Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 482 i Deals On Wheels Australia

June saw new heavy vehicle sales reach higher and higher, falling just short of the 5,000 unit mark with 4,987. This is the highest June result on record, beating last year’s June by 246 units. This brings the first half of 2022 to a total of 20,887 heavy vehicles delivered – again setting a new record and smashing the previous record holder 2018 by an impressive 917 units. Heavy-duty A third record was topped by the heavy-duty segment, which saw 1,594 trucks delivered. This surpasses the previous record of 1,433 set in June 2018 and shows growth of 16 per cent compared to the same time last year to put heavy-duty sales at 6,916 units for the first six months of 2022. Kenworth remained in front in June with 298 vehicles…

The new federal government has given the transport industry an update on the current potential for another AdBlue shortage. New industry and science minister Ed Husic provided the update through the Australian Trucking Association (ATA). Husic says the department of industry, science, energy and resources is continuing to actively engage with Australian diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)/technical grade urea (TGU) importers, producers, fuel retailers and wholesalers on the issue. He says the department is working with these stakeholders on the status of the DEF market and the level of government involvement necessary for optimal market function. Husic says there is now no reason for transport operators and industry members to panic about the supply of AdBlue. “Our current understanding is the Australian DEF market is now well supplied, inventories have recovered…

The new type of photo-luminescent paint reaches beyond headlight range to drivers can see further ahead where the edges of the road and upcoming curves may be. “ARRB sees that there is great potential for self-illuminating line marking to provide safety benefits on roads with sharp crests and tight curves of a complex alignment,” says ARRB national portfolio leader for safer asset performance David Milling. “This is because a car’s headlights are unable to illuminate the line marking in front of the vehicle, whereas self-illuminating lines are not limited by the direction the headlights are pointing.” As well as being a cost-effective solution for more rural roads where installing street lighting would be cost prohibitive or impractical, using the glow-in-the-dark paint would also reduce light pollution. ARRB is looking to…

Both Hydrogen Fuels Australia and Clara Energy have agreed to plan and build a green hydrogen distribution network along the Hume Highway corridor. Clara Energy is a developer of a large-scale green hydrogen production facility in the New South Wales area of Tarcutta, with the group now planning to build a corridor worth $600 million that fuels the freight route with green hydrogen. Both companies say the first hydrogen refuelling station is scheduled to open in 2025. Hydrogen Fuels Australia and Clara Energy have both signed a memorandum of understanding to fast-track the development of up to five hydrogen refuelling stations between Melbourne and Sydney. Clara Energy says it is already well advanced with planning to begin operating one of the world’s largest green hydrogen production facilities halfway between Melbourne…

The WA government says almost 70 per cent of respondents in a recent survey support the state government’s plan to protect the West Coast Highway. The three-month community survey, which received 719 responses, suggests the community is prioritising better connectivity in and around Scarborough as well as protecting the common freight route between Ventnor Street and West Coast Terrace in Scarborough. The results find travel time savings and improved streetscaping and amenity improvements are also key in the eyes of local WA residents. The WA governments plans for the future of the West Coast Highway includes building a centrally located, three-lane, powered road that allows regional traffic to pass under the Brighton Road, Scarborough Beach Road and Manning Street intersection. The concept also draws plans for wider verges and more…

The Queensland government has introduced to state parliament a bill that will create an independent standard-setting body that protects against pressures in the transport industry. The body will give rights and protections to traditional transport operators, owner drivers and transport workers that could guard against the threat posed by the rapidly expanding gig model in transport, says the Transport Workers Union (TWU). Should the legislation become law, the body would have the ability to set and enforce standards in transport for independent couriers to prevent below minimum wage rates. It will be able to make rulings to ensure independent couriers can recover their costs and are not left out of pocket when fuel and other expenses rise, while also allowing independent operators to appeal unfair terminations. “This is a terrific…

Road transport is a high-risk occupation, with a fatality involving a heavy vehicle occurring every 10 days, accounting for 40 per cent of all work fatalities in Australia. The use of technologies such as cameras and data analysis have a role to play in preventable incidents, as the following examples show. Adam Gibson, transport and logistics risk engineer at the National Transport Institute, cites these reallife case studies illustrating how transport businesses can proactively tackle workplace safety. These case studies from the forestry sector illustrate how businesses can address risky behaviours. Case study 1 – visibility enables control of risk factors Problem: Woodchip slinger loading of trucks piled loads into one corner of the tray, causing uneven weight distribution that contributed to tipping on corners. Solution: The business empowered the…

Express transportation company FedEx has announced it is launching a new trans-Tasman service to continue expanding its international and Australian locations and services. FedEx is launching a new service that will connect Christchurch, Auckland and Melbourne in a bid to improve transit times and allow businesses more time to prepare for shipments. The new service will be operated with Airwork to provide greater connectivity for FedEx customers alongside shorter transit times and additional capacity to send shipments between Australia and New Zealand. FedEx says the new service will run five times a week between Christchurch, Auckland and Melbourne and will add to five existing Sydney to Auckland flights each week. The new route will allow for more access to transport e-commerce, healthcare, automotive, agricultural and other critical spare parts shipments,…

The Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) is collaborating with the ARTSA Institute, the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and the Truck Industry Council (TIC) for the safety of couplings project looking at heavy high productivity freight vehicles and performance based standards (PBS) combinations. The project has been funded by the federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative to investigate dynamic loads on couplings, both filling a gap in knowledge and providing evidence to update relevant standards and rules. The original on road test plan called for the fitting of load cells and data logging equipment to a tri axle dolly. In turn, to conduct the road test this dolly would then be swapped with the existing dolly used in an ABB quad road train, which will be supplied by Direct Haul in…

Victorian Iveco dealership Melbourne Truck Centre (MTC) has been renamed to ‘Prestige Iveco’ and relocated to 43–63 Princes Highway, Dandenong South. Part of Eagers Automotive, Prestige Iveco is sharing the location equally with another high-profile truck franchise and will focus on providing Iveco owners and prospective customers with access to a highend facility that offers superior levels of sales, parts and broader support services. Dealer principal Kevin Purcell is managing the dealership and promises operators a larger parts and service infrastructure, the latest customer facilities and a wider stockholding of new Iveco models. “The new dealership footprint is significantly larger than the previous location, which will allow us to better cater to the needs of Iveco owners in many ways,” Purcell says. “Our on-site parts warehouse has been optimised, allowing…

DHL Supply Chain has announced it’s acquiring 100 per cent of national road freight and contract logistics company Glen Cameron Group, which currently operates a fleet of 1,000 trucks and trailers. DHL Supply Chain says the strategic combination with the group will help strengthen DHL’s position in the evolving Australian road freight market, while also hoping that the combination will create one of the largest Australian logistics companies, with a combined revenue of over $1 billion. “This is a unique opportunity for DHL Supply Chain to add additional high-quality transport services to our warehouse and transport solutions in Australia,” DHL Australia and New Zealand CEO Steve Thompsett says. “We look forward to offering a fuller range of transport services to existing and new customers.” Glen Cameron Group founder and executive…

Veteran VicMix contractor Daniel Venditti has upgraded to a new Mercedes-Benz Actros 2663 after his previous run with a 2658 model. The Victorian owner operator had always driven American-style bonneted trucks before two contacts at Mercedes-Benz Trucks convinced him to give the Actros a go. Hence, when it came to replace the first Actros, Venditti picked out the range-topping 2663 model to haul sand and stone. One of the biggest benefits Venditti says he found from switching from a traditional conventional truck to an Actros was the fuel saving, with driver comfort coming in a close second. “The fuel numbers came as a real surprise,” Venditti says. “I saved so much money compared to my other trucks, and it just kept adding up.” The new Actros, which boasts the more…

Scania says it has established a battery laboratory with battery test solutions company Keysight at its Scienlab facility in Sweden. The new battery laboratory will be used to conduct research into battery technology, with the new 1,000-square-metre facility including three 250-square-metre test halls for battery cells, mdoules and packs. Scania says the main focus at the lab will be to test battery performance and lifespan evaluation in various conditions ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to 70 degrees Celsius. Scania will also use Keysight’s PathWave lab operations for battery test, which is a web-based lab management platform that makes operations more efficient and tests data management methods. This technology will be paired with Keysight’s energy storage discover software that will be used by Scania to test and control battery technology. Scania…

Tyre manufacturer Continental Tires has announced the General Tire Grabber HT6 is officially available for purchase in Australia. The arrival of the new Grabber HT6 capitalises on the US brand’s reputation for robust strength in its off-road tyre range, offering a more highway-suitable SUV solution that sits alongside the passenger vehicle range. Suitable for the SUV segment, the Grabber HT6 is a next-generation offering from General Tire that, it says, boasts outstanding control and braking, prolonged lifespan, protection from damage and indicators on the tyre to provide visual feedback on alignment and tread depth. “We’re excited to officially launch the General Tire Grabber HT6 in Australia. Designed with comfort and durability in mind, the tyre is a terrific addition to the existing range and offers innovative design features to Australia’s…

Behind the glitz and glamour of the K220 launch was news of major management shuffles at Paccar Australia, led by the return to the US of chief engineer Noelle Parlier after a highly successful stint in Australia. Most notably, though, Brad May is moving from sales and marketing director to fill Parlier’s demanding chief engineer’s role. From the outside looking in, May’s move signals a seismic shift in Paccar Australia’s engineering focus as an entirely new cabover currently under development at DAF facilities in Europe, specifically designed for the Australian and New Zealand markets, draws closer to completion and a likely launch in 2024. Regarded by many as an extremely astute and highly practical proponent of customer needs, May’s input into the new model’s specification – along with Paccar Australia’s…

ndrew Embling is a member of the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show’s organising committee and has been involved with the event since it began 25 years ago. According to him, this was the Victorian town’s biggest truck show ever. “We had 315 registered trucks, 77 registered utes and 25 registered hot rods,” he says. “Our crowd was one of the biggest we’ve ever had; we were estimating between 12,000 to 14,000 people.” Embling says the show took up 2.75km around town. The reason he thinks the show was so popular this year was because of its three-year postponement. The team at Alexandra tried to cater for everyone, with wood-chopping events, the annual truck auction and country rock music from Simply Bushed. However, there was one not-so-little surprise waiting for…

Designed for professionals and enthusiast workshop mechanics, Hare & Forbes’ new engine stand provides an efficient and practical solution for anyone working on engines, the company says. The Hafco ESR-450 engine stand has a capacity of 450kg and incorporates innovative design features for safety and functionality. It is operated via a geared worm drive that provides precise positioning with minimal effort. This geared mechanism has a manual crank handle mounted at the rear of the stand. The crank can be operated with around 95 per cent less human physical strength than conventional stands, says Hare & Forbes. The geared crank allows the user to easily rotate an engine block 360 degrees, for easier access when rebuilding an engine or dissembling components. Engineered for user convenience, supporting legs are located beside…

our clients can be assured they receive exceptional quality service for their important job With a mission to provide world-class earthmoving equipment hire solutions, Eastern Plant Hire (EPH) supplies trucks and earthmoving equipment to major projects throughout QLD, NSW and VIC. On any day, EPH has over 1,000 independent subcontractors working across a variety of sites, from small domestic projects to large commercial developments and major infrastructure project, providing its clients with access to a one-stop shop of accredited and experienced operators. “EPH is an agency that works to find the right subcontractor for the right jobs on behalf of our clients,” says EPH director David Willson. “We do this by identifying qualified operators, assessing the quality of the operator, and providing support to the client, whilst the operator performs…

In multiple statements, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has announced an increase in its access permit fees while also accepting a new electronic work diary (EWD) option for truck drivers. The NHVR also says that access permit fees have been increased by $2 while the cost of a National Driver Work Diary increase by $1 from $25 to $26 from July 1. The national regulator says fees will increase for National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme modules in line with consumer price index (CPI). The increases were issued to increase in line with CPI as per the schedule of Heavy Vehicle National Law penalties, infringement penalties and demerit points 2022/23. While announcing this, the NHVR has also released the details of a new EWD option it is allowing transport operators…

Awards chairman Mile Lean has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 32nd annual Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIA). The awards night is being sponsored by TWUSuper and Viva Energy Australia, as the industry says that, after a couple of challenging years, it is looking forward to bringing people together to celebrate everything in the freight sector. After cancelling last year’s event due to Covid-19, Lean says it is fantastic to hold the prestigious event and do so in person under the one roof. Below are the award categories and sponsors that nominations are now open for: • Female leadership award – sponsored by Viva Energy Australia• Investment in people award – sponsored by Logical Staffing Solutions• Application of technology award – sponsored by Transport Certification Australia• Young…

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has announced that thousands of owner-driver couriers across New South Wales will receive pay increases. The TWU says it had a recent victory in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, leading to owner drivers receiving immediate pay increases of between 7 and 11 per cent. Under the TWU’s changes to the General Carriers Contract Determination and Courier and Taxi Truck Contract Determination, smaller vehicle owner drivers will receive increases to their minimum rates of pay. Bicycle riders receive a 10.9 per cent increase, while motorcycle riders get a 7.2 per cent increase and vehicles under 750 kilograms receive an increase of 6.7 per cent. For slightly larger vehicles weighing between 750 kilograms and one tonne they’ll get a 6.9 per cent increase, while 1 to 1.5…

The NSW Standing Committee on Road Safety (Staysafe) is enquiring into regional speed limits and road safety, looking into whether the current speed limits are suitable and what the impacts of improved technology and road infrastructure are on safety. In its submission, NatRoad has said that while speed must always be appropriate to road conditions, governments at all levels need to invest in significant infrastructure upgrades to achieve greater safety on the road. “There is no better example than the upgrade currently underway on the Kings Highway, which is the state road linking Canberra with Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast,” says NatRoad CEO Warren Clark. “Its focus is on building overtaking lanes and installing safety treatments, like widened centrelines and shoulders, safety barriers and audio-tactile line marking. “Safety…

The federal government has announced the Bruce Highway upgrade at the Deception Bay Road interchange has reached another milestone with the upgraded northbound entry ramp now open to traffic. The jointly funded $163.3 million upgrade will improve the highway with works on track for completion early next year, weather and construction conditions permitting. The project includes building two new parallel bridges over the Bruce Highway, upgrading two signalised intersections on Deception Bay Road, increasing the length and capacity of existing entry and exit ramps, and providing active transport facilities for people walking and cycling. The existing heavy vehicle weighbridge facility will also be relocated. Major construction on the $163.3 million, Deception Bay interchange upgrade started in November 2020. The project is jointly funded, with the federal government contributing $130.64 million…

Transport for NSW has launched a new ‘one stop shop’ land use webpage to help developers who are planning projects that may interact with roads, rail and waterways. Transport for NSW director development services land use Damien Pfeiffer says having the correct information to hand could save developers time and money when planning a project with potential impacts on transport networks. “The aim of this new online tool is to direct developers to resources that will help prepare their application before submitting it for approval through the Planning NSW Portal,” Pfeiffer says. “There are a range of regulations regarding roads, rail and waterways that developments must adhere to and it’s easy to miss a step or make an error that could result in their application being delayed or even rejected,…

Angelo Elliott isn’t the only local community member to stand up and talk about tolls, but when he reached the microphone he issued a plea. “We hope they do something about it because it will probably kill us eventually,” Elliott says. Elliott is a resident of the Sydney suburb of Bexley and has owned the nearby Forest Inn for 44 years. After running the pub for more than four decades, he’s now had to reconfigure the hotel due to the traffic noise and air pollution caused by trucks passing on nearby roads. But more Bexley residents joined Elliott at the New South Wales parliamentary inquiry into the state’s toll road network in late May. Bexley chamber of commerce president Jeffrey Tullock soon followed Elliott. He talked about the heavier presence…

BevChain has signed a new warehousing deal with Primary Connect, who acts as the main New South Wales supply chain arm of the Woolworths Group. Beverage distribution specialist BevChain will manage the beverage warehousing of Woolworth’s products from a new liquor distribution centre in NSW’s Kemps Creek. BevChain is a wholly owned Linfox subsidiary, as the warehousing agreement will result in more than 150 new leadership, specialist and frontline warehouse roles being created. “We are excited about this new agreement with our valued customer, which speaks to the reputation of trust earned by BevChain to help Woolworths Group grow stronger with smarter supply chain solutions,” BevChain president Misha Shliapnikoff says. “BevChain’s beverage expertise, scale and agility helps position our customers for future growth while remaining flexible enough to respond to…

A new road bridge over the Sunbury rail line has been released for community feedback as the Victorian government prepares to remove one more level crossing as part of the level crossing removal project. Getting rid of the level crossing at Calder Park Drive will improve traffic flow, meaning the nearby level crossing at Holden Road can be closed permanently. Boom gates can be down for more than 20 per cent of the morning peak at these locations, when 25 trains pass through the crossings, causing delays for 10,000 vehicles each day. More trains are planned to run on the line once the Metro Tunnel opens, so it’s essential this level crossing is removed to help ease congestion. Since 2016, there have been three crashes in the project area, including…

The NSW and federal governments have announced the recipient of the construction contract for the Coffs Harbour Bypass in the next stage of the project. Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture will design and construct the new $2.2 billion bypass, with construction to begin early next year. The Coffs Harbour Bypass project will upgrade around 14 kilometres of the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour, starting from south of Englands Road roundabout and finishing at the southern end of the Sapphire to Woolgoolga project. The upgrade includes delivering four lanes of divided motorway bypassing the Coffs Harbour CBD, meaning thousands of vehicles will be removed from the centre of town and saving motorists and truck drivers time by avoiding up to 12 sets of lights. Ferrovial and Gamuda have been awarded a $1.35…

The federal and state government are jointly funding upgrade works on the key NSW freight route Operators and truck drivers in Sydney’s St George area are set to benefit with major works starting on a $130 million upgrade to King Georges Road. These works form part of the first stage of the $160 million King Georges Road upgrade, which is jointly funded by the federal and New South Wales governments on a 50:50 basis and will improve safety, reduce congestion and cut travel times. Work will commence between Stoney Creek Road at Beverly Hills and Forest Road at Hurstville to widen the freight route of King Georges Road to three lanes in each direction, separated by a concrete median. The federal government says this will deliver better traffic flow while…

The Queensland government will supercharge a huge number of transport and roads projects through infrastructure investment across the state. Outlining details of its four-year roads and transport investment plan, the state government says the plan is to shift from economic recovery to future growth and prosperity, supporting jobs and delivering critical infrastructure to keep the state moving. “This year’s $29.7 billion in road and transport infrastructure investment plan will support 25,200 direct jobs, helping to promote more jobs in more industries,” says transport and main roads Minister Mark Bailey. The budget includes major investment in south-east QLD roads. “Works are ramping up on the M1, Bruce Highway, and on the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector,” he says. “Driving from Coolangatta to Coolum, Queenslanders can see just how many major upgrades are…

RAM TRX, the all-new full-size pick-up truck, has officially arrived Down Under. Built off America’s most awarded light-duty pick-up truck, the Ram 1500 platform, the Ram TRX features a 6.2-litre V8 HEMI rated at 523kW and 882Nm, launch control, 0–100km/h in 4.5 seconds, eight different drive modes, and Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive dampers. “The TRX sets new benchmarks for extreme performance trucks and confirms the Australian market as a true success story for Ram Trucks,” says Neville Crichton CNZM, executive chairman of the Ateco Group, the parent company of Ram Trucks Australia. “From nothing seven years ago to more than 13,000 happy owners now and the largest, most diverse full-size pick-up truck range on offer, what Ram Trucks Australia has achieved is impressive.” The Ram TRX has up to…

Clarience Technologies, a US developer of vehicle and fleet management technology, has acquired Pressure Systems International (PSI), a provider of automatic tyre inflation systems for commercial truck trailers. “As electric vehicle fleets seek to maximise range and minimise downtime, tyre rolling resistance plays an increasingly important role in determining EV range,” says Clarience Technologies CEO Brian Kupchella. “PSI is an industry innovator that expands our technology capabilities, making the company a strong, strategic fit with Clarience Technologies.” The acquisition includes PSI operations as well as the Truck System Technologies operations, both located in San Antonio, Texas. The company will operate as a distinct business unit of Clarience Technologies. Tim Musgrave, president and CEO of PSI, will continue to lead the business in his current capacity. PSI exports its tyre pressure…

I was going to start this article by subtly mocking our relationships with salespeople, you know, making a few ‘slicker than an oil spill’ kind of dig. It’s not that I believe those stereotypes, they are just fun to come up with. Subsequently, with the majority of the credit for the ‘mack-nificent’ Mack truck gracing the pages before you belonging to a New South Wales salesman, I thought I could start my account by poking fun. As a victim of countless salespeople encouraging me to get the ‘extended warranty’ I was very reluctant to do this story and risk finding myself complimenting a salesperson. That is not something we should be encouraging. I mean, the generalisation is that salespeople are trying to extract every dollar out of us consumers and,…

Is the rush by truck makers to gain a new or even perceived technological edge over competitors becoming like the battle that once raged for bragging rights in the race for the greatest grunt? Sometimes, it seems so. Nonetheless, there’s no escaping the fact that the modern powertrains that today make yesterday’s belching big bangers appear almost feeble in comparison are simply the latest evolution in an ongoing, and occasionally mind-boggling, explosion in technological triumphs. Indeed, it’s not stretching the bounds of believability to suggest the last decade has seen more sweeping technology hit the trucking industry than any time in history. Emissions, fuel efficiency, performance and, critically, safety, have all been vastly and, in most cases, positively enhanced by the application of increasingly advanced technology by the world’s leading…

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) says rising penalties for minor issues has become a major reason why road transport operators are leaving the industry. Following the Australian Bureau of Statistics releasing figures that show an annual decline in transport sector pre-tax profits of 0.7 per cent, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) announced it would increase its penalties across the board in line with inflation from July 1 onwards. NatRoad has criticised the NHVR’s move and says it will only cripple more transport businesses. “Even minor fatigue mistakes will cost $177 from [the beginning of July],” NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says. “Enough is enough. This is another straw breaking the camel’s back for many people and it doesn’t attract anyone to join the industry either. “The fines must be…

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has released details of a new national class two Performance Based Standards (PBS) high productivity authorisation notice published in NSW. NatRoad says the new notice provides easier access for more productive, safer and sustainable heavy vehicle types on NSW’s key freight routes. The association says thousands of permits will be replaced by this notice that will save administrative time and cost for both the state government and the transport industry, as moving more of the freight task with less heavy vehicle movements benefits all parties. The new network supports access for higher productivity PBS vehicles to travel under notice on more than 15,000 kilometres of state road, including vital routes for freight like the Hume and Newell highways, as well as the Sydney motorway…

We hear stories every day about road transport operators having a hard time of things, and sometimes it seems like the barrage of bad news confronting our industry is both self-perpetuating and endless. Covid-19 took a toll on the mental wellbeing of millions of Australians – and truck drivers were swept up in that as new and confusing health rules made an already taxing job even more demanding. No sooner have we returned to some semblance of normality than operators are under a whole new range of stresses. Soaring inflation, continually disrupted supply lines, driver shortages, sky-high fuel prices and diminishing financial returns are generating a perfect storm. Factor in ever-mounting red tape and a regulatory regime focused on punishment for even the most trivial administrative offence, and you start…

Western Australia Transport Minister Rita Saffioti introduced the Owner-Drivers (Contracts and Disputes) Amendment Bill 2022 to Parliament recently. The Act establishes a framework for regulating dealings between owner-drivers and their hirers and the new bill will provide additional protections for these small businesses and individual contractors. “Our freight supply chains and transport industries are incredibly important to our economy, as we have seen recently with the disruption to the East-West rail link,” Saffioti says. “Owner-drivers play a vital role in our road freight transport supply chain and we want to ensure they and other small businesses are protected so they can continue this vital work.” The following changes are proposed under the new legislation: • minimum periods for termination: contracts greater than three months will have a 90-day minimum notice…

Ever since Covid-19 first impacted the transport industry, Allan Thornley hasn’t been sure if he’s been making money or losing it. The managing director of operator Shaw’s Darwin Transport has had to face plenty of unforeseen obstacles in recent years. While the pandemic restrictions have stopped inhibiting his company’s ability to operate, new cost factors are replacing it and piling on more pain. “It’s a non-stop challenge,” Thornley told ATN. “You don’t know if you’re in front or not. You think you cover a cost increase but then someone belts you again. “Every month I have to ask if we made money or not – we keep facing increased prices and we don’t know whether we’re ok as a business.” Thornley says fuel prices caused the most recent hike in…

In a sign of the transport industry becoming increasingly modern, VicRoads was recently sold to a private enterprise. The privatisation of the previously governmentowned and controlled enterprise signals a great shift in the way Victorian transport companies can navigate licensing. Like many in the sector, Victorian Transport Association (VTA) CEO Peter Anderson has been left frustrated on occasions by VicRoads. He can’t wait for it to become privately owned so it can take advantage of modern technology. “I think it’s a great move,” Anderson told ATN. “One of the issues we’ve had with VicRoads is the ability to keep up with the technology required, so we’re hoping that, with a new provider, we’ll see it brought up to speed with other states. “We’ve been calling for this for quite some…

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) says it welcomes the findings of a New South Wales Greater Cities Commission review into the industrial lands retain and manage policy. The ALC previously called for the retain and manage policy to preserved in a submission to the review in 2021. The ALC says it will protect industrial lands in the Greater Sydney area to ensure there’s adequate room to move as the freight task grows. The logistics council also wants to ensure key freight routes and areas are protected to keep the supply chain moving. ALC CEO Brad Williams says the key outcomes of the review, which included the need to protect industrial land, meant the policy would continue to apply and maintain protections of critical industrial land that is key to the…

A recent decision demonstrated that a dismissal for refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, in the absence of a government direction, can be found to be fair. In this case, the worker’s absolute refusal, coupled with his demand that his employer make a final decision regarding his employment immediately, was grounds for termination without notice, and constituted wilful misconduct. Background Matthew Colwell was employed by Wellways Australia, until his employment was terminated on December 18, 2021. His employment was terminated on the grounds that he failed to comply with a policy requirement that he be vaccinated against Covid-19. Colwell made an application under section 394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) seeking a remedy for unfair dismissal. In his application, he claimed that the policy was not subject to…

The NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) first custom-built specialist flood vehicle has arrived at its new permanent home of Lismore. The specialist truck, known as a Unimog, is one of six to be acquired by the SES as part of a $4.6 million investment. “These specialist trucks have the ability to operate in 1.2 metres of water and can also serve as a mobile communications hub, making them a real asset during flood operations,” flood recovery minister Steph Cooke says. “SES volunteers in Lismore were on the front line of the February-March flood event and are the first unit in the state to permanently host this asset, boosting their capability when communities in the Northern Rivers face flooding.” SES Commissioner Carlene York says of the six Unimogs being added to…

The NSW government is funding Asset AI – a $2.9 million trial currently involving 32 sensors installed on 32 buses across Greater Sydney area. The trial is currently being led by Transport for NSW and the Roads and Transport Directorate, with the NSW government saying the new technology can be combined with local weather observations to predict the rate of deterioration and streamline how road asset maintenance is prioritised. Customer service and digital government minister Victor Dominello says the new sensors were another example of the NSW government using technology to improve outcomes across the state. “There will always be cracks in the road and there will always be potholes but with smart tech like this we can predict deterioration, streamline maintenance and get to better outcomes much faster,” Dominello…

Kenworth events are a big deal. Always have been, and given the aspirational notoriety of the brand, probably always will be. Historically, they don’t happen very often but, over the past four or five years, there has been a veritable glut of ‘big deals’ from Kenworth and Paccar Australia. All with good reason, of course, and all producing remarkable results as well as an occasional, intriguing insight into bold new developments quietly taking shape behind closed doors. Obviously enough, the latest blockbuster was the recent and typically upmarket release of the K220 cab-over to around 500 customers, dealers, special guests and media in a purposefully prepared hangar at Brisbane’s Archerfield airbase. With air-race ace Matt Hall performing jaw-dropping aerial stunts, it was, by any measure, a slap-up, full throttle shindig…

The crucible of motorsport is where legends are forged’, or something along those lines, is an idiom often used to describe the intensity of drivers battling it out for the glory of being crowned champion in whatever discipline they are competing. What this expression doesn’t cover, but is also appropriate for, is the white-hot heat of commercial interest that uses motorsport for a very expensive proving ground for products and/or brands. Penske’s reach into motorsport spans multiple categories, disciplines and even continents, but it’s this reach that seems to be the calling card of Roger Penske and a focus that sees Penske Australia making a big push into the on-highway segment of the heavy vehicle industry in Australia with the opening of its Port of Brisbane location. “I think, from…

Welcome to the easiest article I have ever had to write. I’m not going to go so far as to say it’s easy money because I still want to give the impression I work hard for my coin. But I will say this article just flowed from my fingertips the moment I opened my laptop. I even managed to have it on my editor’s desk before my deadline had gone whirring past, saving the expense of hiring the big burly repo men that normally have to be sent to my place to retrieve my overdue articles. It was my first time attending the WA Mack Muster and Truck Show and I had such a ball that this story flowed from me like I’d doubled up on my Dulcolax before a…

High powered and app-controlled, Honda has launched its new EU32i generator, which can be picked up and carried easily. It can be used to power multiple units simultaneously, has an easy-to-use interface, high output engine and lightweight design. Honda describes this as the world’s first ‘high-output’ generator, producing 3,200 watts. It is also just 26.5kg, so there’s no need for a trolley for transportation. Honda has simplified the operating interface, with the ability to start the engine in just two steps. It says that this is the first ever generator of its kind to include built-in fuel-injection, to optimise fuel for engine temperature and the power needs to maximise burn and minimise emissions. The Eco throttle will adjust the engine speed to produce the specific amount of power needed for…