Big Rigs 20 Aug, 2021 by Prime Creative Media

FRIDAY, August 20, 2021

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‘TRUCKIES DESERVE RESPECT’ WHAT’S HOLDING DRIVERS BACK AND HOW TO FIX IT: PAGES 12-16

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FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Results in from Newell Hwy compliance blitz

POLICE attached to North West Highway Patrol along with Transport NSW Heavy Vehicle Inspectors intercepted 295 trucks on the Newell Highway, Moree, this month. Operation Convoy from August 2-5 focused on compliance with fatigue management, driver impairment and compliance with vehicle standards, as well as compliance with the Public Health Order.

Over 200 offences were detected with infringement notices issued for the following: • 7 speeding • 47 fatigue breaches • 9 vehicle standards offences • 5 load breaches • 4 dimension breaches • 101 diary offences • and 22 other offences. Four charges were laid for critical fatigue breaches.

A further 15 defect notices were issued with two heavy vehicles grounded. Numerous cautions were also issued “Pleasingly, no Public Health Order offences were detected with all drivers intercepted found to be complying with the Order,” said police in a Facebook summary. Operation Convoy will continue in undisclosed locations across the state.

There were 101 infringement notices handed out for diary offences.

Huge debt contributes to Railroad Transport’s demise FOLLOWING news that Kilburn-based Railroad Transport was placed in voluntary liquidation, initial findings from liquidator Tarquin Koch reveal the company was about $13 million in debt when company directors closed up shop. One secured creditor, reportedly Westpac, was owed $4.13 million, about 210 unsecured trade creditors $7.09 million, and 100 employees $1.75 million.

“It is too early in our investigations to determine the precise reasons for insolvency, however my preliminary view is that adverse economic conditions compounded by Covid-19, along with an ongoing dispute with a major trading partner contributed to the company’s insolvency,” said the consultancy firm. The closure means around 100 staff around Australia are made redundant. Employee entitlements

Railroad Transport was placed in voluntary liquidation in July.

will be covered under the federal Fair Entitlements

Guarantee Scheme. The company’s major as-

set is an accounts receivable ledger of about $6 million, leaving a net deficiency more than $7 million. In its most recent form, Railroad was established in 1990, though its roots go back to 1957. Hopper Transport (acquired in 2019) was also a registered business name of Railroad Transport. It ceased trading upon appointment of the liquidator in July 2021.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Union sues Toll over late payments to owner-drivers

THE Transport Workers Union is suing Toll for almost $52 million in the NSW Supreme Court for allegedly breaching its contracted payment terms with owner-drivers on more than 5000 occasions during the pandemic Christmas period. The case comes as 7000 Toll employees begin voting on whether to go on strike over Toll’s proposed enterprise agreement, which the union said would destroy decent jobs at the transport operator. The union also alleges that Toll aims to bring in new workers and outside hire on up to 30 per cent less pay and conditions, threatening the jobs and earnings of the current workforce. The case, which will be heard in early September, could see Toll pay penalties of up to $10,000 for each of the 5187 late payments the union alleges it made to almost 250 owner-drivers. TWU NSW state secretary Richard Olsen said that over the last year, Toll’s treatment of truck drivers has been an “utter disgrace”. “First, workers were forced

to bear the brunt of two cyber attacks, then owner drivers endured months of late payments during the high intensity Christmas period. “At the same time, Toll was cooking up a plan to obliterate the decent jobs of its employees,” said Olsen. “Owner-drivers run small businesses – usually just one person with one truck. “They operate on wafer-thin margins, yet in good faith they agreed to extend their payment terms with Toll for six months. “Once that time was up, Toll spat in their face and refused to go back to paying them weekly as per their contracted terms. “This appalling treatment of workers while those at the top of transport supply chains reap multibillion dollar profits highlights the urgency for the Federal Government to step up and regulate Australia’s deadliest industry.” Toll recently reported a jump in revenues during the pandemic, $6.3 billion from $4.7 billion in 2020. But its transport costs also ballooned, highlighting the

The TWU is suing Toll for almost $52 million for owner-driver contract breaches. Photo: Facebook

tight margins transport companies are forced to operate under by major retailers, manufacturers and oil companies through their low-cost contracts, said the union. A Toll spokesperson told Big Rigs that the union’s court action is the latest example of the TWU trying to distract Toll and gain leverage during the current EBA negotiations. “Their claim is completely spurious and without merit and we will defend it vigor-

ously in court,” said a Toll spokesperson. “Contrary to their claims, Toll has the best EBA in the entire industry and will still have the best EBA once these negotiations are concluded. One thing we and the union do agree on – our employees deserve a pay rise.” Toll said it’s offering employees a lump-sum $750 payment, along with increases of 1.5 per cent, back-paid to July 1, 2021, and 1.75 per

cent from July 1, 2022. Of the recent allegations, Toll said the Transport Workers Union is “taking pot shots” at the company. “Instead of attacking Toll at the top of the sector, why aren’t the TWU going after the bottom of the sector to raise the standards there? That is where real change needs to take place,” the Toll spokesperson added. “We agree an increase in pay, conditions and safety

standards should be met by the rest of the industry. “However, by continuing to try and use Toll’s employees as a way to attack our competitors, the union is making Toll jobs less secure. “If they really cared about the job security of Toll employees they would do the right thing, stop playing these silly games, and agree on a fair and equitable deal for both our employees and the company.”

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4 NEWS

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Queensland and WA take rest area lead: NatRoad

ACCORDING to peak body NatRoad, Queensland and Western Australia are leading the pack when it comes to rest areas – though it’s possible not all truckies will agree. The industry association says governments across Australia should follow the lead of these two states and work collaboratively with the Commonwealth to improve roadside truck stops. NatRoad pointed to the $12.66m the feds contributed to a combined tally of $15.825 in jointly funded rest area upgrades across Queensland, while in February the WA Government announced that up to 17 rest areas would be

improved in that state at a joint cost of $14m. NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said the announcements showed the value in a joint-government approach with a focus on road safety. “We’re grateful for action to date but we want to see the pace pick up nationally and for the collaboration to extend to consistency on borders,” Clark said. “The availability of rest stops has become even more important because of freight delays involving border checks of permits and test results which aren’t consistent between jurisdictions. “We know, for example,

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz, right, checks out the site of the proposed Richmond heavy vehicle area with local mayor John Wharton.

that Transport for NSW is reviewing heavy vehicle rest stops across the state road network to inform future upgrades. “There’s been previous consultation in NSW and we still

don’t have a settled strategy, so we’d like that to translate to action, sooner rather than later.” Clark adds that in a 2018 Austroads research report about updating guidelines for

truck rest areas, a number of recommendations were identified – though few of these have been adopted by any state or territory government. “A seminal US study shows that more frequent placement of rest areas has a major, positive impact on fatigue-related accidents,” Clark said. “That study found that the incidence of commercial vehicle driver at-fault crashes involving sleepiness or fatigue increased where the nearest rest area or truck stop was 32 kilometres away.” In the recent Queensland announcement, however, it should be noted that there only two heavy vehicle-only

area upgrades made from the $15.825m pot, at Warrill View on the Cunningham Highway and Palen Creek on Mount Lindesay Highway. Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said both were regraded and sealed to improve the entry and exits. “The crew also completed minor road repairs at Warrill View,” added Saunders. A spokesperson for Scott Buchholz, Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, however, tells us there are further federal funds allocated for heavy vehicle stops on the Dajarra to Mount Isa corridor in the central west.

Deputy Prime Minister commits to Inland Freight Route ONE of Queensland’s key inland road freight routes will get a boost from further safety improvements under a package of projects now underway. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the investments in the

Gregory Development Road are funded under the Coalition’s $4.9 billion investment in the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative and stimulus funding. “This project is about ensuring our key freight roads more efficiently connect agricultural and mining regions

to transport hubs to support regional jobs and industries,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the joint-funded road works would be complemented by an additional Palaszczuk

Government investment. “In addition to the 20 per cent contribution towards the two road-widening projects, we will also upgrade a major culvert under Gregory Developmental Road at Porphyry Road,” Bailey said. “The culvert upgrade will not only improve safety, but

also flood resilience. Works on the road widening and culvert upgrade will be ongoing for about two years. “Those works will complement the $500 million in joint funding already locked in for upgrades to the Inland Freight Route between Char-

ters Towers and Mungindi on the NSW border,” said Bailey. QTA CEO Gary Mahon was pleased to hear that the Deputy PM is committed to the Bruce Highway alternative but is also keen to hear of additional commitments necessary to further develop the Inland Freight Route.

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NEWS 5

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Vaccine passport option for truckies still on agenda

SOUTH Australia trucking boss Steve Shearer isn’t giving up on his push to alleviate the onerous Covid testing regimes for interstate truckies with a vaccine passport solution. Shearer said Premier Steven Marshall has the proposal on his desk that would see truckies who have consented to both vaccine jabs tested monthly, at the most. But at deadline for this issue Shearer told Big Rigs the concept has gained “no traction” with officials. “They have no problem with government-adminis-

tered rapid tests, but they’d have to be done every day, and truckies would still need the weekly [PCR] swab,” said the executive officer of the South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA). “I said ‘why the hell would people want to do more testing?’ – it’s just not going to happen.” At the time of writing, Shearer said one of the biggest ‘wins’ so far for SARTA has been convincing the state government to reduce testing requirements for its interstate truckies from as frequently as

South Australian Road Transport boss Steve Shearer keeps pushing for less arduous testing regimes for truckies.

every three days back to seven. “When we suddenly went into lockdown and they realised they had a testing capacity problem, that was just enough to tip the balance back to us. “They keep acknowledging that trucking is a very low risk, and removalists notwithstanding, trucking is proven around the country to be very low risk – so low you can barely measure it. “And yet there is a PR problem for the government. It’s almost impossible to get the rabid people in the community to listen and understand, so they avoid the problem by having a [testing] regime in place so they can say ‘Oh no, we test them [drivers] every week’, even though they know they don’t really need to.” Shearer said the single biggest challenge for the trucking industry and its drivers around Australia is access to testing sites, both geographically and the hours in which they operate. In SA, Shearer said officials agree the industry needs more; but so far at least the limited resources are prioritised elsewhere.

A vaccine passport for interstate truckies would see testing regimes dramatically reduced, but so far the concept hasn’t gained any traction.

“They know that ideally we’d have 24/7 dedicated staffed sites on all our major freight routes, but they also know we’re very low risk. “That puts the drivers in a very difficult position when they’re under a requirement to comply, but they can’t.” Because of the lack of testing facilities for drivers, Shearer said it makes sense to also have vaccine available at those sites. “You would be optimising the limited opportunities that you’ve got, but they might say they don’t have the resources.” Meanwhile, Shearer is

hopeful that SA will at least follow the recent lead of Queensland and put freight workers on the priority list for vaccines. “The Premier agreed in principle, but it’s got to be looked at.” Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon welcomed the recent announcement by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that the Chief Health Officer has also added FIFO, freight and distribution centre workers to the high-risk priority group. “This is excellent news,

particularly for Queensland truck drivers who regularly travel into interstate hotspots,” said Mahon. “This will provide them and their families the assurance of vaccine protection while performing their important role of keeping the supply chain moving around Australia. “We appreciate the Queensland Government acknowledgement that freight and logistics workers needed to be included in this latest list of priority workers to receive the vaccine.”

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6 NEWS

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies reluctant to roll up their sleeves for vaccine

THE Prime Minister and state premiers may want 80 per cent of us vaccinated before the year is out, but they have their work cut out getting truckies on board, judging by Big Rigs’ recent Facebook poll. More than 1200 of you responded to the question of whether you were ready to roll up the sleeve, but just 43 per cent replied with a yes. It was a similar story with a recent survey by the Transport Workers’ Union, which revealed one in two transport workers in Australia haven’t been vaccinated against Covid. Over 1200 truckies, bus drivers, couriers, distribution workers and rideshare drivers took part. It found that of those surveyed, 14 per cent were fully vaccinated and 32 per cent had received one jab. Of these figures, only 2 per cent were assisted by their employer to get their vaccination. More than half of all survey respondents had not received their first vaccination. Of the truck drivers that took part in the survey, almost two thirds were unvaccinated, with half of them working in Covid hot spots. It also found that 90 per cent of truckies who re-

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said transport workers should have been prioritised for vaccines from day one.

sponded have not been offered paid vaccination leave by their employers, making organising a vaccination appointment even more difficult. The problem the current situation is having on fatigue

A Big Rigs poll revealed that just 43 per cent were on board.

was also highlighted in the survey. Over half of interstate truck drivers reported difficulties finding open truck stops to rest, get a hot meal or have a shower. Around one third report-

ed being told to self-isolate in their truck, while almost half said they’ve had to spend hours queueing for covid tests. Confusing border pass information, testing requirements and exposure sites at

Our study found 57 per cent of readers were against the jab.

truck and bus depots have also meant many transport workers have lost out on work. “We’re constantly reminded the virus doesn’t move on its own, but transport workers are perhaps at the greatest risk of contracting and transmitting the virus. These workers should have been prioritised and supported to get vaccinated from day one of the rollout,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine. “Transport workers are severely under the pump. They have met unprecedented demand over the last 18 months because they understand our communities rely on them. Wealthy retailers, manufactures and oil companies at the top of supply chains have raked in the

profits by loading transport workers up with work, but have washed their hands of responsibility to ensure the workers they rely on can do their jobs safely. “No worker should have to choose between putting food on the table and getting vaccinated. If we’re going to beat this virus, we need a national plan to prioritise essential transport workers and provide paid vaccination leave.” The Australian Trucking Association said it strongly supports ensuring Covid vaccinations are available and accessible to the trucking industry and its workers. “Thanks to the strong advocacy of the Queensland Trucking Association, an ATA member association, the Queensland Government has just announced that freight and distribution centre workers will now be added to the 1B priority list for Covid vaccinations in Queensland,” a spokesperson said. “We also urge governments to ensure that border and testing requirements are consistent and proportionate. ATA member associations continue to urge state and territory governments to take actions which recognise the essential nature of the trucking industry, including the use of rapid antigen testing.” At deadline for this issue there were no reports of transport companies following the lead of fruit and vegetable giant SPC with a ‘no-jab-no-work’ policy. A spokeswoman for Transport behemoth Toll said the company uses regular rapid antigen and PCR testing at worksites, and strongly supports their broader use as critical to ensuring regular and sustainable Covid-19 testing across all states and territories.

Reader reaction to vaccine IRIS Read: “Its bullshit I’ve had to take unpaid time off work to get the bloody shot.” Chris Pearson: “What the F is paid vaccination leave. I just got my jab’s and went back to work straight away no need to have time off work for it.” Chris Hill: “I just asked and was told “it’s not our problem, bill the government” it’s now coming out of my holiday pay. I asked if I could use sick leave but apparently not.” John Steuart: “Why vaccinate when nothing changes you still can’t do anything.” Sean O’Brien: “I can’t get in to Vaccinate for another 6wks. I live on the Vic/NSW border.” Connie Foster: “We are waiting for vac. we have none

in our town ads Gov. Recalled them all for Sydney.” Ian Allert: “Most companies can’t even pay the award so I can’t see paid vaccination leave being mainstream any time soon.” Marissa Strøm-Bennie: “It seems that transport workers are only considered essential workers when it suits ……apparently not when it comes to being vaccinated - why aren’t transport workers a priority for the vaccine??” Ivan Lang: “We should be paid also the time that we are testing since it’s mandatory three days.” Greg King: “Waited 60 days to get vacation and got told last week it was getting diverted from regional areas to

Sydney. Guess I’ll be waiting another 60-90 days.” Andrew Williamson: “Yeah right, they steal wages from us so they aren’t going to pay for anything, probably dock people for being late after waiting for a covid test instead.” Glenn Piper: “I’ll get the jab just in the hope that we’d be able to use the fucking toilets on customers sites again.” Jared Scull: “I’ve had mine already. Happy to know that when I catch it it won’t be as bad. Breath easy.” Mick Wilson: “I travelled in the 70s, I got stuck with every motherfucking thing know to man, smallpox, typhoid, cholera, diphtheria, to name a few, don’t tell me

medtech in the 70s was/is better than 2021, I got 1st shot a week ago, mild sore arm and slight headache, a bit like tetanus, oh there’s another one, what about polio, mumps, and the 20 flu shots I’ve had, etc, etc.” Sandy Joy: “NOT if I am forced to have the Astrazeneca shot. I want my choice not what I am told to have, Morriscum you are a failure time and time again.” Niell Graham: “Those that are saying no why? I have had the jab I also had all the jabs when I was a kid, and I’m well today.” James Woods: “Already have been fully vaccinated with A/Z with NO side affects either jab.”

Many truckies say they can’t afford the time off work to get vaccinated.

NEWS 7

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Rapid response teams answer NSW freight SOS

BY JAMES GRAHAM

ONE of Brian Zammitt’s favourite quotes is JFK’s famous line: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’. That explains why when transport companies suddenly found themselves headquartered in Covid hotspots in southwest Sydney, Zammitt was quick to deploy the hygiene management division of his company BAMS (Building and Maintenance Supplies) to save the day. The busy Direct Freight Express in Warwick Farm was the first to enlist the services of Zammitt’s mobile rapid response team – the first of its kind in Sydney – with an onsite testing clinic for workers. The company can now get staff tested every three days, in accordance with Public Health Orders, in what Zammitt describes as a “safety bubble”. It’s been such a success that word has quickly caught on with other freight companies in the area also taking up the service. “We have shed A, B and C and can do 10 at a time,” said

The BAMS mobile testing teams are keeping the wheels turning at transport companies headquartered in Sydney hotspots.

Zammitt who organised local labs to handle the testing side of the operation. “Within five minutes they’re all back at work and they get their test results within six to 12 hours instead of three days, and they’re also not having to line up in queues with other people who are potentially infected.” CEO Lyndon Watson said the BAMS mobile testing service has been a godsend for his Sydney staff at Don Watson Transport at Wetherill Park. “It’s greatly simplified the requirement to meet the pretty onerous testing regime, not

just for our own business, but for our many neighbours and trading partners,” said Watson. The mobile team is able test between 50 to 80 people on site, three times a week, added Watson. “The lucky dip nature of testing at highway sites due to capacity issues can easily put a person outside of their requirements, whereas onsite access to BAMS makes it at least somewhat possible.” Zammitt, whose company boasts the biggest hazmat crew in NSW, was also the first to get the call when Hanson Concrete in Sydney was declared an

exposure site last month. Within 24 hours the BAMS team had cleaned the site and decontaminated the entire 40-strong fleet of concrete trucks. Zammitt says he is able to help the transport industry so quickly and keep the wheels turning because he saw this coming more than a year ago. All he then needed to do was co-ordinate the “girls and guys in blue gowns” and marry up the clients, his field support and medicos.

“We’ve basically spread the wings of an eagle that was already flying around flapping its wings but going around in circles,” added Zammitt who also now helps coordinate on-site vaccinations for the industry. “We just don’t take things seriously enough in Australia. We’ve got this she’ll be right attitude, and it never really hit us like the rest of the world, and it still hasn’t yet. “They don’t have a cap on it yet; they have no control on it [the Delta variant] whatsover.”

BAMS CEO Brian Zammitt was quick to scramble staff to decontaminate Hanson Concrete’s exposure site in Greenacre.

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8 OPINION

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Time to roll up the sleeves

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

OUR poll results on vaccine uptake amongst freight workers – see story on page 6 – tells me that many of you won’t like what I’m about to tell you. But by the time most of you read this I would have had my first dose of Pfizer with my next shot rapidly approaching a month later. Am I thrilled about having a vaccine that was fast-tracked through usual testing procedures coursing through the veins? What do you think? What I am totally convinced of, however, is that the only way to beat this heinous disease is to get on board. To ensure this industry does its part we need to make the vaccine process just as easy to tap into as the testing, which as I write this is sorely lacking. I heard of one driver this week who rocked up to his doctor for his first shot, only to be turned away because he’s an interstate truckie who visits three states weekly. How can we all do our bit if we don’t even have a level playing field?

HOT WEB TOPICS

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

Newell compliance blitz Go-getting truckie

READERS weren’t shy in letting us know what they thought of a reecnt compliance blitz on the Newell Highway near Moree. Tones Truckin Stories wrote, “Until these two statistics are consistently broken down to individual charges in each ‘Operation’, there will always be a ? over whether there are legitimate fatigue issues on our roads or whether it’s simply trivial fines being dished out.” Russ Cook agreed, “A simple error in a log book, and your day’s pay is gone, it’s just blatant thuggery.” “But yet the clowns in the public service that come up with these rules and policies work through their lunch breaks. What’s the go with that??” added Steve Jones. While Roz Nanna Turner wrote, “Over 1000 trucks travel the Newell Hwy EVERY DAY of the week & they only pulled in 295 in 3 days – that equates to less than 100 a day – makes you wonder what they were doing for the rest of the time considering how many of them were there ???” And Bruce Buffy Castle kept it short and sharp, “All in the name of revenue.”

TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Katherine Glover applied for 200 jobs in six months before someone gave her a chance, but now there’s no holding back the creator of the Young Aussie Truckies Facebook support group. Many readers congratulated her on her efforts and shared some words of encouragement. “With an attitude like that she will go a long way. Well done,” wrote Chris Howard on our Facebook page. “Good on u to persevere. Never listen to a doubter. Show your worth,” added Ange Simmons. “You go Girl. Good luck! Fantastic for persisting... Always follow your dream… Good for Sawtell & Sons Pty Ltd employing you,” commented Sue Pearson. “Good owners of good companies will give you a start, Sawtells are a great mob to work for,” wrote Rod Taupaki. Douglas Holman agreed, “A bloody great company to work for as well, would have to be one of the best bosses I’ve had the pleasure of driving for.”

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What driver shortage? IN our last edition of Big Rigs, we spoke with CEO of the Western Roads Federation Cam Dumesny about the current driver shortage. WA’s peak trucking body called on the feds for help and was asked for proof that there was an actual shortage. On our Facebook page, many commented on the current struggle to find drivers to fill seats. “Shortage of drivers can only mean one thing, your not paying enough or the working conditions aren’t good enough… Maybe the industry should start training people and not expect to be handed fully trained drivers,” commented Shaun Reardon. “In what other job does your meal breaks get enforced by a police officer and 30 mins overtime gets you a court date? Wonder why no one wants to drive trucks,” wrote Ben Saint. “I’m looking for a job, problem is I’m on the eastern side of Australia and we are in lockdown, WA don’t want us atm,” added Glen Phonix. “When there’s a shortage at their local supermarket, maybe then the penny will drop,” said Oliver R Coppen.

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FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Fix access issues before tyres, says PBS consultant

BY JAMES GRAHAM

A leading consultant has refuted the regulator’s claim that a ministerial tick of approval for a broader range of tyres will help with the uptake of Perfor-

mance Based Standards (PBS) vehicles. In a statement released earlier this month, NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto reported that a recent Infrastructure Transport Ministers’ meeting had

The NHVR began extensive testing on a range of tyres used on Performance Based Standards combinations following recommendations by road safety expert Dr John de Pont.

rubber-stamped the regulator’s push to allow any brand of tyre to be used on a PBS vehicle, as long as an assessment shows the design passes the relevant standards. But a prominent PBS expert, who spoke to Big Rigs on the condition of anonymity, said there was more marketing in the announcement than any substance. “Yes, there is a lot of heat and flak about it [PBS-approved tyres] but the actual cost of the PBS assessments and getting tyres tested is nothing,” said the consultant. “To argue that is holding up PBS when someone goes and spends hundreds of thousands on vehicles, give it a rest, that’s just bullshit. “That just does not make any sense.” Our source added that the proposed changes may potentially have a financial spin-off for the smaller tyre suppliers, but the bigger ones do this sort of testing anyway. As for fleet operators, he said the bigger operators, such as Toll, Ron Finemore, Visy Logistics, and the like, already have tyre contracts in place

Growth in PBS combinations has been consistent since 2008, with 2018 and 2019 achieving around 1750 approvals for new PBS combinations.

with the major tyre brands. “So it makes no difference.” He said it’s the smaller operators who are making most noise about changes, but he believes it could be up to 12 months before this month’s announcement becomes a reality. The other big variable that is still to be answered, says our insider, is around the specs of the PBS-approved tyres in

the broader range. “There is either going to be loss of productivity, or a loss of safety outcome, but you can’t have both – there is a sliding scale between the two.” He added that the biggest thing holding up PBS uptake in Australia isn’t tyres – it’s access and getting consistency across state jurisdictions. In Victoria, for example, he

said the major flag for wouldbe PBS users is the exorbitant cost of bridge assessments, which are anywhere up to $80,000 apiece. “In Queensland the biggest hold-up is the fact it’s now the only state now enforcing a hard 30m length limit which means that it’s a very small selection of trucks that are able to run in front of A-doubles

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 for example as a result. “Whereas the other states are going ‘Yep, you can run 31, 32m as long you still meet PBS level 2 swept path’. “Those sorts of inconsistencies across states, that’s what’s causing the hold up of PBS, not tyres.” Meanwhile, NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the regulator is keen to roll out the changes to PBS tyres as soon as possible, “so industry can start to reap the benefits”. The NHVR has developed the data for different tyre sizes and will consult with customers from September about implementation arrangements, the statement added. The standardised tyre approach will use specifications based on the Michelin XZA tyre, which was used to develop the current PBS standards. “This approach will enable the PBS scheme to better support the next generation of smarter, safer and more-productive vehicles,” Petroccitto said. Acting Chairman of the Australian Tyre Industry Council Silvio de Denaro welcomed the introduction of the standardised trye approach. “Finally. For tyres, at least, this reform of the PBS system will mark the end of what had become an aberrating set of rules,” he said. “While most of our members were inconvenienced by this outdated standard, the real beneficiaries will be productivity, as well as freight operators and truck and trailer manufacturers.

“We appreciate the efforts of the NHVR in addressing this challenge and look forward to working with regulators to address other challenges.” Our source concedes that the Michelin XZA is one of the best-ever tested and a very high-performing tyre. “But the reality is, very few operators ever fit a tyre that stiff to a drive position, which means there is no way the vehicles on the road can have the same safety outcomes.” He added that the announcement also left industry

wondering how the NHVR plans to implement this process, and over what timeline. “They’re also supposed to be coming to assessors to discuss how this XZA tyre is going to be modelled. “Is it only going to be used on trailers, or is it going to be used on drives as well? “If it is used on drives, how are they going to handle the fact that it is an exceptionally high performing tyre, and not a realistic tyre choice. “There is a lot of work still to be done.”

Scania back on the podium after triple-digit July sales

Scania joined Kenworth and Volvo on the podium with another sales century. Photo: Facebook

With almost one in five new heavy vehicles approved under the PBS scheme, the NHVR said it wants to take a best-practice approach to the management of tyres on the PBS fleet.

JULY was never going to match the end-of-financial-year rush of June, but the numbers are still encouraging, especially in the heavy-duty sector. The monthly total of 3296 and year-to-date (YTD) tally of 23,216 also compares favourably with 2018’s industry yardstick of 3344 and 23,314, respectively. Amongst the big boys, Kenworth cemented it’s now unassailable 1414 YTD lead with a very respectable 211 sales, comfortably clear of second-place Volvo (880 YTD), which righted the ship somewhat with 162, a

spike of 16 on its June total. Scania joined the pair on the podium with another sales century (102/678) to take it to third spot for the month, with its numbers a huge improvement on three years ago (63/518). The tussle for the bronze is where all the action is, with Isuzu (97/727) and Mercedes-Benz (96/692) still very much in the hunt after July’s sales were tallied. In the pack, DAF and UD also finished the month on highs. UD’s 59 in July gives it YTD 288 sales, now surpassing 39/279 three years ago.

DAF, just behind UD for the month on 56 but ahead for the year on 295, is also trending upwards (30/237). In the medium-duty sector, it’s still an intriguing race at the top for the 2021 crown. Isuzu edged ahead of challenger Hino with 201 vs. 168, but the overall tallies of 1546 vs. 1417 means it’s still too close to call. Just three years earlier, Isuzu was 600 clear of Hino at the same of the year. Third-placed Fuso also sees improvement, with 107/800 taking it to exactly 100 units ahead of 2018 (100/700).

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12 COVER STORY

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

ROADHOUSE ROUNDTABLE Meet the panel

Glenn Sterle Former truckie-turned WA Labor senator, Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Chair – Senate Rural Regional Affairs & Transport References Committee.

Mike Williams Veteran WA-based driver, Big Rigs columnist and host of popular industry podcast On the Road.

Cam Dumesny CEO of the Western Roads Federation and leading state advocate for changes to industry licensing standards and trainee programs.

Time for our truckies to get more respect WITH so much of the nation now wholly dependent on the services of the road freight industry, this should be the time for truckies to finally get the respect it deserves. But what are we seeing instead? Drivers made to stand in the rain at Covid testing clinics, stranded for hours at a time behind caravans and other motorists at borders and subject to increasingly invasive and demanding health order regimes. Others have been forced to quarantine, sent home from work, denied access to worksite toilets, motel accommodation and even kicked out of hospitals, all because they drive the very vehicles that keep society functioning. Something has gone horribly awry. To debate this issue further – and hopefully find some much-needed answers – we convened another Roadhouse Roundtable expert panel [see sidebar] to tackle the question of why truckies aren’t getting more respect and what can we do to fix it? Below are the edited highlights. Mike Williams: Drivers have certainly gone from essential to ‘unclean’ thanks to the mainstream media hype. I’ve said many times if we follow the motivation and often the ‘money’ we can understand decisions and why they end up the way they are. Drivers and owner drivers are the least powerful in the power pyramid but are most often the ones exposed to the direct consequences of disjointed knee jerk decision making.

Truckies were made to stand in the rain for Covid tests at Tarcutta until RFNSW campaigned successfully for makeshift shelter.

The Covid border issues and testing fiasco is a clear example of this. The public have been whipped up into a frenzy and demand the government ‘do something’ and protect us. They don’t care what it is. The companies try to fit in. The police and others at the borders have no idea and know as much as anyone else. The trucks want to get through in as little time as possible and no one thinks about how much traffic and compliance issues are going to impact. Then there are the rampedup requirements with all the ‘little hitler’ state premiers going I’m “acting quickly” and

Rod Hannifey President of the National Road Freighters Association, long-time NSW interstate truckie and passionate road-safety lobbyist.

Richard Walker Brisbane-based driver for Don Watson Transport who graduated to his MC in 2015 and has been doing interstate ever since. Drivers on the road can’t keep up with the moving goal posts.

keeping (insert state) safe. Drivers on the road can’t keep up with the moving goal posts. There is no will to streamline the operation and probably no staff to do it. There should be one pass, once weekly fast tests. And it should be done at existing heavy vehicle checking stations. Truck transit lanes at the border crossing with a pass displayed on the windscreen. Glenn Sterle: Truckies have no respect because there is not one single unified voice for the transport industry in our capital advocating for them and their interests.

There is not one national body who has been able to bring the transport industry together to concentrate on the issues which the industry agrees on and effectively lobby governments for positive outcomes. The state associations, individual member-based advocacy groups and the union rightfully do a very good job in advocating on behalf of their members and their interests. However, what is lacking is a national body to further progress those interests and issues at the Federal level. The transport industry in this nation is a silent cash cow. Governments, both state and

federal, salivate at every opportunity to fleece the industry whenever they can but where is our voice to demand the respect that our essential industry deserves!? Who is making sure that after the Government has slugged those behind the wheel at every opportunity that the Government at the end of the day is going to have the best interests of Australia’s truck drivers at heart and front of mind? Cam Dumesny: There is no respect for the transport industry from either government or businesses. And unfortunately, like shit, it flows downhill so the poor driver cops it, like the picture shows. Customers just see transport as a cost and just want to get the cost down. No respect for what’s the transport company and drivers have to do to get it there on time and in the right condition etc. And governments just give us lip service because unlike say farmers we are not all concentrated in an electorates where our vote matters. And both businesses and government love how we argue amongst ourselves whether it’s owner-drivers vs. big company, etc. And because we are so fragmented and disunited, they know they can play us off against each other. If we could ever get our act together as an industry, governments and businesses wouldn’t just respect us, they would fear us. And watch then how things change. Continued Page 14

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14 COVER STORY

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

ROADHOUSE ROUNDTABLE

Lobbying without fear or favour: proposed tribunal

Lack of discretion and experience by transport enforcement is apparent, says one panellist.

From Page 12 Rod Hannifey: I will start with a few points that others may want to comment on as a basis and perhaps, then we can look for answers. 1. I don’t think we have ever received the respect or recognition we deserve for the lives we sacrifice, ours and our families, to deliver for Australia. 2. I think the Yanks still now have more respect, but they do a lot more to earn it, yet they too have lost much of it over the last 5 to 10 years. 3. The bad few, as in all walks of life, have made it harder for the good guys, the bad guys get all the press and they are who people remember and tell their friends about. 4. The change from open trucks to tautliners has meant that people do not even see the freight anymore, at least in the past, they saw the body truck with a load of cornflakes etc, but now, it seems far too many think we all drive around empty for fun. 5. People do not understand the life of a truckie, true, even fewer care, but I must say, “The Interstater” often quoted this line and it is something I agree with. We need to change peoples idea that things all appear in the shop each morning by “Magic”. 6. The press and the way they have nearly always portrayed us as the bad guys “Truck kills etc” implying guilt by default, rather than a crash

involving a truck, has done a lot of harm and is nearly impossible to change. 7. Years ago when I had the first ATA Safety Trailer, I was at a school and quoted the “in fatal crashes between a car and a truck, the car driver is responsible over 80 per cent of the time” I was told by a teacher, she had never heard that before. 8. With all of this, we have a long and hard battle to change things. Richard Walker: I have multiple issues that need to be raised that unfortunately some many disagree with however I feel it needs to be said: • Targeting of groups in general is illegal by our constitution. • Camera detection: I have multiple issues with this as again it’s a serious breach of personal privacy. • The covid situation: In regards to mandatory covid testing I must say that it’s a very silly idea. The majority or truck drivers that run interstate (other than removalist) do not have contact with the general public and are simply depot to depot/site to site. • Over regulation: over enforcement is not only responsible for deaths/accidents in regards to the logbook but it’s also responsible for the traffic that we experience on a daily basis in our cities. People are so scared of getting a ticket that they’ll sit at 90 in 110 zones. • Lack of discretion and lack

of experience by transport and law enforcement is apparent. Truck drivers have been leaving the industry in droves since I started driving almost 20 years ago. In my opinion education is the key, not fines. You’ll find that people respond far better to positive reinforcement than negative. We need to be given some freedoms back. I personally believe that transport and police should have experience as a driver before they’re allowed to issue us tickets and fines. Is an independent tribunal the answer? Sterle: Transport associations, organisations and drivers all have a set of common principles that we agree on but sadly no one has been able to pull these together at a national level and keep these principles and issues at the front of mind of

Governments. I personally lay the blame at the feet of the Australian Trucking Association. They have had 25 years where they could have brought the industry together and been a successful advocate for all sectors of the transport industry but sadly, they have failed miserably. It is time that we see a national representative industry body that will fearlessly lobby for the road transport industry without fear or favour. Hannifey: As a closet conspiracy theorist, my view has been like I said before, the intent of the RSRT was good, but someone somewhere suddenly went “Oh shit, this will put prices up and we will have to pay more and they (us) will have some rights, we can’t let that happen” so it got highjacked and the best way to do that, like always, play us

NSW’s Matthew Jones said that truckies are treated like lepers.

against one another and didn’t that work well for them, but not us. The current race to the bottom is all well and good for the customer in the short term. The big companies can survive mostly and often, only by screwing those who subby to them. There must be three things. 1. Some form of base rate, minimum cost or earnings and that will be deemed collusion etc but needs to be in place. 2. There must be higher standards for licensing including proper training to be job ready. I know VTA and I think WA now have such schemes funded by government,

but it must be national. 3. (And maybe Glenn will come up with this) a list of maximum 6 problems and solutions, that will make the job safer and better, but to get the industry at large to agree with someone and stand behind them, that is the thing that will stop it happening I fear. Williams: Once upon a time I would have said no. And screamed the house down. (I did last time). Now it’s become obvious to me that the idea has some merit. It wasn’t the RSRT that was the problem. It was the vile second order. Continued Page 16

This BP in Epping was happy to take interstate truckies’ money but wasn’t so fussed about policing its long-term parking policies.

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16 COVER STORY

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

ROADHOUSE ROUNDTABLE

Let’s talk driver licensing From Page 14 Hannifey: I think it is too easy for some to get any license, car, truck or above. I complained years ago that we were then teaching car drivers to simply pass the test, not teaching them to survive the next 50 years on the road, let alone teaching them about sharing the road with trucks. Now with the race to the bottom for rates, insurance, most truckies telling their kids if they go anywhere near a truck, they will kick them in the bum so hard they won’t land for a week (because they know what a lack of a life and how you are treated on the road and off) so we lost those passionate and keen ones, then with the graduated license system (yes a good intent), but again, we now lose them to a better job with a life and they never come back. I think we need something more structured, but which also has the capacity to get someone through quicker, that has either lots of experience and or shows ability. Companies can’t afford to train drivers, there is too little margin now, so how will we even get an improvement without some government support and with a national training regime? The other big change is there are less rigid and jobs where you can learn and then progress, more direct and linehaul and all new blokes want the big trucks, another added problem. So again, we need something national, structured and with real world experience and proper width and depth of knowledge, not just how to go round the block. Williams: I believe it would be a great move to create a training ‘school’ like a TAFE where the rest of the skills could be taught and simulation driving

where I interviewed him and asked the same question about kids coming in. I said we can’t bring people in and lie to then how good it is, they will leave and say you are full of shit. We need to fix the problems first and believe me I have tried and am still doing so. Dumesny: From a WA and NT perspective, there has been no case put forward as to why we should adopt the HVNL.

Truckie Mike Williams would like to see TAFE-like training schools for new drivers.

done, leading to more actual driving. I wonder what it would take to get some manufacturers to put up some equipment and some insurance companies to back it as well. Food for thought.

report due out first, I hope it may even influence the HVNL. The problem is as always, those who make and police the law, do not have to live by it and will always think they

know better than us, the poor silly fools who have to do the job, stuck with their interpretation of how to do it better. Stephen from Whiteline TV and I did an interview

Final word and fixes Sterle: Truck drivers will continue to be disrespected if they aren’t even getting that respect from bodies like the Australian Trucking Association. What also doesn’t help is when you see empty words like what we saw recently from the Prime Minister where he said that truckies are doing a great job and that the Government will minimise any inconvenience drivers encounter while on the road. Why still are there lines

Dumesny: Rod and Richard, let me ask you both the same question: Would you encourage your kids or grandkids to become truck drivers? Walker: Absolutely not. I wouldn’t put my kids into such a dangerous occupation. Big Brother is king and we’re targeted constantly. Dumesny: I have asked the same question of my cousins and a lot of drivers over the years, and the majority usually say much the same. What about the new HVNL? Hannifey: Whilst I am not holding my breath, I am hopeful and with Glenn Sterle’s

The jury is out on the impact that the new look HVNL will make to a truckie’s lot on the road.

Panellist Richard Walker doesn’t think the general public understands just how much work truckies really are doing during this pandemic.

at testing facilities, showers locked at rest areas and drivers being turned around at the border? Truck drivers deserve better than this. If there was a truly representative national body who was on top of these issues and had the ear of government, our truck drivers would not be in the position they see themselves in now. There are many steps that need to be taken to ensure our truck drivers get the respect that they rightfully deserve. Gaining the respect from our political leaders, in my opinion is the first vital step. Its time for leadership! Walker: Again, touching on Covid. We need a national heavy vehicle border pass or simply open a lane just for us like the start of Covid. We were able to stamp it out without draconian action against drivers because quite simply we don’t have contact with people. The general public can get all their food and supplies from the shops and lock themselves away, unfortunately we don’t have that luxury. We’ve been working our guts out throughout this pandemic putting not only ourselves at excessive risk but our families and friends. Targeting truck drivers is not a good look. We do everything for the general public, and I don’t think enough people understand this fact. Williams: I believe where we as an industry have been let down is the lack of real leadership from the likes of the ATA and others who have failed in many ways to take opportunities that they could use to advocate on our behalf. Road Freight New South Wales CEO Simon O’Hara made a difference for drivers at Tarcutta by saying if government won’t sort out the shelter issue RFNSW would. He stated a position and was prepared to act. Leadership. We need more of it. Conversely Rod Hannifey makes a statement about policing on the highway, a man with decades of experience and history of advocacy, runs on the board, and all the industry bodies can do is either have a shot at him or talk down his opinions. Give me a break! Hannifey: I am still positive, or I would not have spent the last 20 years trying to change this, but I am also realistic, that it is a hard thing to do. I can quote issues and instances and efforts and failures, but I have committed to another four or five years, but still acknowledge, it is a major problem for both our jobs, our safety, getting heard and things improved on the road and in recruitment.

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18 FEATURE

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Are safety ramps really that safe?

They’re supposedly there to help truckies when all else fails, but arrester beds come with their own fair share of frailties, discovers experienced truckie Mike Williams. MONTHS ago, Main Roads in South Australia was doing upgrade work on the arrester bed on the down track into Adelaide while it was closed for three weeks. Some of you will recall the idea they had that a small rigid bumper truck would be able to stop a loaded B-double and the animated discussion about that on social media and in the trucking press. They must have got lucky and not had to try that idea out. It ranks right up there with the most counter intuitive ideas I’ve ever heard, to intentionally hit another vehicle on the road really does go against the grain. That whole conversation started me thinking about arrester beds in general. We all know what they are, we’ve seen how the kitty litter works on the racetrack. The principle is the same on the highway. I’ve often driven down hills and thought some ramps are so unkempt, poorly placed or aligned to the road, too narrow, poorly, or not lit, not properly signed and generally difficult to judge with the overgrown and weird entrances. If the time ever comes and you actually need to use a ramp you want it to save you, not potentially kill you, it needs to be as easy as possible to use. In an ideal world we

Drivers need to come to grips with the idea you’re going to be better off hitting the arrester bed than trying to ride it out. A small rigid bumper truck was used as a substitute while road works were being carried out on the infamous South Eastern Freeway downhill.

wouldn’t need safety ramps but they’re installed for a reason: to give a driver an opportunity to save the situation when it’s all gone wrong. But are they safe? There are a few that seem to get regular visitors too. We have to wonder why that is. No-one is going to work with the idea it’s going to be fun to try out a safety ramp. How does it end up happening? There’s the obvious situation where a truck with poorly adjusted or inoperative brakes simply gets away from the driver. The driver gets it wrong and doesn’t realise the problem until it’s too late, unsafe driving with excessive

speed, disregarding the road signage, and then simple inexperience. This then leads me to ask why do some not go for the arrester bed? I’ve had many conversations with other drivers about this. The consensus seems to be that some think they’ll “get it back” and fear that using the bed will open up a can of worms and expenses that will become bigger than Ben Hur. I tried to find out what happens when trucks end up in arrester beds. Is there a fine? What does to cost etc. it seems there’s no specific fine for using one in an emergency. There are fines for obstruc-

tion of an arrester bed. Parking there for example. The costs of ending up in the bed extend to the cost of recovery and then repair of the vehicle, restoring the bed to a condition where it is ready for its next visitor and potentially fines or dealing with the inevitable investigation of the circumstances leading to the vehicle using the arrestor bed. Ultimately, drivers need to come to grips with the idea you’re going to be better off hitting the bed than trying to ride it out. Is there a standard? There are documents out there that define the standard and rec-

There are documents out there that define the standard and recommended construction of truck arrester beds in Australia.

No-one is going to work with the idea it’s going to be fun to try out a safety ramp.

ommended construction of truck arrester beds in Australia. If you want to dive in and have a read for yourself, use search terms “arrester bed construction requirements” in your favourite search engine. www.tmr.qld.gov.au hosts the “Road Planning and Design Manual” April 2002. Chapter 15 Section 17.7.4 considers the issues and lays out the standard. Design of Arrester Beds and Escape Exits states “an arrester bed is a safe and efficient facility to deliberately decelerate and stop vehicles by transferring their kinetic energy” they then go into great detail discussing research findings, construction, recommended materials, location and finally maintaining the beds. Runaway vehicle facilities should not be constructed where an out-of-control vehicle would need to cross oncoming traffic. On divided roadways where adequate space is available in the median, safety ramps can be located on either side of the carriageway with adequate

advance warning signs prior to the safety ramp exit. (See Queensland Department of Main Roads - Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for signing requirements.) On the application of test results in designing and constructing arrester beds they found, ‘10mm diameter round uncrushed river gravel is the preferred material to use in the beds. Sand has problems of drainage, compaction and contamination and should not be used unless alternative materials are unavailable. Beds using sand will require a strict maintenance regime to ensure their continued effectiveness. (All beds require regular maintenance.) Knowing all that we’re faced with the reality of what we see on our highways. Have a look at some of these ramps. A truck width, or just a bit more wide. Not groomed. Full of weeds. Limited to no access for emergency services and recovery vehicles. Some couldn’t be more wrong. Continued Page 20

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More exposure needed to emergency situations

Other ramps are really exit roads and the one at Mooney Mooney is a great example.

From Page 18 THERE are really two arrester beds in the country that we on the road seem to hear about that get regular visitors: Mount Ousley on the Princess Highway heading down to Wollongong and the South-Eastern Freeway down from the Adelaide Hills. They are a contrast in construction and by the look of it, maintenance as well. There are videos showing how to descend these declines on YouTube. There is also a simulator for the SE Freeway. I’d like to be able to point out where that is, how to access it or what needs to be done to get on and have a turn. The last mention of it I’ve seen was last February.

Wouldn’t it be an eye-opening experience to sit in a simulator and have the “run out of brakes” scenario on the SE Freeway and see just how hard it is to get it into the bed. Other ramps are really exit roads. Typical of these is the one at Mooney Mooney on the M1 heading toward Sydney NSW. It’s a steep incline cut into the wall of rock beside the freeway and sealed. I wonder what happens when the truck comes to a stop in there? It has no brakes, that’s why it’s there, it’s got to roll back and inevitably get tangled up in there. How dangerous is that going to be to recover? Finally, it doesn’t have to

be gravel and sand. There are other technologies that work and could be considered on our roads to address areas where construction of long escape roads or ramps is impossible. In Wyoming, US, at a place called Teton Pass they’ve installed a “catchnet” system that uses a system of netting, pulleys, cables and canisters to decelerate trucks. It is pretty hard on the trucks and does do some damage. We don’t get enough exposure to emergency situations. The safest way to do this is to have time in a simulator and some time with a driving assessor to polish the skills. The best time to think about what you should do

The costs of ending up in the bed extend to the cost of recovery and then repair of the vehicle.

Mount Ousley on the Princess Highway heading down to Wollongong gets a few too many visitors.

in an emergency isn’t in the middle of one. It’s in a safe environment where you can try out your responses and learn from others. I’ve long advocated for stricter licensing requirements, tougher testing and

annual training to keep a commercial vehicle licence. This should include both a theory and practical component as well as a medical regardless of driver age at the commercial level. You can contact me via

@theoztrucker on twitter, On The Road Podcast (@otrpodcastaus) on Facebook or go to www.ontheroadpodcast.com.au to leave a comment, email me directly mike@ontheroadpodcast.com.au or call me on 0418 722 488.

Wouldn’t it be an eye-opening experience to sit in a simulator and have the “run out of brakes” scenario on the SE Freeway.

Speed camera warning signs return to NSW roads CONTRARY to a prior government decision, fixed warning signs for mobile speed cameras will be rolling out across NSW from this month. The NSW government had previously chosen to remove mobile speed camera warning signs, however lobbying from various transport bodies, including NatRoad, emphasised the importance of reminding drivers to do the right thing and check their speed. NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns, who was formerly the shadow minister for transport, had been lobbying for the return of warning signs at mobile speed camera

locations since their removal – and has repeatedly accused the NSW Government of a “cash grab” and “hitting families in the hip pocket” with the harsh new measures. “They’ve announced a thousand new signs in NSW but revenue’s already gone up 1000 times,” Minns told Channel Nine News. NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said appropriate warnings are an essential part of road traffic enforcement, as is upgrading of road infrastructure “NatRoad wants further changes to be made to the signage and laws relating to speeding. Inconsistency in speed limits and signage is one of the biggest frustrations

for truck drivers,” he said. “Better infrastructure is also an essential part of traffic safety. “While applying a lower speed limit for trucks on risky stretches of road such as the notorious Mount Ousley descent near Wollongong, is well-meaning, it’s a second-best solution. “Heavy and light vehicles need to be separated wherever possible – which is why NSW Government improvements to the Mount Ousley interchange are welcome and should be a solution that’s rolled out elsewhere. Better infrastructure saves lives.” Clark said NatRoad also welcomed another announce-

ment from the NSW Government about the roll-out of audio tactile line markings, flexible safety barriers, wide centre lines, speed humps and raised pedestrian crossings. The NSW Government says 17 kilometres of flexible median barrier will be installed on the Kamilaroi Highway from Baan Baa to Turrawan by 2023, and over 2000 kilometres of rumble strips will be added to the Newell Highway from Tocumwal to Boggabilla by 2022. “Providing adequate warnings about speed cameras and improved infrastructure can only benefit road safety,” added Clark.

Fixed warning signs return to NSW roads this month.

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Need for flexible, adaptive fatigue management

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WELCOME MESSAGE MARK BAILEY

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National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, CEO

FATIGUE – and its effect – can be felt differently by different people. Some might feel drowsy, others lose concentration, and some might feel as though they can push through. But no matter how the effects are felt, fatigue in the heavy vehicle industry can be fatal. Like drivers and operators, the NHVR is constantly focused on safety. From owners and operators, to supply chains and drivers, everyone has a role to play when it comes to safety on the job and in particular, minimising fatigue. As it stands, the Heavy Vehicle National Law was written a decade ago, when the industry was very different. Moving forward, we understand the need for a law that is modern, clear and consistent. Earlier this year, the

Qld Minister for Transport and Main Roads

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the industry. In the meantime, we’re looking at what we can do to help drivers and operators manage fatigue now. Our Fatigue Choices program is helping operators across the country assess their fatigue management needs – including converting from Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) to Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM). So far, we’ve delivered sessions to 134 operators across 16 locations, and we’ll continue to offer the program in person and online. I’m particularly encouraged by industry’s interest in the AFM scheme, which allows operators to take up safety systems that provide more flexibility in meeting

fatigue requirements. Our research shows that AFM accredited operators have better fatigue management systems, a stronger safety culture and better communication with drivers. Similarly, drivers that are part of AFM work fewer hours, with fewer infringements and crashes. I encourage you to download a copy of our latest AFM booklet – Preparation to apply on our website, and book in for a free and tailored Fatigue Choices session to discuss your options. Moving forward, we’ll continue to engage with industry and governments on improvements for the heavy vehicle sector, while prioritising safety and fighting fatigue.

TWU NSW State Secretary

Principal Lawyer RK Law

SA Road Transport Association Executive Director

The Fatigue Choices program is helping operators assess their fatigue management needs.

NHVR provided input into the National Transport Commission’s review of the laws. We consulted extensively with industry and put forward a submission focused strongly

on the need for flexible and adaptive fatigue management options. It included the recommendations to increase flexibility to enable drivers to rest when

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they are fatigued, clear and agreed authority for drivers to stop when they are not fit to drive and greater recognition and use of safety technologies, including Electronic Work Diaries and Fatigue and Distraction Detection Technology, to help manage fatigue safety risks. These three recommendations alone would enhance the industry significantly, delivering greater efficiency, productivity and importantly safety. Thank you to those who provided input and helped craft the submission. As the HVNL review progresses, we will continue to champion these improvements to fatigue regulation, as well as other safety and productivity outcomes for

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Staff movements at IVECO

AHEAD of several new model releases, IVECO has announced a number of organisational changes with various staff appointments across sales, aftersales, product development and marketing. The newly created position of head of customer services has been filled by Margot Baker, who previously held the role of Legal Counsel at IVECO. She began with IVECO in 2016 and has

gained a substantial understanding of the business and the needs of customers. Existing IVECO head of network development, Ella Letiagina’s role has been expanded to include product and marketing. She joined IVECO in January and brings a wealth of automotive and management experience to the role, both in Australia and internationally. Current head of sales –

truck and van, Glen Dyer, has also assumed responsibility for the bus and special vehicles portfolio. He joined IVECO earlier this year and has extensive senior experience in the commercial vehicle industry with another prominent OEM. In the Product department, IVECO stalwart Marco Quaranta has assumed the position of strategic relations and industry relations manag-

ALC appoints new CEO

er, while experienced IVECO product manager, Emiliano Foieri has been promoted to product management lead. In commenting on the appointments, IVECO ANZ managing director, Michael May, says the organisational changes came as part of a broader strategy that would simplify reporting and assist to strategically align the company to meet new goals. “This is a unique time in

IVECO’s history with many new opportunities on the horizon for our brand,” May said. “IVECO is transitioning to offer an enhanced range of products and support solutions for our customers. These structural revisions will allow us to more efficiently meet our objectives and to reach the high expectations we’ve set for ourselves as a company.

Steven Teofilo joins Krueger KRUEGER Transport Equipment has announced the appointment of Steven Teofilo as director of engineering and supply chain. He joins Krueger from IVECO, where he spent 16 years, most recently in the role of product engineering and platform development, where he was responsible for overseeing complex product releases including the release of IVECO’s Euro VI platform for Australia and New Zealand. Teofilo also held senior roles with IVECO in China during a four-year assignment where he was responsible for IVECO’s global sourcing project for Chinese manufac-

New ALC CEO Brad Williams brings over 25 years experience in policy development to the role.

THE Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has appointed Brad Williams as its new CEO, commencing the role in early August. ALC chair Philip Davies says Williams brings over 25 years’ experience in policy development and advocacy across a range of sectors including agriculture, resources, government and energy. “The ALC Board is delighted that Brad has taken up

this key leadership role and is looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to support ALC’s members, broaden ALC’s impact and advocacy activities,” Davies said. Williams has held senior corporate affairs and government relations roles at the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, ASX listed mining and metals company South32 and Japanese oil and gas producer INPEX. He also served

as a chief of staff to a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services. “This is an important time for the sector, and we believe that Brad’s experience coupled with a strong team will further enhance ALC’s capacity to deliver the policy framework and reforms needed to support national supply chain efficiency, resilience and safety,” Davies said.

“The changes also empower our team to react more nimbly to market conditions, and builds a new way forward for IVECO by providing further means to differentiate ourselves.” May also acknowledged the contribution of two former IVECO team members, Steve Heanes and Damon Paull, who have moved on to pursue other career opportunities.

tured parts and components, as well as the development of locally manufactured vehicles for supply to the Chinese market and other countries. Krueger CEO Kevin Dennis said, “Steven will oversee our engineering and supply chain functions to focus on driving innovation, efficiencies and developing our processes whilst working closely with John Krueger on developing our product portfolio and product strategy. “Steven brings to Krueger a great wealth of experience and is well qualified to take on this new challenge with Krueger. His extensive experience managing major projects will also benefit Krueger.”

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Dale Grealy captured this ripper, loaded up at the Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange just as the weather turned it up.

Robert Roveglia shared a snap of this Long Pocket Earthmoving beauty, a 2003 Kenworth T404ST, at the Hughenden silo in Queensland.

Share your truck pics THE trucking game is as diverse as the terrain on which our truckies travel. If there’s one thing we know many of you love, it’s a good looking rig – and sometimes life on the open road brings some golden photo opportunities. The Big Rigs #PicOfTheDay competition is a chance

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

Tom Charlton enjoys the sunset, just north of Marlborough, Queensland.

Another great shot sent in by Kevin Bemrose. This was taken while stopping for a load and tyre check near Kumarina, WA.

Dave Foster got the composition of this shot just right, with his Kenworth road train placed in between these windmills at Tanumibirina Station, Northern Territory.

Mark Burrows shared a shot of this Gecko Transport 2005 Western Star 4800 all shined up.

Jamie Neville captured this beauty at McArthur River at Borroloola, Northern Territory.

Beau Milton gives new meaning to the word oversize, with this almighty load.

READER RIGS 25

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Carolyn Tunnah sent in this great shot taken by her son Aaron near Innisfail, after the rain.

Sharna Wilkins snapped this great shot of her 2009 Kenworth T908 in Lockington, Victoria.

David Wall sent this awesome pic, steering a triple through Camooweal, Queensland.

Wayne Agius has a quick look at the crops after unloading, before setting off ahead of the incoming storms.

Ashley Diesel drives this beauty 2003 Kenworth K104 for J&A Haulage in Brisbane, carrying timber around Queensland.

Shaun Wood snapped this shot while travelling the outback roads of NSW.

Tony Nikolov snapped this beauty while travelling the Golden Highway in Ballimore, NSW, in this Kenworth SAR.

This shot was perfectly framed by the rainbow in the background. Thanks for sharing Rodney Lloyd.

Drew Nobby Smith shared yet another great pic, enjoying a glorious sunset with this T900 Legend.

Darren Thomson shared this shot, pulling a rather large load, which is in fact a sulphur burner.

26 FEATURE

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Smooth sailing for family run seafood transporter

A change of direction brought Craig Claridge to the helm of a successful Tasmanian seafood transport operation.

Craig Claridge took over TTM eight years ago, with the aim of building a family oriented business.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI HAVING spent 27 years in warehousing and distribution at Woolworths, Craig Claridge was ready to take the plunge and go out on his own. “I wanted to work for myself and build a family oriented business so I could give my children and grandchildren the opportunity to work in it if that’s what they wanted to do,” he said. So he did just that and purchased Total Tasmania Marine (TTM) Logistics Tasmania

eight years ago. With depots in Hobart and Melbourne, the business specialises in transporting marine products, including wild-caught fish, oysters and frozen seafood throughout Tasmania, Victoria and NSW. Tasmanian seafood is sent across to the mainland by sea in TTM’s own refrigerated trailers – sometimes it’s just the trailer and other times, the prime mover goes along for the ride too. While Craig, now aged 60, runs the Hobart depot, his

son Rodney Claridge heads up the Melbourne site, which is in Williamstown. Rodney has been by his father’s side since day one. Craig’s nephew Nathan King, who works as a truckie, has also been there from the start. When Craig took over the business, he had just two prime movers and six trailers. But, continuing on a trajectory of growth, he now runs a fleet of nine prime movers, 16 trailers and a selection of smaller vehicles too. He credits this to growing

The three new MANs are based in Melbourne and are the newest additions to the TTM fleet.

his customer base and having to add more vehicles to keep up with demand. “I’ve built the business up without having to advertise, it’s grown from word of mouth. We’ve built a good relationship with our existing customers, all of the oyster growers on east coast and the fisherman,” added Craig. The most recent addition is an MAN TGX 580hp, which is based in Melbourne and joins two other recent purchases, an MAN TGS 540hp and MAN TGX 640hp. It’s been fitted out with additional gear including a Dometic electric cab cooler for driver comfort, which is

powered by an independent battery source. “With Victoria and NSW being the size they are, those trucks have to travel the furthest, so it makes sense to keep the newest trucks over there,” said Craig. “Within the next 12 months, the plan is to eventually upgrade all of my prime movers, taking the oldest ones offline first and bringing in new ones. “I don’t like buying second-hand trucks. When you buy second-hand, you are basically buying someone else’s problems. That’s why I’ve chosen to buy brand

new equipment.” “The TGX 640hp that I took online early November last year has already run around 300,000 kilometres. The other MANs have clocked around 180,000 kilometres and those two have never let me down. That’s why I decided to purchase a third one,” said Craig. The ease of driveability and manoeuvrability with the MAN 12 speed TipMatic automated manual transmission is something Craig says his drivers have taken a liking to. “A lot of the older drivers don’t like fully automated gears, but I think it’s better for the drivers given the distances we are driving around. They quickly change their minds after a long trip not feeling fatigued. “My drivers have found the fully automated gears to be very comfortable, especially when driving in heavy traffic in Sydney and Melbourne. “The other thing with the MAN is that being a cabover truck, they are a lot easier to get in and out of. Overall, they are ergonomically safer and that is another feature that my drivers like.” When it comes to servicing, Craig chooses a proactive approach. “All of our prime movers are scheduled for service at earlier intervals than recommended. I’ve been told that that’s too regular but I’m the one paying for oil and filters and I believe oil and filters are a lot cheaper compared to engine rebuilds so I’d rather have them done more regularly.” Looking ahead, Craig hopes to continue growing TTM. “I want to pretty much maintain the service we currently supply to our customers and keep things going as they have been. We were quite affected with Covid in the early stages, but given the nature of service and the product we carry, we’ve managed to survive that and grow the business further.”

Craig’s son Rodney Claridge manages TTM’s Melbourne distribution centre in Williamstown.

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28 NEWS

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Unused Drake assets added to Ritchie auction

RITCHIE Bros. has secured unused Drake equipment that is currently in high demand for its National Unreserved Auction in late August. With global OEM production slow-moving due to the pandemic, main dealers running low on stock, and delivery schedules of new machines stretching into 2022, Ritchie Bros. regional sales manager Dale Spedding is encouraging consignors with good quality stock to bring their assets to market. “The market appetite for good, late-model used equipment and machinery with low hours has burgeoned over the last 12 months with no sign of demand slowing down. This is a trend not just in Australia, but globally,” said Spedding “We have seen late-model machines in good nick sell for more than they are to buy new, simply because of the long wait times for new machines and the amount of demand we’re seeing in the market. “We have just consigned an unused 2021 Drake 4 Row of 4 Hydraulic Widening Low Loader and an unused 2021 Drake 2 Row of 4 Low Loader Dolly to our upcoming National Unreserved Auction in August. These assets are in hot demand with an 18-month wait on Drake equipment. “Drake Trailers are a beloved brand built tough for Australian conditions and

Ritchie Bros. is expecting a lot of demand for the Drake equipment going under the hammer.

manufactured right here at home. It always performs well in our auctions. We’re expecting a lot of interest.” Andrew Dunstan, owner operator of family business Dunstan’s Low Loader Haulage said he recently waited

a massive 18 months for a Drake trailer. The longest he has waited is two years. “I believe Drake trailers are the best in the southern hemisphere and you have to wait for the best,” said Dunston. “The drawcard for these

two unused Drake trailers going to auction will be the long lead time to buy new and the fact they will sell unreserved to the highest bidder on the day. The successful bidder will be able to pick up their Drake trailer the very

An unused 2021 Drake 4×4 hydraulic widening trailer is among the items going under the hammer.

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next day.” In 2021, Ritchie Bros. has delivered record-breaking national auction results, with online buyer participation reaching new heights. The industry leader has taken all its auctions online and adapted

to ensure customers are confident when bidding online offering inspection reports, photos and service records. The Australian National Unreserved Online Auction, running August 25-26, is set to maintain high demand across the transport sector. “We already have 900 assets consigned to our auction in August, with more to be added daily,” said Spedding. Bidders can expect to see items for sale across the transport, construction, mining, and agricultural industries. The event will be held exclusively online with those interested in bidding urged to register to bid on the day. Day one of the auction (August 25) will be dedicated to construction and crushing gear while day two (August 26) will focus on transportation and agriculture assets.

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NEWS 29

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Outback truckie named as AusMumpreneur finalist

DANYELLE Haigh of Murranji Water Drilling – and of Outback Truckers fame – has been named a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Awards, which aim to celebrate Aussie mums in business. The mother of two was nominated for both Murranji Water Drilling and her fashion stylist business The Outback Trendsetter. She and her husband Anthony Haigh have been travelling to some of the most remote locations around Australia since they took over the Murranji Water Drilling in 2014, each steering a Western Star 4964 prime mover, pulling seven trailers between them. Danyelle says she was ecstatic to hear she’d been nominated for the AusMumpreneur Awards. “I am actually speechless,” she said. “There are so many amazing mums out there working their butts off, running their own businesses and kicking some major goals and for me to even been nominated, I feel so honoured,” she said. “This nomination means everything to me. To be rec-

ognised for my achievements as a business owner and a mother I am truly honoured. The struggles, the criticism and all the hurdles are made worthwhile when you receive an award such as these ones.” For her and her family, she says the amount of travelling required for their work and the remote places they frequently visit mean life isn’t always easy. “But I have made the most of every hard and good situation I have come across. I always try to turn a negative into a positive,” she added. “There have been days when I have felt like throwing the towel in, when nothing seems to go right but I think of how far I’ve come and what I’ve had to sacrifice along the way, so I pull up my big girl panties, thank the universe for what I have and get on with it. “It’s all been worth it when I look at my two beautiful boys and how happy and healthy they are – and how they get to experience this life and our country from such a young age. I’m so lucky and grateful to be able to have a

Danyelle Haigh took over Murranji Water Drilling with her husband Anthony in 2014.

business that can allow me to spend every day watching my boys blossom and not miss a moment with them.” For Danyelle, spending so much time in the most remote stretches of outback Australia means there is often very little communication from the outside world. “There’s no access to television of news, so I practically

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live in my own little bubble out here,” she said. “Being part of such groups like AusMumpreneur and Women in Trucking Australia gives me the support I need, keeps me up to date with what I need to know and helps us working mums that live in these rural communities receive the recognition we deserve.”

Her boys Heath and Theo love their life on the road, as the family travels to some of Australia’s most remote parts.

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FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Tropics Jo Veneman

Jo Veneman (left) and worker Kevin Nolan on Carmody Street in Townsville.

with Alf Wilson

HOUSE remover Jo Veneman received an SOS from a man whose building had slid off its supports at sleepy Carmody Street in Townsville. Veneman is the owner of Renewable Homes and is renowned for saving and often relocating old Queenslander houses. She swiftly came to the rescue after a high fence was placed around the house for safety purposes. When news spread around town about the leaning house, hundreds of members of the public visited Carmody Street to check it out. Big Rigs was amongst them and saw Veneman and a worker named Kevin Nolan inspecting the site before the work started. “We received a phone call hours after an owner builder was attempting to raise his

The Mack on the job.

Phil Heritage

AGED 43, Phil Heritage drives a 2021 Kenworth T610SAR for McGrory’s Transport, which is based at Albury/Wodonga. It was the first time Heritage had been to the tropics of far north Queensland when I saw him in Townsville quite recently. “I have brought up cold room panels from Melbourne and on the way back have to pick up some of the same at Brisbane for Victoria,” he said. Heritage has been a driver

for more than 20 years, with much of that time spent doing interstate work. “I have been with this company for two years and they are great to work for. Drivers are treated well. Being a driver allows me to see so much of the country and meet lots of people,” he said. The worst road Heritage has been on in recent times is the Clermont to Charters Towers Highway. His favourite roadhouse is

The old house which had slid off its support.

home using a pier jacking system. It appears whilst pulling out the existing stumps, the skid steer has bumped the house, sending it for a slide. The house had come to rest on top of the skid steer, a steel beam at the back of the building and a steel beam at the front. Three points of contact was all that was preventing the home from completely collapsing and possibly sliding into the neighbouring property,” she said. Veneman and her workers used the company’s purpose-built house lifting equipment, working non-stop for 10 hours to safely secure and level out the home onto frames. “Although we gave no guarantees, our team worked together, pulling off the impossible. The iconic Queenslander

home would’ve been demolished had we not been able to save her,” she said. Veneman runs two Mack Trident trucks and has moved more than 90 houses since starting the business six years ago. Both Macks are powered by 535hp motors, while one has a 12-speed gearbox and the other an 18-speed. Renewable Homes also has two tri-axle hydraulic trailers and it can take three to four days to load a house on either before removal. Veneman believes she is the only female in Australia who runs a house removal and relocation business. Thanks to the efforts of Renewable Homes, this grand old house has a new lease of life and will be around for a long time to come.

Shane Delfino

at Jugiong in NSW. He says the food is good with lots of home cooked meals and the staff are friendly. Outside work, Heritage likes camping and 4WD activities. A football fan, Heritage barracks for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL and the Richmond Tigers in the AFL. One thing he does dislike are the driving habits of some caravan drivers in what he calls their “wobbly boxes”.

IT was just after 7am on a Saturday morning when Big Rigs came across small fleet owner Shane Delfino. He was standing near his Kenworth T650 tipper, which he described as a good reliable vehicle. “I have three trucks and employ two drivers and we have been delivering material for the Bruce Highway Haughton River section upgrade around Giru between Townsville and Ayr,” he said.

Delfino runs GMG NQ Earthmoving, which is based in Townsville. He used to live in Sydney and came to the far north about 20 years ago. He said it was good to have such regular work. “I wouldn’t go back to Sydney as it is too busy, especially the roads,” he said. Delfino likes stopping at BP Cluden as he says it has good facilities for truckies. He has had the business since 2005 and reckons more rest areas are needed beside the

main highways. He barracks for the NQ Cowboys in the NRL and is confident they will improve next season after certainly missing the finals series this year. Delfino said Covid-19 had an effect on his business in the early stages of the pandemic, but not so much now. “We abide by the rules and wear masks when required and have hand sanitiser in the trucks,” he said.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Tieman’s lead in changing the game

THE introduction of Performance Based Standards (PBS) has seen some manufacturers introduce new designs that simply make old designs obsolete. None more so than Tieman Tankers. Across its extensive range of tanker products, Tieman has been first to market with multiple innovative PBS designs that are carrying significantly more payload than prescriptive designs whilst importantly improving performance and safety when tracking at speed. Tieman Tankers is a family owned business founded in 1953 by Neil Tieman. Closing in on nearly 70 years of experience, the company today has a focus on differentiating through innovation, whilst maintaining a quality of build and finish that sets the benchmark in the industry. It continues to train apprentices in skills that have been passed down over many generations and its brand promise of a tanker that is ‘Built to Last’ is a collective effort by a team who are all proud to be part of the end product and after sales service

to their customers. Tieman manufactures all its bulk liquid tankers in Australia. Their built-in quality simply reflects the images of its customers and McColls Transport is one major fleet proudly supporting Australian manufacturing, by investing in multiple new Tieman PBS combinations that are creating massive efficiency gains and importantly future proofing their investment for many years to come. Across McColl’s bulk milk collection, food grade transport and chemical divisions, new Tieman tanker equipment is bringing increased productivity and safety for its drivers and operations There are many industry sectors across Australia, PNG and New Zealand where you will see Tieman tankers operate – for carting milk, water, wine, other food grade products, chemicals, bitumen, fuel, waste oil, dry bulk and many other products. From the toughest of outback off-highway roads to regional, metro and intra city highway haulage tasks, Tieman engineers solutions for

its customers. Continual innovation is very difficult to copy and Tieman’s investment in its people and its game-changing PBS customised designs is a point of difference and something that will help protect Australian jobs into the future. It’s easy to follow Tieman’s innovation on its company Facebook and Instagram pages.

Tieman 30m food grade A-double tankers are among the high productivity combinations making their way into the McColl’s Transport fleet.

Tieman is bringing added productivity and safety to McColl’s various divisions, with combinations that include this stainless steel chemical pocket road train.

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Investing into its future

DESPITE being in the middle of a global pandemic, one of Australia’s largest bulk liquid carriers has invested millions of dollars in new equipment and systems. Since McColl’s Transport was acquired by the Friesian Group in 2018, the company has made some big investments, with a focus on safety and productivity. New prime movers have been specified with the latest options for the safety and comfort of its drivers. “Currently the fleet is primarily Volvo and Kenworth, but the new purchases have included some other models so that we can see how they compare in real-world conditions,” said general manager of fleet at McColl’s John Hovey. “It has been great to hear from drivers about the different models on offer and this is an important input for future purchase decisions.” The new fleet arrivals have also improved McColl’s fuel efficiency and carbon footprint as telemetry and modern engine technology monitors driving style and adapts accordingly. McColl’s has a long history in bulk liquid transport. It’s been collecting milk from farms and moving other food and chemical products in specialised tankers since 1952. The team has developed a finely tuned sense of the most

McColl’s has 20 sites nationally and is investing to grow this platform.

important features in tanker design and this knowledge has been used to specify any new tankers that come into the fleet. “The world is moving to higher productivity A-doubles. We need to be running this equipment to offer our customers maximum value for their spend with us,” said Hovey. McColl’s national compliance manager Chris Fleming added, “The introduction of

PBS vehicles with advanced technology has seen a massive reduction in road incidents across the industry by reducing the number of heavy vehicles on the road.” But for McColl’s, while equipment is undoubtedly important, it’s all about the people. “Our people at McColl’s, including drivers, mechanics, schedulers and support staff, are our greatest assets and we are working to improve their

worlds by developing our culture and investing to create a good working environment,” said McColl’s CEO Simon Thornton. Drivers at McColl’s need to become expert in one of three areas: handling milk collection from farms, transporting food-grade products, or handling chemicals. Each of these fields requires special skills, certificates and inductions which McColl’s handles through its team of driver

trainers and senior drivers. The company has a strategy of paying in the top 25 per cent of industry wage levels in each location to ensure that it has drivers who can perform their tasks competently. McColl’s has 20 sites nationally and is investing to grow this platform. A recent multimillion dollar investment in western Victoria will provide a base to service its customers productively in the region. The site will allow the company to

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consolidate milk from farm collection vehicles into linehaul tankers and send milk interstate if required. A new depot in southern Sydney will further extend McColl’s reach into the chemical and food transport sector in NSW, while the company has also made plans to upgrade depots in Melbourne to support growth and improve facilities for both drivers and vehicles. The Friesian Group, the holding company behind McColl’s, continues to invest in the company. “We have a long-term vision for McColl’s. If we keep investing in our people, our sites, our systems and our fleet then we expect the business to grow steadily. There are lots of companies cutting corners to make shortterm profits but we are investing to build a great company over a generation,” explained Friesian commercial director Mike Robbins. General manager people and culture Freya Fidge added, “McColl’s is always on the lookout for skilled people who fit into our culture. We often hire people in advance of when we need them so that they can build their understanding of how we work and really shine when their opportunity arrives. At the moment we are hiring mechanics, data architects and drivers – it is an unusual combination.”

Australia’s largest independent carrier of bulk liquids.

Driving is a dream career

Neville Styles knew from the age of 10 that he was going to be a truck driver, growing up on a farm in Garfield watching big trucks hauling spuds across Australia he knew that one day he was going to drive something like that. Backed by his father and grandfather who drove buses for a combined 70 years Neville started small in a tipper truck and gradually stepped his way up to bigger things, now driving McColl’s new 30m road train. “it’s the biggest outfit I have ever driven, that’s for sure, but I love the challenge” said Neville who has been driving for McColl’s BFG division for nearly 12 months. The challenging nature of the job, driving all hours in different conditions with a variety of loads and sharing his knowledge with new drivers, are a few Neville’s favorite parts of being a professional driver, “knowing you are doing a good job in a continually changing environment is so rewarding” he said “I love passing on my knowledge and experiences with others, an old driver once told me, ‘never be scared to accept advice, but it’s up to you if you want to use it’ that has stuck with me and I’m always happy to have a chat with others” he says. When it comes to staying healthy on those long trips away from home Neville recommends

being prepared and bringing your own food. “I grab a couple of bags of salad, some wraps and cans of tuna and I’m good to go”, “I also have a Manshake for breakfast or before bed so I’m not sleeping on a full stomach and I drink as much water as I can”. Even when asked what he does if things don’t go to plan or he gets stuck without food, Neville doesn’t waver on nutrition “there is always somewhere to get something decent to eat, go to a supermarket or general store and get quality food. When you travel all the time like we do, you know where you can pull up, even if you need to walk 200-300m, it’s better than being lazy”. McColl’s offer a dedicated Health & Wellbeing program targeted at improving the lives of McColl’s employees both inside and outside of the workplace. 3 years ago, McColl’s hired a Wellbeing and Engagement Coordinator to run workout sessions at key sites and share wellbeing and health tips through its newsletters. This proved valuable when COVID-19 arrived in 2020. Office based staff moved home with their laptops and all staff, including drivers were able to take part in Facebook shared exercise sessions as part of staying connected and healthy.

For Neville, keeping active has been really important for both his physical and mental health, regular sessions with a personal trainer plus walking whenever he gets a chance, “you don’t have to walk far, just walk, go get out and do something”. Despite his love for the job, Neville is the first to acknowledge that there are days when the work can be intense, and stresses the importance of taking a mental break at rest stops, “we have all been there, it doesn’t matter how long you have been on the job. Pull up, go for a walk, kick the tires, whatever you want, just step away from it for 5-10mins and clear your head.”

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Five million tonnes of greenhouse gases captured

CHEVRON Australia is braced to reach a significant milestone at its Gorgon LNG facility, injecting five million tonnes of greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide equivalent, CO2e), since safely starting the system in August 2019. The company says this milestone represents the largest volume of injection achieved within this timeframe by any environmental carbon capture and storage (CCS) system of comparable specifications.

It added that injecting five million tonnes of CO2e is equivalent to taking over 1.6 million passenger vehicles off Australia’s roads for a year. “This significant milestone shows how we’re deploying technology, innovation and skills to deliver cleaner energy and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Chevron Australia managing director Mark Hatfield. “The Gorgon carbon capture and storage (CCS) sys-

Chevron Australia’s Gorgon LNG facility incorporates the world’s largest CCS system designed to capture carbon emissions.

tem is the biggest CCS system designed to capture carbon emissions and is demonstrating Australia’s world-leading capability in the area.” Once fully operational, the system will capture up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100 million tonnes over the life of the injection project. The system works by taking naturally occurring CO2 from offshore gas reservoirs and injecting it in a giant sandstone formation two kilometres under Barrow Island, where it remains trapped. It prevents millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases being vented into the atmosphere. Hatfield said while the system had delivered significant reductions in Gorgon’s emissions, the time taken to safely start the system meant Chevron had not met injection requirements. “Chevron is working with the WA regulator on making up the shortfall and will report publicly on that later in the year,” Hatfield said. “Like any pioneering en-

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) takes carbon dioxide from industrial processes and permanently stores it in geological formations deep underground.

deavour, it takes time to optimise a new system to ensure it performs reliably over 40plus years of operation. “The road hasn’t always been smooth, but the challenges we’ve faced – and overcome – make it easier for those who aspire to reduce their emissions through CCS. “We’re committed to sharing the lessons we’ve learned with state and federal governments, research institutes and other energy producers to assist the deployment of CCS in Australia.

“CCS is a proven technology which experts agree is critical to achieving a lower carbon future while ensuring access to affordable and reliable energy for billions around the world who rely on it.” The Chevron-operated Gorgon Project is a joint venture between the Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47.333 percent), ExxonMobil (25 percent), Shell (25 percent), Osaka Gas (1.25 percent), Tokyo Gas (1 percent) and JERA (0.417 percent).

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies and through its Australian subsidiaries, has been present down under for over 60 years. Chevron Australia operates the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas facilities; manages its equal one-sixth interest in the North West Shelf Venture; operates Australia’s largest onshore oilfield on Barrow Island; is a significant investor in exploration; and via Puma Energy delivers fuel products and services across Australia.

BIG GROWTH PLANS FOR CALTEX LUBRICANTS: CHEVRON INDUSTRY-leading Caltex Delo and Havoline brand lubricants are set to grow market share as they transition to the hands of Chevron’s sales force from January 2022.

Vargas said Chevron would make available the full range of Caltex lubricating oils and greases to Australian industry, businesses and consumers from January.

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies and has been present in Australia for more than 60 years.

“Our goal is to deliver outstanding value to our existing and future customers and partners,” she said.

Caltex – a global Chevron brand – is currently used under license in Australia.

“We are proud of the Caltex brand and its leading-performance product range.”

“The Caltex brand has a decades-long and proud history in Australia,” said Brisbanebased Chevron Australia Downstream General Manager, Anna Vargas. “We are excited to build on this legacy and have significant plans to grow the Caltex network and the lubricant product range across Australia from 2022.”

Chevron Australia Downstream delivers fuel products and services to industries including mining and resources, agriculture, construction, transport, marine bunkering and aviation.

Vargas is looking forward to Caltex fuels and lubricants returning under Chevron stewardship. This process will begin from 1 January 2022.

It offers high-quality bulk fuel supply, oils and lubricants, fuel equipment solutions, customised fleet fuel cards and expert advice on fuel management.

More information about Chevron’s plans to distribute the Caltex fuels and lubricants in Australia from 1 January 2022 can be obtained by contacting LubricantsAU@chevron.com

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Coolant colour confusion

THERE’S plenty of confusion in forums these days about the colour of heavy-duty coolants. Does it indicate anything about the chemical make-up of the coolant or is it just a brand to brand thing? In this article, we’ll clear the air and help you understand key requirements to ensuring optimal health of your engine’s cooling system, year in, year out. Head chemist and coolant expert Mike Hudson, from Cummins Filtration, helps answer some of these questions. First thing’s first, what does coolant do? Put simply, the role of coolant is to transfer extreme heat generated by the engine, to the radiator, where it is expelled into the environment. It is then circulated by the water pump, back to the engine, to repeat the same process over and over again. Coolant also carries with it additives which prevent corrosion and cavitation of the engine and its components, as well as providing anti-boil and antifreeze properties. Can I just use any old coolant? If a quality coolant is not used, the risks to the engine include overheating, corrosion and cavitation. These problems can cause critical damage, leading to expensive repairs and equipment downtime, which conse-

quently leads to lost revenue for your business.

What should we look for in a coolant? First and foremost, choose a good quality coolant from a reputable brand and check that it has been tested to, and meets, a heavy-duty coolant standard. One such internationally recognised standard is the ASTM D6210, and coolants that meet OEM standards are even better. In terms of the coolant’s properties, it should have good heat transfer abilities, a higher boiling point and lower freezing point than water. It should also prevent corrosion and erosion, resist foaming, be compatible with cooling system component materials, be compatible with hard water, resist sedimentation, and be chemically stable. Other considerations include the life of the coolant and its maintenance requirements. Which colour coolant is the best? The truth is colour doesn’t mean anything. In days gone by, the colour of coolant was determined by the types of chemicals used to prevent corrosion, meaning once upon a time, you could tell a lot about a coolant by its colour. Older coolants that used Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) were usually blue

or green. These types would normally have to be changed roughly every two years. In the 2000s came Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants, whose chemical make-up offered better protection for cooling systems and extended the life of the coolant. These coolants were usually orange or red and offered a five-year or 160,000km change interval. There are also coolants which are a blend of IAT and OAT chemicals, and these were therefore named ‘hybrids’ (HAT) and were typically yellow or green – but not always. Nowadays, we can’t rely on the colour to tell us about a coolant’s chemistry or performance. Coolant marketers and OEMs have adopted their own tiered approach to differentiate their products, meaning colour can no longer be used as a guideline to a coolant’s properties. For example, PGPlus, a hybrid, lifetime coolant with 250,000km or 4000 hours service intervals, is dark blue. And PGPlatinum, an organic, lifetime coolant which requires no service thanks to its superior additive package, is red. Is there a legal standard for coolant colours? These days, there’s no legal standard for a coolant manufacturer to use a certain colour,

PGPlatinum is an organic, lifetime coolant which requires no service thanks to its superior additive package.

so it’s not easy to know what chemicals are in the coolant just by its colour. How should coolant be maintained? Every brand of coolant requires different levels of maintenance. Some coolants, such as Fleetguard’s OAT coolant and PG Platinum are lifetime, meaning they don’t need to be changed

over the life of the engine, others such as those containing nitrite used for cavitation protection require additive top-ups, as the additives within them deplete over time. Fleetguard’s PGPlus is an example of this. While some coolants are compatible with others, changing the chemical balance in the cooling system can be detrimental to its performance, so

mixing different types of coolant is not recommended. All coolants, no matter the type, colour or brand should be tested twice a year to ensure they are maintaining the correct chemical composition and concentration. For more information about coolant and cooling system maintenance, visit cumminsfiltration. com.au.

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Fibre composite tankers: outlasting your trucks

Massive 18 axle ABB-Quad road trains move a payload of as much as 60 to 80,000 litres in a single drop.

THE solution to a fluid dynamics problem typically involves the understanding of various properties of the fluid, such as flow, velocity, pressure, density and temperature, as functions of space, momentum and time. Bulk liquid transport operators know of the incredible complexities and forces at play in the liquid transport tankers behind them. Felco’s fibre composite bulk liquid tankers distribute forces and momentum dynamically throughout the tank shell, then the steel tank cradle, chassis rail pivots and suspension, then down to

the truck or trailer suspension, wheels and tyres. Felco’s fibre composite tankers are fully engineered, low tare, corrosion proof solutions working hard for innovative local councils and civil contractors, mining and earthmoving operations and liquid fertiliser or livestock supplement suppliers. Every hour they deliver greater payloads and uptime, but the fact that they usually outlast the trucks they are mounted on, delivers a whole other, ‘whole of life’ value proposition. Innovative road watering (dust suppression) truck

FELCO’S FIBRE COMPOSITE TANKERS ARE FULLY ENGINEERED, LOW TARE, CORROSION PROOF SOLUTIONS WORKING HARD FOR INNOVATIVE LOCAL COUNCILS AND CIVIL CONTRACTORS, MINING AND EARTHMOVING OPERATIONS AND LIQUID FERTILISER OR LIVESTOCK SUPPLEMENT SUPPLIERS.” and trailer combinations are keeping whole crews and

strategic equipment more productive for local councils and civil contractors. Dense and corrosive liquids tankers for the livestock supplemental feeding from truck and dog right up to the massive 18 axle ABBquad road trains can move impressive payloads that deliver as much as 60,000 to 80,000 litres in a single drop. Potable water resupply services are winning contracts due to Felco tankers’ food grade interior linings that will stop any form of algae bloom - common in plastic tanks. So, for an incredible

strength-to-weight ratio, Felco delivers tanker solutions that work harder for you, day-in and day-out, and usually outlast the trucks they are fitted to. Tanker types and combinations manufactured by Felco include: • Rigid chassis trucks - two to five axles or more. • Semi-trailers, including skel, dog, pup or pig trailers • Any combination including A/B double/triple combinations • From 1000 to 20,000 litres/single tank. Up to 64,000 litres in a single tanker combination (more

off-road). • Slide in tankers for tip trucks from 5000 to 16,000 litres. • Containerised skel trailers from 5000 to 20,000 litres. • Smaller utility/service trailers (diesel and water). • 1000 to 13,000 litres per tank (single or multiple compartments. • Fire retardant tanks for firefighting. • Water resupply ‘motherships’. • OEM supplier to firefighting truck manufacturers. For more information, please visit the Felco website at felco.net.au.

Western Roads Federation CEO

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

AIR CTI founder/owner

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

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Heavy motor claims catch Covid-19 I SPY ON THE ROAD ISPY@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

INSURANCE GURU MARK BROWN

Manager, TBI Insurance Services

IF you happen to have been one of the unfortunates who have had to make a claim on their commercial truck insurance policy in the last couple of years, it is more than likely you would have suffered from a certain degree of heightened anxiety after you had received the verdict from your insurer’s Claims Manager or their EXPERT Loss Adjuster TELEMATICS (assessor). SHANNON KYLE Chances are that conSafety solutions specialist, TeletracaNavman tributor to the heightened anxiety may have been that the truck that you thought would be repaired, is declared an un-economical write off by a Loss Adjuster before you’ve even had time to wipe the tears from your eyes after your pride and joy has been in a bingle. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more apparent these days and most notably since Covid-19 reared its ugly head, that Loss Adjusters seem to be becoming very quick at declaring damaged vehicles an “Un-economical Write Off ”. In other words, it is a vehicle that is repairable - subject to each state’s roads authority’s legislation in relation to “Written Off ” vehicles A major reason for the high number of trucks being declared an Un-economical Write Off, is the method that Insurers and Loss Adjusters have used for many years to

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport Women Australia

determine whether to repair a truck or write it off. It is a simple formula. The following three Total loss definition extracts from three different insurer’s policy THE OZprovide TRUCKER wordings an insight intoMIKE howWILLIAMS insurers definitioncontributors@bigrigs.com.au determines the method of how they come declare a vehicle a Write Off and are methods also used by other insurers and underwriters.

(1) Your vehicle will be declared a total loss if: (a) the cost of repairing the vehicle plus the value of the salvage (if applicable) exceeds the sum insured or market value whichever is the lesser, or LOBBYIST (b)STEVE your vehicle is stolen and SHEARER not within a SA Road recovered Transport Association Executive Directorperiod of time. reasonable Both (a) and (b) above will be determined by us. (2) Your Vehicle is a total loss Your vehicle is a total loss if it is stolen and not recovered and We agree to accept a claim for theft of Your Vehicle, or if the cost of repairs to any Vehicle exceeds its Market Value less any Salvage value of the remains and components. (3) Total Loss means: Total Loss means where Your Insured Item is stolen and not recovered within a reasonable period of time, or suffers loss or Damage and We consider the cost of repairing it is either unsafe or uneconomical. You may note that (3) insurer definition does not mention Less Salvage value, however they may still use the same formula as the other insurers to calculate a Total loss.

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

In past years the above methods of calculating a total loss have not really been an issue as the second-hand vehicle market prices has been relatively stable and spare TWUbeen NEWS parts have readily availRICHARDover OLSEN able. However, the last NSW State coupleTWU of years weSecretary have experienced a boom in the second hand market for trucks and spare parts, which has led to the market values of trucks increase in some instances up to 30 per cent.

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

Principal Lawyer RK Law

Examples: Year 2019 Sum Insured $60,000 – Repair Quote $40,000 plus Salvage $15,000 = $55,000 (vehicle may be considered a repair) Year 2021 Sum Insured $60,000 – Repair Quote $40,000 plus Salvage $25,000 = $65,000 (vehicle would be considered an Un-economical Write Off according to the above insurers definitions) Same vehicle, same insured value, but it may be automatically be deemed an Un-economical Write Off because the insurer is able to get such a high $ amount to sell the salvage and recover a larger portion of their cost great for them. But the result puts the insured in a position of a greater financial loss because to replace their Written Off vehicle they will be buying into an over inflated second-hand market and will need to pay in some instances up to 2530% more for the same vehicle, which is not and should not be the Intention of an insurance policy. We are and will continue to work with the insurers on

Loss Adjusters seem to be becoming very quick at declaring damaged vehicles an “Un-economical Write Off”.

this issue in the hope that they will devise a fairer method to determine an Un-economical Write Off or Repair if under the nominated Sum Insured. Important: All answers and information contained within this article should be considered

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38 COLUMN

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

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

Disrespect for owner drivers

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NEWS

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

THERE is currently no stronger example of the disrespect for owner-drivers in the transport industry than the discovery by the TWU that Toll on 5187 occasions failed to pay invoices on time, despite an agreement in place over payments. Now the Transport Workers Union is holding Toll to account in the NSW Supreme Court, suing Toll for almost $52 million for the breaches of the agreements they made. The court case could see Toll pay penalties of up to $10,000 for each of the 5187 late payments it made to almost 250 owner-drivers. The TWU knows how tough it is out there for owner drivers whose small businesses are running on very thin margins. Owner-drivers face ever-increasing running

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS contributors@bigrigs.com.au

costs, toll road cost increases by Transurban and more. It was in good faith that owner drivers agreed to extend their payment terms with Toll for six months. LEGAL EAGLEOnce that time was up, Toll ROWAN KINGspat in their face Principal RK Lawto go back to and Lawyer refused paying them weekly as per their contracted terms. Now as 7000 Toll employees have been voting on whether to go on strike over Toll’s proposed enterprise agreement, which would destroy decent jobs at the transport operator, Toll aims to bring in new workers and outside hire on up to 30 per cent less pay and conditions, threatening the jobs and earnings of the current workforce. The TWU calls this what it is, Toll’s treatment of truck drivers has been an utter disgrace. First, workers were forced to bear the brunt of two cyber attacks, then owner drivers endured months of late payments during the high intensity Christmas period. At the same time, Toll was cooking up a plan to obliterate the decent jobs of its employees.

The TWU alleges Toll failed to pay invoices on time on 5187 occasions.

These actions by Toll are the tip of the iceberg for the transport industry. In other negotiations for new agreements across transport, company plans for “B rates” to strip rights, rates, conditions back to the bone, and hard-fought for standards on superannuation will be brought back to minimums. These are some of the proposals TWU negotiating

committees have faced. Despite record profits for companies at the top of the supply chain, even during the pandemic, the squeeze for anyone in a driver’s cab is getting tighter, whether they be an owner driver or employee. We should not forget that the squeeze comes from clients at the top like Amazon whose profits ballooned 224 per cent to $11 billion in just

the first quarter this year. The TWU fight is about holding these companies to account and stopping the “race to the bottom” that sees bankruptcies and a lowering of standards for the small business operator. Profit must never be the priority in this industry if it comes at the cost of transport worker lives and livelihoods. To lift the standards across

transport, remain informed, have conversations with everybody in the yard as to what the fight is about and know why it is important to stand together. On the road we are choosing to forge a transport industry future that we want for our children and grandchildren. Become part of the fight and head to twu.com.au/join to join.

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Rallying to designate freight as essential service VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

IT’S been a great privilege to use these pages in recent weeks to amplify a campaign by some of the nation’s leading trucking and transport associations to get the Commonwealth government to designate freight workers as essential service providers. Together with NatRoad, the Northern Territory Road Transport Association, Tasmanian Transport Association, Queensland Trucking Association, and the Western Roads Federation, the VTA has been advocating on several priority issues that our collective members have identified as being particularly crucial in the short term. These include getting the Therapeutic Goods Administration to approve rapid antigen Covid testing by linehaul

Since the pandemic began, the freight industry has done a terrific job in reinforcing just how essential our industry is.

freight drivers, as a complement to weekly testing by accredited laboratories, and most recently our efforts to a have drivers recognised as essential service providers. Since the pandemic began, the freight industry has done a terrific job in reinforcing just how essential our industry is, so much so that the prevailing view by most in the community is that – like police, ambulance and other emergency services – we are already recognised as essential. In fact, according to the

Law Council of Australia and the Australian Medical Association, the term “essential services” is not defined in Commonwealth legislation and is not consistently defined at the state or territory level. So as part of our push for a unified national framework on border crossings, we want the Commonwealth to formally designate freight drivers as an essential service during States of Emergencies. Under the present system, states and territories can make essential service descriptions, but they

tend to pertain to industrial action or emergency services. Inconsistencies between jurisdictions lead to inconsistent border crossing requirements we have now, such as differing Covid testing requirements varying from two-day, threeday and/or weekly tests, depending on the jurisdiction. The decision to declare that the road freight industry be recognised as an essential service during a State of Emergency is crucial in ensuring continuity within our national supply chains. The road trans-

port industry is requesting that this recognition be implemented immediately, and that the status of the road freight driver be adjusted accordingly. The status of being an essential service while in a State of Emergency only, is a consideration that would consolidate the commitment of the state and worker towards each other. Concurrent with this, our request for the TGA to allow rapid antigen Covid tests for linehaul freight drivers is gaining momentum. Over the past 18 months the road transport industry has made millions of trips and connections within every community and has not transmitted the Covid virus except for a handful of cases. This record is exemplary and should be recognised in parallel with many of the parameters and restrictions that are having to be imposed upon the community due to the ease upon which the virus can spread. Currently, the interstate transport sector is required to have asymptomatic Covid tests every three days to ensure they

are virus free and do not carry Covid between states as they complete their freight tasks. Without contesting medical advice and direction, the road freight industry is requesting that the asymptomatic testing regime for interstate freight drivers be modified to include less personally invasive rapid antigen testing for those drivers that must test more than once a week. That is, a rapid/home kit test and an accredited pathology laboratory test every week. This modification would see the testing regime still acknowledged, the community protected and drivers avoiding the personal discomfort that twice weekly lab testing provides. We are encouraged that the National Cabinet has reviewed our request, and there is certainly a groundswell of public support for rapid antigen testing. Antigen testing is used worldwide to provide quick and accurate proof of negative Covid tests, and there is no reason the tests shouldn’t be part of our national toolbox to manage the virus.

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Looking forward to the new challenges ahead

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE AIR CTI founder/owner

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

ing forward to the future in a more buoyant manner. I will be happily seeking a new role but, in the meantime, I will be packing to move into my new home and EDITOR catchingGRAHAM up on all the work JAMES james.graham@bigrigs.com.au for Transport Women Australia Limited and devoting more time to the organisation. I will be spending time with the cats and trying not to buy any more art! While I’m not sure about the Covid-19 vaccinations and I don’t believe they should be mandatory, I believe that the government will make it TWU NEWS that beingOLSEN vaccinated will be RICHARD TWU Stateway Secretary theNSW only we are able to have any freedom. It may also be the only way that we will progress from the continual opening and shutting and opening and shutting of our businesses and state borders. We need to get to the stage where we can open and get back to work; where this virus is treated as just another flu, where you have the vaccine and go about your business. We cannot continue disrupting the economy and have the uncertainty that has

been going on since February 2020. We need to protect our vulnerable and have an actual plan, a proper plan, to come out of this and move forward to a working economy. TASSIE TRUCKIN’ we can continue to JONWhile WALLIS contributors@bigrigs.com.au support local businesses, they must survive to be supported. We need to bring sensi-

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

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

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

Australia

ISN’T it amazing sometimes when a door slams shut behind you, it propels you into a world of amazing opportunity. This is how I am looking at my retrenchment from Lineage Logistics recently. I believe the world is now THE OZ that TRUCKER full ofWILLIAMS opportunities. MIKE contributors@bigrigs.com.au I’d been in the same role for 14 years and stayed on because of my love for the Fleiszig family of Oxford Cold Storage before it was sold to Lineage Logistics, and because of the pandemic uncertainty. Now I’m free to take on new challenges and write the next chapter in what so far has been an amazing life. So, while I had become LOBBYIST quite depressed STEVE SHEARERbecause of all SA Road Transport Association the lockdowns, the pandemic Executive Director and being unable to visit family interstate, I’m now look-

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

ble conditions that allow all businesses to operate without shutting down at a moment’s notice. If we have the contact tracing in place and it works, there is no need for these lockdowns to continue. We also need to set priorities for our essential workers like truck drivers, police, aged

care workers, etc. to be first in line for vaccinations, for testing, and anything else that assists them in doing their job quicker and easier. After all we can’t survive without the transport industry, and we would not want to survive without the police. We also need practise caution

in our aged care facilities and make sure our vulnerable citizens are protected. If you would like to contact Transport Women Australia Limited about events, our initiatives, or our conference or membership - please email chair@transportwomen.com. au or call 0417 422 319.

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

Principal Lawyer RK Law

We cannot continue disrupting the economy and have the uncertainty that has been going on since February 2020.

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Remembering TruckSafe’s John Kelly age. Kelly had a passion for defensive driving after his many years of experience driving multi-combinations and road trains across Australia’s many varied terrains. Kelly’s passion also lay in conveying the importance of safety for the trucking industry, which saw him become a full-time consultant working for the Road Transport Forum (now Australian Trucking Association). In this role, Kelly was instrumental in the development of Team 200 (now known as TruckSafe) with other industry champions such as Craig Roseneder and Dean Croke. The success of TruckSafe today can be credited to Kelly’s passion and drive, working to develop fatigue management programs for the road freight industry and implement important driver training programs. To honour Kelly ‘s contribution to not only TruckSafe but the wider trucking industry, in 2011 the John Kelly Memorial Award was established. Honouring TruckSafe accredited operators who have implemented and promoted

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER EMILY MILLS Australian Trucking Association

WITH no other road transport accreditation scheme as comprehensive or robust, TruckSafe has a long history of leading industry safety and raising the bar for businesses. 2021 is a significant year for TruckSafe, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. One man who played a key role in TruckSafe’s establishment all those years ago was the late John Kelly. Kelly’s career in the transport industry started when he began working as a truck driver for Scotts Transport, before becoming a subcontractor owner-driver for BP/Shell for many years. In the mid-1990s, Kelly wanted to move away from driving and into risk management, becoming a driver trainer at Roadmaster Haul-

John Kelly, right, was a key player in establishing TruckSafe.

the program in an exceptional manner, the award celebrates those who have fostered a strong safety culture in every part of their business. These days, Kelly’s legacy lives on through his son Noel, Director of AEI Insurance Broking Group and a TruckSafe board member. “As an owner in the business, it made sense to continue the legacy of my father and support the great work TruckSafe does as the peak accreditation in Australia,” Noel said. “I have been fortunate enough to now be involved in the TruckSafe board. AEI’s interest as insurance brokers trying to mitigate risk and prevent

accidents is closely aligned with that of TruckSafe – to make the industry a safer place,” he said. Reflecting on his father’s contributions, Noel says that part of Kelly’s involvement with the RTF (ATA) required lobbying to government on behalf of the industry. “Dad would love to take politicians in the truck, often for days at a time, across the country to highlight the challenges faced by the industry,” Noel said, “Commonly known as ‘JK’, Dad was also widely known for his big personality. “He often referred to rogue transport operators as ‘crocodiles’ – he would always say

John Kelly is fondly remembered during TruckSafe’s 25th year.

‘you’ve got to watch out for those crocodiles’,” he said. TruckSafe members take pride in their accreditation and are widely recognised for their safe work practices, safe and well-maintained trucks, healthy drivers and sound management systems.

That’s why each year, the ATA and TruckSafe are proud to honour Kelly’s legacy and present the John Kelly Memorial Award, celebrating those who are committed to improving the safety and professionalism of their business and the wider industry.

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FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Roadside camera trial snaps 15,000 using phones SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Mobile phone cameras There has been a lot of discussion recently among truckies about roadside cameras that detect motorists using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts. These were recently rolled out around Queensland at fixed locations. Some will be fitted into patrol cars as they get along the highways and byways. Authorities around the country nominate these two offences as major causes of accidents. Driving distracted with your mobile phone has been described as the “drink driving of this era.” It is understood that a sixmonth trial of fixed and porta-

ble cameras in secret locations took place late in 2020. Data collected from the trial revealed that over 15,000 people were detected illegally using a phone while driving and more than 2200 people were found not wearing a seatbelt. Traffic authorities have warned drivers they should expect to be caught anywhere, anytime, whether they’re in the city or on a regional highway. Spy has heard scores of truckies at roadhouses or rest areas discussing the matter. Some reckon it is government revenue raising while others feel it could help reduce the road toll. Until October 31, those caught by the cameras will not be fined. Instead, they will receive a warning letter advising them that they’ve been caught. From November 1, drivers caught on camera will receive a $1033 fine and lose four demerit points for mobile phone offences, and a $413 fine and three demerit points for each

Davey Street in Hobart, heading southbound just before the Sandy Bay turn-off is a one-way road.

vehicle occupant detected not wearing a seatbelt.” Invasion by the military For residents of Bowen in north Queensland, it was like déjà vu when military person-

nel converged on their seaside town for war games. It was during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021, held from July 14 until August 1, with participation between Australia and the United States mil-

Flashback to 2007, when bombing scenes were in filmed in Bowen for the movie ‘Australia’.

itary. Held every two years, it’s designed to test Australian interoperability with the United States and other participating forces in complex warfighting scenarios. In addition to the United States, it involved participating forces from Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It featured hundreds of heavy trucks, most unique to the military, which were enlisted for the exercise for transport logistics, troop manoeuvres and offensive and defensive simulated combat operations on the ground, in the air, on the sea and in space. A local Bowen civilian driver told Big Rigs the soldiers made an amphibious landing and were seen in numerous streets. “It was like a war and really opened my eyes about the military,” he said. Ironically he had been in Bowen during 2007 when parts of the movie Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, were filmed. This included life-like scenes depicting the bombing

of Darwin by the Japanese during World War II. Spy was in Bowen that week and snapped lots of pics of the spectacular bombing scenes and the aftermath. One-way streets annoying Some visiting Victorian truckies who have ventured into Tasmania to deliver goods were not impressed by the one-way streets in Hobart and Launceston. They reckon it is extremely confusing to drive along these streets, before they park to deliver goods. I can sympathise with them, having been to both cities many times over the past 20 years. On one occasion the vehicle I was in entered a street from the wrong direction, holding up traffic in Launceston – not to mention incurring the wrath of local drivers who honked their horns. Police had to come along and direct traffic and luckily an understanding cop didn’t issue a traffic breach. Tasmanian drivers and truckies are mindful of the one-way streets, but visitors need to beware.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Some tippers at work on the Arnhem Highway in NT, between Darwin and Kakadu.

A truck pull-off area near Kununurra, WA, with caravans parked nearby.

New fashion trend Other than food, drinks and fuel, which items are the most regularly purchased by drivers at roadhouses around the country? Rubber thongs would have to be up there. But lately there seems to be a growing number of drivers wearing wide brimmed straw hats. It may well be they are increasingly aware of skin cancer, given their regular sun exposure. I asked some of the lads their reason for wearing them. “They are cheap and you can buy one for less than $15 at many roadhouses,” was a common answer.

who are lucky enough to have accommodation paid for by their employers stay there. It boasts a nice bistro and bar far from the rooms and at reasonable prices. They are the envy of many other drivers and reckon it sure beats a snooze in their truck sleeper box.

Surprise in the mail Three truck drivers can expect a “nasty surprise” in the mail after breaking red lights and being caught on camera. This occurred in a large country town where traffic on a green light turn right at a busy intersection across a railway line. Spy was actually in the line of traffic behind the trucks and saw them proceed after the light arrow had turned red. A light flashed indicating they been captured by the camera Another light truck that turned on the amber arrow

won’t be breached. Several traffic cops have told Spy that a lot of cars get caught at these lights turning on a red arrow – which provides a nice little earner for consolidated revenue. The Max factor At a Queensland hotel where many interstate truckies stay overnight while on distance jobs is a barman they have identified as a lookalike of champion Melbourne Demons AFL ruckman Max Gawn. Gawn is one of the most recognisable AFL players, with his lanky frame and trademark long beard, and has been an all-Australian rep several times. He is in the news more than ever these days because the Demons are having a bonzer season hovering round the top four on the AFL ladder. However when this chap was told of the resemblance, he said, “I don’t even know who Max Gawn is.” Not surprising as he lives deep in rugby league heartland and doesn’t follow the rival code. Even members of a local Australian rules club who sell raffle tickets at the watering hole take pleasure in calling him Max. This pub is on the outskirts of the town and the truckies

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Kakadu will be accessible during the wet season. There’s a vast flood plain on either side of the Adelaide River and a new road is being constructed there. One of our truckie mates sent Spy a picture of the work. One pic shows a pair of tippers waiting to be loaded with gravel on the new raised section.

Kakadu access upgrade A lot of money is being spent on raising the level of the Arnhem Highway between Darwin and Kakadu so that

For trucks only? Spy has been sent a picture of a truck pull off area by a lady as she turned off the road

from Kununurra, WA, onto Gibb River Road. “It’s a truck bay next to a caravan and car park. Two separate areas but adjoined. I thought a caravan website had a post on it saying that this parking bay and some others are for trucks only and please don’t use them,” she said. For the record. This woman is a grey nomad travelling in a van with her husband. I thought this may be of high interest to truckies.

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Image credit: Inlights Photography

Escort pilots ignored Wide loads can be seen on highways and byways around the country but the escort or pilot drivers who guide them are often ignored by motorists. Spy saw a truck transporting a wide load take off from beside a main road in a town with the escort at the rear, ready to slot in directly behind it. However four cars had been following the wide load and didn’t slow down to make way for the pilot. Despite the pilot driver signaling them with his arm. It was several kilometres down the road before the pilot was able to get behind the load.

Second class citizens An angry driver reckons that truckies were treated like “second class citizens” when they used facilities at a popular NSW roadhouse. He told Spy that truckies had to be given a key to the shower and toilets. “We even had to advise staff the number of the booth we used,” he said. The experienced driver claimed that members of the public who had separate facilities did not have to. “We were treated like second class citizens and it is not right, considering truckies deliver the food and goods which supply Australia,” he said.

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COLUMNS 87

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JUNE 26 2020

44 PUZZLES

Sad day for all in transport

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 3

8 9 10 11 12

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

SUDOKU

THIS article is the ending of an 13 era for the 14 transport 15industry with the demise of this magazine under the 19 restructure and rationalisation of News Corp. It is a sad day for all of us in the 22 industry as Big Rigs magazine has been a part of our lives for almost 30 years. For some, their entire careers so far. 24 It will leave huge gap as the editors and staff have supported the industry, provided fair and rational debate and given everyone a fair say in industry doings to all, as well as stories, pictures and news of our peoEASY ple, our trucks and our unsung heroes. Our lives will be the poorer for its demise; being a columnist for Big Rigs for the past year and half has allowed me to fulfil yet another childhood dream, to write, and it has given me great pleasure and I hope it has at least been enjoyed by some. While so many are focused on the negatives of the industry, I have tried to focus on the

positives aspects or those issues about which I am most passionate and have a chance of making a contribution to change. I began writing column when I was returned as Transport Women Australia Limited chair in November 2017. In the interim, TWAL has had many16 successes and 17 18 achievements. It 20 has expanded the relationship with Girl Guides Australia 21 and been involved with several successful projects with them, the Victorian Snoozefest in April 2018, the “Great Bag Migration” for the Interna23 tional Jamboree in Sydney in October 2018 and other interactions that are expanding the knowledge of the transport in25 dustry. We launched the Women Driving Transport Careers initiative with our partners Wodonga TAFE and Volvo Group at the 2018 TWAL Creating Connections conference. This initiative has been in hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic but all partners are excited to move forward to expand the program as soon as possible. We held a well attended and exciting conference in May 2018 and we have plans in place with the date saved and venue booked for our Driving the Difference 2021 conference

Across

1 When one communicates by mail, one does what (6) To detain in custody, is to do what (8) 8 Name another term for a helix (6) 9 To grow in the manner of plants, is to do what (8) 10 Which term describes that which has bounds or 11 limits (6) Which South American bird resembles the African 12 ostrich (4) What are money-raising functions (5) 13 Which device produces a high-intensity beam of 16 radiation (5) What is a single thing (4) 19 What does one get when one touches a live electric 21 wire (1,5) Name an expression of merriment (8) 22 Which fatty substance is used as a lubricant (6) 23 Name an alternative term for refinement (8) 24 What is a body of principles belonging to one 25 subject (6)

Down

2 To which animal kingdom does the rattlesnake

belong (7) 3 What is a white ant also known as (7) Which metallic element has the symbol Ag (6) 4 5 Name a magazine of arms and military stores (7) What are tracts of land completely surrounded by 6 water (7) 7 What is a whole number called (7) Name a particular cricketer (7) 13 14 Which term describes a veteran actor (7) What is a subordinate division of a title (7) 15 17 To accomplish, is to do what (7) 18 What might we call one who offers an apology (7) Name an object that is aimed at (6) 20

W R E S P T F I L F E I E L A D E L R

I T E I R M N I T T E R O U G P E G R

E S I A L V T E R S U N B H T E A N D

A M P R S E G E N H E A L I T A S E R G R C E T H

I I S L T A N D A S C H O I E A V E O

I O N T T E G E E R X C K U S E E R Y

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 1 Writes, 8 Imprison, 9 Spiral, 10 Vegetate, 11 Finite, 12 Rhea, 13 Fetes, 16 Laser, 19 Unit, 21 A shock, 22 Laughter, 23 Grease, 24 Elegance, 25 Theory.

Down: 2 Reptile, 3 Termite, 4 Silver, 5 Arsenal, 6 Islands, 7 Integer, 13 Fielder, 14 Trouper, 15 Subhead, 17 Achieve, 18 Excuser, 20 Target.

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

in Melbourne. 1 In November 2019 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the organisation (TWAL) with a fabulous gala dinner at The Windsor Melbourne where we also presented our first four winners 8 of the Driving the 9 Difference scholarships with our amazing sponsor, Daimler Truck and Bus Asia Pacific.11 We also presented the inaugural Trish Pickering Mem-

orial 2 Award, 3 sponsored by the 4 wonderful Wes Pickering. This was awarded for longterm outstanding contribution by7a female to the road transport industry, the inaugural winner was Pam McMillan the 10 longest serving director and chair of Transport Women Australia Limited. This is an annual award and the recipient of the 2020 Trish Pickering Memorial Award

will 5 be announced later this 6 year at an event still to be determined. We have also launched our Learning Initiatives Breakfast Series with several partners so far, including NTI, MOVE BANK and rt health. In early 2020 the Creating Connections Mentoring program was finally ready to commence with both mentors and mentees signing up to the pro-

Across

gram. 1 Bobbin I would like to thank the 4 Floatingteam structure fantastic at Big Rigs 7 Very small newspaper for their incredible 8 Black bird support and wish them on10 Fasting period going success. hope that I get the oppor11I Joint tunity to continue to work with 12 Tavern some of 14 Castthem off and so work towards 17 Farmaking down the trucking industry a better appreciated, 19 Drink and a safer place for our peo20 Imply ple.

23 Tibetan priest 25 Not concealed 26 Time of holding 27 Power of rejecting 28 Mistake

Fighting to end the inequality: Big Rigs and TWU played their parts 19 17 18 HARD

O O L M I N V E N A N K L N E P I N F O M A E N U R T O E

R A F T U T E L E N T E N S H E D A L E E R B V E R T E O R R O R

HARD

S P O R A D I N D E G L A T V E

EASY

policy that should be keeping safe one of the most dangerous industries in Australia. To quote one truck driver turned Australian senator, 23 “a death at work 24 Glenn Sterle, or on the road should not be the price of doing business”. The TWU puts26 it to governments that we must stop the inequality that exists between truck drivers and clients. 27must be paid proper Drivers rates, owner-drivers must be able to trust they will be paid properly for the work they do and on time. Families depend on this. Many of the ongoing problems that occur are down to the big clients squeezing our

21 25

industry as dry as they can. They want operators to meet their unrealistic deadlines and take on more freight for less or they face the risk of

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losing their contracts and the ability to support their families. It appears the government does not care. There are unsafe vehicles, dodgy licences, poor payment times, wage and superannuation theft – just a few of the many things we have called for to be stopped. A reminder to governments and the transport industry clients: the industry that has kept Australia moving during the pandemic is facing an uphill battle. Employer groups should be standing alongside transport workers to unite for a safer and fairer industry.

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Spool, 4 Raft, 7 Minute, 8 Raven, 10 Lent, 11 Ankle, 12 Inn, 14 Shed, 17 Deep, 19 Ale, 20 Infer, 23 Lama, 25 Overt, 26 Tenure, 27 Veto, 28 Error. Down: 1 Sordid, 2 Omen, 3 Link, 4 Rules, 5 Ate, 6 Fennel, 9 Vane, 13 Negate, 15 Hare, 16 Debtor, 18 Piano, 21 Fore, 22 Ever, 24 Met.

THIS is the end of an era, the last TWU column in the trusted transport industry publication Big Rigs. Over the years the TWU and Big Rigs have played their parts in the role of keeping the top end of town accountable and doing our bit to look out for the rights of the little guy. It’s still about the voice that speaks out for the truck driver,

the owner and the employee. It’s been the voice that calls out for fair pay for the work you do, for safety in the drivers’ cab and on the road, the voice that seeks to relieve the pressure on the driver pushed by clients’ incessant cries for increased productivity for the same rates and conditions. It is obvious we still have a long way to go – we have been through countless road, freight and transport ministers and nothing changes. Truck drivers are still dying at work. It’s a pretty safe bet to say this is due to the lack of strong government policy in place,

A final reminder to all Big Down Rigs readers: now is the time to 1 Squalid unite, now is the time to ensure 2 Augury equality in this industry. 3 Connection Together we can stand on 4 Governsground working to common 5 Consumed ensure the government contin6 Plant used intransport cookeryworkues to support 9 Weathercock ers and the industry they support. 13 Nullify TWU will continue to 15The Rabbit-like animal voice the needs of transport 16 One owing money workers the employers, 18 Softly to (mus) their industry bodies and the 21 Golfer’s warning clients. 22Better At all times standards mean job 24 Encountered security and ultimately a safer and fairer industry for all. We can lift the standards we need together – our lives depend on it.

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WHAT’S ON 45

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Save the date for these events in 2021/22

AUGUST National Road Transport Hall of Fame Reunion August 27-29 Alice Springs, NT Visit: roadtransporthall.com Despite lockdowns in some parts of Australia, at deadline for this issue we were told that the Festival of Transport will be going ahead, alongside the usual reunion activities, including introducing the newest members to the Rimula Wall of Fame. National Skills Week August 23-29 National event Visit: nationalskillsweek. com.au National Skills Week is dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning. Over 500 events are set to take place across Australia.

Heatherton Truck Show August 28 Heatherton, Victoria Visit: facebook.com/ heathertontruckshow The inaugural Heatherton Truck Show will help raise money for Variety, the children’s charity. The day will in-

Hawkesbury Showground in Clarendon for a fun-filled family day with rides, entertainment, food and stalls.

The Brisbane show raises money for Hummingbird House.

clude a vast display of trucks old and new, awards presentations, food stands, kids activities and more. SEPTEMBER Australasian Road Safety Conference September 28-30 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Visit: australasianroad safetyconference.com.au The 2021 Australasian Road Safety Conference will combine a mixture of in-person and online delivery to ensure people can be involved regardless of any travel restrictions that may be in place. The event aims to align with road safety efforts across Australia, New Zealand and globally, and assist in building road safety capacity.

OCTOBER Lights on the Hill Memorial Convoy October 2-3 Gatton, Qld Visit: lightsonthehill.com.au The memorial convoy gives drivers and their families an opportunity to get together with other truckies in a social environment whilst making the public aware that truckies are the backbone of the country. Convoy for Kids Sydney October 31 Sydney, NSW Visit: convoyforkids.com.au Since the first Convoy for Kids Sydney in 1992, truckies have raised nearly $3 million for kids’ charities and hospitals in NSW. The upcoming convoy will start from Huntingwood and arrive at

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NOVEMBER Illawarra Convoy November 21 Illawarra, NSW Visit: illawarraconvoy. com.au The Illawarra Convoy and Family Fun Day is the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, raising much needed funds for various charities. Brisbane Convoy for Kids and Truck Show November 6 Redcliffe Showgrounds, Queensland Visit: brisbaneconvoy forkids.com.au Raising money for Hummingbird House, the truck and bike convoy will run from Forest Lake to Redcliffe Showgrounds, where there will be a truck show with awards that include everything from Best Decorated Truck to Best Dressed Driver. The evening will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display.

Despite the many lockdowns, organisers of the popular Hall of Fame events in Alice Springs were confident they were still going ahead. Photo: Facebook

FEBRUARY MEGATRANS February 16-18 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Visit: megatrans.com.au MEGATRANS is Australia’s leading industry freight and logistics trade exhibition and conference, showcasing multimodal transport solutions. For the first time, MEGATRANS will be held in conjunction with the specialised bulk handling expo, Australian Bulk Handling Expo 2021, with both events taking place side by side. Boyup Brook Ute and Truck Muster February 19 Boyup Brook, WA

Visit: countrymusicwa. com.au/ute-truck-muster Held together with the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, this muster aims to celebrate Aussie vehicles with an impressive display. MAY Trucking Australia 2021 Date TBC Gold Coast, Queensland Visit: new.truck.net.au/ta/ The Trucking Australia conference, presented by the Australian Trucking Association, will be held in May, with the exact date to be confirmed soon. • Have you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to editor@bigrigs.com.au.

46 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Veteran truck technician retires after 54 years

The longest-serving member of Patterson Cheney’s 600-strong workforce is being celebrated as he embarks on his next chapter. BY DANIELLE GULLACI

Roger Padfield is celebrated on his last at Patterson Cheney Isuzu Dandenong, albeit in a far more low-key fashion than planned.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Permanent HC/MC Short Haul Drivers

Permanent MC Long Distance Drivers

Based: Fraser Coast, Gympie & Brisbane

We are currently seeking experienced full time HC or MC drivers for our Short Haul Fleet based from Maryborough, Brisbane or Gympie Qld. General freight experience required.

We are currently seeking experienced full time MC drivers for our Long Distance Fleet based from Maryborough, Brisbane or Gympie Qld. Long Distance runs mostly to NSW, VIC, ACT and North Queensland. General freight experience required.

Richers Transport operates the company's head office in Maryborough Queensland. Our company is a prominent carrier into the Wide Bay region, established since 1935. All drivers are paid under the terms of our Collective Agreement. Trip rates plus pick up and drop fees are paid. Drivers are paid weekly and superannuation is paid at 10% of OTE. Applicants are required to hold a current, appropriate class licence. Applicants must provide a 5 year traffic history printout. Applicants will undergo previous employment checks. Our company has a strong health program and consent for drug and alcohol testing is a mandatory condition of employment.

If your skills and experience match the criteria, please email hr@richers.com.au or call 07 4121 2525 during normal business hours.

FLASH back to 1967, the Beatles were at their peak, Neil Armstrong was still two years away from landing on the moon and trucks as we now know them were non-existent. That was also the same year that a 16-year-old named Roger Padfield started his motor mechanic apprenticeship with Patterson Cheney. Now, at the ripe age of 70, he’s called time on his career, leaving a lasting impression on many of those who have had the pleasure of working with him. Padfield started his journey with Patterson Cheney at the company’s South Melbourne car service centre, learning the ins and outs of fixing Holdens, Chevrolets, Pontiacs and Vauxhalls. Within two years, Bedford trucks were added into the mix.

When the company opened its Footscray dealership, Padfield moved there, working as a foreman, then a leading hand and finally a road handler. After around 11 years at that site, Patterson Cheney made the decision to close the Footscray dealership and Padfield moved to Patterson Cheney Isuzu Dandenong in 1983, where he stayed for 28 years as the afternoon shift supervisor in the service department. Though his official title only scratches the surface of the contribution he made during his time there. “When I started on the afternoon shift, there was only two of us. By the time I finished up, there were about 12 people. I basically handed out the work, controlled what work was going on, booked vehicles in and sorted spare parts as well,” said Padfield, who grew up in the Mel-

bourne suburb of Highett. His father was a boilermaker and he says that helped to steer him towards a career as a mechanic, coupled with a knack for problem-solving and figuring out how things worked. When asked what has kept him in the same role with the same company for all these years, he said, “I enjoy what I do. I think that’s the only way I can put it. I love the problem-solving aspect, but it is getting harder these days with the electronics coming into the systems.” Making the switch from cars to trucks two years into his career planted the seed for what was to come for Padfield. “When I started, there wasn’t too many diesels in Bedfords, whereas now all trucks are diesel powered, not petrol powered. Electronics and turbos have been some of the biggest changes,” he said,

TANKER DRIVERS WE ARE SEEKING PROFESSIONAL TANKER DRIVERS BASED AT DROUIN, LEONGATHA, WELSHPOOL, MAFFRA, WARRNAMBOOL, SHEPPARTON OR ALBURY TO JOIN OUR MILK TRANSPORT OPERATIONS.

Seasonal, casual and some full-time positions Immediate start Excellent rates and plenty of work, including nights and weekends. Medicals, training and uniforms provided. YOU WILL NEED: • MC (preferred) or HC licence • Clean and tidy appearance • Excellent time management • Good driving skills • Satisfactory reference checks • Good VicRoads 5-year driver history report. To apply, email your resume to: Melissa - hr@stoitse.com.au quoting ref: V002 and stating your preferred location.

CAREERS AND TRAINING 47

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY AUGUST 20 2021

Roger Padfield (right) with Patterson Cheney’s service manager Wayne Murphy.

adding that it’s been a really rewarding career for him. “It’s kept me sane. Not all problems are easy to fix, but you try and nut them all out – sometimes it can be frustrating, but I really enjoyed it.” Patterson Cheney’s service

manager Wayne Murphy says Padfield has been a pillar of strength in his department and a cornerstone of knowledge for his colleagues. “Roger was key in helping us set up our afternoon shift when it first began and he also

supported our 24-hour service later on,” Murphy said. “Roger has done advising work, spare parts selection and interpretation, diagnostic checks on the trucks for the mechanics to help them identify problems faster, road

NEIL MANSELL GROUP OF COMPANIES Neil Mansell Group is a group of companies that specialises in a diverse range of undertakings including road transport, concrete, mining, logistics, engineering, panel and paint, heavy towing and more on a national scale. The group employs in excess of 700 staff and operates in excess of 1350 items registered plant nationally.

We currently have vacancies for the following positions:

Perth - Western Australia

Local HR and MC Pick Up and Delivery Drivers.

Adelaide - South Australia

MC Line Haul Driver with triple road train experience FIFO Road Train Drivers on 2 / 2 roster transporting rigs and associated work in the oil and gas.

Toowoomba - Queensland

FIFO and DIDO Road Train Drivers on 2 / 2 roster transporting rigs and associated work in the oil and gas.

Mackay - Queensland

Concrete Agitator Drivers require HR licence and white / blue card with knowledge of Mackay area.

tests, honestly, he’s done a little bit of everything, and done them brilliantly.” Like Padfield, Murphy has been in the business for many years – and they aren’t the only ones. “Wayne has been with Patterson Cheney

for about 40 years or so. One of the blokes who retired recently was there for about 45 years and there’s a few others who’ve been there over 40 years too,” said Padfield. “I reckon Patterson Cheney were quite good at

keeping as many people as possible. They’ve been a good company to work for, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have been there for so long. “At Patterson Cheney, there’s a 10-year club and I’ve been on top of it for many years and am the longest serving member there. But I’m getting older and I’m not as fit as I used to be. I still need to try and be doing something though and it’s been hard with all these lockdowns.” Padfield officially finished up on July 16 and though his colleagues had planned a big send-off for him, Melbourne had just entered into its fifth lockdown so things had to be a little more low-key. Murphy congratulated Padfield on his contribution to the business. “It has been a privilege to work with Roger, who is not only very experienced but more than happy to share his knowledge with the rest of the Isuzu dealer network,” he said. “We have all benefited from his skills and been inspired by his dedication to the brand. It is going to be so difficult replacing Roger that we are splitting his current role into two jobs.” Patterson Cheney is hoping to give Padfield a well-deserved big send-off once restrictions ease, with a date yet to be confirmed. Though travel is on hold for the time being, Padfield is hoping to visit New Zealand once restrictions ease. “But I need to talk my wife into that I think,” he joked.

ABOUT AG-SPREAD Ag-Spread is a well-established transport company that specialises in bulk commodity transport. We operate throughout Victoria, New South Wales & Southern QLD. Our fleet of Kenworth’s and Western Stars consists of Truck and Dogs, B Doubles and Road Train Tippers.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced MC - B Double Tipper Driver to join our team. The work is suited for drivers who are able to spend some time away from home during the week, and are looking for a secure full time position with high earning potential.

Benefits of the role: • Excellent earning potential • Consistent work • Permanent & secure - Full time position • Immediate start available To be successful you will need: Experience: • 1 year B-Double experience • 1 year tipping experience preferred Licence: • MC drivers licence

Sunshine Coast - Queensland

Concrete Agitator Drivers require HR licence and white / blue card with knowledge of Sunshine Coast Local Pneumatic Tanker Driver—MC licence required Local HC Truck and Dog Drivers.

APPLICATIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO hr@mansell.com.au ALTERNATIVELY CONTACT AMY BELFORD ON 0438 171 481

If this sounds like you, call Nick on

0499 003 603 for more information, or submit your cover letter and resume to drivingjobsaust@gmail.com

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