Trucks and trailers march 2016 (low res)

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FREIGHTLINERS DRIVE FLEET page 6

Transport group’s $3m expansion plans page 3 New RoadSafe chair page 12 Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show preview page 20

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New transport minister Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

Australian Trucking Association chair Noelene Watson said Mr Chester was a vocal supporter of improving road safety through safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer roads.

Mrs Watson said the association was looking forward to working with Mr Chester on various issues including the continued progress on reforming the heavy vehicle national law and developing a stronger national approach to driver licensing and training.

“The ATA will also continue to lobby

for the registration of industry codes of practice such as TruckSafe under the heavy vehicle national law, as a way of introducing co-regulatory arrangements for safe operators,” Mrs Watson said.

“We know that accidents can be avoided through the use of higher productivity vehicles to move freight, rather than using many smaller trucks for the same load.

“By improving road access and permissions for these vehicles where appropriate, industry and the community can both benefit from improved safety and freight productivity.”

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Nominations open for trucking awards Nominations for the 2016 National Trucking Industry Awards, which acknowledge the achievements of individuals and organisations in the road freight transport industry, are now open.

The prestigious awards are presented in three categories including Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Trucking Industry, National Trucking Industry Woman of the Year and National Professional Driver of the Year.

Australian Trucking Association chief executive officer Christopher Melham said the awards recognised those who had gone above and beyond the requirements of their role to improve their workplace and the industry.

“As an industry, we have a great number of dedicated, passionate people who go the extra mile to make sure Australia’s goods are moved in a safe,

professional manner,” Mr Melham said.

“But despite working long hours and overcoming great challenges, they often don’t put themselves forward for reward or recognition.

“The National Trucking Industry Awards are our opportunity to acknowledge the hard work going on behind the scenes in the trucking industry, and give our quiet heroes the credit they deserve.”

The awards will be presented during Trucking Australia 2016, the ATA’s peak industry event on the Gold Coast in June.

The Don Watson Memorial Award and the TruckSafe John Kelly Memorial Award will also be presented on the night.

Nominations close on Monday, March 21 and can be made at http:// truckingawards.com.au/make-anomination/

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22 Welsford Street, Shepparton Ph: 03 5821 7777 | Fax: 03 5822 2916 Email: admin@ggib.com.au | Web www.ggib.com.au Page 2 Trucks and trailers, March 2016

Editorial content: Taylah Burrows, Emma Carinci, Sharon Wright and Lachlan Sharp Photography: Shepparton News photography department and contributors Editorial design: Brendan Cain Graphic artists: Alysha Bathman, Brendan Cain, Bella Considine and Warren Goater

Country News Reaching Australia’s richest agricultural region

Published by: Country News, 7940 Melbourne Rd, Shepparton 3630 Ph: 5831 2312

www.countrynews.com.au

News

By Taylah Burrows

New multi-million dollar depot

A new multi-million depot in Shepparton will serve Hicks Transport Group, an amalgamation of Brian Hicks Transport, Cobram and Hicks Hunter Transport, Shepparton.

The new location is a 1.6 ha block behind Future Metals Recycling on Old Dookie Rd, which will be accessible by a new road built between Doyles Rd and Telford Dve. The project will see Hicks Transport Group modernise with up-to-date infrastructure including a workshop, wash bay, storage, unloading bays, administration offices, and staff and visitor carparks.

Hicks Transport Group chief executive officer Warren Hicks said the project was about revitalising the Shepparton branch of the business and making things operationally easier for its staff and customers.

“It’s more than just a depot,” he said.

“Hopefully it will open up new opportunities, especially for our staff.”

The company hopes to start construction in June and plans to wait for the depot to be complete “with all bells and whistles” before moving in.

“Really to start moving in, all we need is a large open area to store our fleet and we could get temporary offices,” Mr Hicks said.

“But the plan is to have it all ready, so we’re realistically looking

at 12 to 18 months.”

Hicks Transport Group will have room to expand its fleet and storage on the new site and is considering developing coolrooms.

“Historically interstate and refrigerated, we haven’t really done much out of here (Shepparton) but now we can cater to needs,” Mr Hicks said.

“If the customers demand it, we’ll certainly do it.”

Mr Hicks said staff were looking forward to the new depot, which was announced at the Hicks Transport Group’s Christmas party last year.

“You feel good about yourself coming to a nice place to work,” he said.

“The current place does that but not nearly as effective as a new site.”

The present Shepparton depot on Lockwood Rd has hosted the Hunter name for about 60 years, but will close once the new depot is officially opened.

Plans are in the pipeline to develop a new Hicks Transport Group depot in Cobram, but Mr Hicks said Shepparton’s new site would go ahead first.

Hicks Transport Group CEO Warren Hicks and owner Brian Hicks are building a new multi-million dollar depot in Shepparton on land purchased from Tom Garrett. Picture: Holly Curtis

Hicks Transport Group owner Brian Hicks and Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation chief executive Allan Turner are excited about the launch of Zaidee’s truck, a prime mover Freightliner that will “inspire discussion” about organ and tissue donation as it travels more than 200 000 km a year on Victorian and NSW roads. Picture: Holly Curtis Trucks and trailers, March 2016

Page 3

Built tough for livestock and grain cartage

T909 Series

“Here at O’Sullivan’s we’ve always been really happy with our Kenworth products. We first starting driving them in the 1980s and have grown our fleet up to our current 30 prime movers, namely the T908 and T909 models. They’ve continued to prove to be both robust and reliable and their driver acceptance is second to none.

We purchase all our Kenworths through Graham Thomson Motors Shepparton, their expertise in the transport industry and the quality of their sales, spare parts and service departments make the choice easy.”

Mark Oliver, O’Sullivans Transport

Engine-Cummins ISXe5 from 485 hp up to 600 hp 2050 ftlb of tourqe Eaton gear box 20 198B or 220 198B 18-speed manual or Ultra Shift Front axle – Meritor 7.3 tonne Rear axle – Meritor 46–160 Alcoa wheels Choice of round or square tanks

Kenworth T359A

Kenworth T609

Kenworth T909

For more information call: Gary Nickson 0427 213 977

Warwick Talbot 0417 127 144

or the team at Graham Thomson Motors

Reliability and comfort for long haul freight

K200 Series Engine-Cummins ISXe5 from 485 hp up to 600 hp 2050 ftlb of tourqe

“We’ve been running Kenworth fleet from Graham Thomson Motors for a number of years now and we’ve had no reason to change. The K200 combines reliability and driver comfort; it’s built here in Australia and is designed specifically for our conditions.

Eaton gearbox 20 198B or 220 198B 18-speed manual or Ultra shift

Graham Thomson Motors have been very professional right from day one for us. They have an excellent service and spare parts department and an on call 24-hour service that always ensures that we get our trucks back on the road as soon as possible.”

John Kreskas, Kreskas Bros. Transport.

Front axle – Meritor 7.3 tonne or Meritor 6.6 tonne Rear axle – Meritor 46–160 Alcoa wheels Square tanks

Kenworth T409

Cnr Doyles & New Dookie Roads, Shepparton Ph: (03) 5821 3977 www.gtm.com.au

Kenworth T409 SAR

Kenworth K200

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Feature Truck

By Sharon Wright

Freightliners drive fleet Improved driver comfort, fuel economy and the reliability of the Freightliner Coronado 114 were important considerations for the fleet modernisation plans of Leocata’s Transport.

Freightliner Coronado 114 model specifications: Engine: DD15 engine at 560 hp Transmission: Eaton FO-20E318B-MXP Ultra shift

transmission Rear axle: Meritor RT-46–160 gP rear axle @ 4.3 Ratio, DCDL both axles Front axle: Meritor FG-941 Rear suspension: Airliner 46k Front suspension: Taper leaf Brakes: Wabco ABS with traction control Sleeper cab: Integrated sleeper with roof fairing Fuel capacity: 2 x 378 litre fuel tanks, 1 x 567 litre fuel tank Security: Remote central locking.

GVM: 26 000 kg GCM: 80 000 kg B-double, 106 000 kg road train Adrian, Sharon, Joe and Marcus Leocata with one of the two new Freightliner Coronado 114 prime movers that have boosted the Tatura-based fleet of Leocata’s Transport. Pictures: Julie Mercer

Page 6 Trucks and trailers, March 2016

The Tatura-based, family-owned business bought two new trucks from Hartwigs Shepparton, and they have immediately been embraced by the drivers on the Tatura to Melbourne and Goulburn Valley to Adelaide routes.

General manager Adrian Leocata operates the business with his parents Joe and Sharon and brother Marcus, who is the account manager, and said the new Freightliners were the first trucks with automated transmissions in the 22-strong fleet.

He said the company was always looking to capitalise on new technology and saw the potential for trucks with automated transmissions to ultimately reduce down time as they were always driven correctly.

“Automated transmissions remove the potential for driver error, there is far less wear on the clutch, which means less maintenance,” Mr Leocata said.

The transmission, coupled with air ride Xtreme HD seat with integrated seatbelt, wrap-around dash and Freightliner steering wheel — with all controls at the driver’s fingertips — meant operators emerged from the spacious cabin refreshed after a long trip.

He said drivers were reporting reduced fatigue, which is vital when complying with rigid laws governing the operation of fatigue-related vehicles.

Safety features of the Freightliners include an expansive windscreen with good vision and fewer blind spots,

extra lights for better visibility and an alarm which alerts the driver if the park brake is not engaged when they open the door.

Leocata’s Transport has added airconditioning to both sleeper cabs and large fridges for storage of food and drinks to ensure adequate rest when drivers take mandatory breaks.

“Automated transmissions remove the potential for driver error, there is far less wear on the clutch, which means less maintenance.”

Adrian Leocata The Detroit DD15 560 hp motor has a unique diesel particulate filter designed to remove soot from the exhaust gas of the diesel engine, eliminating the need for Adblue while still complying with emissions targets.

As a result, the Freightliner has only three fuel tanks, with a combined capacity of 1323 litres, and a reduced tare weight which allows the trucks to transport an additional two pallets of product per load, thus improving efficiency.

Customised with the trademark Leocata’s Transport red and white

paintwork, the new trucks are part of the company’s strategy to turn trucks over every five years to maintain a modern, efficient fleet.

“The last thing we want is our drivers stuck on side of road, or getting phone calls in the middle of the night about breakdowns. We need reliable equipment, not only for the drivers but for our customers,” Mr Leocata said.

Leocata’s Transport was founded

by Joe and Sharon Leocata about 30 years ago with a single International t-line truck, based at the family property at Stanhope, transporting groceries and cement between the Goulburn Valley and Adelaide.

Now the business employs 52 people including drivers, and administration, warehouse and maintenance staff across three sites in Tatura, Laverton and Adelaide.

The fleet comprises 18 line-haul trucks, which are a mix of single trailer and B-double combinations and four rigid trucks which distribute freight within the Goulburn Valley.

Clients include major Goulburn Valley manufacturing companies, and while the business has expanded from its origins as a single owner/driver operation, the motto “Big enough to do the job, small enough to care” remains the same.

Joe Leocata said long-standing relationships with Hartwigs Trucks, Caltex Fuel and Solar City Tyres and Bridgestone Service Centre, all in Shepparton, had been integral to continued growth.

Trucks and trailers, March 2016

Page 7

NEWS

By Taylah Burrows

Mixed response for new order An order issued by the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal on minimum payments for owner drivers has been met with mixed responses from the transport industry.

Starting on April 4, the order will require national minimum payments for certain contractor drivers in the road transport industry.

National Independent Trucking Association chief executive officer Jerry Brown-Sarre, from Euroa, said the order would improve conditions for owner drivers and could save lives.

“At the moment these rates are based on cost recovery, what an owner must get to break even,” Mr

National Independent Trucking Association chief executive Jerry Brown-Sarre believes the new mandatory freight rates have the potential to save lives.

Brown-Sarre said.

“At the moment we’re working 30 per cent under cost and that’s why the industry is so bad as far as bankruptcy and death.

“At the moment there’s no money for drivers to repair their vehicles, so drivers are driving their trucks unroadworthy around and that’s very dangerous.”

However, there are concerns for owner-operator businesses that will lose their competitive edge against

larger transport fleet companies due to the minimum freight rates they will have to charge.

The National Road Transport Association is shaking its head at the new order, which it said would significantly increase the cost of engaging road freight contractors, which would then mean higher prices for consumers.

The making of the order was based on comprehensive consultations, research, evidence

and hearings, during which Mr Brown-Sarre said NatRoad declined to supply evidence supporting its claims prices for everyday goods would rise enough to send “price shocks through and beyond the industry”.

The tribunal said the order was “a significant new development for the road transport industry” which it expected would be “reviewed and amended over time based upon experience and new evidence’’.

A public forum held in Tocumwal on Thursday, March 3 explained the minimum payments from a legal point of view.

Thirty people in attendance at the Global Accreditation Services’ organised event watched a slideshow presented

by Gillian Bristow from Cooper Grace Ward lawyers.

Attendees raised their concerns about the lack of detail surrounding freight back loading and the negative socioeconomic effects the order could have on the community.

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NEWS

By Taylah Burrows

Levy a good idea While low oil prices are currently benefiting most transport industries, the price is expected to soar later this year and could prove detrimental to small truck companies without a fuel levy.

Oil is currently half the price it was seven months ago at about $US30 a barrel and is predicted to keep falling to about $US20 a barrel, with some going as far as suggesting a low of $US10 a barrel.

These prices are reflected in low fuel prices, with the cost of fuel dipping below $1/litre in some places in Sydney and Melbourne.

While this is good news for most of the transport industry, Kreskas Bros Transport general manager Peter Hill said most major trucking companies had introduced a fuel levy in recent years that eliminated the effect of fuel prices.

Kreskas Bros Transport introduced the levy to protect its margins from the rise and fall of diesel prices, which account for about 30 per cent of its operating costs.

“Fortunately we’ve been able to negotiate a fuel levy with our clients and that varies depending on the terminal gate price of diesel each

month,” Mr Hill said.

“The fuel levy is nothing about profiting, it’s about calculating.

“What happens is the transport industry will publish their base rate and any rise, with that we take off GST and the government diesel rebate and we show it as a 30 per cent cost into the business, so it’s very open with our clients.”

Despite the fall of oil prices being a potential benefit for trucking companies without a levy, Mr Hill said truck companies’ margins were better off protected against inflated oil prices than turning a profit off irregular low prices.

“We’re not making any savings, our clients are ending up with a reduced rate,” Mr Hill said.

“You’d find larger transport companies would have a fuel levy protecting them, it would only be the smaller operators exposed to shifts in oil prices.”

Fuel levies can protect transport companies against future rising oil prices.

Mr Hill said despite this protection, truck companies may experience some negative reactions from clients due to the consistently changing levy prices.

“At times we’re required to explain our levy and how our levy is calculated, and we’re more than happy to do that with our clients,” he said.

“Industries understand how the price of fuel affects trucking companies, fuel is a big cost and they understand we need to protect ourselves against the cost.”

Mr Hill said despite the current profits they would be turning, smaller companies should consider adopting a fuel levy to avoid any potential losses due to the predicted price hike

of oil by the end of 2016.

“Given the amount fuel sits in our cost base, it’s a huge cost, so if it rises it can really quite dramatically change your costings and reduce your profit margin if you’re not protected by some sort of levy,” he said.

“They’d find it very difficult to operate profitably.”

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Page 9

Safety

By Taylah Burrows

Graham Thomson Motors’ workshop staff will have ongoing training to comply with the new heavy vehicle inspection manual.

New manual provides roadworthy clarity A new heavy vehicle inspection manual starting on July 1 will enforce uniform roadworthy rules across most of Australia.

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator released the revised guide late last year as compliance for assessing roadworthiness and for heavy vehicle operators to use in routine maintenance programs.

Mass Management Accreditation transport compliance consultant Greg Hough said the new manual would provide clarity for enforcement agencies and fleet operators.

“It seeks to clarify the minimum standards required and seeks to reduce the subjectivity of what an authorised officer considers roadworthy and not roadworthy,” Mr Hough said.

He said in the past there had been a lot of subjectivity about what was and was not considered roadworthy, and what constituted a safety issue, all of which had been clarified in the manual.

The comprehensive guide is a step towards achieving one set of road rules for Australia.

While Western Australia mostly complies with the NHVR standards,

the rules do not apply to the state and Mr Hough said it had resisted being part of the national scheme.

Australian Trucking Association chief executive officer Christopher Melham welcomed the manual but said it was only as good as the commitment by all states and territories to adopt a nationally consistent approach to its use with heavy vehicle inspections.

“The NHVR must now support the uniform use of this manual by also rolling out an education and awareness program targeting heavy vehicle inspectors,” Mr Melham said.

“It’s essential that the NHVR is the one to provide this training in order to ensure inspectors interpret and apply the standards in a uniform and nationally consistent manner.”

Graham Thomson Motors service manager Cameron Crouch said he expected the Shepparton dealership’s service staff would undergo ongoing training to adhere to regulations and manufacturer’s specifications, but didn’t expect the level of care to change.

“The level of what we’re trying to do won’t change, it’s just how we’re going about it,” he said.

“I can’t see it making any difference to what we’re doing now; they’re just looking at things in different ways.”

NHVR safety director Daniel Elkins said the regulator would continue to work with the industry to improve roadworthiness and enhance heavy vehicle safety.

“It’s essential that the NHVR is the one to provide this training in order to ensure inspectors interpret and apply the standards in a uniform and nationally consistent manner.”

Australian Trucking Association chief executive officer Christopher Melham

The new heavy vehicle inspection manual will enforce uniform roadworthy rules across most of Australia.

Call to reduce road user charge A reduction in the road user charge on trucking operators could save a typical small fleet operator $1100 each year and an owner-driver operator about $200.

Those savings were documented in the Australian Trucking Association’s pre-budget submission to the Federal Government.

Association chief executive officer Christopher Melham said the Page 10 Trucks and trailers, March 2016

reduction would help balance the books for the continued overcharging of trucking operators for their use of the roads.

“The trucking industry pays for our use of the road system through heavy vehicle registration fees and a road user charge on fuel, currently 26.14 cents per litre,” Mr Melham said.

“The industry has been

overcharged since 2007, because the system used to calculate the charges underestimates the number of trucks on the roads.

“Last year, governments agreed to freeze their revenue from heavy vehicle charges in response to this problem. But truck and bus operators will still be overtaxed by $250.2 million in 2016–17 and $264.8 million in 2017–18.

“Our submission recommends that the government should address its share of the overcharging by reducing the road user charge to 25.9 cents per litre in 2016–17 and 25.3 cents per litre in 2017–18.”

Other improvements submitted by the association include increased funding for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and the Bridges Renewal Program

by $49.0 million in 2016–17 and $52.1 million in 2017–18.

Mr Melham said the funding increases would result in more truck rest areas and a more productive road system.

The ATA submission can be viewed online at www.truck.net.au/ advocacy/submissions/2016-atapre-budget-submission

NEWS

By Lachlan Sharp

BONUS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON DAF XF105 RANGE Trucking identity Brian Hicks was inducted into the National Transport Hall of Fame.

Trucking identity recognised After more than 40 years in the transport and trucking industry, Brian Hicks of Hicks Transport Group has been inducted into the National Transport Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame ceremony took place in Alice Springs in August last year, with all of Mr Hicks’ colleagues over the years attending.

Making the ceremony even more special, was that it was the 20th anniversary of the Hall of Fame, making the crowd even bigger than usual.

Mr Hicks said he had come a long way from the early days of working on the family farm near Echuca.

“I guess I was always into trucks, and working on the family farm when I was a young boy meant I was around them all the time. We always had one or two trucks around,” Mr Hicks said.

“My late wife and I decided to branch out into transporting more, while still operating the farm over in Echuca. After a little while though, an opportunity came up to purchase a transport company in Cobram, and that is how we started over here.

“The business we purchased in Cobram had three trucks already, so with the two we brought in, meant we had a lot more work on our hands.”

Although he had some expectations in its early stages for how the company would develop, Mr Hicks said the business he had created was now beyond anything he could have imagined.

He said the industry had changed a lot over the years he had been involved, both in the day-to-day operations and improved technology.

“The pressure to perform and utilise production is much more important than it used to be.

“But we offer customers the ability now to track their orders and that sort of thing.

“That is something I never would have dreamed of, but it genuinely gets me excited. I feel it has breathed new life into the company.

“Really one of the more fulfilling parts of the business though, is the fact that we are able to employ so many local people. It’s a great feeling,” he said.

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“Really one of the more fulfilling parts of the business though, is the fact that we are able to employ so many local people. It’s a great feeling.”

Brian Hicks “Just recently we have taken on two new young drivers, and knowing that they are getting the training they need from us is outstanding.

“But really, the company is only as strong as the staff we can hire, and we couldn’t operate like we do without them.”

It looks to be a busy time ahead for the Hicks Transport Group, with land being purchased in Shepparton for a new depot, while expansion is always on the agenda.

“When an opportunity arises to grow the business, we have the ability to sit back and evaluate and assess before launching in.”

Mr Hicks said a lot of the thanks for him being elected into the Hall of Fame went to the support he had received from his family, friends and his staff.

Book a test drive, for more information call: Gary Nickson 0427 213 977 Warwick Talbot 0417 127 144

Cnr Doyles and New Dookie Roads, Shepparton Ph: (03) 5821 3977 | Fax: (03) 5822 2391 | www.gtm.com.au LMCT 10869 This offer is not available in conjunction with any other special offer or programme. Standard terms and conditions apply.

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Trucks and trailers, March 2016

Page 11

Safety

By Sharon Wright

From truckies to pedestrians, RoadSafe works for all

Mitchell Shire’s Deputy Mayor Des Callaghan is the new chairman of RoadSafe Goulburn Valley.

Picture: Julie Mercer

Whether you’re a heavy vehicle transport operator or a pedestrian, RoadSafe Goulburn Valley is working hard to improve safety on the road.

“2015 was a tragic year on the region’s roads; there were 35 people killed up to Christmas, which was 20 more than at the same time the previous year,” Cr Callaghan said.

“We need to keep working on reducing the road toll.”

He said RoadSafe organised regular heavy vehicle forums and gathered industry experts to address topical issues including legislative changes, fatigue laws and driver entitlements.

“The forums enjoy great support from the region’s transport firms, they are always

The community group, now in its 27th year, comprises representatives from Greater Shepparton, Moira, Murrindindi, Mitchell, Strathbogie and Mansfield councils, Victoria Police, VicRoads, State Emergency Service, business and service providers.

RoadSafe Goulburn Valley’s newly appointed chairman, Mitchell Shire’s Deputy Mayor Des Callaghan, 68, said reducing the road toll, improving education and providing up-to-date information for the region’s transport industry remained the top priorities for the organisation.

well attended,” Cr Callaghan said.

The organisation’s operational area encompasses thousands of kilometres of road network from major highways to rural gravel roads.

In addition to hosting the heavy vehicle forums, RoadSafe lobbies VicRoads to improve signage and traffic management infrastructure as well as conducting community education programs.

The Looking After Your Mates program targets sporting clubs and challenges participants to discourage their mates from drink and drug driving, mobile phone use while

driving and inattention when on the road.

RoadSafe supports the L2P Learner Driver Mentoring Program operated by Berry Street that helps young people gain the required 120 hours of driving practice before attempting to gain their driver’s licence.

Cr Callaghan said the group worked in partnership with other organisations including the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission, which all share the common goal of reducing the road toll.

Of particular concern to Cr Callaghan is the rising rate of pedestrian deaths, with a quarter of the state’s fatalities occurring in regional Victoria.

“We need to raise awareness with young people, go into the schools and educate children about the dangers of inattention,” he said.

Cr Callaghan, a Vietnam veteran, has been a member of RoadSafe Goulburn Valley for seven years and in 2014 was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to Mitchell Shire.

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News

By Sharon Wright

Electronic work diaries rolled out in 2017 Electronic work diaries for use in fatigue-related heavy vehicles will be rolled out, on a voluntary basis, in 2017.

EWDs are expected to be a simpler, more flexible alternative that will address inefficiencies of the current paper-based system and reduce the administrative burden for transport operators and drivers.

The introduction of EWDs is being implemented by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Regulator productivity and safety executive director Geoff Casey said EWDs were expected to contribute to a reduction in heavy vehicle crashes, due to better management of driver fatigue and compliance with fatigue rules.

Mr Casey said an operational pilot project, conducted by NSW Roads and Maritime Services in 2013, was undertaken with significant consultation and input from government and industry.

He said while there were many commercially available work diary systems in use, none were presently certified for use as an EWD. “EWDs differ from current commercial electronic fatigue management systems in that they collect information in a form that meets specific regulatory requirements,” Mr Casey said.

He said the regulator was working in partnership with Transport Certification Australia, whose role is to develop and manage the certification process for telematics service providers to deliver EWD systems and services for regulatory use.

Written work diaries require driver and vehicle details to be entered and work and rest times calculated

manually; in comparison EWDs automatically pre-populates each record with driver and vehicle details, calculates work and rest times and provides rest alerts.

Mr Casey said the Heavy Vehicle National Law was amended on February 6 to recognise and provide for EWDs and the regulator is developing policy and operational processes that support their adoption.

The organisation is also working with enforcement agencies to agree on an approach to roadside inspections and enforcement of EWDs. Until EWDs are introduced, drivers of fatigue-related heavy vehicles must continue to use a written work diary even if an operator already has an electronic system, Mr Casey said.

“The written work diary is still the only officially recognised method under the Heavy Vehicle National Law to record work and rest hours,” he said.

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National Heavy Vehicle Regulator productivity and safety executive director Geoff Casey said electronic work diaries are expected to contribute to a reduction in heavy vehicle crashes.

U OWNDE NE R N RS EW HI P

NEWS

Truckies help hay go a long way

By Emma Carinci

120mm x 36.868mm

“There is not one blade of grass on the ground anymore. I’ve never seen anything like it, fair dinkum.” … there was a lot of camaraderie.”

This is how southern Riverina Mr Baxter also donated hay bales farmer Brendan Farrell described and hoped the convoy would deliver Ilfracombe, just one of the droughtmore than supplies. stricken towns in central west “Besides the hay, we tried to give Queensland. them hope, “ he said.

But early in January, farmers from Ilfracombe and surrounding towns breathed a sigh of relief when 5000 hay bales were delivered.

“I spoke to a number of The 1800 km journey was organised by the Burrumbuttock Hay farmers there and they Runners and relied on volunteers and were very appreciative donations — including the time and effort of many truck drivers. … there was a lot of While he has lost track of the camaraderie.” number of volunteers, Mr Farrell, founder of the Hay Runners, said Kelvin Baxter 119 trucks and 168 trailers were involved in the convoy and it assisted Driver and harvest machinery 270 farmers across a 400 km radius. contractor John Doyle of Oaklands Shepparton, Katamatite and said the trucks were warmly Numurkah contributed 21 loads of welcomed into the country towns. hay, Mr Farrell said.

“They’re very appreciative when Using two trucks from his you get there … everyone’s waving as transport company, farmer Kelvin you go past,” Mr Doyle said.

Baxter from Berrigan said the convoy Truck driver from Hay Access in received a warm welcome from Katamatite, Gilbert Dickie, has been communities. involved in hay runs for years and “I spoke to a number of farmers has led five trips. there and they were very appreciative

86mm x 11.413mm

Truck drivers have loaded their vehicles with hay 46mm x 21.01mm and helped drought-affected communities.

While he was not part of the most recent convoy in January, Mr Dickie was involved in the first Burrumbuttock hay run to Bourke, NSW, in 2014 as well as one in October last year.

“We (Hay Access) took 22 trucks up to Bourke and that was fairly monumental.”

He said it was great to see “a lot of blokes chipping in together to make things happen”.

Mr Dickie has been driving trucks for 26 years and his involvement in hay runs has been one of the defining moments of his career.

“You do develop a passion for it.”

Although the hay runs required a lot of effort and co-ordination, Mr Dickie said it was worth it and it was hard not to get emotional upon realising what the hay runs meant to the community.

“When you see two old men, I mean tough old bushies, shedding a tear because they got two bales of hay, that’s pretty special.

“You meet people up the far end and get their reaction — it certainly puts a lump in your throat.”

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Driver Profile – Michael Argentino

Industry has seen much change for the better The truck driving industry has evolved significantly since Michael Argentino started his first freight job in Shepparton 40 years ago.

From the introduction of port liners and B-double trucks, to the connection of rural and metro areas by the construction of freeways and highways — Mr Argentino has seen it all.

But perhaps the biggest change the 59-year-old has witnessed was the evolution of road safety.

“Safety compliances and all that is a big factor, it’s probably the biggest factor I’ve seen change in transport,” Mr Argentino said.

“It’s easier on drivers, so it’s easier on everyone really, easier on everyone on the road.”

Mr Argentino got his first job with Roccisano Transport through friends and began his daily freight job without any formal training.

“In the early days, when I started with Roccisano Transport, I did local, which is Shepparton to Melbourne, plus interstate, that was from 1978 to the late ’80s,” he said.

“And then I took the role as warehouse supervisor for Roccisano Warehouse and Distribution, which served several large food industries at the time.

“Then in 1995 Scott’s took over Roccisanos and I stayed on for a few

more years doing the supervisor’s job.

“Then I decided I wanted a change so went back to driving, for Scott’s still, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Mr Argentino’s current freight role involves a daily commute to Melbourne and back delivering mostly food products including baby food, milk products and tomato paste from store to store.

He said his favourite part of his job was the sense of freedom he got on the road.

“You’re sort of your own boss, you become more self-motivated, someone’s paying you money to travel the countryside and see the views.

“It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

“I like going to different places every day, meeting new people,

Michael Argentino has been in the transport industry for 40 years.

having a laugh with your mates and making new friends along the way.”

He said unloading in the rain and driving in heavy fog were some of the downsides to his job, but the carnage he saw on the road could be particularly upsetting.

“I’ve seen my fair share of accidents over the years,” Mr Argentino said.

“When you hear of an accident and the driver is someone you know it tends to be devastating.”

Despite some of the job’s negative aspects, Mr Argentino said he enjoyed his role working for Scott’s Transport.

“The drivers are a great bunch of blokes to work with and the operation and managers go out of their way to help you fix any problems no matter how big or small, just to make sure your day runs smoother.

“I enjoy the security of a full-time job, and working for a large national company that has been around for years who strive for excellence and things like safety, (and) customer service.”

Mr Argentino said the complex log book system and fines for logbooks and transport infringements were over the top and were potentially deterring younger drivers from the industry.

He said incoming drivers should be prepared to be dedicated to their job due to the high-risk factors and dangers it held.

“When you get into the job, and once you get your head around it, it is pretty easy-going, but just remember you have a lot of long hours and hard work to come with it.”

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News

By Emma Carinci

Better flexibility for drivers Truck drivers transporting livestock could enjoy more flexibility with updates to the Advanced Fatigue Management template.

The template was developed by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator with the support of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, which is a member of the Australian Trucking Association.

The AFM template will assist livestock transporters in managing safe driver rest schedules under difficult operating conditions.

ALRTA executive director Mathew Munro said six operators in Australia had been approved for the new template since it was introduced in the middle of last year.

He said the new template was developed to streamline and reduce costs associated with the old AFM scheme and preclude the need for operators to provide a comprehensive safety case to gain accreditation.

“It’s the ultimate level of flexibility — you can manage your rests around what might be some longer hours,” Mr Munro said.

He said the template allowed drivers going out for longer jobs to complete their task and get home to have their rest days.

“Generally speaking, when people

get sent out to remote locations they want to get the job done and get home again — but some will get stuck out there for another day because they run out of hours.”

The template allows accredited drivers to work up to 14-hour days for 11 days straight (with restrictions to offset the risk when drivers are working between midnight and 4 am), whereas under Basic Fatigue Management, drivers had to take a 24-hour break once they had worked six 14-hour days.

Sale transport business Transedel Pty Ltd’s managing director Ian Einsiedel has used AFM since its inception and reapplied for the most recent updates in December.

“It’s very good, especially with all the flexibility,” Mr Einsiedel said.

He said a number of variables such as agents and farmers running late and traffic conditions could be compensated for by using AFM. About 40 per cent of Transedel jobs are interstate; the rest are local.

Mr Einsiedel has a facilitator in Murchison assisting with the administrative side of

Updates to the Advanced Fatigue Management template will assist livestock transport truck drivers to manage safe driver rest schedules under difficult operating conditions.

AFM regulations.

Livestock transport services operating in the Goulburn Valley have not employed AFM due to the size of their operation and job requirements, which are often local and within close proximity of the respective depots.

Mooroopna’s Gooiker Stock Transports’ owner-operator Bill Gooiker said AFM was not something his business required and he preferred his drivers to work no

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more than 12 hours.

“By no means am I saying it’s a bad thing, but it’s about what suits your individual company — it just doesn’t suit ours,” Mr Gooiker said.

Livestock Rural Transport Association of Victoria president John Beer said while the AFM system offered operators and drivers more flexibility, BFM was simpler.

“A lot of them (operators) won’t go the extra step because it’s pretty hard to tick all boxes.”

“It’s the ultimate level of flexibility — you can manage your rests around what might be some longer hours.”

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Page 19

News

By Taylah Burrows

Big rigs roll in for 20th Alexandra event A massive night of entertainment will kick off the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show’s jam-packed long-weekend 20th anniversary celebrations.

The show’s main event will remain on Sunday, June 12, but organisers are excited to begin the celebrations with an evening concert on Friday, June 10 including the musical talents of Adam Harvey, Jayne Denham and Simply Bushed.

The 20th annual show follows last year’s success, which attracted crowds of up to 15 000 people, and was described by show committee president Caolan O’Connor as one of the best events he had seen.

“We had a fairly good show last year, definitely one of the best shows we’ve had,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The weather was good, really good crowds — we had between

12 000 and 15 000 (turnout).

“We had over 150 trucks entered in the judged categories, plus over 100 utes and hot rods combined.”

The show will continue on Saturday, June 11 with the annual truck drivers’ memorial service, which commemorates transport industry identities and truck drivers who have died.

A plaque for each person will be installed on the memorial wall in Rotary Park, Alexandra.

This year’s Saturday evening dinner, which is usually limited to about 100 guests, will be open to the public as another large celebration of the show’s 20-year history.

Past winners of the truck show and key sponsors who have supported the show have been invited to the event.

Mr O’Connor said returning crowd favourites, including the wood chop event, market and miniature truck competition, would be enhanced by new additions planned

for the program.

“We’re excited about having a broader show than we’ve had in previous years and having entertainment for the entire weekend,” he said.

The show is met with great community support throughout Alexandra, with last year’s show

generating just over $1.7 million for the Alexandra economy.

“There’s really good community support in town and many people are excited about it,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It really does a lot for the region in terms of tourism during the weekend and in general.”

This year’s Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show will be a celebration of its 20 year history. Pictures: Caprice Photography, Geelong.

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Page 20 Trucks and trailers, March 2016

The Australian Trucking Association has described the Federal Government’s decision to remove the requirement for semitrailer rear bumpers to be painted white as “common sense”.

Association chief executive officer Christopher Melham said the move, announced by Major Projects, Territories and Local Government Minister Paul Fletcher in February, was predicted to save operators $12.4 million in the next decade.

He said the amendment unsnarled an unnecessary tangle of red tape for operators and trucking suppliers alike, without affecting heavy vehicle safety.

“Until now, it has been a legal requirement under the Australian Design Rules for a semi-trailer rear bumper to be painted white,” Mr Melham said.

“This was intended to improve

visibility for other road users, but worked better in theory than in practice; the bumper makes little difference during daylight hours, and the semi-trailer’s rear marker plates provide much greater visibility benefits at night-time and in low-light situations.

“The rule was inconsistent in that it only applied to semi-trailers; other types of heavy vehicles were exempt from the requirement.

“In addition, the ATA was regularly hearing reports that operators had been issued with defect notices because the paint on their rear bumper had been scratched or otherwise obscured,” he said.

“This had nothing to do with the vehicle’s safety; you certainly wouldn’t expect to be fined if you scratched the paint on your car.”

NEWS

NTC highly valued, report reveals The National Transport Commission is highly valued as a strong, independent advocate on national policy and reform issues, a review released in December 2015 says.

The review, routinely staged every six years as required by the National Transport Commission Act, was undertaken by the Transport and Infrastructure Council.

Commission chairman David Anderson welcomed the findings of the review, including the relevance of the organisation’s continued existence.

“Ministers agreed the NTC should continue to use its capabilities to tackle Australia’s emerging transport issues and prevent them from becoming entrenched problems,” Mr Anderson said.

“It is clear from the review that the NTC has greatly improved the way we engage with stakeholders, deliver national transport reforms, maintain laws and codes, and develop new ideas for the future.”

Mr Anderson particularly welcomed the agreement by ministers for the commission to continue to transition its focus to higher level strategic policy work.

“Our priorities are to finish what has been started; focus on improving transport system productivity and to help Australia embrace new technology and innovative practices,” Mr Anderson said.

“By prioritising these things we can further improve Australia’s transport system.

“The NTC’s current work program includes 23 strategic projects and five operational projects.

“Given the establishment of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator over two years ago, it now makes sense for the NTC to work with our stakeholders to focus even more on the strategic issues that face our national economy and local communities into the future.”

A copy of the 2015 National Transport Commission Review is available at https://infrastructure. gov.au/transport/australia/ntc/ reviews.aspx

NTC chairman David Anderson has welcomed the findings of a review undertaken by the Transport and Infrastructure Council.

Trucks and trailers, March 2016

Page 21

News

By Sharon Wright

Overhauled Peterbilt star of the show

Shepparton’s Jack and Scott Nind with their restored Peterbilt 379.

An overhauled 1988 Peterbilt 379 took out the major prize at last year’s Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show in its first ever outing.

Bought by father and son Jack and Scott Nind during a business trip to the United States in 2006, the rig was restored to its former glory in Shepparton after arriving in Australia in shipping containers.

The duo and mechanic Richard Simonsen contributed hundreds of hours of labour over eight years to ensure the former long-haul truck, which has been nicknamed Pete, was show-worthy.

Jack Nind said every piece was sandblasted to eliminate all traces of the original blue paintwork, which was replaced with cool ‘Ice White’ and expanses of chrome on the grille, bumper, wheels and 20 cm exhaust stacks.

“The bodywork was in good enough condition for restoration but the motor was worn-out; it had clocked up 670 000 miles (more than 1 000 000 km),” Mr Nind said.

Now powered by a 500 hp C15 caterpillar engine, the truck “drives beautifully”, although it rarely leaves its storage facility — a custombuilt shed at the Nind family’s business Inter Continental Spares in Shepparton.

“We don’t use this truck in the business; it’s a show truck. We had bought a few Peterbilts in for other people and had been looking for our own project for a while,” Mr Nind said.

Manufactured by Paccar, which produces Kenworth and DAF trucks, the big, tough exterior of the Peterbilt trucks has earned them the “king of the road” title in the United States.

The Ninds’ truck has a restored interior with blue reupholstered seats, timber veneer floor, and a woodgrain dash finished with chrome bezel gauges.

Future plans include repainting the cabin with the American flag and a silhouette of the Statue of Liberty and manufacturing a 13.7 m trailer, which the truck can accommodate, courtesy of the sliding turntable.

Scott Nind said the Peterbilt refurbishment was a labour of love and while it would never be a working truck, Inter Continental Spares’ clients, many of whom are in the transport industry, have enjoyed watching the transformation.

Page 22 Trucks and trailers, March 2016

Parts for the restoration project were sourced in the United States including the chrome eagle.

Pictures: Ray Sizer

Business Profile

Looking after fuel needs KSG Fuel Supplies in Numurkah has been servicing the transport industry, farms and service stations across the Goulburn Murray region for four years.

Business owner Craig Pryde has been working in the transport industry all his life; beginning his first job in 1985 carting fruit out of

Cobram in his own truck.

Six years later he started driving interstate for local transport companies but, after the arrival of his first daughter Kathryn, he moved into a manager’s job with a fuel company.

He stayed in the fuel delivery sector for 10 years, learning the

ropes and making contacts, but eventually moved into the steel delivery sector.

KSG Fuel Supplies began when Mr Pryde was given a tanker truck by a friend in Melbourne who told him it was time to get back into the fuel delivery sector.

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Mr Pryde and wife Bev’s three daughters — Kathryn, Sarah and Gabi — and quickly began to grow.

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The business delivers throughout regional Victoria up to Wangaratta,

expanding into NSW to Deniliquin and as far up as West Wyalong.

Deliveries are also made occasionally to metro areas including service stations in Melbourne.

Mr Pryde said the business valued its customers and strived to achieve good service, cheap prices and healthy growth for its customers.

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