Road and Container Charging Plus Portal and Road Trains

This week we are talking about Road and Container Charging Plus Portal and Road Trains in Diesel News. A new road-charging regime will be found for the trucking industry, after a decision by the Transport and Infrastructure Council (TIC) of state and federal transport ministers. The plan is to thoroughly examine the costs and benefits of implementation of independent price regulation and a forward looking cost base, slated to come in 2018–19. The council agreed to freeze heavy vehicle charges at 2017–18 levels for a further two years, to a mixed reaction from industry associations.
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NSW Independence, Overcharging and Freight Restrictions

This week the news has included NSW Independence, Overcharging and Freight Restrictions, as well as a revamped Access Portal, all here in Diesel News. Road Freight NSW has announced it will become an independent organisation from January 1 2018. It is currently a subsidiary of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), after beginning as ATA NSW in 2007.   Road Freight NSW says it will now work independently to campaign on policies affecting the NSW transport sector, primarily heavy vehicle safety, the regulatory regimes stifling business growth and the unwarranted surcharges, like stevedores’ port taxes, being imposed on carriers.
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Grain Scheme, Master Code and Autonomous Rules

There have been announcements about a Grain Scheme, Master Code and Autonomous Rules this week, read about them on Diesel News. The Victorian Transport Association has welcomed the establishment of the state’s first Grain Harvest Management Scheme, which will provide a productivity and safety boon for farmers and grain transport workers. The scheme will allow heavy vehicles to increase their load by five per cent during the grain harvest season from October 1 to April 30 2018, when delivering grain to receivers who are also participating in the scheme.
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A New Perspective on Trucking

Sometimes we are too close to our own industry – we need a new perspective on trucking. In its submission to the Inquiry into National Freight and Supply Chain Priorities, the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has come up with an interesting comparison. It is looking at the freight industry from the consumer’s point of view, in the same way as it perceives the energy industry.
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New Driver License Check System

A new driver license check system has been introduced by Duncan Gay, NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight. The new set up allows operators to check multiple licence and demerit point status at one time.
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RSRT Impact Enquiry

This week owner-truck drivers together with representatives from associated industry groups met in Canberra at a roundtable convened by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). The meeting was part of the initial scoping work as the ASBFEO begin the formal inquiry process exploring the impact the RSRT’s Payments Order has had on small business owner-drivers around the country.
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Route Mapping Completed

A new interactive tool is now available online from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. According to the Federal Government, a new cornerstone has been laid to help Australia’s freight logistics industries to cost effectively connect regions and cities to the world, with the launch of the national key freight routes map.
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Shane Wants You To Tell a Mate 

Road Block in NSW

A speech by NSW Transport Minister, Duncan Gay, suggests the road to a new truck roadworthiness regime may not be as clearcut as hoped. Speaking at this week’s Australian Logistics Council Safety Summit, Minister Gay made it clear New South Wales are making a stand on some contentious issues.
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