Read about AFIA Winners, Reducing Red Tape, Fatigue Exemption, Biosecurity and NSW Bypass Funding in this week’s Diesel News.
VTA announces 2017 AFIA winners
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) announced the winners of the 2017 Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIA) at the 28th AFIA event, held in Melbourne on 2 September.
The ‘Personality of the Year’ Award was presented to Deakin University’s Dr Hermione Parsons, Rocke Brothers’ Matt Simmons took home the ‘Young Achiever of the Year’ and the ‘Waste & Recycling’ accolade went to FBT Transwest.
There were two winners for the ‘Application of Technology’ Award: Redstar Transport and Victoria International Container Terminal.
Metropolitan Express Transport Services was awarded for ‘Best Practice Safety’ and DP World Australia accepted the ‘Investment in People’ Award.
“We once again had a very enthusiastic response to these awards from the industry, as evidenced by the dozens of applications judges assessed in determining the winners,” said VTA CEO, Peter Anderson. “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists on their tremendous achievements, and for working to continually improve the standards of our industry which helps to make it safer and more productive.”
New SA notice to reduce red tape
A new notice in South Australia will reduce red tape for truck and dog operators, according to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
NHVR Project Director of ‘Network Access’, Annette Finch, said the NHVR and South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure would release the South Australian Class 3 Heavy Vehicle 23m Truck and Dog Notice, covering three-, four- and five-axle trailer configurations for operators.
“The previous notice covered only three or five-axle trailers to operate on the dedicated truck and dog network,” said Finch. “The updated notice is specific to South Australia, and removes the need for operators with four-axle trailers to apply for permits to access the network.”
This Notice will reportedly replace Schedule 3 of the South Australia Consolidated National Heavy Vehicle Mass and Dimension Notice 2014. It includes new provisions for three-axle truck and four axle dog trailer combinations that were not available in the original notice.
NHVR invites feedback on new personal fatigue exemption
The NHVR has started consultation on a user-friendly exemption for managing fatigue and driving a fatigue-related heavy vehicle for personal use.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto told the NatRoad Conference held in North Queensland on 5 September that the Personal Use Exemption would allow operators some personal use of a heavy vehicle outside their regulated driving hours.
“Under the proposal, operators would be able to use a heavy vehicle for personal use for up to one hour at the end of the day or on a day off,” Petroccitto said.
“Currently a personal use exemption of up to one hour during a driver’s day off exists in NSW.
“We continue to work closely with the heavy-vehicle industry to provide flexibility around fatigue while still maintaining the highest safety standards.”
The exemption is expected to be used for personal or non-revenue activities, such as reaching suitable sleeping accommodation and restocking supplies for a trip.
Operators should note that current fatigue laws apply during the consultation process.
The beginning of the one-month consultation period for the Personal Use Exemption is part of the Focus on Fatigue being promoted by the NHVR over the coming month.
“The correct management of work and rest times through a work diary is the best way to predict and assess a driver’s potential level of fatigue impairment,” Petroccitto said.
“There will also be a number of coordinated enforcement operations taking place across the country in the coming weeks with a specific target on work and rest hours and the correct filling out of a work diary.”
For more information, or to enter a submission, head to the NHVR website.
LBRCA participates in biosecurity exercise
The Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) has represented the interests of the livestock transport industry as part of the New South Wales Government’s Greater Sydney Peri Urban Program.
LBRCA President, Lynley Miners, participated in a biosecurity exercise at Camden saleyards as part of the Program, which is part of the NSW Government’s Biosecurity Strategy 2013–2021 that aims to improve biosecurity practices.
“As the sole livestock carrier representative in attendance it was a perfect opportunity to explain a few home truths about our industry, starting with the lack of adequate infrastructure,” Miners said.
Miners reportedly highlighted that no truck wash facilities are on-site at Camden, nor within what would be deemed an acceptable distance should a biosecurity outbreak occur.
“I would imagine that the livestock vehicle would need to be washed down and disinfected before leaving the unload site, to mitigate against further reach of the disease,” Miners said.
“This site has no such facilities, nor any publicly available sites within a practical distance. For example, the nearest livestock truck wash facility is over an hour away, at Mossvale.
“Strategically positioning truck wash infrastructure as close as practical to key livestock areas, would certainly go a long way in minimising the reach of an outbreak.”
Government greenlights $10m Tenterfield bypass
The Australian Government has reported that it will fund a $10 million heavy-vehicle bypass in Tenterfield, New South Wales.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said the proposed project could now proceed to the development phase, which will include detailed design works, environmental assessment, property acquisition and preconstruction works.
“This funding delivers on a 2016 election commitment and builds on the extensive community consultation with local residents, Council and key stakeholders that led to identifying the final preferred route in 2015,” said Chester.
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the preferred route had the backing of Tenterfield Shire Council and respected the local environment, particularly by avoiding the Currys Gap State Conservation Area.
“Getting heavy vehicles out of the middle of town is going to vastly improve safety for local traffic and pedestrians, and certainly make the main street of Tenterfield a more ‘user-friendly’ place,” said Joyce.
“The preferred route will include a new five-kilometre carriageway west of the town incorporating four new bridges and two new intersections at the northern and southern connections with the existing highway.
“The preferred route is now incorporated into Tenterfield’s Local Environment Plan, meaning the land is reserved for future road construction – providing planning certainty for the community.”
The Government will expect the tenders for the latest works to be called in September 2017 and for the detailed design to be completed by mid-2019.