Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 353 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

If it’s early 2016, it must be time for an infrastructure, transport and logistics strategy. Oh, hold on, one has actually just arrived. So much of it was flagged in discussion papers old and new, including for last year’s Australian Infrastructure Audit, that there was little to get excited about. With the regularity of Yellowstone National Park’s geyser, ‘Old Faithful’, the Australian Infrastructure Plan spouted the well-worn government case for road pricing reform, with the added honey of increasingly cheaper technology promising to make that bitter pill smaller all the time, apparently. And with a reliability almost based on physics, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) spat back that governments needed to end their gouging of the industry before meaningful reform can be undertaken. The position is that the federal government…

The very existence of the safe rates tribunal might still be debated, but it has to be taken seriously by all parties. That’s the attitude of the body which represents trucking employers and hirers in front of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT). The Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) held an industry breakfast with tribunal president Jennifer Acton as keynote speaker on February 9. The tribunal delivered an order on minimum rates for supermarket distribution and long distance subbies just before Christmas. Acton disappointed the audience by saying it would compromise her role if she answered questions of detail on the order. She advised people with concerns to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman, industry organisations, or to seek legal advice. The breakfast was organised by Hugh McMaster, secretary/treasurer of…

A Victorian transport company and its owner have been smacked with a heavy fine after underpaying three truck drivers over a two-year period. In an example of what operators face for not complying with their payment obligations, the Federal Circuit Court fined Openica Logistics $34,500 and director Vladimir Taseki $7100. The court found that the company underpaid the three drivers a total of $69,175 between 2010 and 2012. The company underpaid one of the drivers $45,291, while the other two drivers were underpaid $16,422 and $7461, respectively. Judge Grant Riethmuller ruled that the drivers, all aged in their 50s, were underpaid living away from home allowances and two did not receive payment for casual loading. Furthermore, one driver was not paid for all kilometres driven. “There is no evidence that…

The company whose truck caused parts of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to close after spilling its load has apologised to those affected, as authorities carry out a fleet inspection for evidence of defects. The rear trailer of a Moits-owned truck became unlatched on the bridge on January 22 and left a 3km trail of landfill, forcing lanes to close and affecting traffic for more than three hours in the process. The truck driver received a notice to attend court next month, and this week the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) inspected the 55 trucks and trailers belonging to the respected excavation and civil works firm. RMS general manager of compliance operations Paul Endycott says the inspections uncovered four major defects involving brake issues. “There were a further 35 minor defects…

The market pain miners are feeling has been passed on to rail and logistics company Aurizon, its interim results show. Despite an underlying net profit after tax of $237 million, down 23 per cent on the previous year’s first half of $308 million, impairment charges brought that down to a statutory $108 million loss. “Our underlying business is strong and resilient but we need to respond rapidly in a very challenging business environment for our customers,” CEO Lance Hockridge says. “Cost reduction and transformation will remain the key drivers of margin growth and shareholder value creation, and we’re determined to pull every cost and efficiency lever available to us.” “While conditions in the Queensland Intermodal market are soft, Aurizon has seen solid growth in the Melbourne to Brisbane route and…

Automotive Holdings Group has announced Stephen Cleary as the new CEO of AHG Logistics. According to a statement from AHG, Cleary will support the continual growth of the company’s logistics divisions and build synergies across the various business units, comprising Rand Refrigerated Logistics, Harris Refrigerated Logistics, Scott’s Refrigerated Freightways, JAT Refrigerated Road Services, AMCAP, GTB, VSE, KTM and Husqvarna. “Cleary possesses significant experience in logistics having worked for more than 13 years with Qantas Airways freight division, including six years as group general manager,” according to AHG. “He was subsequently appointed CEO of Star Track Express (the joint venture between Qantas and Australia Post). Most recently Stephen was the CEO of Kings Transport.” Cleary, who will be based in Sydney, will report directly to the AHG MD, Bronte Howson. “An…

Consider this. Each year, the Port of Rotterdam handles some 12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), making it the largest port in Europe and in the top 10 busiest ports worldwide. To put that into perspective, total throughput at the Port of Melbourne is around 2.5 million TEU. At Port Botany, it is around 2.3 million. It is the Port of Rotterdam that has made the Netherlands the trading powerhouse that it is today. The port lies at the delta of major European rivers, is accessible to large vessels and currently has access to a market of 100 million people within a day’s drive. When I and a delegation of senior Australian logistics executives and government officials visited the Port of Rotterdam last year, we were quite simply blown away…

In the previous issue we looked at the three principles that provide the underlying support to successfully implementing Purchasing Category Management (PCM). Unlocking the full potential of PCM usually requires some change in operating methods. Achieving the operational change will likely require a change in thinking. Fortunately, there is a set of values to guide our thinking and decision-making. They are: Evidence, Focus, Teamwork and Insight. Let’s investigate each value. EVIDENCE Sometimes we find ourselves in a position that appears irrational. On one project, an employee at a client organisation asked, heatedly: “Why are we doing all this, it’s a stupid idea and we already know the answer?” My calm response was: “I don’t know the answer until I’ve done the analysis. I can’t do the analysis without the data…

Welcome to MaxiNEWS Issue 14. This edition greets us with some very exciting news via the launch of Hamelex White’s VersaBOLT range of tippers. VersaBOLT has been developed as a result of feedback from tipper operators, who have suggested to us that they are looking for a smarter range of trailers which they can get on the road sooner and be kept there with greater ease. The tipper industry has its own unique requirements and we believe we have met each of them with this new range. The VersaBOLT concept has been put through thorough FEA analysis along with a great deal of vigorous in-field testing in a number of different environments. I’m pleased to say it passed every test with flying colours. You can read more about the new…

Is there no impediment Graeme Docking can’t overcome? The tough South Australian paraplegic has added to a strong – we use the term advisedly – run of military-type exploits by pulling a three-tonne light rigid behind his wheelchair. Some at Dogs & Chains are old enough to recall able-bodied strongmen doing the job every decade in living memory. And only in January was Wagga Wagga bodybuilder Josh Eisenhauer able to get into this month’s Arnold Classic competitor by doing the same. Eisenhauer is also a dab hand at the 330kg axle deadlift, so must be in with a shot of the title. He is up against the likes of Luke Reynolds, who had to pull an 18-tonne Dennis Transport vehicle to get through. All very impressive, but at least they…

Long serving industry executive Peter Garske has tendered his resignation as the CEO of the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), the industry body’s president Ben Almond has announced. Garske’s resignation was accepted by the board of directors, which thanked him for his contribution to the association over the past 20 years. “QTA Ltd Board of Directors has accepted Peter’s resignation acknowledging his significant contribution across 20 years of service to the Board and the Association’s members,” Almond says in a statement. “The date of effect will be determined by a process of advertising, recruitment and transition of an appointee to replace him as Chief Executive Officer of the Association. “In serving on many Government and Industry Boards, Councils and Committees, Peter has represented the industry with professional expertise, earning the trust,…

The fate of Sydney Freight Services awaits the formation of a creditors committee, ATN understands. A creditors meeting for custom-bonded air and sea freight depot and transport business Tahitian Gold Enterprises, trading as Sydney Freight Services, was called after the company entered voluntary administration last month. The meeting was called to consider whether to appoint a committee of creditors and if so, who would be part of the member committee. Sources tell ATN that while the decision to form a committee has been agreed upon, the committee itself has not yet been formed. A combined notice on the appointment of administrators and the first meeting date for creditors of the company was issued on January 18, followed by a notice inviting applications for purchase of assets. According to the administrators,…

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has welcomed the federal government’s announcement of change to the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which is expected to cut red tape and save heavy vehicle operators money. The ATA-backed initiative that the pushed for will remove mandatory requirement for the rear bumper of semi trailers to be painted white, which in most cases is a different colour to the main trailer body. The change is expected to save the industry around $12.4 million over the next decade. “More than 4500 semitrailers are manufactured in Australia every year and they will no longer require the extra step in production to paint the rear bumper a different colour to the main trailer body,” major projects minister Paul Fletcher says ATA CEO Christopher Melham sees the move as…

Barker Trailers has filled three senior management positions and is on the lookout for a CEO. It is an injection of experience that acting managing director Scott Barker expects to press forward with expansion. “The new appointments have enabled Barker to employ the very best in the field – strengthening what we can take to market and how we take it there,” Scott Barker says. New manufacturing operations manager John Hickey has more than 30 years’ experience in heavy engineering, manufacturing and business development. He worked at Gemco Rail and Alstom Transport in senior management positions and was responsible for performance improvement. “Having John come to Barker, with extensive knowledge in this area, means we can maintain a competitive price point throughout a changing market and customer base,” Scott Barker…

Our industry is full of dedicated, passionate people who go the extra mile to make sure Australia’s goods are moved in a safe, professional manner. But despite working long hours and overcoming great challenges, our great contributors are often reluctant to put themselves forward for reward or recognition. That’s why the ATA runs its National Trucking Industry Awards, so we can come together to highlight some of the amazing people working hard behind the scenes. It’s often a surprise to the people who are nominated – they didn’t think they had done anything particularly special. Our 2015 National Professional Driver of the Year, Aaron Busk, is a great example. Aaron has never had an accident in a driving career of more than three decades. He is the leading hand and…

WINNER A Freighter Refrigerated Drop Deck EziLiner for Shoobridge Transport. Purpose-built with Auto Mezz Decks, specifically for the transport of fresh produce and glass bottles. Sentby: Peter Shoobridge, Shoobridge Transport Other noteworthy entries Another Freighter Eziliner B-double belonging to TRG Transport Solutions in South Australia. Eliminating manual buckles. the EziLiner saves TRG time and allows for more drops per day. Sent by: Tony Musolino, TRG Transport Solutions A freighter Tautliner belonging to Blanchard Haulage in Grafton. Customised to th Compny's requirements, this particlur trailer is used for genral freight and on race days, sits trackside for some extra advertsing. Sent by: Robert Blanchard, Blanchard Haulage We want you to get snap Nappy! If you send us a photo of any Freighter, Maxi-CUBE, Lusty EMS, Hamelex White, AZMEB or Peki trailer…

Fulsome tributes to departing infrastructure minister Warren Truss continue to be offered from a variety of sources. The soon-to-depart deputy prime minister’s efforts on behalf of the industry and the infrastructure it needs to function properly were underlined in the accolades. “Without doubt the deputy prime minister has left a valuable legacy for the Australian road transport sector due to his strong and enduring commitment to heavy vehicle road transport reform and, most importantly, due to the massive investment in road and transport infrastructure that he oversaw,” NatRoad president Allan Thornley says. “The road transport industry is also indebted to the deputy prime minister Warren Truss for his strong support for the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator [NHVR] and commitment to ongoing reform in the road transport industry. “Mr Truss grasped…

Initial responses to the Australian Infrastructure Plan indicate it is good start with valuable messages, but still has much to do. “We expect the [plan] will spark vigorous debate about our national policy settings – including how we get the best from our existing infrastructure, and how to make wise decisions about potential new infrastructure,” federal major projects minister Paul Fletcher says. For the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), the bone of contention centres on road charging and it reiterates its call for overcharging to be fixed before reform here progresses. “Governments will struggle to gain public and industry support for any new road charging system unless they first show they have the capacity to fix the known problems with the charging system we have now,” ATA CEO Christopher Melham says.…

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is asking the federal government to cut the road user charge on trucking operations in its 2016-17 budget. In its pre-budget recommendations submission to the government, the ATA states that reducing the road user charge would ideally save a typical owner-driver about $200 in 2016-17, and would save a typical small fleet operator about $1100. The ATA recommends that the government should review its existing spending to accommodate a road pricing reform that includes a new defined service standard and an independent economic regulator for road prices. “The trucking industry pays for our use of the road system through heavy vehicle registration fees and a road user charge on fuel, currently 26.14 cents per litre,” ATA CEO Christopher Melham says. “The industry has been overcharged…

The country’s biggest biodiesel producer Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF) has gone into voluntary administration as a result of a heavy slump in the global oil price and changes in the federal government’s taxation policy for domestically produced biodiesel. PPB Advisory’s David McEvoy and Nick Martin have been appointed to act as voluntary administrators. While there has been a global decline in oil prices, cost of feedstock – renewable biological materials used to produce clean fuel – have escalated, resulting in a reduced trading margin for the company. The company directors have also blamed the federal government’s change in policy of taxation on cleaner fuels for pushing the company into its present situation. In the 2014-15 federal budget the government announced it would cease to offer grants to cleaner fuels, including…

The NHVR says it stands by its livestock transport fatigue approach and has subsequently received the backing of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA). It was responding to fatigue expert Ann Williamson’s criticism of the livestock and rural transport fatigue management scheme (LRTFMS). Williamson’s main criticism is that the scheme allows drivers to work too long — up to 14 hours a day for 11 days straight. She provided advice to the architect of the scheme, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), during the development phase. Now, the ALRTA has taken a swipe, albeit in more strident tones. ALRTA president Kevin Keenan says the NHVR has actually taken a low-risk approach with the LRTFMS because it only permits specific driving task with specific offsets in place to manage the risks of…

Yusen Logistics Australia has announced the appointment of John Pursey as business unit director – contract logistics. Pursey took up his role on February 2 and has assumed responsibility for the New South Wales contract logistics, account management and business improvement department. Pursey has 33 years’ experience in the logistics and transport sector. Prior to his new role, he spent eight years with Yusen Logistics UK, following 12 years as regional general manager for CEVA Logistics. “Yusen Logistics Australia is delighted to welcome John on board. He brings with him extensive experience in the logistics sector,” Yusen Logistics Australia MD Ian Pemberton says. “His strong record will enable him to make a major contribution to our ongoing growth strategy, leading our business to greater success as a competitive provider of…

After more than a decade of planning, Melbourne Market opened its doors on August 3 in Epping in Melbourne’s north, following the closure of its old site in West Melbourne which had been operating since 1969. The purpose-built facility sits on a 60-hectare site beside the Hume Freeway, connecting traders with growers in country Victoria and interstate. Its proximity to Melbourne Airport represents opportunities to grow air-freight exports of fruit and vegetables, with the market in talks with Asian wholesale and retail produce operators. Melbourne Market Authority (MMA) chairman Steve McArthur believes there is a prospect for Melbourne to become a national export hub but a ban on trucks on key routes surrounding the market has made life for traders and operators difficult. There are concerns truck volumes in the…

As supply chains across the country wind down from one of their busiest times of the year – Christmas – it’s important that Australian businesses take stock and look at what worked and what can be improved on. The biggest factor impacting on the accuracy of replenishment and picking in order fulfilment is user error. When the user is under increased pressure during periods of peak demand, the likelihood of errors only increases. If consumers are left in a situation where they order Christmas gifts for their loved ones online and they fail to be delivered correctly and on time, this bad experience will make it unlikely they become a repeat customer, which is a huge loss for Australian businesses. So what kind of lessons need to be learnt and…

Dangerous goods are always a challenge for businesses operating in the transport and logistics industry, not least because of the ever changing regulation such as the recent review of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (the Code). Although the changes do not become compulsory until 1 January 2017, it is important for businesses to assess their current compliance given the significant penalties that can be imposed for non-compliance. EXPOSURE TO FINES The management of dangerous goods is a key area of risk governed by health and safety legislation as well as road transport and environmental laws. Businesses must not only comply with the general duty of care to ensure safety for all workers and others impacted by their undertaking in transporting these substances,…