition. “These truckies need the real pat on the back. I really take my hat off to these blokes.” Mrs Furlanetto agreed the truck drivers deserved high praise. “It costs $3000 in petrol for each truckie. The Rotary Club of Sydney will donate some money (to the cause). I’d like to acknowledge the community for their generous donations of fuel,” she said. “The truckies themselves, they’re donating their time — they lose a week-and-a-half out of their work and it’s terrific.” Truck driver John Furlanetto from Euroa said he wanted to help the farmers out. “I’m putting in my time for this hay run to help the farmers out, they’re doing it tough and need as much help as we can give them all, feed for their stock and whatever we can do,” Mr Furlanetto said. “That’s why we all jump in at this time of year.”
Burrumbuttock Hay Run volunteers (from left) Sam Johnstone of Melbourne, Scott Walters of Euroa, John Sargood of Euroa, Shane Johnstone of Melbourne and Coll Furlanetto of Euroa.
“It was really good, everyone was in great spirits, we were overwhelmed by the support of the Australian public.” Brendan Farrell Trucks and trailers, June 2017
Page 11
NEWS
Call to prohibit extended payment times A key industry leader has called on the Federal Government to prohibit extended payment times from being forced on small businesses by limiting payment times to 30 days. Former Australian Trucking Association chair Noelene Watson called for this change during her tenure, when the association released
its comments on the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman inquiry into payment times and practices in February.
Mrs Watson said the trucking industry consisted largely of small businesses with tight margins that were impacted by extended payment times. “The vast majority of the costs incurred by small trucking businesses must be met before they can bill their customers,” she said. “This includes wages or personal living costs, fuel, tyres, finance costs, registration and maintenance. “As a result, small trucking businesses are vulnerable to adverse
changes in their payment terms such as large customers imposing extended periods before they will pay an invoice.” Mrs Watson said the inquiry should recommend the development of a mandatory code to address payment terms faced by small trucking and other small businesses. “A mandatory code for either the trucking industry or all small businesses under Part IVB of the Competition and Consumer
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Act should be designed to cover payment times, which should be no more than 30 days from the date an invoice is issued. “The code would also need to include a prohibition on set-offs and pay-when-paid arrangements, alternative dispute resolution and special rules for recipient-created tax invoices to prevent customers from delaying the creation of these invoices to avoid triggering the 30-day period.”
NEWS
Gross vehicle mass thresholds increased VicRoads will increase gross vehicle mass thresholds that apply on roads in Melbourne’s north-east, from 4.5 tonnes to 16.5 tonnes. As a result, trucks and vehicles less than 16.5 tonnes — which represent 70 per cent of all heavy vehicles — will be able to access the affected roads during the 10 pm to 6 am curfew. Victorian Transport Association chief executive officer Peter Anderson welcomed the decision. “While we would have preferred the elimination of the curfews altogether, increasing the GVM threshold means that fruit,
vegetable and cut flower growers, who run smaller fleets and were penalised most by the curfews, can use these roads to get between their farms and the market in Epping in time for trading,” Mr Anderson said. “It means they can have additional time at home resting or to be with their families, and will save money by not having to go out of their way and pay tolls to get to and from the market.”
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Page 13
NEWS By Thomas Moir
Significant step for Shepparton bypass
Committee for Greater Shepparton chief executive Sam Birrell says new bypass funding sends a message to the Federal Government to collaborate. Photo by Holly Curtis. Page 14 Trucks and trailers, June 2017
A $10 million investment in the Goulburn Valley Hwy, Shepparton bypass would make the project more than just words, the project’s action group chairman said. Peter Johnson was delighted with the Victorian Government’s budget commitment, which he said was the most important the region had received for the project. He said it would now enable stakeholders to plan the “actual undertaking” of the bypass. The Victorian Government’s $10.2 million commitment, announced in May, would serve to get on with the task of planning and undertaking pre-construction works, including land acquisition and signalling works. Committee for Greater Shepparton chief executive Sam Birrell said the funding signalled a commitment where there was none previously, and sent a message to the Federal Government. “We’re getting this project ready to go, and it’s time for a state and federal collaboration on actually building stage one,” Mr Birrell said. Victorian Roads Minister Luke Donnellan described the bypass as an “obvious” need “to unlock enormous economic opportunities for the region”.
“It (the funding) gives us a future with the bypass we’ve not had before,” Mr Johnson said. The long-proposed project hopes to remove trucks from the Shepparton central business district, improving livability outcomes and ensuring increased productivity for the region’s truck operators. The project will create a second river crossing and hundreds of jobs in the construction phase and deliver millions of dollars in improved productivity. State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed described it as “just what was asked for”, adding the announcement provided “every reason to celebrate” and critical work could now proceed. She said it would put the region in a position to “really advocate” for the $1 billion project. “It’s a start and people from Shepparton know how critical that second river crossing is. It will take so much pressure off the (Peter RossEdwards) Causeway,” Ms Sheed said. State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the full
A map of the first stage of the proposed Goulburn Valley Shepparton bypass. business case for the Shepparton bypass would be completed by 2019, following detailed planning, design and cost estimates. “The Federal Government needs to come to the table and ensure there
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The Australian Trucking Association has called on all state and territory governments to abolish truck registration labels. Association chief executive officer Ben Maguire said independent figures from the National Transport Commission revealed governments would overcharge Australia’s truck and bus operators by $515 million in 2016–17 and 2017–18. He said registration labels had been a long running issue. “With the hassle of having to track down a truck which could possibly be thousands of kilometres away to change the label, right through to incurring heavy penalties for displaying out-of-date or incorrect labels, they need to be abolished,” Mr Maguire said. “If we can present accurate figures of savings, along with the huge success of removing registration labels in Western Australia, we hope to encourage the state
governments operating under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to follow in the footsteps of Western Australia in removing labels.” Mr Maguire said one of the main reform objectives was to enable operators to pay registration charges monthly via direct debit. “A monthly registration option would have a positive cash flow effect on road transport operators across Australia. “The cash flow risk associated with high registration charges would be drastically reduced if operators could pay registration charges monthly. “We need an independent price regulator to take the politics out of registration and fuel charges and set them fairly.”
Here’s just some of the ways the new 510Hp CF85 adds up: Versatile in application with low tare for increased payload.
A market-leading brand in Europe and the U.K.
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Powerful 510Hp PACCAR MX-13 engine offering fuel efficiency and reliability.
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Call to abolish registration labels
Cnr Doyles and New Dookie Roads, Shepparton Ph: (03) 5821 3977 | Fax: (03) 5831 8588 www.gtm.com.au Call our sales team for more information Gary Nickson 0427 213 977, Warwick Talbot 0417 127 144 or Shane Smith 0457 908 070
dafdothemath.com.au Trucks and trailers, June 2017
Page 17
NEWS
Training must focus on drivers and safety Driver training and safety should be the focus of the four-year Transport and Logistics training package.
This was the view of former Australian Trucking Association chair Noelene Watson, before her retirement from the role in April. Mrs Watson’s comments came as the ATA made a submission to the Australian Industry Standards — the creator of the project — calling on the training program to take on a greater driver training and safety aspect. “Improving the consistency and quality of the training and assessment of truck drivers is a critical skills issue
that must be addressed,” she said. “Whilst there are many excellent trainers, others train to a price and can be more focused on how long a course will take, and not on the level of competency attained.” Mrs Watson also said the focus on driver training and safety should be extended to light vehicle drivers, to teach them how to safely share the road with trucks. “Road safety statistics show that a large number of accidents between trucks and light vehicles are due
to mistakes by the light vehicle driver,” she said. “But despite these statistics, educating light vehicle drivers about how to share the road safely with trucks has only received sporadic policy attention. “There must be a review of light vehicle driver training standards and competencies to improve road safety for everyone, by including awareness of sharing the road safely with heavy vehicles.”
Trade and Service Directory
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Largest range of truck spare parts in country Victoria • Cummins and CAT dealer • 24-hour breakdown service • Full range of trailer parts • More than 30 years’ experience
320 Midland Highway, Shepparton, Vic 3632 Ph: (03) 5820 7800 Page 18 Trucks and trailers, June 2017
Corner Doyles & New Dookie Rds, Shepparton.
Ph: (03) 5821 3977 - Fax: (03) 5831 8588
Email:parts@gtm.com.au
The New Mercedes-Benz Actros. Prime movers never moved so efficiently. Boasting fuel savings of up to 7%*, and an extended service life of up to 20%*, the new Actros significantly reduces total cost of ownership. Rigorously (and mercilessly) tested over millions of kilometres around Australia, the new Actros has proven itself to be as reliable as it is efficent. Contact Hartwigs Trucks today for more information, call Kevin Mutton on 0439 138 856.
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