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TRUCKIES DECIDE
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Farmer takes up fight BY JAMES GRAHAM
EDITOR James Graham: 0478 546 462 james.graham@primecreative.com.au REPORTER Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au GENERAL 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 Truckin in the Topics/Spy on the Road: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 Brent Davison; David Vile; David Meredith; Mike Williams; Jon Wallis Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper is published by Prime Creative Media. It is the largest circulated fortnightly truck publication in Australia with 26,023* copies per fortnight. *12 month average, publisher’s claim November 2018 MP Emma Kealy, left, joined Ryan Milgate and Nats’ deputy leader Steph Ryan in the Western Star.
ON the road outside Ryan Milgate’s farm at Minyip, 320km north-west of Melbourne, there are 18 signs warning motorists of a rough surface, and the speed limit permanently reduced to 80km/h as a result. Over on the nearby Warracknabeal-Birchip Road, one frustrated local has taken matters into their own hands, writing VicRoads’ phone number – and a few other colourful messages of discontent where rutting has created a dangerous hazard. With so many large grain trucks jostling for space on the rapidly shrinking lanes, Milgate is adamant that it’s not a case of if a tragedy occurs on the crumbling regional network, but when. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” said Milgate, a Wimmera district grain councillor for the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and chair of its transport and infrastructure committee. “I’m really surprised there hasn’t been more incidents – it’s just a matter of time. “Everyone knows the roads are rooted, but no one has done much about it. It’s got to the point that people just go, ‘Oh well, that’s what they’re like, I suppose we just have to
EVERYONE KNOWS THE ROADS ARE ROOTED, BUT NO ONE HAS DONE MUCH ABOUT IT. IT’S GOT TO THE POINT THAT PEOPLE JUST GO, ‘OH WELL, THAT’S WHAT THEY’RE LIKE, I SUPPOSE WE JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT’, BUT IT’S BEYOND THAT NOW, IT CAN’T BE LIKE THAT.” RYAN MILGATE
deal with it’, but it’s beyond that now, it can’t be like that.” For Milgate the tipping point was a Tweet in early February by Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, the Labor minister for regional development. In the note, she proclaimed how “wonderful” it was to have roads minister Ben Carroll in town to announce that hundreds of kilometres of roads across regional Victoria had been made safer and more reliable as Labor’s annual road maintenance blitz reached its halfway mark. Milgate responded with a Tweet of his own, inviting Thomas and Carroll to see first-hand the poor state of the roads in his region by riding along with him in the cab of his Western Star.
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to fix his regional roads He followed up with another video plea, a letter and an appearance on a local radio show, but his invites still failed to elicit any kind of response. In the end it was Emma Kealy, Nationals MP for Lowan, and the Nats’ deputy state leader Steph Ryan, the MP for Euroa, who took him up on the offer for a seat in his truck. They spent more than three back-breaking hours in the cab as Milgate took them from Minyip to Donald, north to Morton Plains and along the Warracknabeal-Birchip Rd, then from Warracknabeal back to Minyip. It was an eye-opener, to say
the least, with the infamous Warracknabeal-Birchip Road stretch proving to be especially memorable. “We pulled up half a dozen times and then stopped in one particular spot where the bitumen on the shoulders had broken off,” said Milgate. “It was only seven feet wide from the centre line and while we were there two B-doubles passed each other so they saw it and went, ‘holy shit’. “That was a bit of a penny-drop moment for them. Once I’m sitting in this seat, this is my workplace. If I’m sending you to work in a factory, I’d expect it to be as safe
Ryan Milgate knows there are plenty of locals who feel the same way about Victoria’s country roads.
as possible, but once we get out onto these roads, they’re far from it” Steph Ryan has since colaunched a new campaign (visit vicsworstroad.vote) with state opposition leader Matthew Guy to identify Victoria’s worst road, and plans to present the findings to Carroll for urgent action. “We know that roads right across Victoria are falling part,” said Ryan. “I get that feedback almost on a daily basis.” Steph Ryan said the results of the campaign will feed into the opposition’s policy development at the next state election. “But I hope we see some action before then. I don’t think we should have to wait for a state election, seven or eight months away to actually get some change.” Aside from the inherent dangers of driving on Victoria’s regional roads, Milgate says the wear and tear on the trucks is also proving costly for operators. He knows some fleets that used to get 250-300,000km out of a set of shocks; now they’re getting less than half of that. “It’s knocking the shit out of them – the suspension and tyres are really copping it. They’re just breaking the U-bolts on the suspension and
Steph Ryan, Ryan Milgate, and Emma Kealy take time out of their ride-along to inspect the crumbling roads in the region.
dragging steel on the ground and starting fires. “Even in my [two] trucks I’m putting shocks in them every two years and I’m not doing that many k’s.” By next harvest time, Milgate fears the roads will be even worse and the dangers further exacerbated by on-going driver shortages, wet weather and general neglect by the state government. “They’re putting out fires now,” said Milgate of Labor’s much vaunted patch-up campaign of regional roads. “There isn’t enough money around at the moment to fix it in the short term. It’s probably a 5-year plus project to really
get a big enough change – it’s just been let go that far.” Milgate believes funding is also being hamstrung by Labor giving up on the region because the Nats have such a stronghold. “I reckon that’s the whole problem with roads, having them tied to political parties and political decisions. Roads and infrastructure need to be decided from somewhere that’s removed from the political cycle full stop. “Otherwise, we’ll never get our roads. They’ll spend more and more in cities and we’ll just end up driving on gravel tracks again soon the way we’re going.”
NEWS 3
‘Blitz’ is answer: Labor A STATE government spokesperson told Big Rigs that the Andrews government works closely with the freight industry and primary producers on road network issues, including through a Heavy Vehicle Ministerial working group that the VFF is represented on. “As part of our current regional road maintenance blitz, we are delivering more than 200 individual road maintenance projects across the Wimmera,” the spokesperson said. “We know how critical Wimmera’s roads are to local farmers, freight operators and tourists, which is why our crews are working hard to repair, rebuild and resurface roads across the region. “These works are in addition to crews carrying out regular inspections of the road network to identify and repair hazards if and when they occur.” Since 2018, the Andrews government said it had rebuilt and resurfaced more than 6800km of roads across Victoria. Works have targeted some of the region’s busiest and most productive freight routes, including the Wimmera, Western and a 7.4km rebuild of a section of the Henty Highway.
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Big time savings for truckies on new border crossing
BY JAMES GRAHAM
TRUCKING companies have been quick to take advantage of the increased load limits and travel time savings on the newly opened Echuca-Moama Bridge. Purtill Group Petroleum general manager Glenn Carr had his A-double road trains use the new $323.7 million Murray River crossing in the first week it opened, months ahead of schedule. Carr told the Riverine Herald that the bridge between the Victoria and NSW border towns would save precious minutes for his drivers on a run from Melbourne to the
company’s HQ in Deniliquin, NSW. When fully loaded the 30-metre A-doubles used by Purtill weren’t allowed to use the old bridge, which was only rated to 64.5 tonnes, and had to instead divert through Shepparton. Carr said the new Victoria-NSW border crossing would decrease his own company’s traffic movements by 30 per cent, and he expects other fleets to follow his lead. He said the bridge means operators now no longer have to face the headache of negotiating traffic in Sturt, High and Meninya Streets. The only potential downside he can foresee is the lack
of designated splitting and re-hooking facilities. “There is very little area to do that at the moment and it will only get worse when this bridge becomes the primary route for us, to and from Melbourne,” he said. Paul Fellows, general manager of Fellows Bulk Transport, based in Deniliquin, said the new bridge is a boon for the industry with its HML access and time savings of around 15 minutes on a normal run between Deniliquin and Melbourne. “You go through Echuca at 3.30pm when all the mums are picking up the kids from school and it’ll be gridlock,” said Fellows.
“It’ll take you half an hour just to cross the bridge so there will be massive productivity gains, safety gains, and when we’re on the road for less time, there are gains with emissions as well.” Andrew Jackson, director at Neil’s Transport, which has its headquarters in Echuca, said the bridge will get trucks out of the middle of town and result in quicker trips for drivers. “It’ll definitely make a difference by keeping trucks out of town, that’s the main thing,” said Jackson. “For those blokes going from Deni through to Melbourne it’ll make their life a lot better.” It’s expected 10,000 ve-
The new river crossing between Echuca and Moama was finished months ahead of schedule.
hicles will use the new river crossing every day, reducing traffic on the existing Murray River bridge by about 40 per cent. Modelling shows that traf-
fic will reduced by around 42 per cent in High Street through the historic port area of Echuca, and by about 35 per cent in Meninya Street, Moama.
Hard closure of key NSW freight bridge causes uproar A BRIDGE that acts as a key Murray River crossing will be closed for six weeks from late May for upgrades – but not everyone is happy about it. Tooleybuc Bridge is a heritage-listed timber truss bridge that runs across the Murray River at the small border town of Tooleybuc, NSW.
It’s a major freight route connecting Sydney and Adelaide and its future has been up in the air for many years. The Tooleybuc Bridge was originally ear-marked for removal in 2012 and by 2013, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) had begun early planning work for a new
bridge in the town. But following a NSW government review of timber truss road bridges in 2019, Tooleybuc Bridge was listed as one of eight bridges in the state that could be upgraded instead. The review recommended that Tooleybuc Bridge need-
ed to be retained and TfNSW investigated opportunities to strengthen the current bridge to allow trucks carrying heavier loads to cross the river without damaging the structure. As a result, the bridge will be closed for six weeks from May 23 for upgrades. But residents of the border
town say there has been no consultation and are vowing to fight the decision. “This NSW government could easily have done repairs when the border was closed, but didn’t,” said Independent MP for Murray, Helen Dalton. She says the NSW Gov-
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Fuel excise cut a ‘ticking time bomb’
THE Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters’ Association (ALRTA) is calling for the road user charge (RUC) to be cut by 22.1 cents per litre (cpl) for the next six months. The ALRTA said that will enable operators to reclaim the usual 17.8 cpl fuel tax credits (FTCs) that were wiped out by the Australian government reducing the excise to 22.1 in the federal budget. Operators usually pay 26.4 cpl as a RUC. By reducing the RUC by 22.1 cpl to 4.3, truckies will again be able to claim 17.8 cpl and avoid the looming bill shock at BAS time, said ALRTA national president Scott McDonald. “With the previous 17.8 cpl fuel tax credit now effectively reduced to zero, businesses will now need to accumulate and set aside cash to pay taxation liabilities,” said McDonald in a newsletter to members. “This is a ticking time bomb for many road transport businesses that do not as yet fully understand this element.” McDonald said that the lack of consultation and poor understanding of the impact of the fuel excise cut on trucking businesses has short-changed
the industry and produced a red-tape nightmare. “The national average price of diesel has increased by 58 cpl since December 2021. Trucking businesses have limited capacity to pass on such dramatic increases,” he said. “ALRTA appreciates the Australian government’s attempt to provide temporary relief from soaring fuel prices. Given that transport costs are embedded in almost all Australian goods and services, reducing fuel excise by 22.1 cpl has potential to reduce business costs and cost-of-living pressures for all Australians. “However, the effective net benefit for heavy vehicle operators is just 4.3 cpl, not 22.1 cpl. “This is because trucking businesses pay an effective fuel duty rate of 26.4 cents per litre, not the full rate of 44.2 cpl paid by other motorists. Our normal 17.8 cpl fuel tax credit for on-road fuel use will be reduced to zero.” McDonald added that on the surface, it would seem that a 4.3 cpl net fuel discount is better than no relief at all. However, this perspective does not appreciate the con-
tracting chain and cash flow implications within the trucking sector. “Firstly, most customers have heard that fuel excise has been reduced by 22.1 cpl. Many are now demanding a commensurate reduction in their freight rates. “Secondly, operators with agreed fuel levies in place are now at the mercy of contracting parties. “This is because fuel levies are adjusted with reference to bowser prices. When such contracts are enforced, the transport operator must accept lower freight rates, cutting into profit margins or perhaps even resulting in a loss. “Thirdly, explaining the current situation to customers and attempting to renegotiate contracts on a temporary basis for the next six months is time consuming and frustrating for all parties. “Most operators feel it is simply not worth the effort for such a small net cost reduction.” McDonald said ALRTA is also aware of members who have approached their accountant for advice, only to be
NEWS 5
The livestock carriers’ peak body said that the lack of consultation and poor understanding of the impact of the excise cut has short-changed the industry.
told that FTCs will continue to apply. In one such incident, a member made three separate approaches before their accountant finally provided correct advice. “Consultation with the trucking sector prior to the fuel excise reduction announcement was severely lacking. Consequently, the real impact of the change was poorly understood by policy makers. “As I understand it, neither the ALRTA nor the Australian Trucking Association were
contacted by Treasury to discuss the proposed measures. Further, our associations have established that Treasury did not even consult with the Australian Tax Office. “This is a significant consultation failure given the obvious taxation implications and operational impact on trucking businesses. “The last time our trucking associations were not properly consulted, Australia experienced empty supermarket shelves for the first time in decades. No one wants that
repeated.” McDonald said the only way to fix this problem is to immediately reduce the road user charge by 22.1 cpl and reinstate the fuel tax credit. “If the ALRTA recommendation was implemented, trucking operators would receive an effective fuel cost reduction of 22.1 cpl that would remain stable during the temporary relief period. “They would be able to honour contractual fuel levy obligations and maintain current cash flow arrangements.”
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Examining the case for mandatory reversing tech
A CONSULTATION Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) has been released, as feedback is sought around a proposed new Australian Design Rule (ADR) that would mandate reversing technolo-
gies on all light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications is seeking feedback around ADR 108/00, a new
regulation based on the United Nations Regulation No. 158, that specifies technical and performance requirements for reversing technologies fitted to vehicles. According to the RIS, in-
The department says that reversing aid technologies increase the driver’s awareness or vision of vulnerable road users behind a vehicle. Photo: HVIA
troducing ADR 108/00 is estimated to save 12 lives, and avoid 340 serious and 152 minor injuries over 35 years and will provide a likely net benefit of $38.5 million to the Australian community. The department is seeking feedback on the proposed RIS and regulation including: • Support for the recommended option. • The assumptions used for the benefit-cost analysis, including data to support actual effectiveness of the technology, the costs or the assumed benefits. • The suitability of ADR 108/00 for adoption under the Australian Design Rules, including any comments on functional and/or performance requirements, test requirements or implementation, such as the applicable vehicle categories and timing. • Any other relevant views or information. Submissions should be emailed to standards@infrastructure.gov.au by close of
business Wednesday, May 11. “Reversing collisions involving a vehicle and a pedestrian or a vulnerable road user such as a cyclist are generally rare occurrences with low number of cases reported each year,” the department said. “However, the prevalence of such collisions tends to be underestimated as the majority of these collisions and injuries sustained are often outside the scope of official road injury record systems which are focussed on public roads. “Reversing aid technologies increase the driver’s awareness or vision of vulnerable road users behind a vehicle, reducing the number of reversing collisions with pedestrians that result in severe or fatal injuries. “Currently the installation of these technologies is not regulated with voluntary fitment of reversing aids occurring either during vehicle manufacture or in-service through aftermarket modifications.” Big Rigs readers were quick to let the department know
their thoughts on the proposed new ADR when we first posted this story on our website bigrigs.com.au. Writes Steve Nehoff on Facebook: “What ever happened to the driver’s professional ability, mirrors use, and if in doubt - “GET OUT AND LOOK”. “After over 30 years in the industry, it never ceases to amaze me how much technology has changed, but the basic rules of being a driver (no matter what we drive) haven’t. “Nowadays there are signs everywhere to remind people how to drive. Don’t get me started on merging!” Adds reader Gary Ellis on our Facebook page: “Raise the standards for driving licences so attendants of the steering wheel can do more than drive in a forward motion, not that many can do that successfully these days. “Teach them what reverse actually is and that mirrors and eyes go hand in hand. Changing technology is not the solution.”
First look at Kenworth K220 ahead of official release THE covers don’t officially come off the eagerly awaited Kenworth K220 until an invite-only VIP event in Brisbane in early June. But thanks to eagle-eyed fan Brad Buckland, an ex-truckie who now manages a bus depot in Shepparton, Victoria, Big Rigs readers were able to get a sneak peek of the truck that’s causing all the hype. Buckland shot two videos of the truck as it left the Ampol service station in Shepparton.
Buckland, who heard from a mate that the truck had spent the day testing on the skid pad at DECA Shepparton, approached the Kenworth driver in the servo to find out a bit more. “I went up to him and said, ‘Is this what I think it is, a K220?’ He was like, ‘I don’t know’, but at the same time raising his eyebrows with big smiles,” said Buckland. “I laughed and told him I got accused on Facebook of photoshopping it 12 months ago when I leaked a picture of
it in the factory at Bayswater. “He laughed and drove out slow knowing I was filming.” After pulling out of the Ampol, Buckland then filmed K220 as it turned right into the GTM Shepparton Kenworth dealership about 100m down the road. Not surprisingly, when we first shared the clips on bigrigs.com.au, readers were quick to share their impressions of the new model on our Facebook page. Writes Glenn Kilroy: “Believe it or Not. It is actually
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different to a K200. Lower floor to compensate for the Lower Roof.” Michael Pepper: “Not hard to design a flat nose truck, not sure it looks any different from the previous model.” Hank Stanford: “Like when the k200 came out everyone hated it until all the lights and bling are put on it. I dare say this it will be the same this time.” To view the video clips shot by Buckland, visit bigrigs.com.au and search for K220.
Ex-truckie Brad Buckland filmed the new Kenworth cabover as it left a servo in Shepparton, Victoria.
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Mobile café at popular truck rest stop told to pack up
BY DANIELLE GULLACI
TRANSPORT for NSW (TfNSW) has told the owner of a popular roadside café that serves hundreds of truckies a day along the Pacific Motorway, helping drivers take a break and manage fatigue, that he’ll no longer be allowed to operate during his busiest periods. Daniel Latimore, 29, runs his Carnralla Cafe “On Tour” vans near four rest stops on the M1 between Sydney and Taree. Each site averages about 400 customers a day, with 85-90 per cent being truck drivers – particularly those running interstate from Queensland, Victoria and WA. A chef/pastry chef by trade, Latimore opened his first mobile café when the pandemic started in 2020. He had been working as a restaurant manager
for a busy venue, but lost his job when Covid hit. “Within eight months of launching the first mobile café at Browns Flat, it went up to four. The business grew quickly, it was phenomenal. Because the transport industry didn’t stop during the pandemic, we were there every day,” Latimore said. “After launching that first café, it got discovered by heaps of truckies and they were infectious in their passion of needing that service on the road to help manage fatigue and it just grew from there.” But on February 27, something changed. Without any prior notification, Latimore received a letter from TfNSW with a new permit stating that he could no longer operate alongside the Driver Reviver program at Browns Flat. Effectively this would force him to close the café during his
Latimore is being told he’ll have to close his mobile cafés during his busiest periods of the year.
Reader reaction
David Homburg: “I stopped at a Driver Reviver site when they first appeared and was told bluntly that there’s a Roadhouse down the road for Truck drivers. This is only for the general public. Truck drivers can get their own coffees at Roadhouses not here. Never ever been to another one, even when I’m in my car!”
Brad ODonnell: “It’s bad enough that the roadhouses have crap they call food like MacDonalds and kfc, now they want to screw over another small business.” John Mulder: “Let him stay, friendly service, great food and coffee and yet in my 10 years driving I’ve only ever seen a driver reviver
Daniel Latimore has received a great deal of industry support since his story was recently shared on A Current Affair.
busiest periods of the year – including the recent Easter long weekend, from Good Friday to Easter Monday. But Latimore stood his ground and continued to operate throughout the busy Easter period. “We operated right through the Easter long weekend and they didn’t even open Driver Reviver on the Friday or the Monday. I’ll just keep on opening up because I can’t afford not to,” he said. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, Latimore’s attempts have so far gotten nowhere. “We operate alongside Driver Reviver at all of our sites and
it’s only been this season that it’s become an issue,” he said. “This is going to result in us not being able to operate at Browns Flat at all. Our sites north of Sydney break even. They don’t make me a hell of a lot of money – I need to work off the grid, run generators, have fuel costs and wages. If we were forced to pack during the only peak periods of the year, it could force me to move the business into another state.” Latimore adds that the feedback he gets from truckies is that Driver Reviver is notoriously unreliable and inconsistent – and they’re rarely actually there.
site opened maybe 5 times, this fella is there rain, hail and shine.”
Peter Haack: “What stupidity, never seen a driver reviver open yet and even if they were most would rather a real coffee over instant crap.”
Leon Johnson: “That would be understandable if Transport for NSW provided a better alternative…but all they provide is disappointment… Chin up fella I’ll keep getting my coffee from you when you’re open.”
Matthew Canty: “So all the fatigue management gurus tell us to eat healthier and take regular breaks then turn around and do this to a guy who is
The Driver Reviver at Browns Flat is run by volunteers from the local Lions Club of Bulahdelah, offering free cups of coffee to long haul drivers. But Latimore says his cafés are offering a completely different service to that of Driver Reviver. “We’re not out there providing a cuppa and a biscuit, we provide meals and hot food for interstate drivers. I wouldn’t even consider our operation to be similar to Driver Reviver. We have truckies that rely on us being there. “We’re actually on the other side of the highway from Driver Reviver too. They are next to the toilet block and truck
trying to make a living and provide a service.” Roz Nanna Turner: “You won’t get a decent coffee out of Driver Revivers, it’s worse than drinking week old dish water.” Shelley Mitchell: “Transport for NSW really really need to step down from their well funded, cosy,
parking, we’re about 800 metres away. You can’t even see us from that truck parking bay. We are literally set up and situated where we are for the truck drivers. It’s phenomenal that they’re carrying on about it. “Truckies absolutely love having us there, we get them supporting us up and down the freeway. I’ve gone round and round in circles with Transport for NSW for two months and have gotten nowhere.” And now the saga has put Latimore’s business at a standstill. “I can’t employ more staff, I can’t grow and add more vans because I don’t know how to proceed with it all because no one will give me an answer.” Big Rigs approached Transport for NSW for comment. “Transport for NSW aims to reduce fatigue-related crashes by developing a network of well-placed rest areas across the state,” a spokesperson said. “In support of this road safety objective, local councils, with concurrence from Transport, may approve the operation of mobile traders such as food and drink vendors in rest areas as a way of encouraging drivers to break up their journey and rest. “Driver Reviver is a long-standing arrangement organised and staffed by charity volunteers that also encourages road users to take rest breaks. Transport for NSW encourages and supports Driver Reviver as a priority at rest area sites.”
ivory tower and just once see how the job is done. Did driver reviver complain? Or is it some over paid bureaucrat with OH&S after their name minus common sense?” Mark Lang: “The only time I’ve seen a Driver Reviver open, I stopped and was told ‘this isn’t for truckies, only the general public’.”
8 OPINION
Decision time for truckies
EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM
IS it time for a change? Or are we better off with the devil we know? Every three years this is the debate we have with ourselves before polling day. Of course, you can always just throw your hands up and say, ‘What does it matter, we’ll get screwed over, regardless of who’s in power after May 21’. It’s easy to be cynical when we’ve seen so many pre-election pledges crash and burn. If you’re still on the fence, maybe now’s a time to ask yourself, ‘What has the current government done for me?’ I’m struggling to see many direct truckie benefits. We’ve had tax breaks, yes, and some roading infrastructure, granted, but I’m talking trucking-specific investments, or initiatives. What were they thinking when they cut the fuel excise in the budget? Not of the truckies. FTCs for the next six months were wiped out in the process.
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
HOT WEB TOPICS Driver licensing system AS the industry continues to call for more action when it comes to driver licensing and training issues, Big Rigs readers have also weighed in. On Facebook, Niell Graham wrote: “Stop being able to go from HR to MC, I think you should have to do a minimum of 3 years in a HC. Learn to pull one trailer before you pull two.” “Working as a trainer or a testing officer is a crap job with rubbish pay. No respect for decisions made and you would get paid better as an employed driver. There needs to be some big changes before anything
improves!” commented Paul Sutton. Adam Black added, “Seems to be the same topic was raised 20 years ago, and guess what happened. Nothing!” Tony Stephens said: “There are good training schools and bad ones just like there are good drivers and bad drivers and good transport companies and bad ones. The industry on a whole has some major problems that need to be fixed. If you see trainers doing the wrong thing you should report them. I hear some horror stories from students that have been with some schools but
they won’t report them because they fear they might not get their licence.” Allan Hooper wrote: “An instructor, especially an MC instructor who will pass a candidate must complete several years in the trade. I had this whilst l was instructing, a couple of instructors who had done very limited time behind the wheel. Yes, it requires overhauling and the sooner, the better for all of us.” While Craig Williams added, “Make us older drivers worth something before our 30, 40 or 50 years’ experience is gone from the industry.”
‘A Bureaucratic Monster’
Cotter says the list of nonsense revenue raising which impacts directly on the driver is almost endless.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO READER CORNER? EMAIL US AT EDITOR@BIGRIGS.COM.AU
A RECENT column by author and small business expert Graham Cotter spoke about the ‘Bureaucratic Monster’ that has been created in efforts to make the industry safer. On the Big Rigs Facebook page, Sue Miller said this was “Absolutely driving drivers out of the industry. Too much BS, as is with life in general these days.” “Petty fines, not safety or fatigue related. But Bureaucratic crap is nothing. Half the roads aren’t truck worthy and the fact that there are so many ILL prepared drivers having MC licences with no experience,” commented Neil Haywood.
Many in the industry agree that licensing laws are due for a review and those doing the licence testing need to be better trained.
Peter Peters suggested, “How about we really get serious and start at the top with drug and alcohol testing for politicians, judges, magistrates, public servants, law enforcement agencies, mayors, councillors, before and after they start and finish work but that’ll never happen here or anywhere else in the world because too many people believe corruption doesn’t exist in this circle of public power.” “I just don’t understand how a logbook has ever saved a life. We never had them years ago and now we have more accidents than ever before. It’s just big brother wanting to
keep their eye on us,” wrote David Snell. “This is why companies are selling up and why drivers don’t want to be in the industry anymore,” added Adam Perkins. Nelson Mansfield wrote: “The industry is crippled because of the complexities of keeping a HV on the road, companies requesting information of contractors and they don’t even know why, let alone what they are doing… all being fuelled because of misunderstandings with the law and regulations.” “It’s driven me out. I’ve had enough after forty plus years,” added Darrell Clarke.
Only Labor and Senator Glenn Sterle will deliver $80m for new and upgraded rest areas for our truckies.
Authorised by G. Sterle, Australian Labor Party, Unit G2 & G3 150-152 Riseley Street, Booragoon WA.
www.air-weigh.com.au
10 FEATURE
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL
Labor vows to do the right thing by owner-drivers
BY JAMES GRAHAM
I’m putting my reputation on the line here, I’m not backing down on that,” said Sterle. “As an ex-truckie, it [the payment order] frightened the hell out of me because I know that once you start pitting owner-drivers against company employees, it’s a recipe for disaster. “It has to be hand-inhand, and we’re not isolating once sector of the transport industry.” Consultation is a word that comes up a lot in our interview with Sterle. It was the underlying theme of the recent Senate inquiry he chaired into a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry that garnered 128 public submissions and held 11 public hearings, and Sterle is adamant that everyone will have a seat at the table if Labor wins power. Sterle says you only have to look at Labor’s first order
EX-TRUCKIE Glenn Sterle knows full well how large the spectre of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal’s disastrous 2016 payment order still looms in many quarters of the transport industry. The way it unfairly penalised owner-drivers with a minimum pay rate is arguably the most calamitous policy call from any party in recent years, and one that many drivers may still not be willing to forgive and forget on polling day. All Sterle, the WA Labor Senator and shadow assistant minister for road safety, can say in response is that the controversial order, or anything that remotely resembles it, will never see the light of day if Labor is in power after May 21. “This time there will be industry consultation and
of business if in government, how and where to spend the $80 million it’s pledged this year to build more rest areas. He plans to form a working group of truckies to tell him where they should go and how they should be built. Sterle will also help form an independent body that will, in consultation with industry, set universal and binding standards, as per the senate committee’s recommendations, and also oversee dispute resolution. “We’re very clear on our policy around the independent body, which goes to the heart of what the remuneration tribunal was,” said Sterle. “The whole intent is not to isolate owner-drivers, but to have a hand-in-hand, independent body headed up by industry, with input by industry, to make sure we have the opportunity to not only be paid on time, but to be
THE FUTURE OF ROAD FREIGHT
4 4
FEDERAL ELECTION PRIORITIES Infrastructure Investment
Fund the Inland Freight Route in Queensland Fund key bridge upgrades to open access for high productivity vehicles
Industry Led Skills Training Fund the QTA Jobs Ready Program to support the truck driver shortage Fund training initiatives to improve the quality of new heavy vehicle drivers
Invest in a Truck-Way to the Port of Brisbane
Workplace Relations Reform Support employers with timely written Award interpretation by Fair Work Ombudsman Fund employment relations training for employers
Business and Payroll Tax Reforms Reform payroll tax and stamp duty Incentivise purchase of high productivity and zero emission heavy vehicles and technology
Generation Defining Investment for the Road Freight Industry
Senator Glenn Sterle still gets back behind the wheel every chance that he gets.
paid properly and to be paid sustainably.” Sterle believes that without this element, the industry will also be short-changed where it counts most. “This is what’s been lacking sadly over the years; there is no voice for the Australian road transport industry in Canberra,” he said. “There are certain entities that stand up for their members, and good on them, but as a united front, it’s non-existent in Canberra. That’s why they treat us so poorly. “There is so much we all agree on and we need to come together to discuss the things we agree on, but unfortunately we’ve had the government that does not want to have a collective industry representation because it’s so much easier to entertain one or two friends who come through the door, take their phone calls and do five-eighths of stuff all.” Big Rigs requested an interview with transport minister Barnaby Joyce for this issue but had not received a response by print deadline. There is a long list of other issues that Sterle is itching to sink his teeth into, from overhauling fatigue management – he’s a big fan of the WA model – to changing truck design rules to allow truckies bigger sleepers and other amenities. “This bullshit where we can have caravans with toilets and showers in them, but we can’t get an extra 200mm on a prime mover because, God help us if we have a little bit more weight supposedly over the steers. What a load of shit.
Sterle says a Labor government will consult with industry.
“We should be doing this sort of stuff.” Although supportive of bringing in new blood to the industry, he believes the Morrison government has the cart before the horse with its recent endorsement of an apprenticeship scheme for truckies. “It’s all just fairy floss,” he said. “ “Within certain enterprises, yes, the training is fantastic. “But as a one-size-fits-all, here’s a bucket of money, aren’t we wonderful, we’re going to start some apprenticeships, what a load of crap. “We should support those good employers, but we shouldn’t just say, here’s open slather, going to throw x amount of millions of dollars, then we can have a feed-
ing frenzy of RTOs out there. “At this stage I cannot put my hand on my heart and support a lot of the way licences are handed out like confetti at the moment.” Sterle also challenges truckies to name three things that the LNP has done since gaining power. He knows some will say the removal of the RSRT is worthy of celebrating, but counters with the fact there have been 3000-odd transport companies that have collapsed since 2014 under the LNP regimes. “The devil we know has done nothing for the road transport industry. Name one member of parliament in the LNP that is a champion of the transport industry, or is prepared to roll up their sleeves, do the hard
FEATURE 11
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL LABOR WILL ROLL ITS SLEEVES UP AND GET THE WORK DONE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY AND WE WILL NOT BE JUST STANDING THERE WANTING PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES WITH NO FOLLOW-UP.” GLENN STERLE
stuff and get out there and have the hard conversations; I can’t find one. “Anyone can go to a factory and sit in a Kenworth. Anyone can go and open a function. But what have you
delivered? What have you done? And that’s my frustration. “We won’t just give lip service. We are determined to implement an independent body after consultation with industry to give the opportunity to not only increase the remuneration for our drivers and owner-drivers, but also take the pressure off companies. To address the squeeze coming from the top of the supply chain, the economic employers at the top of the supply chain, the Coles, the Woolies, the Aldi’s, the BueScope Steels, the mining companies. “Labor will roll its sleeves up and get the work done in consultation with the indus-
try and we will not be just standing there wanting photo opportunities with absolutely no follow-up. We’re dinkum. “So, I would say if you want to continue down the path of watching another 3-4000 companies disappear since the 2014 financial year, continue on with the same deal. “We want to talk about change, and talk about making this better.” While we wait for a response from Joyce’s office to our request for an interview, perhaps the best guide to what the industry can expect from three more years with Scott Morrision and Barnaby Joyce at the wheel can be found in the government’s re-
sponse to the 10 recommendations made in the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report. It opens by highlighting the achievements of the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI). The NHVR-administered program has provided more than $28 million for 117 grants over six years. A further $5.6 million is committed under round 7 of the HVSI. The response also states that the Australian government is also making significant investments in road infrastructure to deliver safety and productivity gains. As at the 2021-22 budget,
the government has committed more than $25 billion over the next four years towards road projects with “direct and indirect road safety benefits”. “The Australian government believes investing in practical measures that support the industry’s safe, sustainable and efficient operation, combined with the existing effective regulatory supports, is the best way to ensure the continued viability of the road transport industry. In the last 10 years to December 2021, road crash deaths involving heavy trucks decreased by an average of 2.9 per cent per year. “Further, the number of deaths from crashes involving
Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce.
heavy trucks since the RSRT was abolished in 2016 has reduced. “This shows the Australian government’s approach is working.”
Peak body calls for truckies to lobby MPs before election
NRFA president Rod Hannifey wants truckies to put pressure on their MPs.
THE National Road Freighters Association (NRFA) is asking members to lobby their local MPs to support the recommendations in the recent Senate inquiry report into the road transport industry. NRFA president Rod Hannifey said the federal election campaign is the perfect chance for truckies to find out whether their federal MP has the industry’s best interests at heart. “With this election, we have the opportunity to say to
any candidate, are you aware of it, will you support it, and if not, I might be reconsidering who I vote for. “Because we are all so sick to death of having these inquiries with the best of intent and then having any government, of any and all persuasions sit on them and do absolutely nothing about them when we know the industry is struggling, and we know we are hard done by, and we don’t get recognised.
“Yet, here’s a bipartisan government inquiry that’s come up with these things to help us and nothing’s being done.” Hannifey said the NRFA is also sending a delegation of eight to the Trucking Australia conference on the Gold Coast from May 4-6 to lobby associations for their support of the inquiry recommendations. After more than seven months of radio silence to the inquiry into the road transport
industry, the federal government finally tabled its response earlier this month. Landing quietly amongst the noise of the federal budget announcement, the 21-page comeback to the Without Australia Stops: the development of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry report, contained few surprises for Labor supporters. The government said it does not support four of the 10 recommendations made by
the Glenn-Sterle led Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, including the setting up of an independent body to oversee pay rates and contract terms. The other six recommendations are designated a ‘noted’ status, which is government-speak for ‘we know they’re good ideas, but we won’t take any of them up in the format suggested’, a source familiar with reports of this kind tells us.
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12 FEATURE
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL
Hit the reset button on safety and productivity
THE next government must reset Australia’s approach to road safety and productivity, said David Smith, chair of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA). In a statement to launch the ATA’s 2022 federal election policy charter, Smith said the number of crashes involving trucks is falling, thanks to the work of the industry and governments. “But it won’t be acceptable until there are zero deaths and zero injuries on our roads,” Smith added. “The ATA is calling for a dramatic improvement in road safety, with an aspirational target: a 25 per cent reduction per year in crashes involving trucks, once the measures we propose get started.” The ATA’s policy charter also calls for a dramatic improvement in the industry’s productivity and the elimination of red tape. “At present, trucking businesses need to lodge 44,000 applications per year to use roads that were built to be used. It’s wasteful, costly and time consuming,” said Smith. “The Tasmanian road access system shows it is possible to reduce this pointless paperwork by 95 per cent.” Smith said a policy reset by the Australian government would get the same results nationally. “In conjunction with ambitious access rules for the National Land Freight Network, the trucking industry
Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory are widely recognised for better access.
could deliver our share of Australia’s freight in fewer trips. This would keep the cost of living down for everyone and reduce costs for our exporters,” he said. Smith slammed the government’s decision to halve fuel tax for light vehicle owners for the next six months. The effective tax reduction for trucking businesses is 4.3 cents per litre, not 22.1 cents per litre. He reiterated the fact this would cause cash flow problems for many small trucking businesses. “As our charter points out, the current model for setting truck registration charges and the road user charge on fuel is broken. We need a different
approach.” Below is an edited summary of the ATA’s proposals under two of its three key pillars – People, Viability and Future. For the full charter visit truck.net.au. PEOPLE Boosting Safety The challenges: The ATA’s target is zero deaths and zero injuries. Our roads do not meet national standards; many older trucks are still on the road. Crash investigations are poor. In 2011, 205 Australians were killed in crashes involving trucks. In 2020, the number had fallen to 170. The improvement rate
over the 10 years to December 2020 was only 2.5 per cent per year. Australia’s cities are congested, with freight bottlenecks and poor planning. Interstate and regional roads are poorly maintained. Truck rest areas are scarce and rarely meet national guidelines, and the industry’s productivity is falling. Only $17 out of every $100 spent on roads supports freight. Each year billions of dollars are spent on freight infrastructure. The industry pays for this through road charges. But the selection, delivery and funding options are invisible to the industry as customers.
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ATA response: • Set a more ambitious road safety target: a 25 per cent reduction of crashes involving trucks per year. • The Australian Government fund and operating all major freight roads. • N ational road service level standards to guide road spending, rest area improvements and safety, including by enabling the use of modern truck combinations that are safer and reduce the number of trucks on the road. • An additional 10-year, $5 billion truck roads and rest area program to bring the road network into line with the national standards.
• T he Australian Transport Safety Bureau conduct no-blame safety investigations of truck crashes where there are lessons to be learned. • A maximum of 100 km/h speed limit everywhere in Australia. • M andatory medicals for all heavy vehicle drivers against fit for purpose medical standards. • A freight infrastructure delivery champion attached to Infrastructure Australia. • F reight project selection and delivery agreed between government and industry annually. • Transport infrastructure plans which include truck rest areas, access and future investment priorities to fix network gaps. • Adoption of national road service level standards to guide road spending, including metrics on rest areas, heavy vehicle access, road safety and quality. • A national map of freight infrastructure gaps. • The Euro VI emission standard or the equivalent US/ Japanese standards for new trucks. • A purchase incentive for zero emission trucks.
VIABILITY Access The challenges: Productivity is falling. The 44,000 applications each year to use the roads for which they are intended is wasteful, costly and time consuming.
FEATURE 13
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL tion to the network assets on the vehicle’s possible routes. Operators would generally be able to use an available route without needing a permit. • Reduce the number of access permits that need to be lodged by 95 per cent by 1 July 2025. • Migrate PBS 26 pallet semitrailers and PBS truck and dogs to the prescriptive fleet, so these safe, productive configurations can be used by any operator.
Australia will need thousands of extra truck drivers by 2025, but we are already short of drivers.
In 95 per cent of cases it is completely unnecessary. The ‘permit’ system is a dinosaur, and the artificial limits on highly productive freight vehicles causes congestion and increases costs. There is complete inconsistency between states. In contrast, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory are widely recognised for better access. Those governments partner with and recognise the essential character of trucking. ATA response: • Access should be as of right, with high produc-
tivity freight vehicles enabling Australia’s freight task to be moved in fewer trips, reducing costs, emissions and fuel use. • Define vehicle access on the Australian Government funded network to include combinations up to 53.5 metres, such as A doubles and type 2 road trains. • Off the national network, manage access through an automated notice system based on the successful Tasmanian model. Operators would be able to check their access 24/7. The system would match each vehicle’s configura-
Road charges The challenges: The current model for setting truck registration charges and the road user charge on fuel is broken. Government road funding decisions are determined by the needs of car drivers. But trucking businesses are expected to pay an outsize share of the cost There is no link between road funding and increasing the industry’s productivity Truck registration charges can fluctuate wildly from year to year. Only one in seven trucking businesses can pass on both registration and fuel price changes to their customers.
ATA response: • Keep increases in truck charges close to expected CPI. • Lock truck charges in for each 3-year pricing period, so businesses can manage their cash-flows, quotes and customer expectations. • Impose controls on toll road and port access charges. • Fund roads against service level standards agreed with industry, including better access for high productivity vehicles and more truck rest areas. • Only charge the industry for road projects that are consistent with the standards, so businesses no longer pay directly for commuter projects. Recruitment and training The challenges: Australia will need thousands of extra truck drivers by 2025, but we are already short of drivers and other logistics workers. Trucking operators compete with every other industry for the same people, but are held back by poor licensing standards and an enforcement system that punishes drivers for making minor paperwork errors.
ATA response: • Trucking is a viable, long term, worthwhile career. • Better facilities to attract more women drivers. • Greater diversity, including women, First Peoples and migrants. • C ompetency-based training and ‘blended’ apprenticeships with specialist modules. • Better government funding for training initiatives. • Protecting drivers from pernicious law ‘enforcement’. • Driver to driver mentoring. • Flexible job design. FUTURE Technology The Challenges: Advances in technology are ready to make our transport system safer and more efficient. But government is blocking change. Safety and driver assistance technology is improving road safety, including advances for monitoring blind spots, advanced braking and fatigue monitoring for drivers Data can assist road agencies to improve congestion management, improving the efficiency of our road network
The ATA is calling for a zero-emission truck sales goal of 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040.
Automation can improve record keeping and lower the red tape burden for industry, including the voluntary use of electronic work diaries Trucking businesses are already using automation and telematics to improve dispatch systems and ensure businesses are running efficiently Zero emission trucks reduce emissions, improve urban air quality, reduce vehicle noise, have lower running costs and improve fuel security. ATA response: • Manage fatigue as a risk. • Adopt new technology and proven fatigue management systems. • Adopt electronic documentation and electronic notifications. • A purchase incentive for zero emission trucks. • Abolish urban curfews for zero emission trucks. • Invest in zero emission truck recharging and refueling infrastructure, with a focus on back to base depot facilities and freight routes. • Set a zero-emission truck sales goal of 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040.
14 FEATURE
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL
‘This election has left me with a major dilemma’
The industry is in desperate need of positive changes, but there doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut choice to take the wheel.
There’s also going to be $80 million on the table for rest area improvements that will become available very quickly as well.
PODCAST HOST MIKE WILLIAMS mike@ontheroadpodcast.com.au
WHAT does the future hold? I’d love to have known even 10 years ago what I know now. I’m sure I’m not the only one. What happens at the next federal election will not only affect the whole country it may well have a profound impact on trucking into the future. Wouldn’t it be nice if we
could be looking back. The choice we have to make seems like selecting the lesser of evils on a personal level. On an industry level the choices are much clearer. There are three certainties in life: death, taxation and change. We can’t do anything about the first, we can mitigate the second with good accounting and we can potentially influence change. At least we think we can. From what I’ve seen it doesn’t matter who governs. You’ve only got to consider the actual lived events and rampant stupidity over last couple of years. We’ve also seen that it
Most recently we’ve seen the AdBlue issues as well as the fuel excise and tax credit clown show.
doesn’t matter which ‘side’ has the power, they’ve each been as bad as the other. At the federal level we’ve had indecision and kneejerk mismanagement. The creation of a National Cabinet that allowed state premiers to influence federal policy and then federal inaction when states each went their own way. We’ve been pulled from pillar to post and given sometimes onerous or simply ridiculous restrictions and regulatory compliance issues to overcome. It’s gotten way too hard with some leaving the industry. I don’t think it’s too much to conclude that many of the mid-sized companies and owner drivers departing in recent months have done so partly because they can no longer see any point or potential profit in remaining in the game when the landscape can change at a moment’s notice. Months or even years of work and sacrifices stripped away as a result of the decisions made by those with little understanding and even less care for those financially affected. Looking back at the last few years of transport policy and what the current government has done and allowed to be done, to say we’ve been poorly served is an understatement. Most recently we’ve seen the AdBlue issues as well as the fuel excise and tax credit clown show. Historically they’ve managed to get rid of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and replace that with nothing. Virtually every recommendation from the recent Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee inquiry was either simply noted or denied and obviously will ultimately
IF WE WERE KILLING THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN ANY OTHER FIELD OF WORK, THERE WOULD BE A ROYAL COMMISSION AND HEADS WOULD BE ROLLING.” MIKE WILLIAMS
be ignored. The federal minister Barnaby Joyce is impossible to get on the record even if you get an interview slot! We’ve had an endless series of inept handling of our issues and short-term fixes that have done as much harm as any possible good. The cynical vote grabs and feel-good policies are not what we need. When was the last time we’ve heard all the various trucking bodies, lobby groups and individuals singing from the same hymn sheet on anything in the transport industry? We do now with the fuel fiasco and that should be a good indicator underlining the lack of thought and concern for our future. Make no mistake, if Labor is returned to power federally there will be a concerted effort to resurrect the RSRT or something very like it. I’ve spoken to Senator Glenn Sterle about this several times now. It’s no secret. He’s said out loud in almost those exact words when I asked him about it on his last visit on the podcast. I’m sure it won’t be the first priority, but it will be up there. There’s also going to be $80 million on the table for rest area improvements that will become available very quickly as well. There is to be an ad-
We have a broken licencing system and training issues that must be addressed.
visory group of actual drivers that will have input into where these funds should be best spent. The number of lives lost, and families affected as a direct result of participating in trucking, is off the scale compared to other industries. If we were killing the same number of people in any other field of work, there would be a Royal Commission and heads would be rolling. Right now, everyone looks away. They mouth the platitudes about how sad it is and go right back to business as usual. Let’s face it, it’s not the freight forwarder, dispatch supervisor, company CEO or anyone else getting their name on a plaque at Tarcutta or Gatton and trucks are easily replaced. The families are affected forever. Our industry is screaming for change. We have a broken licencing system that has been ignored for far too long. We have training issues that must be addressed. We must have sensible standards across the industry and a workable plan for the future. That’s not going to happen while we continue to bury our heads in the sand. We know what we’ve been dealing with over the last several years. So now we look to the future. I cannot begin to say how painful it is for me to admit
that I’m torn over my vote at the next election. Rewarding the poor performance of the current seat fillers rubs me the wrong way. But voting to head off on a new path that, on a personal level, sees an acceleration of change and some values I don’t particularly like is very challenging. On an industry level, for our industry at least, a change of federal government has the potential to be a much-needed improvement. That’s the dilemma. Every interest group in the transport equation has a different set of priorities, goals and some ability to shift issues in their direction. There is very definitely a hierarchy of power at the negotiating table. Unfortunately, owner-drivers and drivers are usually at the bottom. I wouldn’t dare tell anyone how to vote. I’ve come to the belief that it really doesn’t make a lot of difference which ‘side’ is in power, change is inevitable. I say that the pace of change is at issue and that our vote is our only opportunity to influence change. You can contact me via @ theoztrucker on twitter, On The Road Podcast (@otrpodcastaus) on Facebook, or go to ontheroadpodcast.com.au to leave a comment and see links to the show, or email me directly mike@ontheroadpodcast.com.au.
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Prices herein are recommended selling prices for both Privileges members and non-members, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices are a guide only and there is no obligation for Dealers to comply with these recommendations. Freight charges may apply. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that goods will be available at the time of sale. Prices and promotions are available at participating Dealers from 1 April to 31 May 2022 or while stocks last.
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16 FEATURE
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
FEDERAL ELECTION SPECIAL
QTA presents blueprint to propel industry forward The peak Queensland state body details what it sees as the main industry priorities for the next federal government. THE Queensland Trucking Association is calling for the next federal government to implement four road freight ‘pillars’ it believes are essential to industry growth. In a detailed election blueprint released earlier this month, the QTA highlights infrastructure investment, industry led-skills training, workplace relations reform and business and payroll tax reforms, as the areas that need immediate focus. “These recommendations will propel the road freight industry towards a low carbon future that is efficient, productive, and commercially competitive,” said QTA CEO Gary Mahon. “This is crucial to the prosperity and economic growth of both Queensland and Australia. Below is an edited extract from the blueprint. For more details visit qta.com.au. Pillar 1 – Infrastructure investment Inland Freight Route (IFR) There is an urgent need to establish a viable alternative to the Bruce Highway, which is known to be vulnerable to a raft of road safety, flooding, capacity and congestion issues. The IFR is an existing road network, comprising a series of highways and developmental roads that connect north-south to provide a viable alternative to the Bruce Highway. The location of these inland routes are closer to major economic supply chains for agricultural and horticultural production, and additionally the resources sector. Identified Highways that would form the IFR include: • Castlereagh Highway • Carnarvon Highway • Dawson Highway • Gregory Highway • G regory Developmental Road • Flinders Highway
The advantages of the IFR to facilitate projected growth in agriculture, resources and associated supply chains include: • An inland route for high productivity vehicles (HPV: defined as any multi-combination vehicle used for the purpose of moving freight) reducing road safety and congestion exposure on the Bruce Highway. • Current inland HPV routes could form an IFR that offers time improvements of more than 10 per cent compared to Bruce Highway from Far North Queensland to Sydney and Melbourne. • Inland HPV routes can be made more resilient to natural disasters, providing viable all-weather route options. Bridge infrastructure The QTA has assessed key links and the following 11 bridge priorities that warrant replacement/upgrades in the next five years. Rifle Creek Bridge (north of Mareeba) • S ingle lane and load limited. • Last QTMR study was undertaken out of cane season and the road to the Cape was closed. Spear Creek Bridge (north of Mareeba) • Two lanes, but not wide enough for two trucks to pass safely. • Load limited. McLeod River Bridge (north of Mareeba) • Two lanes but not wide enough for two trucks to pass safely. • L oad limited. • Prone to flooding – cuts off access to Cooktown/Cape. • No three-trailer access. Bungi Creek Bridge Roma (W.M. Ewan Bridge) • Limited for high productivity combinations. Gilbert River Bridge (between Georgetown and Croydon – Gulf Development
There is an urgent need to establish a viable alternative to the flood-prone Bruce Highway. Photo: Facebook/Ken Tang
QTA CEO Gary Mahon.
The Flinders Highway will form part of the Inland Freight Route.
Road) • Single lane. • Weight restricted, unable to run Higher Mass Limits (HML). Norman River Bridge (between Croydon and Normanton) • Narrow and weight limited (unable to run HML). Georgetown Bridge – Etheridge River Bridge • Narrow and weight limited (unable to run HML). Splinter Creek crossings (on the Monto-Mt Perry Road and Monto-Kalpowar Road) • Trucks are now required to travel to Biloela and across to Gladstone instead of direct access to the coast. • This bridge is a timber structure bridge and has been weight limited to exclude trucks.
and allow increased access for the use of HPV combinations. The investment to replace the Bremer River Bridge must be brought forward to unlock this network to meet its productive potential.
Bremer River Bridge The A-Double combination at 30 metres in length is the optimal combination carrying two 40-foot containers (four TEUs on one vehicle combination). These innovative, safe and efficient vehicle combinations cannot currently be fully utilised on this corridor forcing additional truck movements. The Bremer River Bridge restrictions on the Warrego Highway are a significant constraint on this corridor and will continue to add to costs and impede freight efficiency holding this potentially productive corridor in the State to ransom for as long as it takes to replace it. The next Australian Government must acknowledge the vital role this key corridor performs in transporting road freight between and around the southern region as part of the National Land Transport Network and the National Land Freight Network. Accordingly, commit to a further upgrade of assets across the corridor to unlock capacity
Bee Creek Peak Downs Highway • Weight limited • Main passageway into Mackay/Bowen Basin and there is no alternative around this bridge. Critical large machinery for mine deliveries that cannot be reduced to smaller articles. Grosvenor Creek and Cherwell Creek (bridge and culvert) • Council advise the bridge is out of warranty, therefore every time heavy loads over the 200t gross want to use it, a new bridge assessment is applied at the client’s/industry’s cost with concomitant delays and inefficiencies. Pillar 2 Industry-led skills training Jobs ready program The QTA urges the next Australian government to invest in our Jobs Ready Program. It is a viable job ready employment program that will ensure that the road freight industry has the capability to meet the future growth and demand of road freight movement in Queensland. There is an urgent need for appropriately trained job ready competent and skilled drivers to fill vacancies around Australia. With new heavy vehicles ranging in cost from $100,000 to $1,000,000, there is a responsibility to ensure that drivers behind the wheel of the expensive combinations are adequately trained to ensure that they can manage and control a vehicle in the correct and safe
manner and without incident. QTA proposes a pilot funded by the next Australian Government estimated at $1,500,000 to initially train 150 heavy vehicle drivers with a forward plan to allocate an additional $5 million to extend the training for 600 positions. At average cost of $10,000/ driver including all project management, training, mentored driving hours program and onboarding, this is a modest investment to achieve a guaranteed employment solution for an industry in dire need for drivers. Pillar 3 – Workplace relations reform The Australian employment relations system is confusing, and interpretation of the Modern Awards too often requires the assistance of specialist industrial relations lawyers or other industrial advocates. Where an inconsistency is not dealt with within an Award, there are limited paths that an employer, or an employee, can take to ensure the right entitlement is being provided. The primary means is through contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) either by phone or through an online enquiry. Responses will be made by officers often lack experience with the specific the Modern Award/s requiring interpretation and advice. In most cases, any advice provided will not be in writing or, where written advice is sought, may take days or weeks to arrive without any guarantee as to its accuracy. To address these issues sufficiently, the federal government should legislate that the Fair Work Ombudsman provide written advice for all matters requiring interpretation of an award or the Fair Work Act (2009) in a timely manner. In all other case written advice
should be prioritised over verbal advice. Pillar 4 – Business and payroll tax reforms To achieve any meaningful reform requires the Commonwealth to play an active role, ensuring states and territories are assisted, not penalized, for undertaking productivity enhancing reforms on payroll tax. While payroll tax is a state and territory tax, achieving reform requires inter-governmental cooperation. The Commonwealth must play an active leadership role to assist the states and territories make significant changes. As a first step, the Commonwealth should show leadership by working with the states and territories to include payroll tax reform on the national agenda by mid-2022. Initially, the Council of Federal Financial Relations should focus on reducing the administrative and compliance burden of payroll taxes on business. The longer-term goal should be to abolish payroll tax. The next Australian government should lead reform of stamp duties to incentivise the purchase of new heavy vehicles and accelerate the commercial viability of low and zero emission heavy vehicles. Stamp duties are economically inefficient. They restrict the efficient allocation of capital and labour. The next Australian Government should be strongly focussed on reducing our nation’s reliance on stamp duty as a matter of priority. Heavy vehicle taxes, including stamp duties, are taxes on capital and increase the cost of investing in high productivity freight vehicles and the new zero emissions vehicles. This in turn leads to a reduction in investment in vehicles, and a high excess burden.
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ONE PHONE NUMBER TO CONNECT WITH 59 DEALERS AUSTRALIA WIDE Prices herein are recommended selling prices for both Privileges members and non-members, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices are a guide only and there is no obligation for Dealers to comply with these recommendations. Freight charges may apply. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that goods will be available at the time of sale. Prices and promotions are available at participating Dealers from 1 April to 31 May 2022 or while stocks last.
* Calls from Australian landlines are generally free of charge whilst calls from mobile phones are typically charged based on the rate determined by the caller’s mobile service provider. Please check with your mobile service provider for call rates.
We are unfortunately experiencing shipping delays which means some products may not be in store on the advertised on-sale date. We are trying our best to limit these delays and at the time of publishing, advertised product sale dates are correct; however, they are subject to change due to factors outside our control.
18 FEATURE
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Siblings have diesel in their veins
With an eye-catching trio of Peterbilts in the fleet, this passionate brother and sister partnership is turning plenty of heads, on and off the show circuit. BY DAVID VILE “WE were both born into it we tried to do other things but here we both are!” It would appear to be a simple case of diesel running in the veins of brother and sister team Haley and Joel Leech who make up part of the Fouremile Trucking operation which is based at Newstead in central Victoria. The siblings made up part of the of the large turnout of trucks at the annual Castlemaine Truck show, which was held late in 2021, with Haley bringing along the company’s Peterbilt 379 and Joel behind the wheel of a 1998 Western Star.
With its classic American styling, the big Peterbilt stood out from the rest of the convoy as the trucks made their way to the Campbells Creek Oval from the Castlemaine town centre, with Joel giving his sister the keys to the 379 for the weekend. “I usually drive it during the week and she’s normally in our 1994 Ford Louisville so she’s working her way up to driving it more,” Joel said with a smile. The family purchased the 2006 model Peterbilt out of Queensland earlier in 2021 and it was soon put to work alongside the two other Peterbilts in the Fouremile operation.
“We weren’t really looking for another one, but this came up, and we were in the right place at the right time, and the service history was also a factor as it was one of the last Peterbilts to roll out into Australia with a Cat motor,” he said. Haley continued: “It’s done 1.95 million kilometres, up in Queensland I believe it was pulling road train fridge vans. “We haven’t done much to it since then. It had a bullbar, but we took it off and put the bumper on it to give us a bit more room to play with the overall length. Some plans are afoot to change the paint and do a few more bits and pieces to keep the Peterbilt looking sharp.
Joel and Haley Leech with the Fouremile Western Star and Peterbilt 379 on show at Campbells Creek.
Haley Leech steers the big Peterbilt as part of the Castlemaine Truck Show convoy.
“It’s a part of the fleet so they all get a bit of love. We put a bit of time and money onto our trucks,” said Joel. And the Fouremile operation could be considered diverse, with a number of brands represented across the business which was started in the late 1990s by Haley and Joel’s father Malcolm. “It depends on how you
count them. How many are on the road and how many are sitting in the shed in bits,” said Haley with a smile. “We have the three Peterbilts, two Western Stars, three Fords, a Freightliner Century Class and an International S-Line along with a couple of rigids.” As is the case with the Peterbilt and Western Star on show in Castlemaine, Caterpillar is the preferred choice of diesel power for the fleet. “You’d never find a Cummins our yard. Cats are easy to work on, we love them, and they never fail. The C-15 is just an awesome motor, and the Western Star has a 3406B,” continued Joel. Like the range of trucks in the fleet, the freight carried is diverse as are the locations trucks are sent to, with both Haley and Joel having covered a fair area of Australia over their respective time behind the wheel. “We cart a lot of stuff locally, normally do building materials and things like structural steel out of Bendigo, up through New South Wales up into Queensland with a single trailer and cart steel out of Newcastle back south which involves a lot of tarp work,” said Joel. “We have done a variety of stuff over the years such as containers and machinery haulage, we used to cart the Bushmaster trucks out
of Thales in Bendigo, so we have been part of some pretty cool stuff. “H [Haley] is pretty good. She swaps between the semis and the rigids, as we do a lot of ‘hot shot’ stuff also, say a single pallet to a mine site and so forth.” Having been to Karratha driving two-up earlier in 2021, Haley had just returned from a solo trip to Townsville prior to the show. Given that Castlemaine is literally just down the road from the Fouremile depot in Newstead the siblings were keen to both run in the convoy from Castlemaine and the following show day which was back in full swing after a couple of lean years due to Covid. “We try and get to the show when it comes around. We see all our mates getting their trucks ready for it so off we go,” Joel said. For Haley it’s also about getting a positive image of truck drivers across which she thinks has been enhanced due to the covid situation, especially to younger members of the community. “We had a young fella teed up today to come and look at the truck and he was in the passenger seat for the convoy, it helps change the way truck drivers are stereotyped. “It’s always good to see the kids smile, that makes it all worthwhile.”
Routing made easier for truckies with new mapping tool
OPERATORS now have access to easier and more accurate route planning with the release of the NHVR’s next generation route planner. Program director David Carlisle said the improved mapping tool was the next step towards the regulator delivering a nationally consistent, intelligent route planning platform for the heavy vehicle industry. The new route planner incorporates design specifically for heavy vehicle travel, which
will help operators plot more accurate heavy vehicle routes, minimise routing errors and reduce the time it takes to plan a journey, added Carlisle. “Road data can be updated on the map in near real time, meaning operators won’t need to rely on notes, modifications or drawings to their permit applications,” he said. “And the downloadable routing feature captures historic routing information for operators to use in their own spatial systems and view all ap-
proved routes on a single map. “We know accurate and consistent route planning is essential for safe and productive operations, so this is great step towards making this process easier for industry. “We’ll continue to work with operators, road managers and jurisdictions to make further improvements over the next twelve months, moving towards a single national network map that supports dynamic heavy vehicle networks.”
The new route planner incorporates design specifically for heavy vehicle travel.
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20 READER RIGS
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Reader Rigs proudly supported by
Josh Ward makes a stop at sunrise, while heading westbound at Yalata, SA.
Jim Gatt snapped this photo at Belyando Crossing, Queensland, carrying new Hawkeis for ADF Townsville.
Share your truck pics to win with Shell Rimula
SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so now there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots. Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfTheMonth, with the lucky winner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card. Keep an eye out for our regular posts on the Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper Facebook page, calling
for your best truck photos and add yours in the comments, or email them to editor@bigrigs. com.au. Don’t forget to include a brief note about the truck and where the photo was taken. We’ll feature some of the best photos in each edition of Big Rigs Newspaper, with one winner announced each month. Keep those amazing truck pics coming!
Liam Eric Sunderland heads off into the sunset as he travels through Julia Creek in Queensland.
Dean Hill shared this shot showing the new and the old at Booth Transport’s Tanunda depot in SA.
Wayne Agius shared this shot – “Loaded, shine applied and launching it north into the night,” he said.
Jake Hearn snapped this great sunset shot at the Aramac Washdown Facility.
Joe Wallie sent this shot of two Kenworths taking a Sunday stroll up the coast.
READER RIGS 21
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going
Damian Toms stopped for a quick splash of fuel and a shower at the Dubbo yard.
As the sun sets on another day, Jakob Batchelor tackles the Aussie outback, south of Alice Springs, in this triple road train.
Booth Transport driver Mark Keogh writes, “1900km of dirt a week really isn’t fun, but makes for good pictures.”
Ryan Taylor makes a quick pitstop for some breakfast and to watch the sunrise at Conroys Gap, NSW.
Filip Schubert took some time to reflect and take advantage of the wet weather in this great shot of the Kenworth T608 he drives for RobTrans.
Third generation truckie Doug Parker shared this shot and said he’s loving every minute of the job.
Johnny Rednek catches the sunrise while cruising through Richmond, Queensland.
22 EVENTS
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Crowds turn out in force – rain, hail or shine
After being drenched by around 80mm in the days leading up to the event, it did little to dampen the spirits of those making their way to the small town of Trangie for a celebration of trucks, tractors, cars and more. BY DANIELLE GULLACI LOCATED in the Orana region of NSW, Trangie has a strong history in transport and agriculture, with wheat and irrigated cotton being among the main crops to come out of the town. To celebrate its links with transport and agriculture, a committee came together to launch the inaugural Trangie Truck and Tractor Show in 2019 – and it was a huge success. The town of Trangie is home to about 800 people and that show had around 2500 people come through the gates. Due to be held every two years, the second instalment was originally slated to take place in August 2021 – but Covid restrictions put a hold on that. Instead, the event was held on Saturday April 9. Determined to see the event go ahead, organisers vowed it would go ahead rain,
Many of the vehicles on display offered a trip down memory lane.
hail or shine. “Thursday it started to rain so on Friday we had a meeting and decided cancelling wasn’t an option,” said organising committee member Rob McCutcheon. “By Saturday morning, it was still raining and we had
‘The Hillbilly Handyman’ is a blast from the past.
about 80mm by then, so we made a plan to shift a lot of the static displays to the main street rather than the showground. “We decided on the Saturday morning that we weren’t going to charge an entry fee at the gate. It wasn’t as big as 2019 but would have been between 1000-1500 which is pretty special given the weather we had. People came from the east coast, and even Victoria and Queensland. “It was just great to see so many people coming from all over to visit Trangie. Some people arrived on the Wednesday and stayed through to Monday and really supported our town. It was good for small businesses and good for the community. “At about 10am it stopped raining and stayed that way until about 3pm which was enough time for all of the main activities to go ahead, including the Show and Shine event. The tractor pull had to be cancelled though as it was too wet and couldn’t be done on the bitumen.” Trucks began to roll into
This Dubbo Towing and Salvage set-up, dubbed ‘The Hooker’ was among the trucks on display.
Central Western NSW fuel and lubricant business Inland Petroleum was the event’s major sponsor.
town, with those old and new filling up the main street and its surrounds. There were approximately 40 trucks registered for the Show and Shine awards, however many others made their way to Trangie too. Show and Shine awards winners were: • Best Restored Truck - Phil Campbell • Best Classic Truck - Larry Briggs • Best Working Truck - Bow-
ers Heavy Haulage • B est Presented Truck - Phil Campbell • Best Fleet - Magill Transport • Best Kenworth over 10 years - Jimmy Norman • Best Mack over 10 years Graeme Hoy • Overall Grand Champion/ Truck of the Show - Phil Campbell “We had a really good roll out of trucks, and a good mixture of old and new
trucks,” McCutcheon added. Other highlights of the day included the demolition derby, market stalls, kids activities and the inaugural Trangie Truck and Tractor Show Hall of Fame, where six people were inducted. The Hall of Fame aims to showcase and recognise those who have operated within the Narromine Shire and made a recognisable contribution to the transport and agricultural industries.
Despite heavy rain leading up to the show, the skies cleared for the better part of the day.
EVENTS 23
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Those inducted at the recent event were:
The late Len Hilder was among those inducted into the Hall of Fame, with his wife Jan Hilder at the event for the presentation.
Malcolm Radburn, pictured next to his plaque, celebrated his achievement together with his family.
LEN HILDER Len Hilder moved to Trangie in November 1964 after purchasing Trangie Transport, which carted stock to sales statewide. Back then, interstate trips could take days or even weeks. He owned a variety of trucks that included the original Diamond T, a new Mercedes Benz, International, Ford Louisville, a Cabover Kenworth followed by a new Aerodyne Kenworth and a Superliner Mack. In 1979 Len purchased his first road train – it was also the first road train for the Trangie area. Hilder decided to take a step back during the 1990s, managing the business from home until selling it to his daugh-
Hilder in 1964. The Radburns moved away from Trangie before being lured back in 1969 and restarted MC & HJ Radburn Carriers. For the proceeding 40 years, Radburn carted grain, sheep, cattle and cotton from local farmers for export. He also regularly spent his weekends collecting wool from farmers for the trip to the Sydney markets. He semi-retired in 2010.
ter and son in law, Terrie and Keith Milgate in 1999. Revered as a storyteller, his trucking career continued until 2009, when he was 78. Hilder passed away in July 2017 at the age of 86. MALCOLM RADBURN Born and raised in the Central West, Malcolm Radburn dedicated his career to the local transport industry. In 1954, he and his wife, Hazel started their transport business in Trangie – MC & HJ Radburn Carriers. It was the start of a transport career that would span six decades. The business eventually became known as Trangie Transport, which was sold to Len
BRIAN REES Brian Rees was one of the founding truck drivers of Narromine Carriers, eventually going out on his own with Rees Transport. His favourite truck was a
black R-model Mack which was nicknamed The Boomerang. In the early days Rees carted fuel before turning to stock, and carting everything and anything. Rees’ favourite time of year was harvest, as it meant he got to spend more time with others, catching up while sitting in the grain line waiting to be unloaded, or even enjoying a beer or two. He was sadly diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2013 and lost his battle in January 2015. Rees Transport has continued with his son Peter Rees and son in-law Ray Anning. Continued page 24
The late Brian Rees was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, with his daughter Christine and son-in-law Peter attending the presentation.
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24 EVENTS
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
The late Peter Gaffney carted everything from fuel to cotton, and his family were honoured that he was among six people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Third-generation truckie Suzanne Bone-Perry was among those honoured in the Hall of Fame.
From page 23 PETER GAFFNEY After growing up between Bourke and Hungerford, Peter Gaffney’s first job was in the Macquarie Valley, carting cotton from Bourke to Trangie. In 1986 he moved to Ellengerah station, and then in 1988 started driving for Fosters Petroleum, now known as Inland Petroleum. Gaffney purchased his first truck, a 1970 R model Mack in 1993. It’s now owned by his son David. He carted livestock, hay, wheat and cotton. In 2017 he was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away eight weeks later.
everything from hay and local tomatoes, to cattle, sheep and goats.
SUZANNE BONE-PERRY Suzanne Bone-Perry is a
third-generation truckie from Tomingley, NSW – respected across the Narromine region and beyond for her professionalism and dedication. She began her trucking career in a Petrol Dodge tabletop truck, before moving to driving a racehorse truck to Sydney racetracks. Bone-Perry later returned to working for her parents’ transport company – driving, in the workshop and on the tools. She eventually began running interstate in an F86 Volvo. She also began delivering swimming pools, driving an LTL. In 1998, Bone-Perry purchased the LTL and started out on her own, trading as S. H. Bone Transport, running
into north Queensland, carting mining gear, steel and general freight. Through her work she met John Perry, and the two eventually wed and the couple merged their businesses. They moved to Sydney, then Narromine and eventually Tomingley. The mother of two continues to drive the LTL, going to Newcastle to load steel for Darwin and during the harvest season. JEFF RYAN Jeff Ryan moved to Trangie in February 1975 and ran Jeff Ryan Transport. In the early days, he would travel through NSW, Southern Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. he carted
Though this is the first time the Trangie Truck and Tractor Show has run the Hall of
Fame awards, there are plans afoot to expand it into something much bigger. “Our first Hall of fame was to recognise people from within our shire, but the ultimate aim is for it to become a hall of fame for all of NSW. We’re trying to establish a hall of fame for the east coast,” revealed McCutcheon. “Our intention from 2019 was to build a Hall of Fame, similar to the one in Alice Springs, but one for NSW. Ultimately, we’re hoping to grow that and eventually build a museum to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the transport and agricultural industry over many years. If we can get the funding, we want to build a big enough museum to house many of the vintage trucks and tractors that the district has. It would become a focal point for visitors who come to visit the town.”
Jeff Ryan, pictured with family, was also recognised for his contribution to transport.
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EVENTS 25
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Casino confirms date for 2022 truck show
THE countdown to one of Australia’s favourite truck shows is officially on, with the announcement the 2022 North Coast Petroleum (NCP) Casino Truck Show will be held on Saturday, August 6. The NSW event is being coordinated by Richmond Valley Council, with support from the show organising committee. Celebrating its ninth year, council’s events team is busily setting the scene for what is shaping up to be the best-ever NCP Casino Truck Show. Council’s director service
delivery Angela Jones said after having to cancel in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, the events team was doing everything in its power to provide a day to be remembered. Jones said with potentially 300 trucks with chrome and alloy shined to perfection and some 40 categories to be won, including the prestigious Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show, it would be a great day for trucking families and the general public. She said exhibitors showcasing industry-related products and services would be on
display, and Aussie FMX, one of Australia’s top professional freestyle motocross teams, would be back to entertain. As well, there will be plenty of kid-friendly activities such as amusements rides and face painting. “Local trucking companies will be joined by an influx of trucks from right around Australia, all vying for more than 50 trophies for best rig,” Jones said. “Exhibitors will showcase a range of vehicles including working trucks, new trucks, customised trucks, rigid trucks,
After having to cancel in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, the 2022 Casino Truck Show is braced to be the best yet.
fleets, and vintage and restored trucks. Organising committee coordinator Darren Goodwin believes it is the perfect time for the event to return, given the feedback he has received from many drivers, companies and sponsors. Goodwin said everyone he had spoken with was excited about making this year’s show the biggest to date. He said he was confident said trucks from all over Australia would be attending and there would be cash prizes and trophies for the winners of all the categories. “We started thinking about bringing back the truck show late last year and once we made the decision we have been receiving an incredible response from across the country, which is so encouraging,” Goodwin said. “We’re also delighted to again welcome North Coast Petroleum as our naming rights sponsor, and so thankful for its support over the years.” Goodwin also thanked the Beef Week Committee for its support over the past eight years, and looked forward to working with Richmond Valley
The show was started in 2011 and has gained quite the following.
Council’s Events team to make the show one of Australia’s most popular gatherings of all things trucks Jones said the show was a grassroots event at heart, and council was looking forward to continuing to work with sponsors, volunteers and the community to host a successful event. She said council recognised events and festivals as a means to revitalise the local economy and would continue to support them to grow and prosper well into the future. “Benefits to our community from events like Primex, Beef Week and the Casino Truck Show can be extensive, particularly when the draw is from outside the region,” Jones said. “Many of our wonderful local businesses took a real hit during the lockdowns and border closures over the past two
years so to be able to start bringing our calendar of events back to life will create much-needed economic stimulus.” A full program of activities and further details on how to register will be released in the near future. The Casino show was started in 2011 by locals Darren Goodwin and the late Tiny Lollback, who both loved the industry and their hometown. The idea was borne following the demise of the Lismore Show. The inaugural show was held in the Primex grounds and remained there for three years before moving to the town centre. Once the show moved into the CBD it just blossomed. Every year there seems to be more and more trucks and the quality gets better and better. In 2019 the number hit 251 trucks, up from the 207 of 2018.
26 DRIVER PROFILES
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Truckin’ In The Tropics Trevor Franklin AFTER being an owner-operator for three decades, Trevor Franklin, 50, de-registered his trusty Ford Louisville because of the big fuel price increase and got a job working for a boss.
“The price rise was the reason and I would have been struggling to make a decent living. So I parked the Louisville in my shed even though I had spent a considerable amount on it,”
Franklin told Big Rigs. At the time, Franklin said diesel was around $2.30 per litre at most outlets in his area, which made it difficult for owner-operators to make a reasonable living.
with Alf Wilson
“We don’t know how long the war in Ukraine will go on for so fuel prices may be high for a long time so I opted to get a job,” he said. Franklin was busy tending to his trailers so
Trevor Franklin spent 30 years as an owner operator before fuel price hikes forced him to park up his Ford Louisville and find a new job.
I snapped his picture and agreed to phone him later in the day when he had a break. He said he started work recently for Mount Isa Metal Recyclers and drives a Freightliner Coronado. “I do two trips a week from Mount Isa with scrap metal for delivery to Townsville and really like this job. The company keep the maintenance up on their trucks and the boss Bob Granville is a fair and decent man,” he said. Franklin had stopped at the Lights on the Hill Roadhouse on the outskirts of Hughenden, 390km from the coast, when I spoke to him later in the day. “It is a good place to stop here,” he said. As for rest areas, Franklin thinks there are enough for trucks to stop at on their trips. “You just have to plan where you will stop. But I do think there could be another road train pad around Townsville,” he said. I asked Franklin to nominate the worst road he has travelled on recently and he mentioned that many drivers on the route he now does regularly opted for the Hughenden to Richmond
I AM ENJOYING WORKING FOR A GOOD BOSS AFTER HAVING BEEN AN OWNER-OPERATOR FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. LIFE HAS CHANGED BUT I AM SO HAPPY TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS JOB.” TREVOR FRANKLIN
section of the Flinders Highway. “I reckon the section of the Bruce Highway between Rockhampton north to Carmila is bad. I went along it recently and it is not that good,” he said. The first truck Franklin drove professionally was a single cabover MAN but before that he did learn about the industry from his dad. Life is very good presently for Franklin who lives at rural Oak Valley, just west of Townsville. “I am enjoying working for a good boss after having been an owner-operator for more than 30 years. Life has changed but I am so happy to get the opportunity to get this job,” he said.
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DRIVER PROFILES 27
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Truckin’ In The Tropics Alana Chambers
Nathan Milosevic
Alana Chambers drives a Kenworth 409 for Townsville based WWATS.
IT was a hot day when I stopped off at the Townsville Port Access Road and saw enthusiastic truckie Alana Chambers checking out her trailers. She was driving a Kenworth T409 for Townsville based company WWATS. “I have been with the company for some months and really love the job and thank them for giving me a chance,” she said. Some women are coy about
advising their age but not Chambers who answered as quick as a flash. “I am aged 42 and used to be an audio technician before this,” she said. Chambers said she gets to travel as far away as Cloncurry, Mount Isa and Boulia and hopes to be driving for a long time. She was receiving some extra training from another worker that day. Female drivers make up less
with Alf Wilson
than 1 per cent of truckies I am told so I asked Chambers if the men in the industry treat her well. “They do – just like I am one of the boys,” she said. A sports lover, Chambers said she wasn’t really into football however. “I like kick boxing,” she said. Then Chambers got into the driver’s seat and drove off, happy to get back into the air-conditioned cabin.
NATHAN Milosevic followed his father Michael to become a truck driver and is happy he did. The 39-year-old is based in Brisbane and works for Mackay’s Furniture. Big Rigs saw him delivering to Townsville recently. “I usually do either two trips a week to Rockhampton or one further up the coast to Townsville and I am really enjoying life as a truck driver,” he said. Not surprising as the Kenworth K200 he was driving had the luxury of an automatic gearbox. “I wouldn’t want to ever go back to a manual gearbox. This is the first auto I’ve had and I can say I’m converted,” he said. A driver since he was 18, the first truck Milosevic drove was a Transtar. “Dad and mum had a trucking business at Ballina and I used to love going on trips with him,” he said. The worst road Milosevic gets to travel on is the section of the Bruce Highway between Rockhampton and Mackay which includes the notorious Marlborough stretch. As for rest areas, Milosevic reckons there is enough.
Nathan Milosevic drives a Kenworth K200 for Mackay’s Furniture.
“We just have to find the ones which suit our trips,” he said. He nominated the Moorland Roadhouse in NSW as one he likes to stop at if he gets across the border down to ‘Mexico’. “It has an old style kitchen which is good,” he said. Milosevic said his surname is of Serbian descent and he proudly barracks for reigning premiers the Pen-
rith Panthers in the NRL. “I lived in Penrith for a while when I was younger,” he said. This friendly driver has two sons, aged seven and 10, but doesn’t think they will follow him to be a truckie. Milosevic also told us that the company he is employed by is great. “I work for a small company run by their family members and life couldn’t be better,” he said.
28 DRIVER PROFILES
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Truckin’ In The Outback
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY WHERE TRANSPORT DOES BUSINESS
Michele Simmons MC driver Michele Simmons, 54, came into trucking much later than many. “My truck driving career started with a job at a mine site,” she recalled. Though that initial job in the mines had nothing to do with trucks, it was a stepping-stone for the career that would follow. Simmons was born in the Northern Territory, went to school in Victoria and moved to Perth when her eldest son was just 18 months old. “I was a single mum, doing crappy jobs. Because my boys are 10 years apart – they’re now 24 and 34 and both in the Navy – I decided I needed to do a ‘man’s job’. When my boys were old enough, I wanted
to drive trucks for the mines because I wanted to be able to support myself. When I was about 40, I got a job working in a mine site kitchen and washing dishes. That was to pay for my licence. I’m fiercely independent now and never want to rely on anyone financially,” she added. And that’s exactly what Simmons did. She got her truck licence and started out driving concrete agitators. “There wasn’t a lot of money in it at the time so I got work driving agitators at Telfer Gold Mine. Then I worked at Kambalda mine, which was a nickel mine, but nickel prices dropped so the work stopped too.” Simmons soon upgraded to her MC licence and
Michele Simmons at Convoy For Kids in Townsville.
Simmons steers a road train of sulphur boxes bound for a mine site.
worked for K&S Freighters in Kewdale for seven years, then Lindsay Transport for 12 months, before it was time for a new adventure – then the pandemic struck. “When Covid hit, I was finding it hard to get work. A friend gave me a number for Qube in Queensland. I drove my car from Perth to Townsville and did the sugar season for six months. That helped me get my foot in the door.” Simmons career, and the skills she’s picked up along the way, are wide and diverse. She went on to spend
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the mine until they allowed trucks back onto the access road. There were times we were ankle deep in mud.” In mid 2021, Simmons started working for Bis Industries doing triple and quad work in the goldfields. She’s now started in a new role at the company, based in Perth and driving pocket road trains of recycled fertiliser from waste stations out to farms. “I’ve come back to Perth now so I can sleep in my own bed. With this role, I’m travelling to country towns two to three hours out of
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three months doing wharf work, then drove pocket road trains filled with liquid oxygen into gold mines. “Delivering liquid oxygen was the toughest job I’ve done. I had to wrap my head around tank pressures and fitting up with tools. It’s under pressure and -187°C. It’s used in the mines to give that extra oomph to get the gold out,” she explained. “You’d get mud maps of this mine, and one of them was three hours to do 76 kilometres because it was so corrugated. And if it rained, you’d get trapped in
Perth,” said Simmons. “I’ve been very fortunate with the work I’ve had for the past four years. I don’t want to be a boss; I just want to drive a truck and look out the window and enjoy my day. “Being a woman in a man’s world can be hard, but I’m a good operator. I just want to work with nice blokes that treat you normal, because I’ve worked with some blokes in the past that haven’t. “I’ve come from a background with no skills, so if I can do it, anyone can and I’m proud to have been able to do this on my own. “We need more women out there who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and I think I’m one of those. I like promoting women into trucks. I think it’s a good thing. Everywhere I’ve worked I’ve been the only woman.” Though her new gig is a slight change of pace from some of her previous roles, Simmons says she’s very much looking forward to the journey. “I’m actually driving a nice auto truck now, a Volvo 600hp that’s only two years old – so it’s a bit of a change from the 18-speed Roadranger. “I get my job, get into the truck with my coffee and shut the door, put my tunes on and off I go.”
DRIVER PROFILES 29
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Truckin’ In The Outback
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY WHERE TRANSPORT DOES BUSINESS
Shane Ashton
He drives a 1998 Mack Titan, doing everything from heavy haulage through to heavy recovery.
Shane Ashton moved to Kalgoorlie for his current job with Rowlspec.
NOW based in Kalgoorlie, Shane Ashton got the trucking bug early, inspired by his father Wayne Ashton, who is also a truckie. Shane, now 48, learnt to drive in his dad’s 1979 White Road Commander when he was 14 years old – and the father and son duo would travel the highways, getting up to all sorts of mischief. “Growing up, my father always took me in the truck on the school holidays and I developed a passion for these things. I left school in Year 9 and started helping him with work, he was doing interstate driving at the time,” explained Shane. “He used to make me sit on a pillow and wear his hat and sunglasses when I was driving during the day. There was one time going down the hill where I was going too quick and we got stopped by the police. Dad
was sleeping in the back. I got into a lot of trouble that day. “We used to get up to a lot of shenanigans. Back then, because I was so young and doing that sort of thing with Dad, it was so much fun for
me. I thought I was pretty cool.” Now 70 years old, Wayne was still driving road trains out of Margaret River until a couple of months ago, however he’s been side-lined as he battles cancer and focuses on his treatment and recovery. Originally from Gawler, SA, Shane was 14 when he relocated to Perth to live with his Dad. “And I’ve lived in the west ever since,” he added. Shane moved to Kalgoorlie in January last year to start work with his current employer Rowlspec, which is owned by a truck enthusiast with a passion for Macks. “They have three V8 Macks and we do everything from heavy haulage through to
He learnt to drive in his father’s 1979 White Road Commander.
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heavy recovery,” Shane said. When he first joined the business, Shane was driving a 1988 Mack Valueliner, however he more recently moved into a 1998 Mack Titan. “The Northern Goldfields is the main area I go to. We carry a lot of mining equipment around, as well as recovering a lot of broken down trucks on the Nullarbor. I normally tow a single float or a super-tilt trailer. We’ve been to Port Hedland, Karratha, the Pilbara – we pretty much go anywhere,” Shane said. Though he rates the roads
through the Nullarbor very highly, he says there are some others that are quite challenging – such as Kurnalpi-Pinjin Road, which connects Kalgoorlie-Boulder to the Tropicana Gold Mine. “You have a 280 kilometre stretch that is really good and well maintained, but it’s the first stretch of the shire road that’s the worst bit – it’s corrugated as hell! “Some days I’ve been out there in first gear, doing about 5km/h. When you’ve got a 70 tonne machine on the back, you need to look af-
ter that as well as the truck.” Though the hours are long (often 12-14 hour days), Shane says he enjoys the solitude in the cabin and the mateship out on the road. “I think the best part of the job is that you’re working on your own all day and don’t have to answer to anyone. We get to meet a lot of good people on the road too and some of them have become my closest mates. There’s some who I’ve met just while changing a tyre. Most of the mates I socialise with these days are old veterans in trucking.”
30 NEWS
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
OzHelp launches 24/7 phone support
SUICIDE prevention organisation OzHelp will now provide 24/7 phone support to workers and their families in the transport/logistics and building/construction industries through a partnership with Trauma Centre Australia. This will see Trauma Centre Australia offering afterhours phone support to OzHelp’s customers, which includes OzHelp’s 1300 number (1300 694 357), and its 1800 Health in Gear phone
line (1800 464 327). The partnership will also see the Trauma Centre Australia assist OzHelp’s customers with critical incident response and support in the workplace nationally. OzHelp’s clinical director Emily Brown said, “For workers in these high risk, hard to reach industries, often the early hours of the morning can be most critical. “As a leading suicide prevention organisation, it is
important that we can offer tailored support options with trained professionals who understand the unique challenges these workers and their families are facing at any time. “The Trauma Centre Australia have responded fantastically to meeting our needs and we are thrilled to be partnering with them.” OzHelp explains that building and construction and road transport and logistics are some of the largest male dom-
inated industries, with men making up 87.3 per cent and 97 per cent respectively. Research shows that men working in these occupations are known to have higher rates of suicide, and lower rates of seeking help, highlighting the need to have tailored support available at all hours of the day. Senior psychologist and CEO of Trauma Centre Australia, Peter Horton, has extensive experience in trauma
“For workers in these high risk, hard to reach industries, often the early hours of the morning can be most critical,” says OzHelp’s clinical director Emily Brown.
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and critical incident events with a specific understanding of the challenges facing workers in construction, road transport, and logistics. “I believe in being responsive to those in need and acting with integrity, confidentiality, and respect,” Horton said. “OzHelp’s initiative is crucial to addressing the significant gap in a vital area of the Australian workforce.” For more information about OzHelp’s workplace health checks, mental health training, or support services, visit ozhelp.org.au. Transport and logistics workers and their families can access mental health and wellbeing resources and support through OzHelp’s Health in Gear program. The program includes ac-
cess to free counselling and 24/7 phone support by calling 1800 464 327. For more information about Health in Gear’s support services, roadside health checks, self-help resources, and ‘Share The Load’ podcast, visit healthingear.com.au. OzHelp is a provider of workplace wellbeing programs specialising in mental health and suicide prevention. Accredited under the National Standards for Mental Health Services, OzHelp has been selected by the Federal Department of Health to deliver the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Strategy. Health in Gear’s 24/7 phone support is funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the federal government.
TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE
contributors@bigrigs.com.au
COLUMN 31
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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Union wins fuel costs pay rate increase EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM
TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS
james.graham@bigrigs.com.au
contributors@bigrigs.com.au
This will provide some relief to owner-drivers in terms of your cost recovery for doing the job. Orders made by the IRC came into effect on April 18. LEGAL EAGLE The TWU will be reviewing ROWAN KING Principal RK Law the Lawyer Temporary Fuel Surcharge with the courts on a monthly basis to make sure you are not going backwards. The TWU took this action in the IRC to protect small businesses in the transport industry operated by owner-drivers. It is you as transport work-
TWU NEWS
TWU NEWS RICHARDOLSEN OLSEN RICHARD TWU NSW State Secretary TWU NSW/QLD State Secretary
THE TWU has had a win in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) for an increase to the rates paid under the General Carriers Contract Determination in NSW.
Savings from the excise cut aren’t flowing into truckies’ pockets.
ers who are copping the costs of getting the job done. We know that contracts are generally not changing to meet higher fuel costs. This action contributes to the security and wellbeing of your future. In light of past performance, the TWU is not surprised that the varying levels of government and the fuel industry provided inadequate responses to the needs of your business. We know the pain, because our members are telling us that the sharp, unprecedented rise in diesel fuel costs has seen owner-drivers in the transport industry face a living financial hell. It has added to the financial pain caused by other costs that are always on the increase including Transurban toll road costs, insurance costs, maintenance costs and more. When the federal government reduced the fuel excise they neglected to mention that in the recent federal budget they had hidden the removal of the fuel tax credit scheme. This means that the fuel
MEMBERS ARE TELLING US THAT THE SHARP, UNPRECEDENTED RISE IN DIESEL FUEL COSTS HAS SEEN OWNER-DRIVERS IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY FACE A LIVING FINANCIAL HELL.” RICHARD OLSEN
excise reduction results in an almost zero benefit to any owner-drivers trying to recover their fuel costs. It’s highway robbery for owner-drivers and transport operators. Effectively, this government sat on its hands and provided no relief to your small business. Ongoing proof that the current federal government is continuing to ignore the problems in our industry. The TWU had in the past written to the Prime Minister demanding that in the absence of a tribunal to support cost recovery, the feder-
Unprecedented diesel costs are putting truckies under pressure.
al government must provide targeted support which puts money directly into the pockets of truck owner drivers on razor-thin margins. No response from the Prime Minister, and we still have had no action on the recommendations endorsed by workers and the industry that were made as a result of the widely supported Senator Sterle parliamentary inquiry
into the transport industry. Scott Morrison and his transport minister Barnaby Joyce have had a chance to do something worthwhile for owner drivers and transport operators. Instead, they have failed miserably again to act decisively to provide relief for the social, economic and contracting pressures which make transport Australia’s deadliest industry.
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FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Incoming government must address RUC fiasco VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association
AS this article goes to print, the federal election campaign will be in full swing, with politicians winging around the country making promises and commitments about what they would or wouldn’t do in government. As an impartial and independent representative group for Victorian and national freight and logistics operators, it’s not the VTA’s job to pick and choose one side or another, but to advocate to all the major parties and stakeholders on policy and regulatory settings that benefit our members and the broader transport industry. Our door is open to any elected official or candidate for frank and candid advice on issues impacting our members, and we regularly engage with
state and federal politicians on issues ranging from transport infrastructure, industrial relations, skills and training, and licencing and heavy vehicle national law reform. In recent weeks, the VTA has been especially vocal on the need to change the road user charge in view of the disproportionate application of recent changes to the fuel excise, which sees freight operators getting just 4.3 cents per litre fuel relief, compared with the 22.1 cents per litre afforded to other motorists and businesses. This fuel cost relief in federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s budget is now flowing through to the pumps, with the reduction in the fuel excise lowering the cost of petrol. While welcome news for motorists, commercial freight operators are getting none of this relief because of the government did not amend the road user charge they pay for using public roads, according to Victoria’s peak transport advocate. In a practical sense, what this means for transport companies is a cost reduction of
2,300ltrs - 10,000ltrs
just 4.3 cents per litre, after factoring in the 26.4 cents a litre road user charge and the loss of the 17.4 cents per litre Fuel Tax Credit (FTC). The impact of refusing to reduce road user charges makes a mockery of claims by the government that the cost of consumer goods would steady or come down because of its halving of the fuel excise. After wages, fuel is the second biggest direct expense for transport companies, accounting for around a third of costs. And with freight margins already wafer thin and operators facing higher labour costs because of driver shortages, the 4.3 cents per litre saving cannot be passed on. Of course, the biggest losers of this lost opportunity for reform are consumers. Prices of food, clothing, medicine and other goods will not reduce one bit, and will continue to rise as the impact of higher inflation and interest rates continue to be felt by retailers. A meaningful reduction in transport costs through genuine reform of how freight
The federal government must reinstate the FTC so that freight companies can receive the full financial benefit of the halving of the fuel excise.
companies pay road user charges may have put downward pressure on consumer prices, but regrettably the government lost this opportunity when it ignored calls for specific industry change. What we wanted in the short-term was a suspension of the road user charge for six months, in line with the temporary halving of the fuel excise, and the reinstatement of the FTC. This is the only way operators can entertain lowering transport costs, providing customers with the option of
2,000ltrs - 5,000ltrs
reducing what people pay for goods and services. With parliament prorogued and the election underway, it will be difficult for this change to be made in the short term, so our message to whichever party is elected to govern on May 21 is very simple: Immediately reinstate the FTC so that freight companies can receive the full financial benefit of the halving of the fuel excise. This is the only way that operators have any possible hope of reducing
transport costs for their customers and consumers. Absent this genuine reform, our message to consumers is clear: do not expect prices for goods to fall because transport costs are continuing to rise. The risk of freight companies going under because of higher operating costs and cash flow pressures is real, which is why they must continue to resist absorbing higher fuel and labour costs, and why consumers shouldn’t expect any relief at the stores.
100ltrs - 400ltrs
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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Election policy charter leads agenda ATA CHAIR DAVID SMITH Australian Trucking Association
IN just three short weeks, Australians will go to the polls for the federal election. Our news feeds are packed with the colour and drama of election campaigning as the parties unveil their policies. The Australian Trucking Association believes that transport policy should be at the heart of the political conversation. We are so passionate about the need to reset Australia’s transport policy that we have unveiled our 2022 election policy charter. The charter will be discussed in-depth just before the federal election at the Trucking Australia 2022 conference on May 4-6. We are calling for a dramatic improvement in road safety, with an aspirational target: a 25 per cent reduction per year in crashes involving trucks, once the measures we propose get started.
These measures are: • t he Australian Government funding and operating all major freight roads • a 10-year, $5 billion truck roads and rest area program, so truck drivers always have a safe place to stop continued full expensing for trucks and trailers to increase the use of newer and safer trucks • air crash style investigations of truck crashes where there are lessons to be learned • a maximum 100km/h speed limit for all road users everywhere in Australia. Trucks are already speed limited at 100km/h. We know that the transport industry is sick of wading through red tape. Right now, trucking businesses need to lodge 44,000 applications per year to use roads that were built to be used. It’s nonsensical and wastes our time and money. If you’re a regular driver in our major and regional freight routes, you’ll know they’re often poorly maintained. We need to build a well maintained, truly national highway network. One that is resilient to frequent natural disasters and which incentivises productivity and economic
We need to build a well maintained, truly national highway network.
growth by enabling access for high productivity freight vehicles. Building better infrastructure is not just about how much funding is going to roads, but we need to do better at prioritisation and ensuring the funding is going to national freight priorities to support our economy. The Trucking Australia 2022 conference will discuss key freight priorities for roads, including a move away from the senseless paperwork created by hard copy work diaries. The ATA has recommended
work diaries be abolished, as part of its draft Road Transport Act. The draft Act has been created to break the stalemate in the National Transport Commission’s review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) by drafting the Road Transport Act. The act would replace the current HVNL. The draft policy has a number of important proposals, including key measures to tackle fatigue management. Under the draft policy, every business operating trucks would need to address driver fatigue in its safe-
ty management system (SMS). The regulations would set out maximum work hours for non-certified businesses. Certified businesses could exceed that level with appropriate risk controls. Businesses would be required to keep records of driver work hours. They would not need to use official work diaries. Minor fatigue/work diary offences would be eliminated. Long-term fitness for duty would be handled through the licensing system. All heavy vehicle drivers would be required to have regular medicals against
fit for purpose medical standards. You can see our presentation about the draft policy on the ATA website. The conference will also cover Queensland’s inland freight route, building better rest areas, better maintenance of existing roads, and boosting productivity on national highways. The Trucking Australia 2022 conference will focus on the key issues affecting trucking industry and ensure transport policy is high on agenda when the voters head into the polling booth on May 21.
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34 SPY ON THE ROAD
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Can truckies help solve the Min Min mystery? SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON
Does the Min Min Light exist? This is an SOS call to our truckie mates, hoping they can play a part in solving a genuine mystery. Does the Min Min Light exist? The reason Spy asks is because there has been feedback to a piece in this column from a few editions back about a spooky drive at night near Nubeena in southern Tasmania. And we asked for experiences about other scary drives. Some truckies contacted Spy to claim the Min Min Light does indeed exist and is not a figment of the imagination. One lad reckons he saw a Min Min near Geraldton in WA, another alleged sighting was around Coober Pedy in SA. There was also supposed sightings near Boulia in the Queensland outback, near the remote Middleton Hotel, at Mount Surprise on the way to the Gulf of Carpentaria and outside Katherine in the NT. Now before we go any further, Spy must admit to being skeptical about the possibility of a Min Min really existing. However having said that I have spoken to and even interviewed scores of men and some women who have no doubt it is real. Some were so passionate about their opinion it would have been plain stupid to disagree. But on the flip side, Spy has also been told by truckies that the light emanates from UFO craft, chemicals which rise from the ground at night, and even more bizarre suggestions – including that the light comes from phosphorus on the bum of a kangaroo or emu. Now these true believers are mostly reluctant to have their name associated
The Middleton Hotel is nestled deep in the Queensland outback.
The Australian Truck Drivers Memorial Wall in Tarcutta, NSW.
with such opinions for fear of being labelled a loony, fruit loop or some other unsavoury name. Have you seen the Min Min light? Send us your feedback – it can be anonymous if you prefer. Just please don’t contact Spy late at night – that’s when you should be out investigating the Min Min. Memorial for Charters Towers? “There is movement at the station for the word has passed around” are wonderful and historic words included in a famous poem by poet Andrew “Banjo” Paterson. It was aptly called ‘The Man From Snowy River’. This came to mind when I heard those words being passed around amongst truckies who suggested Charters Towers in North Queensland would be an ideal location for a new truck drivers memorial. Most of the lads who were discussing it had been to the Memorial at Tarcutta, NSW, or the one behind Epping Forest Roadhouse beside Tasmania’s Midland Highway. Charters Towers is 130km from coastal Townsville and 770km inland from Mount Isa along the Flinders Highway and is a genuine road transport hub. The Towers also has inland access down south from Clermont and on to the Atherton Tablelands along the Gregory Development Road. I have been to Charters Towers hundreds of times
A Min Min Light sign at Boulia, Queensland.
in the past decade and on each occasion there has been many trucks travelling through – lots of cattle and mining trucks. The Gold City Roadhouse on the inland side of Charters Towers is one of the busiest and most popular for trucks to stop at. In my opinion it would be an ideal location for such a memorial considering the large amount of parking space to one side. Obviously if that came to fruition it would have to go through the right channels after consultation and agreement between all parties. Spy would like to hear comments from truck drivers about the suggestion.
as somebody farting in a lift,” one lad said. A well known truckie offered to “sing some songs” to pass time until the power came back on. Despite refusals from his mates, he sang anyway. Certainly no Elvis Presley but it ensured others joined him to rattle out a few songs. Some of the customers pay by card and that system was down, as was the ATM. But there was one positive. The barman could still pour beer which was appreciated. The power was cut for about an hour and I must say the antic of patrons was humourous and indeed entertaining.
Hauling Ukraine grain After a conversation with an Aussie driver who has previously driven extensively throughout Europe, I’ll give you his good and bad news – starting with what he thought was good news at the time a few years ago. He was offered a job in Ukraine hauling grain around Europe. It was a lucrative offer and one he was on the verge of accepting after having worked over there many years ago. But something told him to stay put Down Under, which turned out to be a great decision since the war erupted between Ukraine and Russia. Now this chap is certainly no poet of the Banjo Paterson kind, but came up with some words about his decision. “There would have been no gain hauling Ukraine grain. But like most of us he feels sympathy for the Ukraine nation and people.
Sign of respect Health conscious truckies would often stop off and purchase fruit from a farmer who had a roadside stall in a large country town. He had been there for decades. But the fruiterer hasn’t been there for several months and some truckies asked Spy if I knew why. I was saddened to hear that John the fruit man had passed away. Last week I drove by where he used to set up and saw that somebody had put a sign up advising the sad news, which was a lovely sign of respect.
Power frolics Old Spy was sitting in a suburban pub popular with truckies when the electricity suddenly went out. All of the lights went off and so did the poker machines, the TAB betting facilities and the air conditioning. It was like being in the dead of night – it was so dark and bloody hot to boot. “This is about as popular
Chill at Lights on the Hill Numerous truckies have praised the aptly named Lights on the Hill Roadhouse located near Hughenden in the Queensland outback. The Lights on the Hill is open 24 hours a day and is on the inland side of Hughenden across from the local cemetery. It is situated about 400km from Townsville and 500km from Mount Isa in the opposite direction. I phoned the roadhouse and spoke to chef Sajjad Khan who said that rump steaks, rissoles, pork shoulder and hamburgers were popular with truckies. “We would get between 25 and 30 trucks a day stop-
ping here and look after them,” he said. It has showers and clean toilets and is a quiet and relaxing place to stop. Some truckies told me the coffee is very good too. Roadhouse parked trucks One veteran driver with decades of experience on his CV was delighted to see trucks parked up at the BP Ballina Service Centre in NSW. Nothing unusual with that except that Ballina and nearby places had been flooded recently. Anyway he snapped a few pics which meandered their way to Spy. “It’s in a low-lying area but they did bring a lot of fill before construction so it might have escaped the flood. The Pacific Motorway and the Bruxner Highway were closed not far from here. The service centre is at the Bruxner Highway junction with the Pacific Motorway on the outskirts of Ballina,” he said. Superstition over roadkill During their travels, truckies regularly see dead animals or birds beside roads – referred to as road kill. They just hope they never collide with an animal such a giant roo or feral pig. But not many have reported having hit or even seen a dead crow or hawk along the way. These scavengers will often be seen feeding on road kill but despite being seem-
ingly slow moving always seem to fly away before getting run over, One South Oz driver doing an interstate run hit a crow and hawk as he headed along a normally quiet highway. A couple of mates told him it is bad luck to hit a black crow and this champion is very superstitious. He is just hoping that he doesn’t have any such bad luck. Darts memorial Former long time tropics truck driver Noel Ross had a darts tournament named in his honour at Townsville in early April, which was well attended. Noel passed away and had been a champion Australian Rules, Rugby league, cricketer, darts and pool player. For many years Noel drove a truck for the Townsville City Council and enjoyed a cold drink with friends at the West End Hotel on Ingham Road. Before his death, he drove a bus on Horn Island in the Torres Strait. He is a member of a big family and many were there at the tournament that ran on April 2-3 to compete and to honour his memory. Nine teams battled it out and the winning team was Fantastic Four. I spoke to a former teammate who said David Nogar from far away Coolgardie in WA was going to come over but had to withdraw.
Trucks parked at the BP Ballina Service Centre.
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CO N F E R E N C E S P O N S O R S
ASSOCI AT I ON PA RT N ERS
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40 PUZZLES PUZZLES 36 2
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11 When one imitates, one does what (6) 14 Name a French seaport known for its annual film festival since 1947 (6) 17 What is the capital of South Carolina (8) 18 Name an ancient province in Ireland (6) 19 To be rapturous, is to be what (8) DOUBLECROSS CROSSWORD 20 What are various herons occurring throughout 3 4 5 6 7 Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the world (6) the two letters in each divided square. 8 Which person stays in youth hostels (8) 21
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1 What are branches of the trachea (7) 2 What are 12 sets of kettledrums (7) 3 When one hawks, one does what (7) 13 4 Vienna is the capital of which central European 16 republic (7) 17
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GK CROSSWORD Across; 1 Pottery, 4 Conga, 7 Warp, 8 Monrovia, 10 Steve Davis, 12 Edison, 13 Slaves, 15 Clark Gable, 18 Anteater, 19 Pall, 20 Yonks, 21 Tetanus. Down: 1 Pawns, 2 Turmeric, 3 Yeoman, 4 Cardiology, 5 Nova, 6 Amadeus, 9 New Orleans, 11 Eva Braun, 12 Estuary, 14 Argent, 16 Ellis, 17 Eton.
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amir amrita aria arum atria atrium attar aura auric carat cart Across: 1 Scar, tart 5 Aces, cram curt marc maria mart raita rata rimu tarmac tiara10 Apex, 11 Emu, 12 Revel, 13 Den, 14 Idler, 16 Sister, Vessel, 21 Tones, 23 Bog, 24 Saint, 26 One, 27 Melt, 28 Week, 29 Reek. tract trait tram trauma TRAUMATIC18 trim
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TODAY: Good 13 Very Good 18 Excellent 24 R E X L I D E R V E E S S M E R
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QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Iffy 3. Forgiven 9. Partner 10. Inner 11. In the long run 14. Owl 16. Cacti 17. Eon 18. Hierarchical 21. Brute 22. Maudlin 23. Election 24. Ants. Down: 1. Imprison 2. First 4. Oar 5. Going without 6. Venture 7. Nark 8. Undercurrent 12. Occur 13. Inclines 15. Leisure 19. Colon 20. Able 22. Moo.
How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb.
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Across Cicatrice 1 5 Top cards 10 Summit 11 11 Flightless bird 12 Make merry 13 Lair 13 14 Lazy person 16 Sibling ALPHAGRAMS 18 Ship Solve the anagrams. Each solution a one-word 21 isVocal sounds anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions 23 Wet spongy ground are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution 24starts Holywith person starts with J, the six-letter solution K, and so on. 26 United 27 Dissolve EASEL 28 Period of time DIM RAY 19 20 29 Emit fumes GRANNIE Down ROASTING 2 Grottoes TRANSPOSE 3 Monkey Insert4the missing Ease a letters burdento 5x5 make ten words — five reading 6 the Yield 25 across grid and five reading A G R down.7 Come forth 8 more Heavenly Note: than onebody solution I G may be 9 possible. Weapons 15 Kitchen sideboard S A E 17 Chant R E 19 Venomous ill will 20 OldAll stringed instrument puzzles © T S S The Puzzle Company 22 S-shaped moulding 23 Archer’s weapon 5 Drink
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Down 1. Jail (8) 2. Initially (5) 4. Paddle (3) 5. Abstinence (5,7) 6. Dare (7) 7. Informant (colloq) (4) 8. Feeling, atmosphere (12) 12. Happen (5) 13. Leans (8) 15. Free time (7) 19. Punctuation mark (5) 20. Competent (4) 22. Low (3)
Across 1. Uncertain (colloq) (4) 3. Absolved (8) 9. Associate (7) 10. From inside (5) 11. Over time (2,3,4,3) 14. Night bird (3) 16. Succulent plants (5) 17. Immeasurable period of time (3) 18. Arranged by rank (12) 21. Violent person (5) 22. Tearfully sentimental (7) 23. Poll (8) 24. Colony insects (4)
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Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
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6/6 DOWN 1 Which chess pieces are most numerous? (5) 2 What bright yellow powder is used for flavouring in Asian cookery? (7) 3 In early England, what was a small landholder between gentry and labourers? (6) 4 What branch of medicine is concerned with diseases and abnormalities of the heart? (10) 55 A starWhich that suddenly brightens then gradually fades term describes a formal speech (7)is called what? (4) 6 When one comes forth, one does what (7) 6 Which film, 1984’s Best Picture Oscar winner, was 11 in What is called filmed Prague? (7) “The Scottish play” (7) 9 12 Where was Louis Armstrong born? (3,7) When one attacks another, one does what (7) 11 Which woman was married on 29 April 1945, and died 13following Whichday? term(3,5) describes a close companion (7) the 1214 What is the widening of a river where saltwater Who wrote The channel Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey ... (7) mixes with freshwater? (7) 15 Which place is set apart for young children (7) 14 In heraldry, what is the colour silver? (6) What we call people withimmigration special skills in 1616 Millions of do records from which US entry island are accessible on the particular fields (7)internet? (5) 17 Which English college was founded by Henry VI in 1440? (4)
SOLUTION
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ACROSS 1 If you are a collector of Clarice Cliff, what do you collect? (7) 4 What Latin American dance is performed by several people in single file? (5) 7 What are lengthwise threads on a loom? (4) 8 What is the capital of Liberia? (8) 10 In 1982, who made the first televised 147 break in snooker? (5,5) Across Which inventor (Thomas ____) took out more than a 3 12 Name a renowned Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, thousand patents in his lifetime? (6) HMS ... is(8) 13 What the last word of “Rule Britannia”? (6) The is Misfits in 1961 was the last 7 15 What a weasel also known asfilm (6)starring Marilyn Monroe and which other actor? (5,5) 8 18 What is the art and training of a horse in Native to Central and South America, a tamandua is what type of animal? (8) obedience, deportment, etc (8) What cloth is spread over a coffin? (4) 9 19 Which has only foot (6)long time”? (5) 20 Whatcreature is an informal wordone for “a very 10 21 What is disease knowledge study (8) What is alsoacquired known asby lockjaw? (7)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 3 Pinafore, 7 Ermine, 8 Dressage, 9 Uniped, 10 Learning, 11 Mimics, 14 Cannes, 17 Columbia, 18 Ulster, 19 Ecstatic, 20 Egrets, 21 Hosteler.
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Down: 1 Bronchi, 2 Timpani, 3 Peddles, 4 Austria, 5 Oration, 6 Emerges, 11 Macbeth, 12 Molests, 13 Comrade, 14 Chaucer, 15 Nursery, 16 Experts.
G E N E R A1 L 7 K N O 9W L E D G 11E
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CAREERS AND TRAINING 37
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022
Scania expands its driver training team
AN experienced truck driver has been appointed as Scania’s driver trainer for Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia, as well as the company’s Mining and Resources Division. Karlie Shire first appeared on Scania’s radar with her strong performance in the final of the 2016 Driver Competition. Most recently she has been driving a Scania G 500 for VISY. “I am very excited to take on this new role. For a while now I have been chatting to fellow Scania drivers at truck
stops about their trucks, and introducing many of them to features they did not know were hiding on the dash, especially with regard to monitoring their own performance,” Shire said. “I have been very focussed on my driving all of my working life and the Scania onboard driver scoring systems really helps you get along in the safest and most efficient way. “Over more than a year while driving for VISY I was running at 97 per cent or above with 30-tonne boxes on average, and was among the
She will help train drivers around Scania technology and how to get the best performance, economy and durability from their trucks.
top three or four drivers in the group of 120, in hilly and challenging terrain around Perth,” she added. Prior to working for VISY, Shire worked in general freight, with a short stint in mining sales and some road-train work on the wharf for Stevenson Logistics, where she honed her skills driving and reversing road-trains. Shire will offer Scania’s driver training services to operators and drivers of new trucks as part of Scania’s strategy to ensure they benefit from the highest uptime and most efficient total operating economy. “We don’t try to teach drivers how to drive, they already know that and many of them are extremely experienced, safe drivers,” said Shire. “The aim of our training is to help them understand how the technology included in all Scania trucks can help them get the best performance, economy and durability from their workhorses, and to reduce fatigue as much as possible. This naturally leads to improved fuel efficiency and a reduced environmental impact.” Scania ecolution manager Hamed Shoghi added, “We are
Scania first took notice of Karlie Shire after seeing her strong performance in the final of the 2016 Driver Competition.
very pleased to have Karlie join the Scania Ecolution team. “Karlie is very passionate about Scania, has a lot of real-world heavy combination driving experience and is a natural people-person. She’s able to clearly explain our technology and illustrate the benefits to drivers, which in turn will benefit both the driver and the operator. Getting the best out of the truck in a safe and efficient manner is what drives Scania Driver Training.” Shire joins Scania’s national driver training team, work-
ing alongside Peter Verbrugge and Peter Clarkson (both Melbourne based), and Peter Koutelis (NSW based). “We also have driver training contractors in other states, all of whom are available to all Scania drivers when required, not just when a new truck is purchased,” Shoghi added. Regional executive manager for Scania WA, Michael Berti, said, “Scania in Western Australia is very pleased to have a dedicated driver training resource based in Kewdale. “We have had a gap due to
Covid for the past two years in our training activities so there are many new Scania drivers we need to catch up with. Also, Scania in WA is very active in the mining industry and operators there are very focussed on uptime and ensuring their drivers get the best out of their vehicles, particularly when downtime has such huge associated costs. “A driver trainer will provide benefits which can have a multiplier effect for any business operating a fleet of trucks whatever its size.”
Fuel Driver Opportunities QLD - Pinkenba The Role Toll Group have full time permanent opportunities for experienced MC/ HC drivers and new drivers wanting to expand their career path for our Fuels Business operating in Pinkenba, Qld.
• Experience in bulk fuel is preferred, but all training will be provided • Basic Fatigue Management accreditation preferred • Experienced MC and HC Drivers
Benefits: • Permanent Full Time Opportunity • Great hourly Rates and allowances • Career advancement and training opportunities • Safety Obsessed Culture • Modern Fleet with replacement programs • Varying Rosters to provide a work/ life balance • 5 Weeks A/L
Working at Toll At Toll Fuels we are proud to be a leading logistics provider of bulk liquid, you name it we do it from Metro service stations, Jet and Avgas to Mine site distribution with local and linehaul options.
Skills & Experience • Current MC/HC driver’s license • Current Dangerous Goods (DG) license preferred
If you are interested in any of these roles, please contact John Markham via email at john.markham @tollgroup.com or phone 0402 965 715 to discuss further.
INDUSTRY LEADING RATES OF PAY & SUPERANUATION OF 15% ROSTERS THAT PROVIDE WORK/ LIFE BALANCE IF YOU WANT TO LEARN FUEL WE’RE WILLING TO TRAIN THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Toll embraces and celebrates a variety of cultures. We continue to build a business that reflects the values of equality, built on the knowledge and understanding that everyone is welcome including the First Nations Peoples, and those of all ages, genders, and abilities. Women are actively encouraged to apply. All applicants must be entitled to work in Australia and be prepared to undergo a criminal history check, pre-employment medical and/ or drug & alcohol testing as required.
38 CAREERS AND TRAINING
FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU
Dealer principal celebrates 40-year milestone Four decades ago, Patterson Cheney Isuzu dealer principal Terry Jewson fell into truck sales almost by chance, but dedication and a willingness to learn saw him quickly climb the ranks.
BY DANIELLE GULLACI THE year was 1982 when 25-year-old Jewson, who was working as a butcher at the time, stopped by Patterson Cheney Trucks one Saturday afternoon to wait for a friend to finish work. “My mate’s father was Allan Weston, who was the used truck manager at the time. He asked me what I was doing with my life and said he thought I could sell cars,” Jewson recalled. “We looked in the paper and there was a job going at Toyota Commercial. I started there as a cadet in April 1982. Patterson Cheney purchased that business in July the same year. “I came into the industry when there weren’t a lot of young people going into
it. Everyone around me was closer to my father’s age than mine. Allan said he’d teach me everything and really took me under his wing.” Jewson, now 65, says it was a steep learning curve for him, coming from a background as a butcher to selling trucks, but his strong work ethic didn’t go unnoticed. “I was willing to say I’ll get in and learn this – so that’s what I did. I didn’t go into the business thinking that I was going to become dealer principal. I just did my job every day and the more you practice, the better you get. “I wanted to give this a go and see where it took me. I was lucky that I enjoyed what I was doing quite a lot and I got to meet different people all the time. “At the end of the day, it’s a matter of having an inter-
est in what you’re doing. I talk about this to my staff now too. You need to have that care factor and can-do attitude – that’s care in everything you do – and it’s amazing what results you can achieve through that.” Early on in his career, Jewson says the dealership was selling between 25-30 new trucks a month. It’s now at an average of 83 new trucks each month. Jewson runs the Dandenong Patterson Cheney Isuzu dealership, which employs 96 staff across sales, workshop and parts. Though at one stage he managed three dealerships and over 220 staff. Jewson started his truck sales career in used trucks, then went on to became used truck manager, then truck manager for new and used,
“I wanted to give this a go and see where it took me,” said Terry Jewson, who is celebrating his 40year work anniversary at Patterson Cheney Isuzu.
Easter Group Pty Ltd 73 Formation St, Wacol Easter Group, located in Wacol, provides time sensitive road transporting solutions to many companies throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. . We are a family owned business, operating since 1976. We currently have the following positions available:
OPERATIONS ALLOCATORS (Brisbane based only)
You will be required to work on a rotating roster including Days-Nights-Weekends Previous Operations experience preferred.
MC LOCAL & LINEHAUL DRIVERS WANTED
On offer are permanent full time and roster positions including paid leave entitlements and public holidays. Drivers will need to be available to be scheduled for work falling across the 7 days of the week. The successful Applicant will: • Hold a current MC licence (minimum two years) • Have knowledge of the HVNL and Load Restraint • Be professional • Be reliable
To apply for the Operations/Driver positions please contact Operations Manager or by emailing your resume to
WORKSHOP MECHANICS & TYRE FITTERS WANTED (Brisbane based only)
To apply for Mechanic positions please forward your resume to Workshop Manager via email to employment@kseaster.com.au
POSITIONS AVAILABLE AVAILABLE POSITIONS Wehave haveaanumber number of of driving We driving positions positions availablefor for HC HC & & MC MC LINEHAUL available LINEHAUL DRIVERS to be based at our depots DRIVERS to be based at our depots in the following areas: in the following areas: Depots: Brisbane, Sydney, Grafton, Port Macquarie and Taree Depots: Brisbane, Sydney, Grafton, Port Macquarie and Taree
Benefits include:
• Fulltime employment Benefits include: • Aboveemployment Award klm rates • Fulltime – paid weekly • Above Award klm rates • Paid Pickups – paid weekly & Drops
• Modern & well maintained fleet safe&working environment •• Drug Modern well maintained fleet • On going training • Drug safe working environment •• Uniforms On goingsupplied training
• Paid Pickups & Drops
• Uniforms supplied
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE ROSS ON 0402 014 939. IFPHONE YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE
PHONE ROSS ON 0402 014 939.
OWD-QV-5168668-TS-344
Come and work for us as we are committed to: • Training and further education • Your safety • Maintaining an impressive Fleet
OWD-QV-5168668-TS-344
(Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Based)
CAREERS AND TRAINING 39
BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 29 2022 hind me, who has been very involved too – and that’s important to have. My wife and I project-managed that entire build,” he said. “Building that Derrimut dealership has been a real career highlight, it’s something that means a lot to me, along with the autonomy that the owners of the business gave us and the faith they had in
us to get it done. Patterson Cheney is a fantastic company to work for.” Though trucks and technology have undoubtedly come a long way since Jewson first came into the industry, he says what customers are looking for is still pretty much the same. “Customers haven’t changed what they want. They want
a product that’s reliable, that doesn’t let them down, and they want ease of service. With truck models, that’s just evolution. At the end of the day, a customer focus is what it’s all about. We offer a 24-hour service facility and the reason we do that is so we can service our customers and ensure less downtime for them too.”
The Patterson Cheney Isuzu management team in 1999 included Cesar Ziccone as sales manager, Terry Jewson as dealer principal and John Jones as business manager.
before eventually securing the role of dealer principal in 1998. “It was something new and different every few years. I was able to do all these different things within the same industry and the same dealership,” he said. “David Cheney was dealer principal at the time, and I got the job when it came time for him to retire. I wasn’t aware of it at the time, but I had been getting groomed for the role of dealer principal for about three to four years. I learnt on the way through that you have to earn the right to become dealer principal,” explained Jewson.
“I had a passion to learn and understand, so all I did was to do my job. One of the things I’ve worked very hard on is to develop very strong relationships with both customers and staff. I’ve always worked on the theory that your staff work with you, not for you. “When I started I was the youngest by a long way, now I’m the old one. In the sales area, I’ve been focusing on trying to get more young people in. Out of seven retail sales people, four of them are under 40, and that’s really great to see because it can be hard to get young people interested in truck
sales. We run an in-house training program for our sales cadets. They start out in our pre-delivery area, then work in parts, then in stock control. That gives them an understanding of how the dealership works, over three to four months, before they enter the sales side of the business.” In 2006, when Patterson Cheney acquired Westar Trucks, Jewson was instrumental in helping to design and build a new dealership in Derrimut, in Melbourne’s west. “I’ve been lucky throughout my whole career as I’ve had a loyal and understanding wife right be-
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Cameron Bertalli, CEO and MD at Patterson Cheney; company secretary John Spizzirri; Terry Jewson, dealer principal at Patterson Cheney Trucks; and David Cheney, former dealer principal at Patterson Cheney Trucks.
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