Big Rigs Jan 8, 2021

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021

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2 NEWS CONTACT US Address: 11-15 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Phone: 03 9690 8766 Email: editor@bigrigs.com.au Web: bigrigs.com.au Accounts: 03 9690 8766 Subscriptions: 03 9690 8766 Classifieds: 0403 626 353 Circulation and distribution queries: 03 9690 8766 info@bigrigs.com.au EDITOR James Graham: 0478 546 462 james.graham@primecreative.com.au REPORTER Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au MANAGER Peter Hockings: 0410 334 371 peter.hockings@primecreative.com.au MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT Marie O’Reilly: 0403 626 353 marie.oreilly@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS Katharine Causer: 0423 055 787 katharine.causer@primecreative. com.au CONTRIBUTORS Tassie Truckin: Jon Wallis, 0414 797 513 Truckin in the Topics: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 David Meredith; Brent Davison; David Vile; Ian Lee. Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper is published by Prime Creative Media. All material is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or means. The opinions expressed in Big Rigs are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher.

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

More collaboration needed to address disturbing fatality rate

BY JAMES GRAHAM

ADAM GIBSON, NTI’s Transport and Logistics Risk Engineer, is calling for more industry collaboration in 2021 to arrest the disturbing rise in truckie deaths in the last 12-month period recorded by the insurer.

NTI’s Major Accident Investigation 2020 Report showed that 53 drivers lost their lives in 2019, up from 38 in 2018.

This unpleasant statistic has hovered around 34 truck occupant deaths in the preceding decade.

More recently, figures from the Australia Road Research Board (ARRB), also revealed how much work still needs to be done to improve safety for our drivers. The ARRB numbers showed that although there was 30% less traffic on the roads during Covid lockdowns, there wasn’t anywhere near the expected corresponding drop in heavy vehicle-involved fatalities.

Fatalities involving articulated trucks actually increased in the last two quarters in NSW, said the ARRB. Gibson remains astounded that the number of fatalities in the heavy vehicle industry each year aren’t regarded as a national emergency.

“If 34 teachers lost their lives

Adam Gibson is astounded that the number of fatalities aren’t regarded as a national emergency.

in Australia next year – even if five lost their lives – we’d have a Royal Commission,” he said.

“Tragically, I think we had had six or eight miners lose their lives in Queensland in the last two years and there were calls for the Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy to be sacked, so how can it possibly be acceptable to have for 34 heavy vehicle occupants killed in Australia, basically every year and not even have it rate a mention?

“How is it deemed to be just a cost of doing business?

Gibson aims to delve deeper behind the raw stats in 2021, and beyond, to get to the root of the issues and offer some tangible industry solutions.

Thanks to NTI’s partnership with Seeing Machines, and its in-cab driver monitoring technology, Gibson can already see that there is a serious industry issue with undiagnosed sleep apnoea, and there is a disturbing rise in the number of ‘attention and distraction crashes’ in the last two reports.

“It’s hard not to feel that the mobile telephone use has to be contributing toward that,” he said.

“I need to have a lot deeper discussions with the operators involved beyond that which we’d normally have as part of the insurance relationship and start to build a case for why this information is good for all of

us; them, staff and industry.”

Gibson conceded that there are undoubted improvements in safety measures in Australia in recent times.

He tracks and measures

how many heavy vehicle involved road crash deaths there are per billion tonne kilometres of freight each year and over the last 16 years that figure has dropped from two deaths to around 0.9, which by that measure alone rates Australia as one of the safest industries in the world.

But with fatigue still our biggest killer, a lot more can, and should be done, said Gibson.

“I want to see the pathway to zero deaths. I want to talk as an industry and say what does that look like?

“We know from history that if we don’t lead on safety, then someone in a fluorescent-lit office cubicle somewhere will tell us how to run transport safer, and that doesn’t have a history of happy outcomes.”

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Dangerous goods allowed on bypass?

BY JAMES GRAHAM

CONSTRUCTION on the long-awaited Coffs Harbour bypass in NSW finally has the green light to start but negotiations continue on the much-debated issue of dangerous goods access.

At least that’s what we think is still happening.

When we asked for clarification from Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and the NSW Environment Protection authority (EPA) we couldn’t exactly get a straight answer.

With three tunnels to be built on the $1.8 billion project – at Roberts Hill, Shephards Lane and Gateleys Rd – trucks carting dangerous goods, known as ‘placarded loads’ would under current NSW laws be banned from the tunnels and be forced to continue to drive through the busy city centre.

In a written statement, TfNSW tell us it is working with relevant authorities and industry groups to develop a statewide policy on how to best accommodate dangerous goods on the road network in the future.

“With completion of the bypass, dangerous goods vehicles will still need to access Coffs Harbour as it is a major regional centre and a destination for dangerous goods vehicles which provide essential services to the area,” is all a spokesperson would concede on the issue.

Big Rigs understands that the movement of dangerous goods above ‘critical thresholds’ is regulated by the EPA. But all we could ascertain from that body when we asked was yet another obfuscated emailed response: “The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is working with relevant state and Federal agencies to ensure risks associated with the transport of dangerous goods are properly assessed and managed.”

Local federal member for Cowper Pat Conaghan tells us that TfNSW has advised him the tunnels will be designed and built to the highest safety standards, irrespective of what goods travel through them.

“Whether vehicles carrying dangerous goods will be permitted to go through the bypass’ tunnels in the future will be up to the NSW Envi-

ronment Protection Agency,” he said.

“For me as the local Federal Member, I’m focussed on ensuring maximum benefits flow from our Government’s investment of up to $1.46 billion for the bypass to local businesses and contractors and residents gain job opportunities and improvements to the Coffs CBD.” GAS Energy Australia raised its concerns about tunnel access for tankers in a submission to the Environment Impact Statement (EIS), and CEO John Griffiths said he was keen to work with the NSW Government to investigate access for DG vehicles.

The EIS said that many of the placarded loads are required to stop in Coffs Harbour, but Griffiths refutes that claim, saying only a very small number of the long-haul trucks on the Pacific Highway with gas onboard actually stop locally.

He said information and advice provided to NSW transport authorities by GEA members show that 95% of the roughly 4,400 LPG tanker movements along the Pacific Highway each year do not make deliveries into Coffs Harbour.

The bypass will have three tunnels with a combined length of just under 1km, including this one at Shephards Lane.

“GEA is concerned that the EIS has also not adequately assessed the volume and travel patterns of DG transport or considered the risks to those using and living near roads,” said Griffiths.

If denied access to the Coffs

Bypass tunnels, Griffiths said the Pacific Highway’s 12km of low speed road, complete with 12 sets of traffic lights, passing through the Coffs Harbour city centre would add considerable cost and time to long hauls freight trips.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole did not respond to a Big Rigs’ request for comment.

In an earlier statement he instead focused on the 2000 local jobs the bypass would provide during construction.

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4 NEWS

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

We need networks and notices: QTA QTA CEO Gary Mahon.

“The Scorecard is a powerful tool that will encourage all levels of Government to deliver their commitments to implement the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy,” McCormack told them.

ALC CEO Kirk Coningham added: “Real progress on implementing the National Freight and Supply Chain cannot be achieved without commitment to timelines for the completion of initiatives.

To achieve improvements in productivity, progress towards finishing a project must form

A truck travels along a busy section of the proposed inland highway in Queensland, the Lynd Highway between Charters Towers and Greenvale.

all these years? Why do we not have A-doubles operating on the Melbourne to Sydney corridor?”

Mahon also refuted the ALC’s December report on Queensland’s performance which was critical of its progress on projects flagged as priorities.

“I’d make the point that in terms of the current circumstances in Queensland, projects do have timelines.

“We’ve now had the inland freight route added to the priorities and that was a progres-

sive decision we argued strongly for. We’ve got six new bridges on the forward program with time frames around them so in fairness to both the state and federal government, we would argue there is a reasonable list of progressive investments on schedule.”

Mahon was also sceptical about whether the ALC would get much buy-in to its proposal late last year for a National Freight Data Hub to enable the sharing of information about the movement of freight and

vehicles.

“Data collection is helpful but what it tells us is where we’ve been and what we’re currently doing; what we’re looking to do is actually shape a different future to make us a more efficient country,” said Mahon.

“We have not made much progress in the last 10 years in terms of elevating road freight into the more efficient combinations that we could.

“We don’t want to be reliant on permits and routes; we need networks and notices.”

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THE Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has called for the adoption of a scorecard system to make each state and territory accountable for their commitments to the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

Under the scheme, each jurisdiction would receive a grade – A, B, C and F – that would be determined by comparison against a set of benchmarks.

It is proposed that these three broad benchmarks will be; 1. Progress Against Deadlines 2. Alignment with National Strategy 3. Level of Detail (including gaps).

The ALC has consistently expressed disappointment over the lack of real deadlines contained in these implementation plans and sees the Scorecard concept as a fix.

The council said that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack endorsed the concept when it was presented to him last December.

a key performance indicator of NFSCS progress.”

However, Gary Mahon, CEO of the Queensland Trucking Association, told Big Rigs he wasn’t so sure the scorecard concept was the answer to keeping projects on track.

“The National Cabinet process during Covid, which has been to draw out a more co-operative model, would be the preferred approach,” he told us.

“And applying report cards on the respective states would seem to me to be less likely to produce consistent results.

“Each of the states has their own priorities and their own special issues. That’s the way federations work, and I think you have to bear that in mind when trying to move all the jurisdictions relatively consistently together.

“More importantly, the focus should be on the national end base trade routes. Where are intermodal connections going to be at the Melbourne end and Brisbane end for the inland rail?

“Why do we not have high productivity combinations mobilised around the country after

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Eagers to sell Daimler dealerships for $108m

AUSTRALIAN vehicle dealership group Eagers Automotive is set to sell its Daimler Truck and Bus service dealerships and its Stillwell Trucks site to US based Daimler truck dealer Velocity Vehicle Group for a reported $108 million.

The move will see Velocity Vehicle Group, which has 36 dealership locations in major US markets, become a key partner in the Daimler Truck and Bus Australian dealership network, pending completion of formal approval processes.

Daimler Truck and Bus President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, thanked Eagers Automotive for its partnership during a time of growth for Daimler commercial vehicles. “We have achieved a lot together and I wish them all the best for the future,” he said.

In the same fashion as its US operation, Velocity Vehicle Group’s Australian network will only sell and service commercial vehicles.

It will exclusively represent Daimler brands Mer-

Co-President of Velocity Vehicle Group Brad Fauvre.

cedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso.

“We are extremely pleased to work with a group that has such an incredible track

record with Daimler Trucks in the United States which consistently delivers on a core commitment to commercial vehicle customers,”

said Whitehead.

“Daimler currently has the best and most advanced cab-over and conventional trucks in Australia, and

they will now be sold and supported by a strengthened dealership network of equal calibre.”

Co-Presidents of Velocity Vehicle Group Brad Fauvre

NEWS 5

and Conan Barker added: “We could not be more excited to have the Australian Daimler dealerships of Eagers Automotive join the Velocity team. We have seen the dedication of everyone at each dealership, and we know that together with their US VVG colleagues, we will be able to deliver world-class service to the Australian truck market.”

The Eagers Automotive Daimler truck business employs approximately 650 people across various locations including Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Eagers Automotive will continue to own and operate its existing Webster Truck and Isuzu Truck businesses, which are currently part of the automotive retail division.

Following completion of the transaction, the Hino and Iveco operations will be incorporated into the automotive retail division.

The acquisition is due to be completed by the first half of 2021.

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6 COVER STORY

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Father and son pave the way for timber salvage

The Cat 962 makes the job of loading the TCM Super-Liners an easy one.

The dogs are barking in the mountain ranges of north-east Victoria as this hard-working duo pulls out all stops to keep the logging trucks moving.

BY DAVID VILE “I think the handpiece on the UHF might just about melt today,” quipped Ken Crockett as he anticipated plenty of radio and vehicular traffic along some of the remote roads and bush tracks in the Victorian high country.

Leading his team of truck drivers and plant operators from local company Tallangatta Construction and Maintenance (TCM), Ken was overseeing the final stages of a roadwork contract in the range of mountains above Corryong in northeast Victoria, which had

seen five of the TCM’s fleet of Mack tippers and Cat earthmoving gear on the go for a number of weeks.

Following the devastating fires at the start of 2020 in the Upper Murray region, the push is on to salvage the burnt timber out of the mountains, and as such, a number of the logging tracks in the area needed to be upgraded to cope with the increased volume of traffic and allow for B-doubles to operate efficiently.

Taking on a contract to crush, haul, spread and roll 20,000 tonnes of road materials, along with associated roadworks, the TCM operations were centred around

a quarry on Dunstan’s Road up on the Pinnibar Range.

Working alongside Ken as part of the team is his son Ben, each taking the wheel of one of the TCM Super-Liners and Cat loader as the job neared its completion.

Having shifted dirt and been around machinery all his working life, Ken has been an integral part of the TCM business for the last 24 years, and after completing an apprenticeship with Westrac, Ben joined TCM and has clocked up 17 years working alongside his father.

With the exception of a CH model, the remainder of the TCM fleet is made up

Working alongside Ken, left, as part of the team is his son Ben, each taking the wheel of one of the TCM Super-Liners and Cat loader as the job neared its completion.

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COVER STORY 7

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

TCM Grader operator Chris Robbins on the job in the Victorian high country.

Two of the all-Mack TCM Fleet: Ken’s Cat powered Super Liner and Ben’s Cummins powered example.

of Super-Liners.

“If it’s not a Mack, it’s not part of the crew,” said Ken firmly.

Having run R-Models and Value Liners over the years the company has added more trucks as the business expanded.

“When Ben came here, we had some old trucks at the time and he said, ‘we need better trucks and less of them’, but as we have gone along, we have got better trucks and more of them!” he said with a smile.

All the Macks are Cummins powered, with the exception of Ken’s truck and the float truck which have Cat powerplants, and all the trucks have been purchased with a heavy-duty specifica-

tion to cope with the terrain and the working environment.

“We buy them second-hand and have found log trucks are spec’d pretty well for our job - they have good running gear on them, and they suit our applications pretty well - also working them as a truck and dog unit they are more versatile,” explained Ben. Having taken on the contract on behalf of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and VicForests, considerable planning around traffic management was required to ensure the job ran safely and smoothly, given the number of truck movements by both

the roading crew and logging trucks, along with delivering the right result for all parties.

“It’s been a bit of juggling act determining what sections to work on to work around the log trucks, we don’t want to hold them up and we don’t want to be held up either - Owen Lord from DELWP works very well at what he does along with Ian Kelly from Vic Forests- they work well together and we are very fortunate to have a couple of overseers who know what they are doing, it’s good to work with these guys and if there’s a problem we can fix it and move on,” explained Ken. With both tipper units loaded Ken headed out from the quarry along Dunstan’s Road with Ben close behind, with the tip-off point 14 kilometres away on Walker’s Road.

Towing a three-axle dog, Ken was up around 30 tonnes, with Ben out to 35-tonne with his Super-Liner towing a quad dog.

Kicking up the dust along the road, Ken’s prediction about the heavy radio traffic rang true with the UHF crackling as trucks radioed their positions along the bush tracks.

“I marked a few trees where there are some passing bays along the road before we started so you can call in whereabouts you are at,” he said.

True to form with a call over the radio he pulled to the wrong side of the road to allow firstly a loaded Ken-

worth log truck past and a bit further on one of the other TCM units.

Both Macks made good time to the tip-off point where Chris Robbins was waiting with the grader, along with Gary Enever on the roller to complete to job.

For Chris, the job up in the mountains driving the grader had made a pleasant change doing roadworks on the main roads.

“I love it out here in the bush, it’s better than B-doubles whizzing past you on the highway! It’s been a big job averaging around 1000 tonne a day - when we were back closer to the quarry it was up over 2000 tonne a day, but it’s been good, with working on the fires and now this we have had a busy year,” he said.

Tipping off was a simple process as Ken first unloaded the dog before pulling forward and repeating the process with the truck. With Chris waiting, the grader and roller soon worked their magic before Ben pulled in with his outfit and the process was repeated.

Heading back to the quarry for another load Ken was looking forward to the completion of the contract, with only around another half day needed to haul the rest of the road material out along Walkers Road.

With the crusher having been sent back to the main TCM quarry at Georges Creek, the TCM bulldozer and excavator had also been shifted further out to start on another job for Vic For-

TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THE BUSINESS AND HAVE YOUR SON WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU IT’S PRETTY GOOD - IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER. KEN CROCKETT

ests at Mt Boebuck, and as a result Ken reckoned his crew would be keeping busy out and about in the mountains for a few more weeks to follow.

Back home at Tallangatta he lives on 20 acres and he has a couple of classic Holdens in the garage including a 1956 FJ Holden which was restored over 13 years, but it would seem retirement is not on the agenda in the short term.

As he changed gear and the Mack growled along the road he nodded looking out the window at the view of the mountains he said with a smile: “You could retire but why would you when you could be out working in this?”

And with TCM chalking up 25 years of operation recently, it has been a rewarding and satisfying adventure for Ken. “It has been a tremendous journey - wherever the work is we will go, and we will do what we can for our clients. To be able to be in the business and have your son working alongside you it’s pretty good - it doesn’t get any better.”

Another load out the tailgate: Ken tips out the dog trailer on Walker’s Road as Chris Robbins waits with the grader.

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08 OPINION

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Bring on 2021

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

OUR cartoonist Ryan Lee-Taylor from Blue Dog says it all with another cracker illustration on the right.

Who doesn’t just want to turn the page on 2020 and move on?

But before we do, I have to pause here and say how bloody proud I am when I look back at what this awesome industry achieved last year.

It’s been said before, but I never get sick of hearing it – you kept this country moving during the most challenging year of our generation.

You’re all now officially considered essential to this economy and hopefully those in power – and those who got a little too obsessive about toilet paper in 2020 – never forget it.

We have to build on that stature in 2021 and keep working as a collective for the greater good.

Let’s keep the communication going between jurisdictions and focus on results.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO READER CORNER? EMAIL US AT EDITOR@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Sharing the road Reduce fines for Loading/unloading Covid vaccine truckies: ATA for truckies with caravans pay fight

A recent campaign by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia ahead of the holiday season encourages trucks and caravans to share the road safely, focusing on topics like sharing the road with trucks, and appropriate rest stop use. When we shared this story online, our readers weighed in.

“There are a lot more people on the roads now because of COVID, they are NOT all nomads, some people have never towed anything in their life and they got a large car and caravan and just go, without any knowledge or experience, these are the ones that need educating, the ones that have been on the road for years understand what is involved,” wrote Jan Mahar.

Others offered some suggestions on what they thought could be done. “Get a UHF fitted, so trucks can call them up.

I even had a caravan driver call me up to tell me they’ll back off at the overtaking lane… I wish they all did that, instead of speeding up,” said Mark Herrmann.

“Should be a licence class with all the information provided for safer travel, seen heaps of incidents,” added Stephen Perrin.

Bob Prideaux had a similar sentiment.

“A towing course and permit to tow, is a MUST, for anything over a 6x4 trailer,” he said.

THE Australian Trucking Association sent a clear message to the National Transport Commission for its comprehensive review of the HVNL – stop penalising drivers so harshly.

ATA chair David Smith said fines for prescriptive offences like drawing a line in the right place on a work diary page should be reduced and warnings should be used more often.

And, it seems, our readers agree. “What other industry is punished this heavily for a mistake at work, a simple book keeping mistake takes a family’s income away, no wonder good operators are leaving the industry,” said Jeff Dawson.

Jevan Hart agreed, “We are the only industry I know that gets penalised for doing overtime, spelling errors, forgetting to sign a page, writing the wrong date, ticking the wrong box, etc etc etc – absolute bs and pure revenue,” he wrote.

Bob Burns also shared a similar view, “Only industry that is so harshly dealt with. We’re criminals all the time for miscounting 15 minutes in our logbooks, takes 1/3 of our weeks’ wages for something so simple.”

Bob Wilson added, “A spelling mistake can cost you a quarter of your week’s wages. How is that fair?”

And Gareth Burfitt commented, “The hardest working industry – time to support these trucks. They never stopped through the covid, it’s time to repay them.”

DRIVERS’ Advocate, long-time interstate truckie and Queensland delegate of the National Road Freighters’ Association, Trevor Warner, isn’t letting a recent Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision derail him in his long-running fight to increase the loading and unloading allowance for long distance drivers.

He and fellow driver Brenda McKay had their application to vary the Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award to more accurately reflect truckies’ workload knocked back by the full bench of the FWC on November 20. The FWC also rejected their bid to have the travelling allowance paid.

“Trevor is 100% correct. Very few long distance drivers get paid properly. Everything we do is measured in hours but we’re often paid in Kilometres. The day can go on but the pay does not. Drivers have no choice if they’re away from home. They have to stay with the truck. They have to move up in lines etc. you can’t rest sometimes,” wrote Mike Williams.

“I’m told I’m not doing anything too... point is I’m not home either, it’s their time not mine, but, because my boss ain’t getting paid to sit on site neither do I! Contracts exempting Australian standard penalty rates / charges have to be made illegal, that way we’ll all get paid and better manage fatigue and maintenance,” added Nigel Rutley.

THE Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has supported calls from Ports Australia and the Australian Airports Association that all supply chain workers must be prioritised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once it’s made available, given their role in supporting one of Australia’s largest essential industries.

“Australian supply chain workers have done an amazing job in limiting the spread of the disease. Prioritising vaccine delivery will help ensure the natural vector of the supply chain remains disease free,” said Kirk Coningham, CEO of the ALC. He continued, ““Australian supply chain workers are among the unsung COVID heroes during 2020. They play a critical role in supporting our communities and prioritising their safety to ensure they can continue to deliver is a must once the vaccine is available.”

But when we shared the article on our Facebook page, it seemed not all were in a rush for the jab.

“Think I’ll wait a year or two to see what the long term side effects are – and how many truck drivers caught covid while at work?” commented Bruce Skelton.

Juergen Kauffmann made it clear he wasn’t keen on the COVID vaccine either.

“He can get lost, stick it up his backside, not in me,” he wrote.

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10 NEWS

IN BRIEF MEGATRANS is back With COVID putting a hold on all manner of events in 2020, we can now look to an exciting trucking events calendar for 2021, including MEGATRANS, which has announced its return.

Originally due to take place in April this year, Australia’s leading industry freight and logistics trade exhibition and conference will now take place from September 8-10.

“We believe that the new dates will help facilitate the greatest number of exhibitors and visitors being able to attend and engage in business opportunities,” said event organisers. $398m for safer roads According to the Australian and New South Wales Governments, the accelerated $398 million investment in road safety improvements through the Safer Roads Program is already starting to make a big difference in regional communities.

“Our funding injection for the NSW Safer Roads Program is about getting boots on the ground and shovels in the dirt to ensure this critical program of works is delivered as quickly as possible, saving lives and livelihoods,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack.

Strong truck sales Despite a challenging year, truck sales ended strongly in 2020. Total heavy vehicle sales for the month of November finished at 3,174 new deliveries, up 3 per cent (94 trucks) compared with the same period in 2019.

While the overall market was over 10 percent down over last year, and 18.8 percent down on the record sales of 2018, the 2020 numbers were better than anticipated, given how COVID-19 lockdowns, border closures and the second wave impacts in Victoria have ravaged our Australian economy.

Kenworth also solidified its lead in the Heavy Duty Truck segment with 242 deliveries for the month.

Coles and TWU partnership Coles and the Transport Workers Union have signed a charter on standards in road transport and the gig economy, focusing on safety, driver education and mental health.

The charter commits that Coles and the TWU will work collaboratively to ensure high standards of safety and fairness throughout the supply chain as a way to ensure positive health and safety outcomes.

Coles and the TWU will also work together on safe and fair outcomes for workers in the rapidly growing gig economy.

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckie’s superannuation warning

BY JAMES GRAHAM

EXPERIENCED Sydney truckie Keven Mitchell is the first to admit that he should have checked his superannuation balance sooner than he did.

But he was working so hard carting containers out of Port Botany – often starting at 4am and not finishing until as late as 10pm – it just didn’t feel like a priority, or necessity at the time.

“That’s how they catch you; they keep you busy,” said Mitchell, 46.

“On my pay slip it was telling me that I’m getting my super paid, so you think, ‘Oh not a problem’, but in reality, they’re not actually paying it.

“I’ve got no problem sticking my hand up and going ‘Hey, I forgot, but it’s also their responsibility to look after us. We’re doing their work; we’re doing the hard yards.

“But they’re keeping that money and only when they get in trouble are they paying it back. It’s an absolute rort.”

It wasn’t until Mitchell parted ways with his former employer that he discovered the ruse that had left him over $5000 short of his entitlements. He said other drivers at the same company were left in a similar boat.

He’s since successfully applied to the ATO for a garnishee order to redress the imbalance, but at deadline for this issue all the company has legally paid him back so far is a measly $318.

Mitchell is now going back through his work history to check he hasn’t been fleeced elsewhere.

After a hiatus away from the industry, Mitchell is today back behind the wheel working for an operator he said does all the right things by their drivers.

But he’s still fearful for other truckies who are being short-changed on their super and hopes that by sharing his story it might give them the courage to stand up for their rights.

“We’re just too scared to speak out because of the threat of losing our job,” said Mitchell.

“I’ve had plenty of jobs in which I’ve been physically threatened if I don’t get in the truck and do the job, and I’m not the only one.

“We’ve all got kids and families to support, and it can feel like you have a gun to your head.”

After walking away from the industry for a couple of years, Mitchell said he now understands why disillusioned

Senator Glenn Sterle.

An exhausted Mitchell was too busy with work to check his super balances.

older drivers leave and never come back.

“They just get thoroughly used and burnt,” he said.

“This is why I worry about the younger generation in the industry because they don’t know the pitfalls.

Lots of guys are banging on about the industry needing an apprenticeship and they’re right.

“They should have to go and learn from a guy who’s been at it for 30 years.”

Mitchell said he’s looking forward to discussing the super issue – and many others impacting drivers – when he makes a formal submission to the Sydney round of Senator Glenn Sterle’s road transport inquiry early in 2021.

“We need some sort of inquiry, a down to the bone investigation looking at company practices and attitudes, the way they push their drivers until they blow their eyelids out.

“They’ll lock us up if we’re a habitual offender on the road, but a habitual abuser of staff who is not paying us properly and withholding super gets a slap on the wrist, and why is that fair?

“We transport everything in – everything you own is because of a truckie – yet we are the most mistreated, mistrusted and cheated.

“I don’t understand why because at the end of the day, we are the heartbeat of this nation.”

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said all transport workers should check their payslip to make sure they are getting a minimum of 9.5 per cent super.

“But it’s also worth checking your superannuation balance every few months, especially the contributions section,” added Kaine.

“If there has been no contribution for three months, it’s time to get in touch with the union and get active to secure your retirement savings.”

“Superannuation is the key to a comfortable and secure retirement. The TWU fought long and hard to establish superannuation in the early 1980s and it’s something we take extremely seriously.”

The Fair Work Commission said that superannuation has to be paid at least every three months into the employee’s nominated account.

Truckie Keven Mitchell.

If you suspect you are being short-changed, search online for the ATO’s employee super guarantee calculator tool.

If it shows your super has not been correctly paid to your fund, the ATO advises taking the summary to your boss to discuss the issue. If it can’t be resolved directly, you can also lodge an enquiry through the same platform and the ATO will take over on your behalf.

In certain circumstances, you can also keep your identity confidential. For more information visit ato.gov.au/ tipoff, or call 1800 060 062.

TfNSW finds a quarter of all trucks inspected have brake fault AN emphasis on education and an outcome-focused and risk-based compliance approach is having positive effects on safety in the trucking industry, reports Transport for NSW. Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Safety, Environment and Regulation Tara McCarthy said there has been a 14.75% reduction in fatal crashes involving trucks on NSW’s road in the 12 months to December 2019.

“But we must remain vigilant,” she warned. “Our focus is on heavy vehicle speed limiter compliance, driver fatigue and roadworthiness, particularly around brakes.

“Brakes remain the most common major defect type, with 24 per cent of all heavy vehicles inspected having some sort of brake fault.”

As part of TfNSW’s program to improve brake com-

pliance, the Heavy Vehicle Rating System (HVRS) was utilised to identify the top 50 companies where fleet inspections found brake faults.

These companies were invited to discuss their compliance in more detail between July and September this year as part of an education campaign.

McCarthy said the companies were provided with advice on how they could manage defects and infringements identified during roadside intercepts and at their annual heavy vehicle registration inspection.

“The response to the education initiative indicated the majority of transport operators want to improve their overall safety and compliance, with many of the companies requesting follow-up meetings to evaluate improvements they imple-

ment,” said McCarthy.

“It was also been pleasing to see an 18 per cent improvement in Safe-T-Cam speeding detections across 2019 with the volume of 12 tonne-plus vehicles detected speeding falling from 2483 in January to 1990 in December.

McCarthy said another area in which there has been improvement is the Sydney-based truck and dog industry.

“Our figures show that compliance is 64 per cent for the total truck and dog sector with the Sydney-based truck and dog sector dropping to a 61 per cent compliance rate, compared to 88 per cent compliance for the heavy vehicle industry overall.

“This is an improvement on the previous year of 57 per cent compliance, but shows there’s more work to

do in this space.

“With the NSW Government’s massive infrastructure build continuing and the economic stimulus provided in both the Australian and

NSW budgets continuing to support and rebuild the economy, encouraging improved safety in the truck and dog sector will be a focus of 2021 for Transport for NSW.”

Brakes remain the most common major defect type, with 24 per cent of all heavy vehicles inspected having some sort of brake fault.

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12 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Highs and lows of truck financing in a pandemic

He was a hay run hero who bent over backwards to help drought-stricken farmers, but when this NSW operator needed help with finance the banks didn’t want to know him.

BY JAMES GRAHAM MICK Wheeler can reel off all the upsides to truck investment in the Covid-era in his sleep: record low interest rates, government guaranteed loans, and generous new depreciation write-offs, to name just three industry-first incentives.

There’s never been a better time to upgrade the fleet, underlined treasurer Josh Frydenberg on federal budget night last October.

But for Wheeler, who was just trying to get back on his feet after a horrific hay run rollover at the end of 2019, every time he tried to cash in on those inducements, the door would slam in his face.

“I was caught in a desperate situation and it spiralled downward from there,” said Wheeler, who was lucky to escape with his life from the fiery crash that wrote off the truck.

It was his company’s second rollover write-off that year – the other at the hands of another driver – and to add insult to injury, while recovering in hospital, grubs broke into Wheeler’s NSW yard and siphoned more than 1000 litres of diesel from a B-double and stole a range of expensive equipment.

Now down to one prime mover, Wheeler was desperately trying to trade his way

out of a $180,000 hole.

But lenders still wouldn’t take the punt on an operator who had spent the previous 12 months carting water and hay to drought-ravaged farmers.

Wheeler was forced to take a “loan-shark” deal to consolidate finance, and when the full impacts of Covid hit soon after he said his fate was sealed.

“I couldn’t go back to using contractors because no one was paying their bills,” said Wheeler, who wanted to share his story to highlight the fact securing finance in 2020 wasn’t as easy as some would have you believe.

“I couldn’t put other people in the hole just so I could put myself above it. I wasn’t prepared to do that.

“I went from a multi-fleet operation down to one truck with multi-fleet expenses.

With an extra truck I could keep up with outgoings, but I was denied – it’s been a shit year for finance.”

George Morfoulis, Managing Director of AGM Finance, a leading truck finance brokerage, wasn’t familiar with Wheeler’s situation but told us he’d be more than willing to help the operator find a lender, or at least devise a strategy to improve his chances of finding finance in the future.

He told us that banks did tighten lending criteria im-

It’s been a tough slog but Wheeler’s finally been able to trade his way out of a hole.

mediately after Covid hit, but there has been a noticeable relaxing of those restrictions in recent months.

His biggest advice to those shopping for finance is to make sure you don’t still have any existing loans still on a deferred payment arrangement.

“That paints a picture to a bank that okay, you have gone through a tough period and maybe it’s not the best idea to lend you money so soon,” he said.

Morfoulis also cautioned against lodging too many direct applications, as each rejection will have a negative effect on your credit rating.

If you go with a broker, he said, your success rate will be higher, the processing quicker, you don’t pay any upfront fee

Buoyant market for the dealers

While he was recovering in hospital thieves broke into his depot.

Wheeler was lucky to escape with his life from this hay run accident at the end of 2019.

and have access to dozens of lenders who will offer lower interest rates because of the broker’s collective buying power.

Richard Jefferies, owner of heavy vehicle finance specialists, Gold Coast-based Jade Finance, was also not familiar with Wheeler’s case, but told Big Rigs that there was a definitely some “shyness” from lenders and banks at the start of the pandemic.

“That was probably reflected in every industry,” he said.

“But in the last four months we have seen an easing of restrictions and appetites for approvals for those with large fleets down to owner-drivers jumping into their first truck.

“We’re seeing some banks opening their low-doc, or no-doc policies [without financials], and also on other side seeing lot of operators are removing their coronavirus deferred payments they may have put on at the beginning of coronavirus.

“I think we’ve seen a flowon effect back into the lenders’ appetite.

“I’ve never seen lending so cheap. Your truck loans at the moment start from about 2.79%, with used trucks from just above 4%.

So there is cheap lending out there.”

Meanwhile, we’re happy to report that Wheeler is now starting 2021 with renewed hope.

Despite his initial financing setbacks last year, never-say-die Wheeler switched to hauling caravans, campers and cars and has finally cleared the foreboding debt hanging over his head at his Newcastle-based Hot Wheels Haulage.

“A massive challenge this year due to a worldwide pandemic,” he writes on his company Facebook page.

“Thank you to my wife, family, friends and businesses that stood by me and didn’t write me off as a no-hoper.

“It’s a real life lesson.”

LUCA Santucci, National Finance Sales Manager for PACCAR, said it’s business as usual at the nationwide Kenworth and DAF dealerships when it comes to financing.

He said demand has been “really buoyant” throughout the pandemic, reinforced by the generally resilient nature of the transport industry.

The asset write-off schemes and record low interest rates have also helped keep dealerships busy in the both the new and second-hand markets.

“We’re seeing more and more customers, particularly fleet customers, replace units faster than they normally would because the tax incentives are so enormous,” said Santucci, whose team deals with more hire purchase arrangements than the chattel mortgages predominantly shopped by brokers.

“There’s never been a better time to purchase and finance. You’ll never see interest rates this low ever again.”

Santucci said there are also other advantages in dealing with PACCAR Financial rather than taking the broker route to financing.

They include the ability to offer extended warranties and access to lower fuel prices through an affiliation with BP. “We’re also able to turn around loans really quickly, and we’re out there to help you every step of the way.”

FEATURE 13

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Milestone moment for Nolan family and Volvo

Two long-time Queensland-based partners in the road transport industry celebrated with the unveiling of a very special rig.

FLEA Nolan didn’t need a whole lot of time to ponder the offer when Volvo Australia boss Martin Merrick paid him a visit to ask if he’d like to own the 50,000th Volvo made at the Wacol plant.

It was a match made in trucking heaven.

Nolan’s Interstate Transport, one of the largest family-owned transport operations in Queensland, has championed the locally-made rigs since Flea’s late father Terry led the charge in the early 1970s after a company driver’s recommendation.

“It’s the safest truck on the road and fits well with our business and our history as a Queensland company working closely with a Queensland manufacturer,” said Flea, a fifth-generation owner.

“We were very honoured to be asked.”

Flea couldn’t tell us just how many of the 50,000 Aussie-made Volvos Nolan’s had owned in the last 50 years or so – detailed records don’t go back that far – but estimated that 90% of today’s fleet bore the trusted Euro badge.

One thing is for sure, the latest, a FH XXL Globe-

FOR MYSELF AND DARREN – AS THE FIFTH GENERATION – TO HAVE ALL THE FAMILY HISTORY UP THERE ON THE TRUCK LIKE THAT, IT JUST DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT TO BE HONEST FLEA NOLAN

trotter, sporting a 12-speed I-Shift AMT and 16-litre 600hp engine with 2800Nm of torque, will stand out in more ways than one when it hits the road this year.

For starters, the aptly named 50,000TH boasts phenomenal custom paint and airbrush work by Bel Air Truck Spraypainting in Brisbane using a selection of treasured photos handpicked by the Nolans to showcase a company history stretching back to 1908.

All strips and scroll work are hand-painted and finished in green rather than the company logo’s traditional red and white to really make the artwork pop.

The result was even better than Flea, his brother Dar-

All strips and scroll work are hand-painted and finished in green rather than the company logo’s traditional red and white to really make the artwork pop.

The Nolan family celebrate the unveiling with Minister Scott Buchholz, far left, and Volvo Australia President Martin Merrick.

ren and their mum Daphne could have imagined when the covers finally came off at the milestone ceremony at Volvo’s Wacol HQ, as you can see in the priceless picture below of the family’s reaction.

“Mum was stoked and so was the whole family,” said a proud Flea.

“We saw the mock-up for the tick of approval but that was the first time we’d seen it finished in the flesh. It was totally mind-blowing. It’s just fantastic – they’ve done an amazing job.

“For myself and Darren – as the fifth generation – to have all the family history up there on the truck like that, it just doesn’t get much better than that to be honest.”

As we were going to print

[l-r] Flea Nolan with mum Daphne and brother Darren are overwhelmed when the covers come off the milestone FH XXL Globetrotter at Volvo’s headquarters in Wacol, Brisbane.

with this issue, all that remained to round out the special moment for the Nolans was PBS approval from the NHVR for a new quad axle fridge van, featuring custom graphics from Fleetmark. We’ll have pictures and an update for you on that in an upcoming issue.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, who also attended the special unveiling at Volvo HQ in Brisbane, spoke to the critical importance of heavy vehicle manufacturing and his affinity for the Nolan brand.

“Today represents the coming together of two wonderful Australian companies. As a former transport operator, I know the Australian transport and trucking sector has embraced Volvo and Nolan’s is a fine example of that,” said Buchholz.

“Both of the companies represented in this room have a proud legacy in Australian Trucking and I thank Volvo Group for their ongoing commitment to Australian manufacturing and jobs and of course to Nolan’s Interstate Transport, a stalwart of the industry.

Buchholz said companies like Gatton-based Nolan’s have literally kept shelves stocked during the pandemic, and wonderful Australian Made heavy vehicles kept the wheels turning.

“The fact that this truck remains at home here in

The Nolans have come a long way from the company’s humble horse and cart beginnings in 1908.

Queensland, the fact it ended up with a beautiful genuine family, there is not a better match for this 50,000th order.

The first Nolan vehicle in the early 1900’s was a horse drawn cart carrying cream, wood and milk across the Lockyer Valley. From humble origins, Nolan’s Interstate Transport is now a fifth-generation operation and one of the largest family-owned and operated Transport businesses in Queensland.

Buchholz said the success of Volvo and Nolan’s was the ultimate Australian success story.

“It pleases me greatly to see heavy vehicle manufacturing still going strong to this day, almost 50 years later, with one of the pioneers of our local manufacturing

scene, Volvo Trucks.”

“In 2020, that is helping to move an estimated 224 billion tonne-kilometres of road freight across Australia, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics,” said Buchholz.

“The Morrison Government has supported the uptake of new heavy vehicles with improved safety technology, by increasing the instant asset write off threshold for businesses and introduced temporary full expensing to support investment and jobs.

“It pleases me greatly to see heavy vehicle manufacturing still going strong to this day, almost 50 years later, with one of the pioneers of our local manufacturing scene, Volvo Trucks.”

14 NEWS

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tassie truckies celebrate rest area win

BY ALF WILSON

FIVE new trucks-only rest areas will be built in Tasmania within a year with another 14 informal sites to be brought up to better standards than they are now.

All 19 will be Government funded and are part of a list supplied to the State Government by the Rest Area Reference Group which was formed in 2018.

Two of the new rest areas will be along the northern Bass Highway, two beside the Midlands or Heritage Highway running between Launceston and Hobart, and the other in the Brighton transport hub area in the south.

Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Michael Ferguson announced that ‘The Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Driver Rest Areas Project Report’ was completed by the Tasmanian Transport Association, using state government funding.

Ferguson said that the state government would support the Rest Area Reference Group by announcing that $5 million would be spent for five new rest area with work to be completed by the end of 2021.

That follows two years of hard work and assessment by the 12-member Rest Area Reference Group under the direction of well-known road transport identity John DeBruyn and Michelle Harwood, the Executive Director of the Tasmanian Transport Association.

Six members of the Reference Group are either current or former truck drivers.

One of these members is Selwyn Sinfield, 77, who has been driving trucks in Tasmania for more than five decades.

“Importantly these will be trucks only rest areas and the money will be spent on rest areas only and not roadworks, Sinfield told Big Rigs.

“The Government has also

committed to working with our Group to prioritize another 14 sites which has been put forward for attention.

Planning on what will be done with these 14 sites will commence in the New Year. Our Group had nominated 40 sites for consideration, all needing minor to major work to bring them up to standard.

Sinfield said Minister Ferguson will be authorising signage for the new sites indicating they are for heavy vehicles only.

“The Minister said this was following the decision by the Queensland Government which recently announced cars and vans will not be allowed at some trucks only rests area to give them plenty of parking space,” Sinfield said.

Sinfield was delighted that the Government would work and liaise with businesses such as roadhouses to ensure their facilities for truck drivers also conformed with their needs

A basic pull off area next to the Bass Highway.

A log truck parked at a pull off area near Bass Highway.

and requirements.

“The Government believes that working with businesses will result in a better working environment for drivers,” he said.

Sinfield said the drivers who are Reference Group members represented a cross section of the road transport industry

who have provide great input.

“The six drivers represented general, frozen and chilled freight, fuel cartage, stock, logging, heavy machinery and milk haulage. This gave us a good cross reference of industries within transport which allowed good discussion on points of debate, allowing resolutions of some difficult issues. This was also supported by management members from the TWU, NHVR and the Transport Insurance Industry,” he said.

Sinfield said the group would continue to work through any problem which may arise now that there was a commitment from State Growth, which oversees infrastructure.

“I would like to thank every group member for their dedication and commitment to this project. Also to Minister Ferguson for being able to educate himself on most things transport then bringing himself to back our cause for these rests area for truck drivers,” he said.

Sinfield also thanked Lib-

eral Member for Braddon and Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff who kicked this off with a $22,000 donation for the project.

“After our independent approaches to Jeremy we joined forces to make a better combined contribution as one.

“The money was used for meeting room costs and the measuring of all informal sites across the State and then entering them into a database with GPS position documented. Tasmania had no rest area to Austroads standard when we started.

“Our vision was to have something better than we had when we started and we are grateful to have made this progress.”

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TRUCKIE HEALTH 15

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

A gastric bypass saved my life

BY JAMES GRAHAM

AFTER a life-threatening scare with thyroid cancer in 2013, interstate truckie Sonja White wasn’t about to push her luck and ignore the warning signs.

With her weight hovering around an uncomfortable 90kg, her cholesterol levels off the charts and her blood sugar markers fast pointing to

diabetes and a life on insulin, White jumped at the chance to undergo a gastric bypass procedure.

Just under four months later the 51-year-old is adamant that the simple operation – an increasingly popular one with many mid-life truckies – has not only restored her quality of life, but also saved it.

In the first seven weeks alone after going under the

White holds up three 4kg bags of spuds and one 2kg bag to show how much extra weight she’d carry around with her every day.

knife she lost an impressive 11kg, and today is a relatively svelte 74kg, and closing fast on her goal weight of 53kg.

White said she now has more energy than ever before, is sleeping better and can manoeuvre around the K.S. Easter Transport cab she shares with two-up, and life partner, Craig Brumpton, with ease.

“I was going downhill real quick, but this has saved my life,” beamed White, who wanted to share her story to inspire others to follow suit.

She’s even started a Facebook support page with fellow driver Janette Spero called Sleeve Food For Truck Drivers to help others stay on track.

“I know a lot of truck drivers who have had the operation, either a sleeve or a bypass, and the amount of weight they’ve lost is really good, but I also know some drivers who have had the sleeve and put weight back on.

“Only because they’ve either given up smoking and started nit-picking on food, which is shit. If you have this operation, you’ve got to work with it and retrain your brain.”

For White that’s meant ditching her biggest weaknesses, such as iced coffees

The digestive system after a gastric bypass. Graphic: healthdirect.gov.au

IF YOU CAN JUST GET UP AND WALK AROUND YOUR TRUCK A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY; JUST ANY SORT OF EXERCISE ALL HELPS AND WILL HELP THE CIRCULATION IN THE LEGS. SONJA WHITE

and other sugary treats, and replacing them with healthier options, like watermelon pieces, crackers and cheese, and slices of turkey.

She does feel fuller after just a few mouthfuls but is still getting used to having to take smaller bites and chew for longer.

“If you don’t it feels like you’re having a heart attack!

The pain in the chest is unbearable.”

White said some roadhouses have been supportive of her new regime, but wishes there were more healthier choices for truckies.

“They don’t help, they really don’t. They need to play their part more and give us healthier choices.”

So what about the cost of a gastric bypass?

White paid for hers using her private health fund and offset the $7000 gap using the early release of super option available to those who qualify.

If you have no health fund and can’t get on a public hospital list, White said the procedure can cost as much as $18,000.

White recommends going the private health fund way but cautions that you must have the weight-loss policy going for at least 12 months before you can use it.

Even if you’re not considering following her lead and going under the knife, White

Today, the slimmed-down truckie has a whole new lease on life.

implores truckies to consider making their health a priority in 2021.

“As everyone knows the main key is to eat right,” she said.

“Stay away from the deepfried and fizzy shit, and drink more water. Everyone knows the right from the wrong.

“If you can just get up and walk around your truck a couple of times a day; just any sort of exercise all helps and will help the circulation in the legs.

“You hear of so many drivers passing away in truck from some sort of health condition. Get yourself checked out, and if you’re overweight, go and get help.”

What is a gastric bypass Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure – usually per-

formed by way of keyhole surgery – that can help people with obesity to lose weight and improve their health, according to healthdirect.gov.au.

It decreases the size of the stomach and changes the way the stomach and small intestine absorb food, making it easier to lose weight.

During the procedure, staples are used to create a small pouch in the top part of your stomach.

The pouch is attached by stitches to the lower part of your small intestine so food that you eat will bypass most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.

Less food will be absorbed into the body and you will feel full after eating only a small amount, adds healthdirect.

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16 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Wildlife warriors ready to hit the road to save lives

Australia’s largest mobile wildlife hospital is now complete and ready to step up as temperatures soar during the peak of summer – and it looks like it may soon have a new truck to call its own too.

HOT and dry weather, coupled with an extended period of severe drought, fuelled the flames of last summer’s bushfires, which wreaked absolute havoc.

One of the worst bushfire disasters in Australia’s history, the 2019/2020 fires burned through approximately 17 million hectares, killed 33 people and left up to 3 billion animals killed or displaced.

With bushfire season now upon us, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is hoping it can help save as many animals as possible if disaster strikes again.

The new mobile wildlife hospital was officially launched in November at a sell-out fundraising event, but it didn’t yet have its own truck. Though it looks like that may soon change. As we were going to print, discussions were underway with Volvo Group about the prospect of a new donated prime mover – and things were looking quite promising.

Just before Christmas, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital was hooked up to a shiny new Volvo Globetrotter for a national media launch.

Without any government funding, the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital relies entirely on the generosity of donations to keep it going. At the moment it operates mainly from its onehundred-acre base in Byron Bay and relies on loaned prime movers to get it to wherever it needs to be.

“We would love a prime mover to be there for when it’s

needed. In the beginning our primary objective was getting the trailer built. Now that that’s done, we need to be able to deploy it as soon as it’s needed.

Having our own prime mover would just be a godsend,” said Byron Bay Animal Hospital Founder, Director and CEO, Dr Stephen Van Mil. Van Mil founded the hospital along with fellow wildlife veterinarian Dr Evan Kosack.

They wanted to develop a wildlife hospital unlike any other.

So rather than going down the usual path of putting it in a building, they had it built into a semi-trailer so it could travel anywhere in Australia to care for injured animals.

The mobile hospital was designed by architect Fiona Gibson from Sanctuary Design Studio. This design was then brought to life by engineer and chassis builder Richard Gallagher and Vansite Managing Director Grant Gasnier.

The result is a 14.6m custom built trailer that serves as a fully functioning wildlife animal hospital.

It’s fully self-sufficient, as it’s equipped with solar power, satellite communications, its own water supply, waste storage, and diagnostic, operating and patient recovery areas. This means it can be up and running within minutes of arriving at its destination.

“This is one of the largest builds we’ve undertaken. It’s certainly the most unique, and because it’s for such an import-

ant cause, we’re honoured to be involved,” said Gasnier.

The Byron Bay Animal Hospital became a reality thanks to a crowdfunding campaign, which raised in excess of $574,000 – $325,000 of which came from a very generous anonymous donor.

As Van Mil explained, “The concept came about before last summer’s bushfires hit. The nearby Currumbin Wildlife Hospital in Queensland has 12,000 admissions a year. It’s the busiest wildlife hospital in the world – so we figured that the Northern Rivers of NSW needed its own dedicated wildlife hospital too.

“We knew we needed a hospital that we could put to service quickly. We figured that by going mobile, we could have it built quickly, we wouldn’t need to wait on any councils for approvals, and when disaster hits, we can go anywhere that’s required.

“When the catastrophic bushfires of last summer hit, we realised this sort of hospital was critical. Bushfires are going to happen again, hopefully not at that level.

“During those bushfires I wish we had six of these mobile animal hospitals to go all over Australia. At the time, our mobile hospital was still waiting to be built.”

Wildlife and exotic animal veterinarian, Dr Bree Talbot, will be at the hospital’s frontline. “The mobile wildlife hospital can facilitate immediate

Volvo Group took part in a nation-wide media launch just before Christmas and its Volvo Globetrotter looked right at home hooked up to the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

Byron Bay Animal Hospital Founder, Director and CEO, Dr Stephen Van Mil, at the launch event.

response to injured and traumatised native animals during a crisis, such as a bushfire.

Within minutes of arrival our team of wildlife expert vets will be dressing wounds and administering fluids, pain relief and medication,” she said.

“It means we can begin treatment before severe clinical signs, infection or dehydration sets in.”

Van Mil estimates that around 10,000 animals will

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital Directors Dr Larry Vogelnest and Gerry Lambert; Director and Secretary Meadow Greenwood; Co-founders and Directors Dr Evan Kosack and Dr Stephen Van Mil; and Chairman and Director Dr David Blyde. Pic: Kirra Pendergast.

come through the mobile hospital in its first year.

“What we’ve effectively built is an entire veterinary hospital on wheels. When animals come in, we assess them all immediately and one of three things happen.

“Sadly, some will need to be euthanised straight away, some will be assessed and go back to carers or into the wild, and some will come into the hospital. About a third of the animals that come in will go to the hospital, and we have the capacity for that of course.”

So what will having a truck of its own mean for the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital?

“It means we’ve got freedom. It means we don’t have to scramble around and find out if someone is available.

When we get that call, they are going to need us there now. It could be anywhere in Australia, and we need to be able to hit the road as quickly as possible.

“When wildlife gets injured, time is critical. If you leave a koala sitting in a basket for two days, the chance of it surviving is greatly reduced. If you can treat it straight away, it makes a big difference.”

For more information or to donate, please visit byronbaywildlifehospital.org.

BYRON BAY WILDLIFE HOSPITAL TRUCK NAMING COMPETITION

With the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital ready to step up to any challenges that come its way, the team behind it is looking to give the truck a name – and has asked Big Rigs readers to help.

The new name will be emblazoned on the truck cab and the trailer for all to see.

To enter, visit www. byronbaywildlifehospital. org/whatsmyname and make a donation of $10 or more to submit your entry.

Entries are open from Friday 8 January until midnight Sunday 31 January 2021. The entry deemed to be the most entertaining, funny or appropriate name will be applied to the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital truck and trailer.

Entries will be judged

by Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital Ltd and the winner will be notified via phone or email by Monday 8 February 2021.

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18 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

The right MAN for the job Five years ago, Matt Logan decided to take a leap of faith and go out on his own. Between juggling a growing container transport business and raising seven kids, things can get quite hectic – but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI AS the son of a truck driver, Matt Logan has wanted to work with trucks for as long as he can remember – and he followed his father’s advice to a tee. “Dad had trucks when I was growing up. He had his own refrigerated transport business, so I wanted to be a truck driver from the moment I could walk. Dad’s rule was: Before you drive them, you have to know how to fix them, so I became a diesel mechanic,” Logan recalled.

From diesel mechanic, to truck driver, to forklift operator, to forklift mechanic, to becoming the general manager of a container business and learning the industry’s ropes; Logan’s career in transport has been wide and diverse.

“After 10 years in the container business, I decided it was time to try and make a life out of it and took a big step into buying a few trucks and starting my own business,” said Logan, adding that he was chuffed at the opportunity to get his name into Big Rigs, which he has been reading since he was apprentice.

With the help of a couple of mates who invested in his dream so it could become a reality, MGB Container Solutions was born. The ‘MGB’ stands for Matt, Glenn Thornton and Brendan Smythe.

“Glenn is a long-time friend.

He was actually my horse trainer, so he invested some money to help me get started and we ended up paying it all back. Brendan also invested in the beginning and looks after accounts and finances,” Logan said.

MGB transports containers in and around Melbourne.

Around 80% of the business is centred around transporting containers for export – primarily scrap metal, scrap paper, skins and hides – while the remaining 20% of the business is imports.

“We’ve managed to pick up a few big clients in those industries, all through word of mouth. Often people will throw you a bone and give you the worst jobs first and if you get through those and don’t complain, they give you the ‘cream’ jobs.”

Logan started out with second-hand trucks, all Freightliner Argosys. “I bought them

Matt Logan started MGB Container Solutions in 2015.

Three old trucks were replaced with two MAN TGX 26.540 B-doubles and a smaller MAN TGS 26.440 used with a side loader.

through Adtrans, they were all one owner and in really good condition, but obviously everything ages.

“Four years into the business, they were just presenting

with problems as they aged.

It got to a point where I was managing my business during the week, then spending the whole weekend being a mechanic.”

That wasn’t ideal, as it was eating into time with his family. “I have seven kids and a wife. Tania and I got together four years ago and married last year. I had three kids, she had three kids and then we had a son together, Ace who is twoand-a-half. We’re pretty flat out here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Logan.

He considered sub-contracting, but then found that the best solution was to replace the older trucks with brand new ones. “Jarrod Bennetts from Westar Tuck Centre basically turned up on the doorstep and suggested I take a look at the MAN TGX – he said that these models were built for container work,” added Logan.

So it was time to switch the old for the new. These came in the form of two MAN TGX 26.540 B-doubles, as well as a compact MAN TGS 26.440 that’s used with a side loader.

“I’ve never been a brand person, even with cars and so on, but the MANs are so well‐ suited to what we’re doing, I honestly couldn’t be happier,” Logan added.

The first of these were delivered in March – around the same time that COVID hit. “Then I decided to buy the second one shortly after, in the middle of a pandemic.

I found myself sending a lot of emails to introduce myself and doing a lot of cold calling.

Through that we found a few new clients, which picked up

the slack for the drop in some of the clients I previously had.

Now that we’re at the tail end of the pandemic, we’re starting to see our original clients getting back up to their original numbers – so we’re getting pretty busy, easily more busy than we were before the pandemic hit.”

The two TGX B-doubles focus on export work, predominantly running the wharf, picking up empty shipping containers and taking them to clients in the Melbourne area, who load them up with export product.

As the demand for sideloader work was growing, there was also the need for a lightweight truck that could get in and out of tight spaces, and that’s where the smaller TGS comes in.

“When COVID came in, I threw out a few lines and picked up some clients for sideloader work. Jarrod essentially recommended the ‘baby model’ of the TGX – the TGS – and it’s just worked a treat.

The fuel economy is great, and the price really sold me, especially as it includes the four year bumper-to-bumper warranty and five years of servicing.”

The new trucks have served to help market MGB Container Solutions too. “The old trucks didn’t have our logo and details like the new ones do. Now we’ve managed to pick up a few different clients just from having the new trucks floating around, so we’re getting phone calls from people who have passed them on the freeway.”

Along with the three new MANs, the business still has

three older trucks in its fleet, though this looks sure to change in the very near future. “We sold three of the old trucks early this year and replaced them with the MANs. These have worked so well and really have changed the business in terms of effectiveness and less time spent on repairs and maintenance, so it’s a no brainer to replace the rest of them with new trucks too.

In another month or so, we’re looking to purchase another of the smaller MAN TGS models for loading and exports.”

Logan added that the new trucks have also helped him to attract some great drivers. “It’s amazing the type of driver you attract with a brand new truck.

For the drivers, it’s their own office, so having the MAN TGX B-doubles has helped attract high quality drivers.

From a safety point of view, they’re so well designed, with steps inside the door to the cabin, grab rails, and the wing at the back swings around so the driver can climb up on the platform easily to change the hoses. When Penske told me they were built for container work, I thought yeah, yeah – but they really are. They’re a great looking truck that’s easy to drive and really comfortable. And our drivers love them.”

The new trucks were definitely a big investment, especially for a business that’s only five years old, but in the short time since they joined the fleet, they seem to be having a huge impact. “They are definitely good for attracting customers – they not only do the job well, but look good doing it,” added Logan.

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20 READER RIGS

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Cameron Gaskell sent in this shot of an Exodas Kenworth K200 all shined up and ready for action.

Shaun Wood steers this mighty Kenworth, travelling the Adelaide to Melbourne run.

Share your truck pics THE trucking game is as diverse as the terrain on which our truckies travel.

If there’s one thing we know many of you love, it’s a good looking rig – and sometimes life on the open road brings some golden photo opportunities.

The Big Rigs #PicOfTheDay competition is a chance

to share your best snaps through our Facebook page (@BigRigs). We’ll choose a weekly winning shot to feature as our Facebook cover photo and a selection of the best pics will be featured in the next edition of Big Rigs Newspaper.

So get snapping and keep those great pics coming!

Darcy Kirley recently captured this stunner of a sunset at Holbrook, NSW.

We thought we were seeing double when Detour Logistics truckie Mal Whiley sent in this awesome shot of two great looking Kenworth K200s sitting head to head.

Mitch Mancini captured a ripper shot of this ABC Transport triple at the SA/NT border.

Shirley Holstein took this shot of her mate’s truck, loaded with 135,000 litres of diesel and heading out to Bing Bong, NT.

Roz Nanna Turner shared this pic of her son-in-law Tim Eddy’s truck at the silos in Inglewood, Queensland.

Truckie David Krajnc and this Kenworth 610SAR worked into the night in Lameroo, SA, during this year’s harvest.

READER RIGS 21

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Clarke Hema snapped this shot while stopped near a roadhouse at Injune, Queensland, while making the usual run back up north.

Mick Golding shared this photo of a Harrold Services Kenworth T409 out in the paddocks in the Mallee Region, just near Lameroo, SA.

Kev Cameron captured this 2003 Western Star working hard in the middle of harvest season at Barooga, NSW.

Alex Moreland couldn’t resist a photo opportunity at the GrainCorp Brim Silo, just north of Horsham, Victoria.

Glenn Burkin shared this snap of his 2003 Kenworth T950 and side loader in Gunnawarra, Queensland.

Ann-Marie Hicks shared this great shot of a Calomba Transport rig, which made a stop while loaded with cattle.

Brad Russell was out on the Hay Plains in this Kenworth T409 SAR, bound for Brisbane.

Another great shot sent in by Jakob Batchelor of Gilberts Transport Service, heading north from Palmer River in Queensland.

Ben Stamatovich shared an amazing pic of this Mack Superliner, taken on the Nullarbor.

22 TECH TALK

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Is covid an excuse for bad practices, or a wake-up call?

BY CHET CLINE COVID is being blamed for every bad business practice: “We can’t supply because of Covid”, “He’s working from home”, “We’re out of stock.”

Why is this so?

While others are going slow, AIR CTI hit full forward. We used Covid to make a better future. We put our staff and brains to work to make a better product and world.

Innovation has always been the hallmark of AIR CTI. AIR CTI makes the best ‘on the fly’ adjustable tyre pressure system in the world, right here in Victoria. With Covid to spur us on, AIR CTI is now twice as good, guaranteed.

Yep, we doubled the already fabulous guarantee to 1,000,000 kilometres. This is not one of those wimpy warranties with pages of fine print.

We guarantee that AIR CTI will do your job for 1,000,000 kilometres, including fair wear and tear. And we guarantee satisfaction, or your money back. AIR CTI was the best investment that you can make to your trucking business, and now it is even better!

We guarantee that AIR CTI will do your job for 1,000,000 kilometres, including fair wear and tear.

Here is what we have done: Even though our rotators were the best, we have further improved them, with several additional layers of bearing protection.

We added two new stages of mechanical sealing, along with improving the shaft seal to an NBR double lipped oil seal. The new stepped and over lapping cap eliminates damage from stringy weeds or baling twine. Two new filters

have been added, one on each tyre valve, and one on each rotator, to eliminate seal wear.

Hence, we doubled our guaranteed working life of AIR CTI rotators to one million kilometres!

We’re changing to a thick aluminium mounting bracket, again to improve strength and longevity. This change will ease tyre changing too.

We’ve combined our unique Isolator and our inflate

assembly into one compact, integral, component. This makes life easier for the installer, and the owner, while improving reliability. The compact unit is lighter and more compact too.

We’ve revolutionised internal steer and trailer CTI with brand new rotators and air supply system. The rotators are outside the hub cap/bearing area, eliminating pressurisation of the bearing area. This is a revolutionary engineering feat.

Our new rotators mount directly to the hub cap using an O ring for sealing, reducing cost and exposure to damage.

A simple new flexible conduit connects the stub axle to the rotator, allowing for any misalignment, while eliminating air loss.

A new trailer pressure control system is simpler, direct, and super easy to use. Trailer tyres are integrated into our super compact controller.

Pressures can be combined with drive tyre pressure control making life easy for the driver, or can be controlled separately.

All electronics are truck mounted, improving reliability. Trailer components are all pneumatic. No pesky electrical connections, and only two small control tubes go to the trailer. ‘Stand-alone’ trailer systems is an easy option.

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AIR CTI is twice as good and is guaranteed twice as long.

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Award-winning dolly trailer earns high praise in trials A revolutionary new transport device that made its debut at last year’s Brisbane Truck Show is earning high praise from early adopters.

The Rigid Drawbar Converter Dolly Project, a collaboration between the Australian Trucking Association’s Industry Technical Council (ITC), trailer manufacturer MaxiTRANS and supply part-

ners JOST, WABCO, Alcoa, Bridgestone and Hendrickson, features a rigid drawbar in place of the usual hinged design in a bid to improve trailer road behaviour.

Traditional dollies allow uncontrolled weight transfer across the axles, especially when lightly loaded, bringing the tyres away from the road surface and, in extreme cases,

bringing the back of the dolly into contact with the underside of the trailer.

According to the ITC, they also tend to move about under braking, suffer from increased tyre wear and fail to track as well as comparable B-double or B-triple combinations.

Those issues raised two questions for engineers. The first was: ‘is the current meth-

The rigid converter dolly drew plenty of attention at its Brisbane debut.

od the best way?’ and the second was: ‘could converter dollies be engineered differently?’

Operational problems including metal fatigue, stress fractures, component failure and the inability of axles to correctly load-share have been raised by traditionalists but when the engineering data suggested otherwise it was decided the best way to find out

if a rigid dolly would work was to do build one.

Australian Trucking Association chief engineer Bob Woodward is concise in his response to the traditional criticism: “It’s bulls—t, it’s bulls—t and it’s bulls—t,” is his forthright reply.

A collaborative group incorporating the ITC, trailer manufacturer MaxiTRANS and component suppliers JOST, WABCO, Alcoa, Bridgestone and Hendrickson was formed and production started on the prototype in early April 2019, the unit publicly debuting some six weeks later.

The main feature of the rigid dolly is, understandably, the lack of a drawbar hinge, a design step that is expected to improve trailer safety through better handling, improved braking performance and more even and consistent tyre wear.

The prototype, built by MaxiTRANS, uses low-profile Bridgestone R168 trailer tyres mounted on lightweight (18.6kg) Alcoa aluminium alloy wheels which in turn are fitted to Hendrickson N-Track air suspension axles running a ProMax tyre inflation system.

It also gained a large volume JOST JSK37CW low-friction fifth wheel and WABCO trailer EBS – pretty much all the features anyone would want.

The real excitement factor is up front where a fabricated rigid A-frame comes forward

to the towing eye, replacing the traditional hinged drawbar.

The ATA and ITC believe the new dolly is an advancement over the non-rigid type currently in use because of its precise tracking, competent braking characteristics and service longevity.

By putting it into service with experienced drivers the feedback will, says Bob Woodward, be accurate. And even though the prototype is still being evaluated (it has currently logged over 100,000 kilometres) the first production examples are already running the highways with around 65 already in use.

Woodward says the prototype would have covered greater distances had it not been for COVID-19, which “slowed things down a bit for us”.

“We heard from one company trialling it that a driver with vast experience described it as ‘a road train that runs on rails’ and that’s pretty high praise.

“One operator took seven (dollies) based on problems with the old, existing equipment,” he added.

The project supply partners also received the 2020 Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement Award, which was announced during the TMC online conference in November.

• Turn to page 34 for more on the dolly from Bob Woodward.

EXPERT ADVICE 23

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

What you need to know about scheme changes COMPLIANCE EXPERT MORGAN O’RANCE Serene Workplace Safety

THE National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has released changes to the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme (NHVAS) coming into effect on February 22.

So, what does this mean, who is affected and how?

In November 2019, the Transport Infrastructure Council met and endorsed changes to the NHVAS Business Rules and Standards.

However, companies within the NHVAS will be given a full cycle of accreditation before these changes will be required.

Organisations have been in the firing line of late, with the NHVR recently handing out prohibition notices and suspending multiple organisations from operating due to not having the correct systems

and adequate documentation in place.

This puts all companies at risk if they do not have reasonable steps in place to understand and enforce the new changes.

So, what are these changes?

Well, the main changes being implanted by the NHVR are implementing are: • Advanced and Basic Fatigue Management (ABFM) will now use the same seven standards.

• Turntable and tow couplings are to be checked daily ensuring, that the vehicle is meeting the workplace safety legislation.

• Vehicles are to be inspected by a qualified mechanic annually.

• Operators will now be required to report any significant incidents as a notifiable occurrence.

• A register of infringements and defects is also required to be kept.

Sounds simple right?

However, this is only five of the 17 changes that are going to be implemented in the updated scheme. So, what can be done to avoid trouble with

Under the NHVAS changes coming into effect next month, trucks will need annual inspections by a qualified mechanic.

the NHVR? Some changes are quite simple and inexpensive such as, as including inspection of tow couplings into pre-start check lists/books or existing systems or creating a system for infringements and defects.

While other changes are slightly more complex such as ensuring the vehicle is meeting

the workplace safety legislations.

This could be done by having an air conditioning system (reducing fatigue) in the sleeper birth as well as having an ADR 42 compliant sleeper.

If the company does not have these things, they will need to provide documentation to explain how these re-

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Whilst we welcome these changes that are making our industry safer, it raises the question. Why has it has taken NHVR over 15 months for these changes to be implemented? Will organisations understand the new requirements and amendments needed before the changeover date?

The one thing we would hate to see is organisations purchasing Fatigue, Mass and Maintenance manuals, which could be upwards of $1,000.00 per manual, when amendments could be made within current manuals and business structures to align with the new requirements for a fraction of the cost.

24 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

WA Mack Muster signals truck show comeback

The first WA Mack Muster attracted of 3000 people and around 140 trucks. Photos: Simone Harris Photography.

With its impressive bulldog artwork on the back, Chris Firbank’s 100 Year Mack Super-Liner won the Best Mack 2010-2020 award.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

loved truck shows are on their way back? We sure do hope so.

The WA Mack Muster was put together by Brandon McNee, Steve Della Bona, Clem Catalano, Jason Clatworthy, Julie Gavin, Susanne Alexander and Matt Lawrence; who all work

LOVERS of the Bulldog brand gathered in the Perth suburb of Whitby for the inaugural WA Mack Muster and Truck Show at Quarry Farm, to celebrate over 100

years of Mack down under.

The trucks were shined up and looking their Sunday best, when the show took place on 29 November, drawing in crowds of around 3000 people, who were keen to cast their eye on the 140 trucks on display – more

than half of which were wearing the Mack badge.

This year has thrown so many curveballs our way, with numerous events put on hold right across the country, including lots of truck shows. But could this be a sign that these much-

in various roles within the heavy transport industry.

With Mack having recently celebrated its 100th birthday, they saw it fitting to mark the occasion with a special event. Though the trucks were the stars of the show, the WA Mack Muster was part of a much bigger

agenda – to raise funds for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

On the eve of the big day, a special dinner was held at Quarry Farms, with 200 invited guests. This, combined with entry ticket sales to the WA Mack Muster, competition entry fees, sponsorships

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FEATURE 25

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Hulk-like strength: Bandana Earthmoving took out Best Fleet.

Over $80,000 was raised for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.

and an auction, resulted in over $80,000 raised for the committee’s chosen charity.

“The event was great, even better than expected.

Being the first WA Mack Muster, it was always going

to be a bit of an unknown.

We had been planning this since March and managed to pull it all together. There was a lot of interest from the eastern states too. We were hoping the borders would

Barry Napoli’s 1988 Mack Super-Liner won Truck of the Show.

reopen sooner, but by the time they did, it was a little too late,” said McNee, who is Dealer Principal at Truck Centre WA. During the WA Mack Muster and Truck Show,

several awards were handed out, including 17 trophy categories. Truck of the Show went to Barry Napoli’s 1988 white and red Mack Super-Liner. The People’s Choice Mack award went to Steven and David Della Bona’s beautifully restored W.A. Limestone 1990 Mack Value-Liner. And an immaculate 1961 Mack B61, owned by Mel Taylor, was named Best Vintage Mack.

The awards also took vis-

itors through the decades.

Rob Rutherford’s yellow Mack Flintstone was named the Best Mack 1970-1979; Jason Clatworthy’s 1989 Mack Value-Liner took out Best Mack 1980-1989; Danny Magenta’s gun metal grey Stacks Haulage 1990 Mack Value-Liner won the Best Mack 1990-1999 award, Jamie Puglia’s red 2002 Mack Fleetliner received the Best Mack 2000-2009 award; and Chris Firbank’s 100

Year Mack Super-Liner, with its impressive bulldog artwork on the back, took out the Best Mack 2010-2020 award.

Though this was the first WA Mack Muster, its success means it most likely won’t be the last. “We’re still yet to decide on when the next one will be. It will certainly continue, we just need to decide whether to make an annual or bi-annual event,” added McNee.

This pink Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls rig definitely stood out from the crowd.

26 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tassie authority settles the debate over new rest areas SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Tassie truckies are looking forward to finally having their first official rest areas.

The burnt out vehicle at the Guthalungra Rest Area.

which have more flat areas enabling faster average speeds,” he said.

“This allows most mainland trucks to be closer to 100km per hour which has them cover approximately 90 to 100 km per hour of travel due to lack of hilly terrain as we have in Tasmania. Records from a big transport company show that on some routes in Tasmania a B-double with a 600hp power unit still will only manage on average 61km in the hour.”

The Tasmania Rest Area Reference Group, which was a prime mover behind lobbying the Tasmanian Government to fund the new rest

driver objecting probably had not been to Tasmania in trucks.

“Tasmania is not only national highways - we have 400 truck movements a day into the west coast where a fully loaded B-double only travels 60km in one hour. None of the five new rest areas are on the west coast, but should be included in the 14 others to be upgraded. One company has a distance from depot to delivery point of 378km and not one rest area as per the Austroads guidelines these mainland drivers are quoting.

“It takes company trucks 5.5 to 5.75 hours to travel that 378km, so a regulated break is required before arriving at delivery point, but no official area within that route to rest under the standards they are quoting.

“Once these five new sites are completed that company’s trucks will have only one rest area on that route in each direction. Still quite a way short of the guideline’s recommendations but will be better than what we have been used to.”

areas, advised on the basis of approximately one hour of travel instead of the 100km distance.

“Fatigue has nothing to do with kilometres. It is the time behind the wheel or since the start of shift on the working day,” a group member said.

What he said next was indeed a surprise to Spy and perhaps many others.

“They may not be aware that Tasmania still has no official rest areas until these five are built. They will be the first official rest areas in Tasmania.

“All areas trucks use are of the informal type as quoted under the Austroads guide-

This sign beside Tasmania’s Midlands Highway shows there is less than 200km between the two biggest towns Hobart and Launceston.

lines. If these critics look up rest area guidelines, they might find Tasmania has been using very poor standard areas parked only 3m off the seal with no barrier between them and passing traffic, as the informal Austroads guidelines will show.

“Are they envious of what we achieved in such a short time? Why does it concern them unless they are working here?”

For example, he said that busy Burnie on the Bass Highway is a distance of 325km from Hobart in the south.

“When these new ones are established there will be only two official rest areas on the left for either direction of travel. That equates to one for every 162km averaged.

“If those mainland drivers have a rest area every 100km, why are they so envious of our 162km spacings?

“Use the average speed of 85km/h, which is a very close approximately for our national highways in Tassie, and then it will be almost every two hours we have a chance to stop at a designated rest area once these new areas are completed.”

He said that any mainland

Fire drama at rest area STAFF at the Guthalungra Choice Roadhouse were

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called upon to provide a fire extinguisher after a light truck caught fire at the nearby rest area.

The incident occurred on November 28 when the vehicle stopped at the rest area which is 40m from the popular roadhouse.

After the occupants noticed a small fire they came running across and asked for the extinguisher.

It was to no avail as the fire quickly became more intense and totally burnt out the vehicle.

A fire brigade crew arrived from Bowen which is 45km away and witnesses said they did a great job.

Spy stopped off at the rest area the day after and couldn’t even recognize what type of vehicle it was, although it looked like a 2009 Iveco.

I was told an electrical fault caused the fire.

A Mackay based Main Roads Department spokesman told me that the burnt-out wreck would be removed by its maintenance contractor for the area which is the Whitsunday Regional Council.

He said the damaged bollards near the truck would have to be replaced.

7163631aa

Five new sites will make the world of difference IT is great news that the Tasmanian government will fund five new ‘trucks-only’ rest areas with work to be completed by the end of the year.

Whilst most truckies around the country would be happy for their colleagues in the Apple Isle, some mainland drivers have questioned why they are needed on the island State.

The main reason put forward is that the road network there is much shorter in distance generally than on the mainland.

Second largest city Launceston and the capital Hobart are about 190km apart and the northern Bass Highway is about 250km long.

It has been pointed out to Spy that the industry standard is to ideally have them about every 100km.

So Spy told a well-connected Tassie road transport identity about this and received this informed response.

“The 100km is in the guidelines set out by Austroads for mainland states

SPY ON THE ROAD 27

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

The Mack Superliner parked outside the pet friendly Bowen motel looked spectacular under a full moon at dusk.

If you are heading to Cairns it is a distance of 1722km.

Remote WA roadhouse BORDER closures because of the Coronavirus Pandemic really affected businesses including at the isolated Warakurna Roadhouse in WA. It is one of the most remote in the country and is located 3km off the Great Central Road, 781km west of Alice Springs, and 331km from Ayers Rock.

Warakurna Roadhouse is 130km from the NT border with access by dirt road.

Over the past year several truckies Spy has spoken to have praised the roadhouse which is run by couple John and Sue Ellis.

So I contacted the roadhouse and spoke to John who said the number of trucks which stopped there had reduced since Covid-19.

“The border closed again yesterday and we only get a few trucks a week here and also the supply ones which

come from Perth and Alice Springs. In the busy times we would get mining trucks stopping off. We haven’t seen a van since March,” John said.

John and Sue have been at the roadhouse for the past 18 months and previously ran the BP at WA’s Fitzroy Crossing.

“That was very busy there with lots of trucks but we hope things get back to normal here in the New Year,” John said.

NT driver Brett Taylor was one of the truckies who praised the roadhouse telling Spy the couple were very friendly and good operators.

“The favourite food here is our hamburgers and bacon and egg toasties,” John said.

At the moment the roadhouse is surviving financially with business from local nearby communities.

Spy urges anybody in the

area to call into the Warakurna Roadhouse and have a yarn to Sue and John who is a wealth of knowledge about the area and the road transport industry.

Weight loss resolution NOT many of us who make New Year’s Resolutions each year actually stick to them.

There are some exceptions.

Truckies from the Northern Territory and South Australia decided late in the year that theirs’ would be to lose weight.

These two have managed to do just that when the majority with a similar resolution mostly fail.

The lads both encouraged each other to have lap band surgery and the NT champion has lost 40kg.

His SA mate has shed 20kg and both feel healthy.

“I’ve got ME back,” one confided in a friend.

Spy knows of a 38-year-

old driver who had the surgery on October 26 at a Gold Coast Hospital.

“I was 150kg but have lost 30kg and have never felt better. Now I have more energy and I’ll lose more weight,” he told Spy. This gent had an underlying medical condition in sleep apnoea and said that many people won’t have the lap band surgery due to cost.

“It can be up to $12,000 but I was told about this Gold Coast doctor who did it for 10% of that after my medical insurance paid for some. I felt uncomfortable for the two weeks after it but in reality it has changed my life,” he said.

He used to enjoy a cold beer, or 10, before the surgery but hadn’t consumed one in eight weeks.

“I only eat a portion of the food I used to and the savings in dollars is amazing,” he said.

Motel haven for truckies’ pets MOST truckies who travel away from home have breaks in their sleeper box which offer various degrees of comfort.

A small percentage of drivers around Oz also take their pet dog with them for company.

Only a small percentage of our champion drivers get to stay in a motel overnight and in most cases pets are not welcome.

However to say old Spy got a surprise when he saw pet dogs being allowed into some rooms as a motel patronised by truckies would be an understatement.

I was chasing stories in December and stayed at the Ocean View Motel which is beside the Bruce Highway on the southern outskirts of Bowen.

From my strategic seat outside a room overlooking the incoming tide across the road, I spotted several other guests who had a pet dog going into their room.

Up in the sky it was a full moon so no wonder I was a tad confused, but an explanation was soon forthcoming.

Colin Young is an 80-yearold former farm machinery dealer from Gayndah who has run the Ocean View for the past 14 years and he told Spy the place is pet-friendly.

Certain rooms have dividers which allow pets to stay in a space and people elsewhere in the room.

“We get a lot of drivers here and also have a truck entrance and a nine-acre property for ample parking and about 40% of patrons have pets,” he said.

Colin said guests included truckers from many regions of Australia including a regular

from country Victoria when he is up north.

“Trucks have the space to turn around at the back and there is also a rest area across the Bruce Highway,” Colin said.

Later that day a Mack Superliner cattle truck with a Cat 15 550hp motor pulled up and parked outside the motel and the owner-operator (who didn’t have a pet) stayed the night.

I snapped some pics of his unit with the ocean in the background and it was a magnificent sight.

Truck room at Torrens Creek THE Exchange Hotel at Torrens Creek beside the Flinders Highway is popular with drivers and the dining room there is being renovated to include a truck wall.

During the past four months at least a dozen truckies have told Spy they enjoy stopping off there at the centre which is 165km west of Charters Towers, and 90km from Hughenden in the other direction.

Alexander ‘Zander’ Spencer who was a former diesel fitter at Broome in WA has run the pub with his partner Lorna Rauth for the past four years.

“We get up to 100 trucks a week stopping here weekly and it is common some nights to see a dozen parked nearby.

They are mining and cattle trucks and others carrying general and even some from SA and WA. The favourite meal for truckies is our big rump steaks,” Alexander told Spy. Some of the truckies who come in have taken pics of their rigs and the couple plan to set them up on a wall covered in these.

A road train parked outside Torrens Creek along the Flinders Highway.

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28 FEATURE

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Pop-up convoy in Tasmania attracts a huge turnout

BY JONATHAN WALLIS

WHEN Rick Sutcliffe and Daniel ‘Sleeves’ White met in early November to discuss the idea of a fundraising convoy, they where not sure about the viability, or possibility of a successful outcome.

But they simply rolled up their sleeves and “got on with it”.

It had recently come to their attention that with the recent pandemic, fundraising had come to a virtual halt, and children in hospital were in need of resources.

They then ran the idea

by Emma Bygrave from the ‘South East Sun’s’ women’s football club, who had been instrumental, with Rick, in getting the very successful annual truck show at Sorrell up and running, and she immedi-

ately jumped on board.

In the November 29 event, on a cool, pleasant Sunday morning, a gratifying 47 trucks arrived at the Industrial Hub in Brighton at 10am, with Rick Sutcliffe in no. 1 spot and the top 10 trucks leading the way to the city along the Brooker Highway, passing the paediatrics ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where the children joyously heard them passing, returning via the Tasman Bridge, Lindisfarne and Old Beach, to an assigned paddock at the Transport Hub. Occasional trucks joined the convoy en-route whilst others left to go about their work prior to the final assembly at Brighton, where the Rotary Club provided a barbecue for the returning drivers and their families, all with due regard to social distancing, and

TO ALL THE TRUCK DRIVERS, OWNERS, AND PEOPLE WHO DONATED, AND ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO TURNED OUT ALONG THE ROADS TO WAVE AND CHEER US ON, IT WAS A GREAT FEELING FOR US ALL. RICK SUTCLIFFE

an amazing amount of money has been raised, $14,688, in fact.

So, by any account this ‘Pop-up convoy’ has to be hailed as a huge success, the more remarkable owing to the total lack of any local media coverage other than a mention on Facebook, and in Big Rigs. [l-r] Jostyn, Amelia, Jonathan Price and Dee.

Rick has asked us to thank the following people who all put in to make this happen: “Firstly thanks to Daniel White who had the idea, and has a ‘never give up’ attitude, then Emma Bygrave for all her efforts and hard work, to Craig Williams who sussed out the paddock and slashed it prior to our arrival, and to Paul Sutcliffe for letting us use his land. To Jacqui Juvakka for all the printing of shirts and the banner, and then had to change them all at the last moment, and liaising with the children’s reactions in the ward as we went past.

“To the Rotary Club for arranging the barbecue at the site, to Quinton Turner for making the excellent videos, and to Linda and Chris Poulton for their support on their excellent T.I.T. web page, and to Amanda and the other pages that did likewise, and finally to Lee and Bridget Bygrave for their loyalty and assistance.

“But mostly to all the truck drivers, owners, and people who donated, and all those folks who turned out along the

[l-r] Charley, Rick Sutcliffe, Mackie holding Preston Bennett, and Tanisha.

roads to wave and cheer us on, it was a great feeling for us all.”

There were awards made as follows: Lead Convoy Truck 2020 to T.P. Bennett & Sons Mack, driven by Rick Sutcliffe.

The Shaun Gangell Memorial Award to David Oakley from William Oakley Longhaul Solutions.

Aiden Barker Memorial Award” to Daniel White and Tas Road Express.

Daniel White approaching Montrose.

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FEATURE 29

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Darren and Mel Curtain.

Daniel White and daughter Evie with the Aiden Barker Memorial Award.

Rick Sutcliffe leads the impressive convoy into Montrose.

Brock Cordwell with TP Bennett’s Tri-drive Mack Titan.

The long line of trucks makes quite a sight approaching Brighton Transport Hub.

30 DRIVER PROFILES

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tassie Truckin’

with Jonathan Wallis

Julien and Thomas

Matt McKenzie

PASSING through Epping Forest the other day it was great to run into the jovial Julien Shearer (pictured left) and Thomas Powell, (on the right) both from Hobart, when they stopped over for a quick refreshment break at the Caltex Roadhouse there.

They were driving a Mathers Removals 2016 FG Hino and were taking a container from Hobart to Launceston, then would be continuing on to Burnie the following day.

Julien told us he has been there now for one good year, and Thomas for nine years, and both said that it was a great outfit to work for.

Thomas added it was good to be working statewide in an all-Tasmanian company, and added that they have recently taken over all of Ridgeway’s work, so that will be keeping them even busier.

“Mind you, we are being kept flat out at the moment anyway,” Thomas said, “and

“I’VE been here for two good years so far,” Matt McKenzie from Cressy told us the other day, adding, “and I would have to say this is an awesome outfit. Dallas and Rosie Kotraba are just a great couple to work for, you couldn’t ask for better.”

“They currently have two DAFs, two Freightliners and a Mack and a Kenworth on the go, and they are keeping us all flat out as we come up to harvest which is a great sign.”

He was driving an “InterTas” 2018 CF DAF at the time, and he was taking a tri-trailer loaded with wheat to a dairy farm at Gretna.

After that he would make his way back to Powranna, and he had stopped over at Kempton for a quick cuppa and bite to eat.

“I’ve been on the road for about five years all up now, and have no regrets at all.

The Industry has been good

with the state borders opening I guess we will be even busier now, which is good, especially when you look at the time of the year.”

They both said they were all happy, and with no problems at this time, and asked to wish everyone out there a great New Year.

to me so far, and especially when driving a truck like this and in beautiful weather like this.”

We asked him how he

Ian Gillie

Robin Riley

“I’VE had the International for 13 months now, and it’s really doing the job I bought it for and doing it well, and I’m really happy with it and its performance,” owner-driver Ian Gillie told us the other day when he stopped over at the Caltex in Kempton for a refreshment break.

He was driving his 2010 International “Eagle” 9200 with a 525 ISX Cummins up front at the time, and he was towing a tri-axle trailer which he had taken from Brighton to Interlaken and he was currently on his way home to knock off for the day.

He added: “I started driving about 42 years ago, and I have been an owner-driver off and on for the last 30 years or so, and I’d have to say I have always liked being out on the road, so it was a happy choice at the time, and has been a good life at that.

“I usually tow B-doubles, and I am certainly keeping busy

GOOD to catch up with Robin Riley from Launceston the other day when he stopped over at the Caltex at Kempton for a quick cuppa and a refreshment break.

He was driving a Suncoast’s 2014 Western Star W5800 SS and towing a dog trailer on his way home from Hobart after a long day involving three deliveries.

“Well I’m happy, but I am sure looking forward to getting home for a hot shower and my own bed,” he told us.

“I’ve been here with Suncoast for 2.5 years now, and they are a great outfit, and they really do look after us.

“I’ve been 30 years on the road now, all up, and never had any regrets. I left school and went into landscape gardening, then took up driving, and have never looked back.

“I love driving and you

in this year’s lead up to Christmas, which is good, as it was tough there for a while, in fact we just kept going during the Covid19 hard times.

“But as I carry lots of garden supplies for Barwick’s, a lot of people suddenly took up gardening during the lockdown and, so we did keep going.

“I’d have to say Barwick’s are a great local family company to work for and they have looked after us all to the best of their ability.”

We asked him about his time away from the road, and he smiled and answered: “Well that’s mostly wash, polish and grease and that sort of stuff.”

seem to get more quality time off. In fact, I am about to go up to Tomahawk for 23 days off, take out the boat and catch a few fish

spent his time off, and he said he enjoyed camping and hunting, and of course, spending quality time with the kids.

and leave it all behind me, and generally de-stress.

“And spend some quality time with the family as well.”

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DRIVER PROFILES 31

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

Truckin’ In The Tropics Chris Barnes HAPPY truckie Chris Barnes was transporting an unusual load for him of hay when Big Rigs saw him deep in the tropic during a burning hot day in November.

The 45-year-old Chris drives a Western Star for Boat and Trailer Haulage based at Mundoolun in Logan City.

“I don’t usually haul hay which I picked up at Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands for horses down south,” he said.

Chris also had a caravan on the back of his trailer from Innisfail and said he does move these often.

“Mostly I haul boats, trailers, vans, maybe a jet ski but never hay,” he said.

A truckie for the past eight years, Chris said there were not enough rest areas for truckies along the Bruce Highway.

“Also we need a lot more pull off shouders in case of

with Alf Wilson

Jason Griffin

breakdowns,” he said.

The first truck Chris drove was a Mack Superliner which was nicknamed Chunky.

His favourite roadhouse is the BP Grafton which he still goes to despite the highway now bypassing it.

“I will detour to get there as the staff are friendly.

“The food is good too, es-

pecially the steak, and it has clean toilets and showers,” he said.

Chris was looking forward to having Christmas and Boxing Day off over the break and had a New Year’s resolution.

“I just hope that Covid-19 goes away and we can all have a better year than this one,” he said.

AN old but bright red coloured 1938 Maple Leaf Chev truck which is parked off the Bruce Highway at the small hamlet of Gumlu attracts people from around the country to a roadside fruit market.

Gumlu is 40km south of Home Hill and 60km north of Bowen and is the centre of a fruit and vegetable small crop growing industry.

Jason Griffin was working at the market the day I visited.

He told me that the flashy Chev, which has a large Aussie flag attached to it, was a major attraction.

“We get travellers from many places who stop here and ask about the old truck and then buy some fruit which is cut daily,” Jason said.

The Chev and a trusty nearby Mazda are not registered for highway travel but both are vital links in the operation.

“The Mazda carries the fruit up to here from the nearby farm and I drive it on the

property,” he said.

Jason who is from Spain has been there for two years and said that truckies from many parts of the country often pull up and drivers buy some healthy fresh fruit.

“We have everything here from tomatoes, mangoes, rockmelons, honeydew, watermelons, pumpkins, oranges, apples and lots more,” Jason said.

Tom Long from Brisbane told Big Rigs he saw the red Chev and had to stop to check it out.

“I bought some rock melons as I heard that Gumlu was renowned as being the fruit and vegetables capital around there,” he said.

I checked out some info on the Chev and found it has been in the Gumlu area at least since 1995 and was coloured green before its latest paint job.

In 2008 it was dubbed the ‘Chev for the Stars’ during and after the filming of the hit

movie Australia which starred Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

Some scenes were filmed in Bowen and the Chev sold “superstar baskets of fruit” which advised customers were waiting to be picked up by Nicole Kidman and her husband, country star Keith Urban.

However, the celebrity couple never arrived.

Josh Rigney

Simon and Max Tuxworth

ENTHUSIASTIC driver Josh Rigney had hauled pallets from Kapunda in South Australia to Townsville when Big Rigs yarned to him.

The 35-year-old Josh was parked with numerous other trucks on the pull off area beside the Townsville Port Access Road.

“I have a backload of sorghum to pick up from Townsville to deliver to Plainlands,” said Josh who described the 2013 Kenworth T909 he was driving as a great truck.

Based in southern Queensland, Josh works for CJ’s Bulk Haulage and loves life on the highway.

Josh is not a fan of electronic log books and when away likes stopping at the Shell Gilgandra, BP Blanchetown on SA’s Sturt Highway and the Nevertire Hotel beside the Mitchell Highway in NSW. He rates the Leichhardt Highway between Moonie and Condamine and the mostly dirt

EIGHT year old Max Tuxworth is a chip off the old block and looks certain to follow his father and grandparents and be an integral part of the legendary far north Queensland family road transport business.

Tuxworth and Woods has depots in Cairns, Weipa, Cooktown and Normanton and commenced operations in 1972.

Their trucks are common sights delivering vital equipment, goods and general freight along some of the roughest and corrugated Cape York red dirt roads in the far north.

Simon Tuxworth is the Site Manager/Logistics and Max’s father, and told Big Rigs that the company’s 17 drivers, including seven who deliver to Cape York won’t be using electronic log books.

“They don’t work very well around Cape York partly because of reception so we will be sticking to the written log books,” Simon said.

Max went on a recent trip

road from Aramac to Torrens Creek as difficult to travel on.

Whilst Josh said more rest areas are required for truckies he added that some along “back roads” are good.

“There are some on the Roma to Surat stretch and the one at Dirranbandi is fine,” he said.

There is some impressive art work on the side of the Kenworth with the subject being

the Isle of Man in the Mother Country.

“That came about because my boss’ dad is English,” he said.

The first truck Josh drove was a Louisville LNT 8000 with a V-8 motor up front.

Whilst Josh doesn’t like making New Year’s resolutions, he did repent and said he would like to quit smoking.

“I managed to do that a few years ago but never kept it up.”

Max Tuxworth, aged 8, the son of Simon Tuxworth and a truck on the way to Cape York.

with Simon in a company Western Star and had some pics snapped near the Archer River Roadhouse and at Musgrave Homestead, both popular stops for trucks.

During the west season, which usually starts early each

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32 COLUMN contributors@bigrigs.com.au

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

A new year and so many questions still to answer EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NEWS

TWU NEWS RICHARDOLSEN OLSEN RICHARD TWU NSW State Secretary TWU NSW State Secretary

WELCOME to 2021. You have no doubt just driven through one of the busiest periods of the year and how was it for you?

Were you able to find adequate rest areas to pull up and manage your fatigue requirements on the road?

How was the holiday traffic?

Are you still concerned that car driver behaviour just does not change around your heavy vehicle? How’s the toll road bills?

What about payments?

Are you still chasing for that overdue invoice to be paid and getting nowhere because the accountant who pays the invoice is on holidays?

A new year, and so many questions still to be answered. A new year and a fresh chance for transport

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

Principal Lawyer RK Law

Overnight, Pennant Hills road is nearly empty. Can drivers be allowed to choose to use the road overnight and make savings for their business?

workers to be involved in stepping up the campaign to fight for better standards in transport.

There is work to be done. Following the impact of COVID, the TWU took a strategic decision to

defer bargaining to ensure we were bargaining from a position of strength and not weakness. Now 2021 is here, we’re ready to fight hard for the pay and conditions transport workers deserve. We need everyone

on board to make this a success. Make sure you are involved because our industry depends on it.

We left 2020 with NSW promised $398 million worth of road and safety projects for the NSW Safer

Roads Program.

I can’t find any Government commitment to rest areas. I can’t find commitments to modify car driver behaviour, or provide them training as our trucks get bigger.

There is however plenty of roadwork which will no doubt improve roads that we use, but I’m also finding suggestions that reducing truck speed limits is the way to go for safety in areas like the Snowy Highway region.

This is not the safety answer our industry needs.

The hit on income still continues for transport workers. The TWU has still not heard from the NSW Government in response to our concerns about the deal on toll roads. NorthConnex is providing bill shock for more transport businesses than before.

The exploitative deal causing pain comes from drivers being forced to take heavy vehicles into the tunnel. There is no cost recovery for those forced onto a toll road.

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Overnight, Pennant Hills road is nearly empty. Can drivers be allowed to choose to use the road overnight and make savings for their business?

Owner drivers are looking for a viable option for cost recovery, and we are calling on the NSW Government to stop their deals from eating into transport workers’ bottom lines. Let’s look at ways of making the road fairer.

In 2021 we will continue the talks with the Federal Government and employer groups on industrial relations reform. The employer groups are fighting over how far they can go on trying to strip away our rights but we are not about to allow them to drive conditions for working families into the ground.

Critical workers in transport carrying out a critical service means that we cannot ignore the desperate need for safety and fairness in road transport.

We’d welcome you to join us for the fight.

U

avman

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

We’re looking forward to welcoming you back in 2021

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

AIR CTI founder/owner

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT TRANSPORT WOMEN IN JACQUELENE BROTHERTON JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport WomenWomen Australia Chair of Transport

Australia

I AM starting this year off with new words; we need to stop calling trucking a male dominated industry because while it is predominantly male, the men do not dominate the women who are succeeding in the industry. are many women THEThere OZ TRUCKER working in non-traditional MIKE WILLIAMS contributors@bigrigs.com.au roles in many industries and that will continue and is to be applauded. However, it will be more difficult to attract new talent if we don’t change our words to be more inclusive.

So, let’s start using “pre-dominantly male” and “non-traditional” rather than male dominated, Honestly, it doesn’t bother me because I love the industry and because I am ancient; I LOBBYIST have been supported by men STEVE SHEARER SA Road Transport Association every step of my life and caExecutive Director reer.

WE NEED TO STOP CALLING TRUCKING A MALE EDITOR DOMINATED INDUSTRY JAMES GRAHAM james.graham@bigrigs.com.au BECAUSE WHILE IT IS PREDOMINANTLY MALE, THE MEN DO NOT DOMINATE THE WOMEN WHO ARE SUCCEEDING IN THE INDUSTRY. JACQUELENE BROTHERTON TWU NEWS I am also surrounded by a RICHARD OLSEN

tribe of incredible women. It does matter to some though especially if they are just being introduced to the industry and don’t know what a fantastic industry it is, and what an amazing career you can have if you choose a career in transport and logistics.

Some of this variety has been shown by the course selections of our eight scholarship winners; in 2019 two chose a Diploma of Logistics, one a Certificate IV in OH&S, and one a course

TWU NSW State Secretary

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au

called Fundamentals of Simulation, Sheetmetal and Surfacing in Creo Parametric.

In 2020, we had a Diploma of Engineering, a Diploma of Bus andTRUCKIN’ Coach Operations, a TASSIE Leadership JON WALLISin Change and a contributors@bigrigs.com.au HR Licence course.

All eight courses are in transport and logistics, with the age of the awardees ranging from 24 to 50 plus.

The TWAL Creating Connections Mentoring programme comprises both male and female mentors and TWAL membership is also made up of both males and LEGAL EAGLE females. KING ROWAN Principal Lawyer RK Law keep harping While they on about “male dominated” and quotas, they are just alienating people who could offer genuine support.

As an organisation Transport Women Australia Limited welcomes all genders as members and to all their functions.

The 2021 Driving the Difference Conference is just a few months away and we are so excited about welcoming everyone back to Melbourne after a hard 2020.

We have a great line-up of speakers and our amazing sponsors are again supporting us in our endeavours.

We also have a few surprises in store for you which we hope you will enjoy and support.

We will be extending our Women Driving Transport Careers initiative, bringing back our Learning Initiatives Breakfast, and we have another research project to start later in January. Plus, our new website and YouTube channel should be ready very soon.

Our social media presence will be maintained to keep you informed and we encourage all members to participate in our Monday member profile.

I have two other projects in the conception stage which you will be hearing about as they become closer to fruition.

So just another reminder to look out for the conference programme and registration information to hit our social media and Big Rigs, and to renew your membership or sign up for an exciting 2021.

TWAL Director Elizabeth McGrath presents our Qld 2020 Driving the Difference Scholarship winner Lynette Gray with her certificate and cheque.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Converter dolly makes waves CHIEF ENGINEER BOB WOODWARD Australian Trucking Association

FROM proof of concept to national industry recognition, the ATA’s Industry Technical Council Converter Dolly Project has had a significant impact in the trucking industry, revolutionising the dolly market.

Following concerns raised regarding dynamic issues with hinged drawbar converter dollies, in particular brake reactivity and tyre wear, the Converter Dolly Project was born.

There has been a lot of issues in the past where, particularly under braking when they were lightly laden, weight transfer occurs, and an axle comes off the ground.

There have even been instances in which axles have come off the ground to the point where the back of the

The ITC converter dolly was first on display at the Brisbane Truck Show in 2019, where it received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback.

dolly has hit the underside of the trailer above it.

Led by the ATA’s Industry Technical Council together with technical and component support from MaxiTRANS, Hendrickson, Alcoa Wheels, Bridgestone, JOST and WABCO, the project explored the further development of a rigid drawbar converter dolly and is a collaboration of the resources and knowledge of these manufacturers, suppliers and operators all working towards a common goal.

One of the most versa-

tile components in a combination, the dolly market has been well overdue for a change. While the traditional dolly has been around for a long time, this has been the first significant shift in dolly design for many years.

The project aimed to explore options and opportunities, industry to design, and manufacture a converter dolly based on a rigid drawbar design for use as a further ‘proof of concept’ engineering test bed.

The ITC converter dolly was first on display at the

Brisbane Truck Show in 2019, where it received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. Since then, the dolly has been trialled with several operators across the country, including BAB Quads and ABB quads.

This new type of dolly delivers a range of benefits to improve safety, productivity and reduce maintenance costs, including improved tyre wear, stability, and controllability as well as advantages in vehicle handling, braking performance and dynamic load distribution

for more consistent and even tyre wear.

Taking out the pivot point with no hinged drawbar makes a dramatic difference in the way the brake system can control everything.

With such positive response from industry, the ATA has developed a technical bulletin which outlines specification guidelines for Rigid Drawbar Tandem Axle Converter Dollies – allowing operators access to the insight behind the project.

The technical bulletin details the specifications of the project dolly, including fifth wheel positioning, axle group spacing, drawbar length, and suspension and coupling requirements.

A suspension with neutral roll steer at nominal ride height is preferred, as well as a coupling type must be limited to a flanged drawbar eye or a special flanged drawbar eye and the drawbar length is determined by combination and application.

To limit static vertical loading at the tow coupling of a tandem axle converter dolly, the axle spacing range needs

to be reduced as the drawbar length reduces, and the fifth wheel positioned on the theoretical centreline of the axle group, and not restricted in fore/aft articulation (just as a fifth wheel would be installed on a prime mover).

In recognition of the innovative design and contribution to industry, the Converter Dolly Project supply partners MaxiTRANS, Hendrickson, Alcoa Wheels, Bridgestone, JOST and WABCO were awarded the 2020 Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement award, in celebration of the development and implementation of modern technologies and design to improve the industry’s safety and productivity.

As the converter dolly gains more recognition throughout industry, it is hoped the design sees an increase in adoption with operators around the country, who are looking to drastically improve their combinations and overall performance.

• T o view the technical bulletin or find out more about the Industry Technical Council, head to www.truck.net.au.

In recognition of the innovative design and contribution to industry, the Converter Dolly Project supply partners were awarded the 2020 Castrol Vecton Industry Achievement award.

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Congestion-busting vital for gains in productivity VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

ROAD congestion is arguably one of the greatest enemies of transport workers and operators, particularly heavy vehicle and delivery drivers with deadlines to adhere to and customers to service in our larger cities around Australia.

Lockdown restrictions during COVID in Melbourne and elsewhere around the country provided significant relief with road traffic down by as much as 90 per cent in some areas, and curfews on many roads lifted to enable depleted grocery store shelves to be filled faster.

But as our cities have started to return to a new normal and people start to venture out of their home offices and back onto the roads, congestion has reared its ugly head once again to play havoc with productivi-

ty and put pressure on supply chains.

The economic impacts of congestion – and its associated implications for operators and drivers alike – are one of the main reasons the VTA and other industry groups advocate as passionately as we do for legislators and regulators to come up with new ways to ease traffic and keep our transport networks moving.

According to Infrastructure Australia, road congestion and crowding on public transport cost our economy $19.8 billion in 2016, and that without continued investment this cost will more than double in just 10 years to reach $39.8 billion in 2021.

In Victoria, Infrastructure Victoria is tasked with advising the state government on the infrastructure requirements needed to service a growing population, including roads, railways, bridges, public transport, schools, energy grids, waterways and other essential public and private infrastructure.

Infrastructure Victoria’s latest 30-year draft plan has made several recommenda-

Congestion has reared its ugly head once again to play havoc with productivity and put pressure on supply chains.

tions that the VTA has endorsed to ease congestion on the state’s transportation networks to support the productivity and sustainability of hundreds of freight and logistics operators.

The plan outlines several recommendations to further incentivise public transport uptake by regional and city commuters, whilst continuing to expand Victoria’s road and rail network to make the movement of people and freight even more seamless.

Key recommendations include reconfiguration of the City Loop for more cross city

train services, lower charges for trams and buses to reduce pressure on roads and commuter rail, new tram routes to boost capacity in inner Melbourne and decrease road commuters, connecting the Eastern Freeway with CityLink within 30 years, and new tram services to Fishermans Bend, Arden and Maribyrnong.

This draft report recognises that notwithstanding shortterm negative growth because of coronavirus, Melbourne is still on track to become Australia’s most populous city within a matter of years.

It rightly calls out the need for incentivising city commuters to use public transport because existing road and rail freight networks will be crippled by higher populations if steps aren’t immediately taken to ease congestion. So, we welcome measures to reduce the cost of public transport and increase capacity to free up the road and rail networks for moving freight.

In endorsing new tram and light rail networks into Fishermans Bend – an area adjacent to the Port of Melbourne that is transitioning

from a historically industrial precinct into a residential community with 88,000 new medium and high density dwellings – we renew our caution that Lorimer Street be preserved for freight, as the only gazetted route for heavy vehicles to travel in and out of the port.

Planners must also strike a sensible balance for introducing new bicycle routes and ensure there is a clear delineation between heavy vehicles and bikes.

The VTA also welcomed the report’s recommendation for an East-West Link style connection between CityLink and the Eastern Freeway. We have always supported construction of this contentious missing link between the Eastern Freeway and CityLink, which will become even more pressing after North-East Link is built.

It is also notable that the report advocated earmarking land now for future freight terminals and corridors for a future outer ring road, which will be essential through Melbourne and Victoria’s next phase of growth.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JUNE 26 2020

36 PUZZLES

Sad day for all in transport

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

10

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

SUDOKU

THIS article is the ending of an 12 era for the 13 transport industry with the demise of this magazine under the restructure and rationalisation of News 18 Corp.

19 It is a sad day for all of us in the industry as Big Rigs magazine has been a part of our lives for almost 30 years.

22 For some, their entire careers so far.

It will leave huge gap as the editors and staff have support24 ed the industry, provided fair and rational debate and given everyone a fair say in industry doings to all, as well as stories, pictures and news of our peoEASY ple, our trucks and our unsung heroes.

Our lives will be the poorer for its demise; being a columnist for Big Rigs for the past year and half has allowed me to fulfil yet another childhood dream, to write, and it has given me great pleasure and I hope it has at least been enjoyed by some.

While so many are focused on the negatives of the industry, I have tried to focus on the

5

6

positives aspects or those issues about which I am most 9 passionate and have a chance of making a contribution to change.

I began writing column when I was returned as Trans11 port Women Australia Limited chair in November 2017.

In the interim, TWAL has had 14 many15 successes and achievements.

17 It has expanded the relationship with Girl Guides Australia and been involved 20 with several successful projects with them, the Victorian Snoozefest 21 in April 2018, the “Great Bag Migration” for the International Jamboree in Sydney in October 2018 and other inter23 actions that are expanding the knowledge of the transport industry.

We launched the Women Driving Transport Careers initiative with our partners Wodonga TAFE and Volvo Group at the 2018 TWAL Creating Connections conference.

This initiative has been in hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic but all partners are excited to move forward to expand the program as soon as possible.

We held a well attended and exciting conference in May 2018 and we have plans in place with the date saved and venue booked for our Driving the Difference 2021 conference

7

16

Across

4 Who landed in NW Australia in 1688 and 1699, William ... (7) 8 Name an Australian painter and teacher, Thea ... (7) 9 If one receives superannuation, one is what, perhaps (2,5) 10 What is violation by a subject to one’s state (7) 11 What is a military commander (7) 12 To push forcibly, is to do what (6) 14 Name a renowned city in Texas (6) 18 Which cold, dry, northerly wind is common in southern France (7) 21 La Paz is a capital of which S American republic (7) 22 Which syrup is obtained in refining sugar (7) 23 What are uncommissioned sailors called (7) 24 What do we call the loud†cry of an elephant (7)

6 To endanger, is to do what (7) 7 Which term implies country life (5) 13 Who was†known for quotes, Jean Jacques ... (7) 15 What is competence in any field of action (7) 16 Name the region of contact between processes of two or more nerve cells (7) 17 What was the given name of Einstein, the German-born physicist (6) 18 To have encountered something, is to have done what (3,2) 19 To replace a section of the tread of a tyre, is to do what (5) 20 Who explored the NSW†Blue Mountains and Bathurst districts in the 1800s; George Williams ... (5)

Down

1 Which term applied to a person expresses an attribute (7) 2 What, in golf, is a score of one over par (5) 3 Name an alternative word for hoards (7) 4 What, colloquially, is a slow-witted person (6) 5 Which person works with stone (5)

P I E R M U U P E R E A E R A L I L L A S Y E N I V I A A P I N G S S E

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D A M R A O N S O N G E N O D A A B I L B O L I E R A T Y T

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E B S P R O C T O G A I T R E A S O Y H H E E T H R U S T O M I S T R A S E E T R E A C L A A I T R U M P E

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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 4 Dampier, 8 Proctor, 9 On super, 10 Treason, 11 General, 12 Thrust, 14 Dallas, 18 Mistral, 21 Bolivia, 22 Treacle, 23 Ratings, 24 Trumpet.

Down: 1 Epithet, 2 Bogey, 3 Stashes, 4 Drongo, 5 Mason, 6 Imperil, 7 Rural, 13 Rosseau, 15 Ability, 16 Synapse, 17 Albert, 18 Met it, 19 Recap, 20 Evans.

1

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS: Jacquelene Brotherton (far right) enjoys a night of celebration at a Transport Women Limited event with (from left) Rachel Hesse, Paul Fleiszig and Coralie Chapman.

Picture: Contributed

in Melbourne.

1 2 3 In November 2019 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the organisation (TWAL) with 9 a fabulous gala dinner at The Windsor Melbourne where we also presented our first four winners11 of the Driving the Difference scholarships with our amazing sponsor, Daimler Truck and Bus Asia Pacific.14 We also presented the inaugural Trish Pickering Mem-

orial 4 Award, sponsored 5 by the wonderful Wes Pickering.

This was awarded for longterm outstanding contribution by a female to the road transport industry, the inaugural winner was Pam McMillan the 12 and 13 longest serving director chair of Transport Women Australia Limited.

This is an 15annual award and the recipient of the 2020 Trish Pickering Memorial Award

16

will 6be announced later 7 8 this year at an event still to be determined.

We have also launched our 10 Learning Initiatives Breakfast Series with several partners so far, including NTI, MOVE BANK and rt health.

In early 2020 the Creating Connections Mentoring program was finally ready to commence with both mentors and mentees signing up to the pro-

17

Across

gram.

1 I would Maximum like to thank the 5

Distributed cards fantastic team at Big Rigs 9 Wholefor their incredible newspaper support and wish them on10 Bishop’s territory going success.

11 At hand that I get the oppor12I hope Flowers tunity to continue to work with 14 Lukewarm some of them and so work to16 Notion wards making the trucking in19 Certain dustry a better appreciated, 21 aTracking system and safer place for our peo24 Representative ple.

27 Edible rootstock 29 Born 30 Book of the Bible 31 Narrates 32 Allot Down A final reminder to all Big 1 readers: Bill of fare Rigs now is the time to unite, now is the time to ensure 2 United equality in this industry.

3 Social standing 4 Together Weary we can stand on common ground working to 5 Mocked ensure the government contin6 toDonkey ues support transport work7 and Sheltered side ers the industry they 8 Irritable support.

TWU will continue to 13The Lyric poem voice the needs of transport 15 Buccaneers workers to off the employers, 17 Scrape their industry bodies and the 18 Inadequate clients.

20Better Rounded vase mean job standards 22 Minute particle a safer security and ultimately 23 fairer Assumed attitude and industry for all. can lift theto standards 25We Command a horse we need together fish – our lives de26 Slippery pend on it.

28 Groove

Fighting to end the inequality: Big Rigs and TWU played their parts 18 19 20 HARD

A T O M

E A L T S E E O S E S D T E A Y B R P A R O D U S E T E

HARD

M O S T D E N T I R E R N E A R T E P I U U I D S U R E S C R A D A G E N T E X N E E T E L L S

EASY

policy that should be keeping safe one of the most dangerous industries in Australia.

To quote one truck driver turned Australian senator, 24 “a death 25 at work 26 Glenn Sterle, or on the road should not be the price of doing business”.

The TWU 29 puts it to governments that we must stop the inequality that exists between truck drivers and clients.

31must be paid proper Drivers rates, owner-drivers must be able to trust they will be paid properly for the work they do and on time. Families depend on this.

Many of the ongoing problems that occur are down to the big clients squeezing our

21

22 27 30 32

industry as dry as they can.

They want operators to meet their unrealistic deadlines and take on more freight for less or they face the risk of

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losing their contracts and the ability to support their 23 families.

It appears the government does not care.

There are 28 unsafe vehicles, dodgy licences, poor payment times, wage and superannuation theft – just a few of the many things we have called for to be stopped.

A reminder to governments and the transport industry clients: the industry that has kept Australia moving during the pandemic is facing an uphill battle.

Employer groups should be standing alongside transport workers to unite for a safer and fairer industry.

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Most, 5 Dealt, 9 Entire, 10 See, 11 Near, 12 Roses, 14 Tepid, 16 Idea, 19 Sure, 21 Radar, 24 Agent, 27 Taro, 29 Nee, 30 Exodus, 31 Tells, 32 Mete.

Down: 1 Menu, 2 One, 3 Status, 4 Tire, 5 Derided, 6 Ass, 7 Lee, 8 Testy, 13 Ode, 15 Pirates, 17 Abrade, 18 Scant, 20 Urn, 22 Atom, 23 Pose, 25 Gee, 26 Eel, 28 Rut.

THIS is the end of an era, the last TWU column in the trusted transport industry publication Big Rigs.

Over the years the TWU and Big Rigs have played their parts in the role of keeping the top end of town accountable and doing our bit to look out for the rights of the little guy.

It’s still about the voice that speaks out for the truck driver,

the owner and the employee.

It’s been the voice that calls out for fair pay for the work you do, for safety in the drivers’ cab and on the road, the voice that seeks to relieve the pressure on the driver pushed by clients’ incessant cries for increased productivity for the same rates and conditions.

It is obvious we still have a long way to go – we have been through countless road, freight and transport ministers and nothing changes.

Truck drivers are still dying at work.

It’s a pretty safe bet to say this is due to the lack of strong government policy in place,

More Trailer For Your Money

PUZZLES 37

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

5

6

Across

7

1 Name an ancient Chinese martial art (4,2) 8 Which WWI Russian general was known as the Grand Duke (8) 9 What are central parts of things (6) 10 Which nobleman is next below an earl (8) 11 Name a popular card game (6) 13 To be cowardly, is to be what (8) 16 Which horse won the 2001 Melbourne Cup (8) 19 What is a female monster (6) 22 Which person stirs up others (8) 24 Who used wings made of wax and feathers and flew too close to the sun which melted his wings and he drowned in†the Aegean (6) 25 Which sideline sports officials assist the referees (8) 26 To regard highly, is to do what (6)

8 9 10 12 13

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18 19

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Down

2 Ayers Rock was the former name of which NT monolith (5) 3 What is a deep, narrow ravine (US) (5) 4 Name another term for the cosmos (8) 5 Name the fifth book of the New Testament, The ... (4) 6 Which dog is the prairie wolf (6)

24 25 26

A I C T I S

11

7 What is a powerful automatic gun for firing explosive shells (6) 12 Name an Australian Wimbledon singles champion 1987, Pat ... (4) 14 Name a greenish-yellow gaseous element, symbol Cal (8) 15 Who was the fourth wife of Henry†VIII; ... of Cleves (4) 17 Which river flows from SE Turkey, and empties into the Persian Gulf (6) 18 Name a dish served at dinner before the main course (6) 20 To respond to a stimulus in a particular manner, is to do what (5) 21 To pan fry, is to do what (5) 23 What is a ponderous volume (4)

C C H O L A S Y N C O U N T T O R E A N T N N G R E S S E A C A R U S C T S T E E M

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E C H A L O O R I E N E

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K U N G F U L U N N U C L E I R C V E U C H R E A R S S E T H E R E I N A G I T A T R R O L I N E S M S E E

2

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 1 Kung fu, 8 Nicholas, 9 Nuclei, 10 Viscount, 11 Euchre, 13 Recreant, 16 Ethereal, 19 Ogress, 22 Agitator, 24 Icarus, 25 Linesmen, 26 Esteem.

Down: 2 Uluru, 3 Gulch, 4 Universe, 5 Acts, 6 Coyote, 7 Cannon, 12 Cash, 14 Chlorine, 15 Anne, 17 Tigris, 18 Entree, 20 React, 21 Saute, 23 Tome.

1

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B A A X N E D H N I C P A S H E

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

2

L A G E R L A C E T U N I C E M E R A L E E R A G U E N D A C O D S V E E R W O O E S T E W S

EASY

1

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Lager, 4 Ball, 7 Ace, 8 Lax, 9 Tunic, 12 Need, 13 Emerald, 15 Era, 16 Hue, 18 End, 19 Gun, 21 Codicil, 24 Veer, 26 Spate, 27 Woo, 28 Set, 29 Stew, 30 Sheds.

Down: 1 Late, 2 Acumen, 3 Gene, 4 Band, 5 Axe, 6 Lodge, 10 Ire, 11 Cargo, 14 Lauds, 17 United, 18 Eaves, 20 Nip, 21 Crow, 22 Case, 23 Lets, 25 Ewe.

SUDOKU

EASY

Across 1 Light beer 4 Social event 7 Top card 8 Lacking discipline 9 Garment 12 Require 13 Gem 15 Period of time 16 Colour 18 Conclude 19 Weapon 21 Supplement to a will 24 Turn away 26 Flood 27 Court 28 Become firm 29 Meat dish 30 Casts off Down 1 After due time 2 Keen insight 3 Unit of inheritance 4 Musical group 5 Tool 6 Deposit 10 Anger 11 Freight 14 Praises 17 Combined 18 Roof’s projecting edge 20 Pinch 21 Bird 22 Lawsuit 23 Permits 25 Female sheep

38 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Road trains are triple the fun for this WA truckie When Theresa Scott moved down under, she was mesmerised when she caught her first glimpse of a road train and knew she wanted in on the action.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

the career she had built working as a chef at a New Zealand casino to embark on a new adventure in Australia.

Working in exploration, Scott had her first taste be-

IT was about 12 years ago that Theresa Scott packed up her carving knives and her suitcase, leaving behind

hind the wheel of a truck – albeit a much smaller version than what she’s used to now. She had secured a job working out in the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory. “I would drive a rigid and trailer, taking drill samples from Alice Springs, back to camp near the WA border.” That’s what sparked the beginning of a new passion and a great career. “I was sitting on the side of the road and saw a road train pass by and I thought ‘I want to drive one of those one day’ – and that’s how it all started.

“I remember before I was allowed to take the truck out to Alice Springs, I had to demonstrate that I could change the tyres before my

Scott drove this triple for Centurion from Perth to Kununurra.

boss would let me go. Being quite remote, I had to prove I had the mechanical mind and strength to do it all because there’s no one there to come and rescue you when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.”

Scott, 35, has now been steering road trains for the past eight years. She started her latest gig with Toll about three months ago and is the only female truckie among a pool of over 180 drivers. These days, you’ll find her behind the wheel of a Kenworth 909, pulling three belly dumpers filled with ammonium nitrate to various mine sites across the Pilbara region. The full combination usually weighs in at about 123 tonnes and

Scott uses social media to promote trucking to women and young people.

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CAREERS AND TRAINING 39

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JANUARY 8 2021

said, ‘You’ve had your two minutes of fun, get off the two-way and get back to the kitchen’. This sort of attitude is still around which is a shame. They won’t say it to your face, but will say it on the two-way,” Scott said.

“But for every comment I get like that, there would probably be about 20 comments of encouragement.

In the yard everyone is lovely. Truck drivers are really friendly. I think they are very proud in what they do and enjoy imparting their knowledge onto the next generation. Every truck driver becomes a mentor for the next generation.”

According to Scott, there are more opportunities for

women wanting to get into trucking than ever before.

“I think a lot of companies have come to realise that we can do the job well and are just as good as the men – there’s nothing stopping us. At my site, I’m the only woman at the moment, but I’d really like that to change and I think my bosses would like that too. I often get asked if I know any other women that are good truck drivers.”

For those considering a career in truck driving, her advice is, “Though you might doubt yourself, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, because you can do it and are strong enough to do it too.”

The rig Scott now drives at her new gig with Toll Mining WA.

the truck is speed-limited to 90km/h. All up, it’s a 3500 kilometre round trip.

Just prior to that, she was with Centurion, transporting groceries in a triple road train from Perth and into Kununurra, in WA’s far north, as well as driving from Perth and into Brisbane and Sydney.

Her decade-long career in trucking has been quite diverse. Scott has also done tautliner work for Woolworths, has piloted wide loads to various mine sites for Rio Tinto and worked a

pocket road train with a side loader too.

“I always challenge myself and wanted to get into triples ever since seeing the big stuff on the road,” she said – and now she’s using social media to try and encourage young people and women to enter the industry.

About a year ago, Scott started a TikTok account. “I don’t know how I managed it but I have 13,000 followers at the moment. One of the great things is that I can see who my followers are

and 42 % of them are females.

“I get a lot of them commenting on how awesome this sort of work is and I’m really excited about that,” she said.

“I think social media has been, and will be, a huge part of trucking. Everyone networks. The older guys call on their phones and mentor each other. I think the next wave of networking is through social media.

I actually found out about this Toll job through social media. It’s about getting

younger kids excited about trucking as well. There are lots of young kids on TikTok and they love seeing the gear too.

“With the driver shortage at the moment, especially with COVID, now is also a really good time for those wanting to upskill themselves.”

Unfortunately, being a female in a male-dominated industry doesn’t come without its challenges. “There’s prejudice and remarks all the time. Yesterday I did a radio check and someone

The second truck she drove was this 380 Volvo.

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