New telematics monitoring application available through Teletrac Navman, drought permits valid only in drought declared areas, Glen Innes saleyards million-dollar upgrade underway, grace period for TruckSafe audits, traffic arrangements on Northconnex and more…
LBRCA participates in NSW Farmgate Access Project review meeting, NHVR/LBRCA member zoom meeting a success, Covid-19 outbreak risk to operators at Cedar Meats Abattoir low, Road Surface Repairs on Golden Highway, Moree Saleyards toilets locked due to Covid-19, Caltex reveals new Ampol logo, ARTIONSW update on new awards, icare webinars and more…
Telematics changes for NSW, New truck wash at Warialda ready for business, You’re invited to an NHVR zoom meeting, 5-tonne limit on sections of MR358 Merriwa, Federal Government freeze 2020-21 RUC, Sealing the Cobb and Silver City Highways, Upgrade to Yetman Road Freight Corridor, Border gate keys between Qld and NSW, Moving freight in and out of WA and more…
The NSW Government has allocated an additional $500 million towards the NSW drought relief package to assist farmers affected by the drought – an event that now strangles 99% of the state.
This brings the total relief package to $1 billion.
The additional funding includes $190 million in transport subsidies providing farmers access to a subsidy for up to 50% of the cost of moving stock, food, and water.
“A drought doesn’t discriminate and an entire rural community will experience the impacts. If local farmers are struggling, so too does the whole community,” says LBRCA President Lynley Miners.
“The package is not the silver bullet that will deliver a state-wide miracle but it’s going to keep the cogs turning while we wait for the drought to break.”
“The LBRCA agree that it is critical to support our farmers but is equally critical to extend adequate lifelines to the rural sectors that support our farmers including rural transporters.”
As part of the package, all NSW councils can now apply for funding to rectify poor sections of local roads that may impact on drought affected stock being transported.
Do the drought measures extend far enough to support all rural sectors? What else can be done to provide relief to – or support – rural carriers who may be experiencing the ripple effect of a long and drawn out drought?
The LBRCA is keen for members to express their views – please contact the Secretariat on 02 6295 6651 or email bec.coleman@lbrca.org.au
An interesting article appeared in The Daily Telegraph last Friday 3 August titled ‘Gay looks in driving seat for a plum job?’.
The exclusive written by well-known Sydney journalist Annabel Hennessy suggests that ex-NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has been lobbying for the position as chair of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), a position currently held by former Liberal politician Bruce Baird.
The Daily Telegraph revealed that Duncan met with NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey in May to discuss appointing him as the chair of the NHVR.
This was confirmed by the LBRCA this morning with a spokesperson for Minister Pavey stating “The Minister supports Duncan Gay being appointed to the NHVR board given his extensive experience in the industry.”
Duncan also allegedly has the support of the Federal Transport Minister Michael McCormack who has put him forward as the Commonwealth’s nomination for the role.
In responding to this news, Duncan said “if the opportunity to be Chair of the NHVR arose, I would seek guidance from the Ethics Advisor or relevant bodies to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.”
It does seem that our former NSW Roads Minister is keen to take on the top job should there be no road blocks in his way. We will keep a close eye on any movements in this area.
Congratulations to LBRCA members Mick and Jo McCulloch from McCulloch Bulk Haulage who have taken delivery of their new Kenworth T610 SAR after successfully bidding on the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient production truck every to carry the iconic Kenworth badge.
The prime mover, generously supplied by Brown & Hurley Coffs Habour thanks to Dealer Principal Graham Sebbens, was the centrepiece of the 2018 LBRCA/ALRTA Conference held in Coffs Harbour in March.
Industry suppliers including Alemlube, AEI Transport Insurance, BP Australia, Haultech Engineering, Barrup Bullbars, Teletrac Navman and Truck Art Trailers generously donated a range of high-quality extras to the vehicle.
“This vehicle is a game changer for industry and it will turn some heads and start conversation in truck stops all over Australia,” LBRCA President Lynley Miners says.
The prime mover is powered by the Cummins X15 Euro V engine with Advance Dynamic Efficient Powertrain (ADEPT) technology and includes a suite of electronic features that interact with the Eaton automated manual transmission.
The T610 SAR is built for the versatile Australian landscape and dynamically adapts to operating conditions to enhance fuel economy with no impact on productivity.
Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with braking, Collission Mitigation as well as the standard EBSS safety systems are now standard and will ensure that the McCulloch team are operating under the safest conditions on our roads.
The LBRCA extends special thanks to Graham Sebbens and Alex Milne from Brown & Hurley Coffs Habour for their generosity, time and efforts making this delivery seamless as well as the generous suppliers who are dedicated to supporting an industry that supports them.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has implemented a new process to enable the public to obtain heavy vehicle images online from the Safe-T-Cam and Point to Point (excluding average speed offences).
Previously there was no dedicated process for a customer to obtain a copy of a camera image for a vehicle they own or were driving. Further, an application was required to be completed along with a fee paid.
The new process allows a person who has a lawful interest in obtaining the images to apply directly to RMS Enforcement Services Unit – at no cost.
To obtain the images, customers must complete a ‘Heavy Vehicle Camera Image Request Form’ and email to enforcement.review@rms.nsw.gov.au
Unfortunately, the process does not apply to speeding offences. Revenue NSW separately manage these.
Important Links:
▪ RMS website: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/safety-compliance/speeding-camera-enforcement/safe-t-cams.html
▪ Form: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/about/forms/45065676-heavy-vehicle-camera-image-request.pdf.
▪ Fact Sheet: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/faqs-requesting-heavy-vehicle-camera-images.pdf.
▪ Enforcement Review direct email address: enforcement.review@rms.nsw.gov.au
Meet LBCA Member, Fred Troutman of Goulburn Livestock.
How did you start out in Livestock Transport?
Heavily in debt. I had no experience with animals and no license. I’d been with the Department of Agriculture for 12 years and was looking for a change. I knew someone who knew someone – and I bought him out. I was also lucky. Richard Carter, Bill Fife, Geoff Lawton and Harry Medway showed me the ropes. 30 years later – the rest is history.
What do you like most about the job?
Every day brings a new challenge. I organise about 8 trucks every day. I love the people. I love working with livestock and I love helping others. It doesn’t feel like work.
What is the worst road you drive on?
There’s a few. Taralga Road. Goulburn to Crookwell. And the road through Coolah, Tambar Springs and Mullaley.
Who has the best truck stop facilities?
Shell Goulburn used to be pretty good – but it’s gone now. Willow Tree is good. In general though the standards have gone down over the years. Occasionally I’ll even choose a McDonalds over some facilities.
There are a few grubs about – people should clean up after themselves. No excuse to dump rubbish – there are plenty of bins about.
What are the biggest frustrations about the job?
It’s frustrating when land owners, stockholders don’t do the right thing and curfew their animals prior to loading (they falsely believe they’ll get a bit extra for an animal that’s full of food and water). The reality is that they only get paid for the hanging carcass, not for what goes on the abattoir floor.
What would you do to fix it?
Just keep repeating the message, and hope they do the right thing. (I know the LBRCA is working hard to address this. They’re working with lots of different people to help everyone understand the bigger picture. It’s not easy because everyone is coming at it from their own side – but we will get there).
What would you do to improve safety in the industry?
We’ve come a long way. We’ve now got some good things in place – it’s up to individuals now.
How has the Livestock Loading scheme affected your job and the community in general?
The 68T has been great. The rules are more practical and it’s taken out the risk factor. It’s made a difference to farmers. We can now put 60 beasts on rather than 55. This means more heads per truck to the abattoir for the same freight cost.
What advice would you give to a young person starting out in Livestock Transport?
Common sense goes a long way. Watch and learn from others and, above all, think for yourself.
Tell me how you went about working last mile access with the Council
The big thing is consistency. Richard Carter and I have been chipping away for a while but we’ve been pretty consistent over the last 3 years.
We put in an application for Range Road and got knocked back. Then the LBRCA came along for a meeting with Council and we were knocked back again – but appealed. Then we put an application in for 4.6 and B Doubles at the same time. And now we have got 4.6m on some of the roads.
It’s been frustrating – but it will be worth it. And not just for ourselves but for everyone who needs access coming in or out.
Fred has had to do a lot of talking to councils to help them understand the issues for local transporters. Deputy Mayor of Goulburn, Bob Kirk, attended the 2015 LBRCA conference and spoke very openly about his experience with Fred and other local transporters. He talked about Fred playing a key role in helping him understand the challenges for local transporters around getting access. The conversations between the local transporters and council people were the key to gaining access to important routes in the local area.
How did you find out about the LBRCA?
Word of mouth.
Why did you join LBRCA?
It’s handy to keep up to speed with the rules and regulations.
What was your experience of the LBRCA Conference?
Young Driver Award was great – it’s good to see some young blood coming through and it’s good to hear other people talk. The Conferences are getting better every year.
What more could LBRCA do for you?
Don’t know. We’ve come a long way. It’s great to have some hands-on people like Barney Hayes contributing to the Association – not just a suit out of Uni.