WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2021 EDITION by Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd

THE TRANSPORT AND MACHINERY MAGAZINE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ISSN 2202-6193 100007516 September 2021 | price $6.95

TRANSPORT magazine

Page 11

NEW LOW LOADER PERMIT, CHANGES TO PERMIT OPERATING CONDITIONS AND NEW WAHVA AUDITOR HUB Driven by industry feedback Main Roads has recently introduced the new Class 1 RAV Restricted Area Low Loader Overmass Period Permit along with changes to Permit Operating Conditions and the introduction of a dedicated online Auditor Hub that allowing real time communication and collaboration between WAHVA Certified Auditors and Heavy Vehicle Services

IN THIS ISSUE: Fitzroy Crossing Rock Bottom Roundabout at Apple Street SBT – Our Story Beeliar Wetlands – no future roads WATM • September 2021

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Before we talk about a skills shortage, let's discuss industry standards By Tim Dawson | Branch Secretary

he WA Government gathered industry and Union leaders to the Premiers Skill Summit to discuss challenges our state has had with the shortage of skilled workers and the reasons why we’re struggling to fill labour shortages. Before COVID-19, labour shortages were filled by importing labour. The land of milk, honey and opportunity was a gateway to the world with our vast supply of work for anyone looking for a job. There was no shortage of labour, but at what cost? Was overseas labour more desirable than training labour that was already living here and didn’t possess the skills needed to do the work, because training is expensive? Was overseas labour more desirable because overseas labour were more likely to comply because they abandoned their rights at work and work for cheaper rates with VISA Sponsorship and the threat of deportation hanging over their heads? This greedy, unsustainable, and exploitative business model costs our industry in the form of a race to the bottom that deliberately reduces labour costs, leads to reducing skills with the lack of training that makes our roads unsafe. COVID-19 came along and border closures meant an end to filling vacancies with overseas labour. In the transport industry, we specifically have a myriad of concerns relating to why the industry has a driver and skills shortage and why the industry is failing to attract and retain talented people. They include: 1. Transport is the most dangerous industry in Australia. According to Safe Work Australia, current as of July 22, 2021, the transport, postal and warehousing industry averages more deaths than any

Our industry does not paint a pretty picture of a satisfactory and fulfilling career. Fundamental changes need to be made to address the shortage of drivers other industry. Since 2016, 200 truck drivers have died on Australian roads. 2. Declining mental health. Pressures to meet deadlines, fatigue, time spent away from family, sedentary roles and poor nutrition all adds up to an industry that does not contribute to a healthy wellbeing. A Monash University study found that one in two drivers reported some level of psychological distress from their jobs and the proportion of truck drivers under the age of 35 with severe psychological distress was almost double that of the average for Australian males in that age bracket. 3. Unsafe/unhygienic toilets and facilities on the highways of Australia. The S*** truck drivers cop for something as simple as answering the call of nature is atrocious. 4. Lack of respect from other road users. Including but not limited to caravans who park in truck bays without taking into consideration that these bays are the workplaces of truck drivers. One driver in the Monash study explained how the

public don’t respect truck drivers who said, “We get blamed for the accident whether it’s our fault or not.” Especially when over 90% of accidents are caused by cars. 5. Insecure, low paid work. The award rate is too low for the skill set a professional driver needs and is expected to have. 6. An aging industry. The average age of a truck driver is over 45. 7. No accredited pathway for training, no accessible pathways or preparation for job-readiness. The union is advocating for an apprenticeship type scheme that will make a career in transport desirable and give transferrable skills to applicants. For these reasons, our industry does not paint a pretty picture of a satisfactory and fulfilling career. Fundamental changes need to be made to address the shortage of drivers. With skills that are trainable, attainable, and realistic for the young people of today to want to enter the transport industry. It means making the industry attractive to recruit and retain workers with rights and privileges that are taken for granted in other industries, other industries that are nowhere as important to the Australian economy as the transport industry. And we need bosses and wealthy clients like big retailers, Oil and Gas and the mining industry to get behind this and stop driving rates down and exploiting transport workers. We must attract and retain a new generation of transport workers to an industry so essential to our daily lives and one that carried us through the global pandemic and will continue to carry Australia into the future. Without transport workers Australia stops.

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Our Heavy Vehicle Helpdesk is available 7 days a week. Talk to us about: Permits

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Tel: 138 486 Fax: 9475 8455 Email: hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au www.mainroads.wa.gov.au 1 WATM • September 2021

Focus

Fitzroy Crossing's reputation at rock bottom

he issue of rocks being aimed at trucks passing through Fitzroy Crossing has been on the increase with the town’s business leaders saying it has put the Kimberley town’s reputation at rock bottom. Worse still, it is causing scheduling nightmares for freight companies who are trying to keep their drivers safe and urgent action has been called from politicians and the Police to fix this situation which is slowing down the supply of goods and services throughout the region. This serious issue is ‘nothing new’ for the transport industry who has been

WATM • Septembert 2021

dealing with this for longer than most want to remember. Everyone, from the Police, transport companies, industry associations, individuals and even this magazine has tried to find ways to help alleviate the problem over the years – all obviously to no avail. In fact, from latest reports the problem is getting worse. The Police have readily made escort through the town available to truck drivers. The Police along with Transport companies have worked together to engage the children introducing them face to face to trucks and their drivers and

giving them gifts… Presently, in a long line of people before who have tried to sort this problem, a CEO of an Australia-wide transport company is said to be working with Police and regional leaders in the Kimberley to look at ways of improving the safety of their drivers. However, until the real issues are addressed, namely the lack of deterrence through the Juvenile Justice System and the responsibility of parents and communities to properly address the problem at its ‘roots’ the reality is this situation is unlikely to change.

Everyone, from the Police, transport companies, industry associations, individuals and even this magazine has tried to find ways to help alleviate the problem over the years – all obviously to no avail. In fact, from latest reports the problem is getting worse

It was recently reported that ‘many’ people within the local community have tried to work with all concerned however, not many of them stick around in the town for longer than six months. When the transport industry has ‘asked’ for help from Police and Politicians over the years they have been advised to make a ‘report’ with Police on the incident so that a clear picture with numbers and times can be established. In a previous article in WA Transport Magazine on this subject we were advised that this reporting can be done by telephone to ensure no more valuable time is lost by operators and it is important to get a Report Number. Divina D’Anna, Member for Kimberley is one MP who has received a letter raising concerns from truck drivers on this matter and when asked by the ABC if she was working with those affected on

any strategies to deal with the issue said, "I urge all freight drivers, other road users and all community members to please make sure to always report any of these incidents to Police, no matter the time, place or other circumstances." However, once the gravity of the situation is uncovered through these ‘statistics’ do we really expect Government to make any suitable changes because of the ‘age’ of the offenders and their origin? Perhaps the time has come for the Politicians to consider building a road around the town site to allow those who do not need to pass through Fitzroy Crossing safe and expedient travel through the region? Phillip Hams, Fitzroy Crossing Business Network chairperson said the situation has cast the town in a bad light and has put its reputation in the pits. "It's absolutely unacceptable to have traffic reluctant to travel through Fitzroy Crossing at night time because they'll get rocked or have other missiles shot at them with slingshots," he said. He, along with other business leaders in the town and many in the freight sector have written to politicians and Police calling for the issue to be immediately addressed citing the root cause was children roaming the streets at night and the need to get among the families involved and have the parents take responsibility for their children. "It just needs someone with the courage to step up and sort it out," he said. The risk to life is real for drivers passing through Fitzroy Crossing and sadly these attacks could lead to a fatality or serious injury. We have asked this question before; will it take the loss of a life or serious injury for things to change? Truck drivers who travel through Fitzroy Crossing regularly are saying that the odds are you will have rocks pelted at you on a weekly, fortnightly basis.

The danger does not only lie for the truck driver but the public in general for if the truck driver is compromised – who is driving the truck? Operators fear losing control if the missile goes through the windscreen and hits them which could lead to property damage and even an innocent passer by being hurt whilst they are going through the town. What is more concerning is that the missiles described by the transport industry extend past rocks with ball bearings possibly with the use of sling shots being reported. The media is asked not report on the ‘types’ of missiles for fear that it will give people ‘ideas’, however by not reporting on it does not do the truck drivers or transport companies any favours as they need to be ‘aware’ so they can take whatever precautions necessary to protect not only their own safety but that of the public. Some operators report that ‘slowing down’ below the speed limit whilst going through the town has fewer incidences versus travelling through at the normal speed and by far the safest way through is with a Police escort if you can get one. Due to this issue, many transport companies have had to change their schedules so they don’t pass through the town at night time which is the worst time, however operators are reporting that the rock chucking is happening during the day time as well. With all of the stresses that truck drivers have to deal with in their normal day this problem is causing unneeded anxiety for drivers as well as a logistical nightmare for businesses. It is fairly obvious after all these years that all the avenues have been tried without success so perhaps again, the answer is for Government to build another road around the town bypassing it completely for those not needing to stop in the town to deliver goods. WATM • September 2021

TRANSPORT

magazine

VOLUME 27 | NUMBER 8

FROM THE PUBLISHER Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd Telephone 0430 153 273 www.angrychicken.com.au ABN: 35 486 530 095

PUBLISHER / COMMISSIONING EDITOR Karen-Maree’ Kaye T: 0430 153 273 Email: karen@angrychicken.com.au WRITERS Karen-Maree' Kaye, Russell McKinnon CONTRIBUTORS Jan Cooper, Cam Dumesny, Carol Messenger, Ray Pratt ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Angry Chicken Head Office T: 0430 153 273 E: karen@angrychicken.com.au DESIGN / PREPRESS Cally Browning | Bare Creative ACCOUNTS T: 0430 153 273 E: accounts@angrychicken.com.au PRINTER Daniels Printing Craftsmen SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions available directly from the Publisher. T: 0430 153 273 E: karen@angrychicken.com.au Australia: 1 year $76.45 (inc GST) 2 years $152.90 (inc GST) Overseas subscribers: Airmail postage will be added to subscription rate. Editorial Submissions: The Publisher welcomes editorial submissions. Once received they will become the property of the Publisher who reserves the right to edit the or adjust the content to fit with the format of our publication.

West Australian Transport Magazine (WATM) is published by Angry Chicken Publishing Pty Ltd ABN: 35 486 530 095 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, adapted or transmitted in any form by any process (graphic, electronic, mechanical or storage and retrieval system) or sold, resold or otherwise exploited for any purpose without consent of the Publisher. The publisher, contributors, editors and consultants disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication in regards to consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted, or being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication. No person, organization or party should rely on or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this magazine without first obtaining the advice of a fully qualified person. The Publisher shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by contributor, consultant, editor or related party for content within WATM. The opinions and content within WATM does not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher, editor or their agents. No responsibility is accepted for damage or loss of material supplied to the publisher.

WATM • Septembert 2021 September 2021

ining Boom, Bumper Harvest… Western Australia is looking like the best place to be in the world however, as our ‘Fair Go’ columnist Ray Pratt [Page 8] points out due to COVID-19 border closures, both international and domestic, the lack of supply of machinery and transport equipment or the parts needed from overseas to fix or manufacture equipment ‘is and will’ make things challenging. Added to that is the shortage of skilled labour, especially truck drivers but it is pleasing to see that $6.1 million, State Government funded Driver Training Initiative which aims to address driver shortages by training 500 new HR Drivers and upskilling 500 existing drivers to HC and MC licences over the next two years is gaining momentum. If you want to get involved please contact Cam Dumesny from Western Roads Federation. See story on Page 16 of this edition.

We also revisit the rock chucking at Fitzroy Crossing, [Page 2] but this time with a suggestion to government on how they can fix it permanently before someone gets seriously injured and the reality of ‘why’ nothing that is presently being done, or has been done will ever work. I knew I was going to get flack about bringing SBT out into the open, and thank you to the people who have responded to the story in the last edition. One of the comments I got was that these acts are random, and people do it on the spur of the moment and it should not be spoken about for fear of copycats. As you will see in this edition [Page 14] our Bird’s Eye columnist Carol Messenger shares hers and her husband Don’s experience with SBT and it was definitely planned. Sadly, most are and this is ‘why’ we as an industry must talk about it. Welcome to all the new subscribers, as always, thank you to everyone who supports the magazine. Best,

Karen

CONTENTS

2............................................... Fitzroy Crossing’s reputation at Rock Bottom 6............................................... Highway upgrades kick off 330 million of road projects underway across the Kimberley 10............................................ $

11............................................... I ntroduction of the Class 1 RAV Restricted Area Low Loader Overmass Period Permit 12............................................ Bye bye Boom Gates 13............................................ DGL acquires Opal Australasia lan ahead as road safety upgrades underway in the South-West 15............................................ P estern Roads Federation – WA Driver training initiative gains 16............................................ W momentum

18............................................ 2021 Waste to Wages 19............................................ NHVR prosecutes multiple engine remapping charges ustralia’s first hydrogen-powered trucks to be delivered 20.......................................... A

21............................................ Mid West’s first heavy vehicle braking testing facility

Every Month 7................................................ Questions to the WA State Government 8............................................... Fair Go for Owner Drivers 14............................................ Bird’s Eye View 22.......................................... HCVC 24.......................................... WA Transport History

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IN THIS ISSUE: Steering towards better sleep New AMMS operating conditions Should international drivers get more training? Driver distraction or suicide?

WATM • June 2021

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News

Highway upgrades kick off supporting local jobs and improving safety

ork kicked off in July on two highway projects in Upper Swan and Wooroloo that will help to ease congestion, improve safety and support around 180 jobs. A new roundabout will be constructed on Great Northern Highway at the intersection of Apple Street and Coondaree Parade in Upper Swan. The project will also include realigning the existing intersection, improvements to drainage and street lighting, new pedestrian and cycling facilities, and a new accessway for heavy vehicles at the Apple Street Road Train Assembly Area. The $14 million project is jointly funded by the Federal Government, State Government and third-party stakeholders (Satterley Property Group, City of Swan and BGC) and will improve travel times and road safety at the intersection, increase connectivity in the area with a cyclist lane, cater for various heavy vehicle movements, and improve drainage. WBHO Infrastructure Pty Ltd will undertake the works, which are expected to

WATM • September 2021

be completed in the first half of 2022. Work will also be undertaken to realign two kilometres of Great Eastern Highway in Wooroloo - used by more than 7,000 vehicles a day - which will eliminate three substandard curves, help reduce the risk of crashes and improve safety. Work will be completed by Decmil Southern Pty Ltd with the new section of highway to include a painted median to provide better separation between traffic, as well as wider sealed shoulders and safety barriers. The project also includes a new connection to Old Northam Road, upgrades to Wooroloo Prison Farm access road and the addition of left and right-turn pockets at both intersections. The $14.4 million project is jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2022. Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said, "The Morrison Government has allocated an

unprecedented amount of funding to road upgrades throughout Western Australia and is getting on with delivering infrastructure projects that improve congestion and safety for commuters, ensuring they get home quickly and safely. "Under the Urban Congestion Fund, we are delivering 177 individual packages of works nationwide. The Great Northern Highway-Apple Street intersection upgrade and Great Eastern Highway and Old Northam Road projects bring the total number of Urban Congestion Fund projects around Australia that are completed or underway to 65. A further 51 are expected to start construction this year. Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "The McGowan Government is committed to supporting local jobs while also improving safety and easing congestion on our roads. "Thousands of cars use these intersections each day, many of which are heavy vehicles. "These projects will help transform the local areas, and make it easier for drivers as our communities continue to grow."

Over to you QUESTIONS TO THE WA STATE GOVERNMENT

Thank you to our WA State Government for answering WA Transport Magazine reader’s questions. If you have a question that is related to the transport industry please email it to the publisher at: karen@angrychicken.com.au Question Why don’t the digital sign boards at El Caballo and Kellerberrin have dimmer switches for night time? Nothing is worse at 10pm being blinded by the changing ads. It really stuffs your night vision and hurts like hell. Answer from Main Roads Spokesperson Main Roads assesses and approves all applications for roadside advertising in line with its Roadside Advertising Policy which can be found on the Main Roads website. The Policy has been put in place to ensure that roadside advertising does not pose a safety hazard to road users and does not adversely impact on the visual amenity of the roadside environment and surrounding areas. These signs are privately owned and Main Roads has previously monitored their luminance level and found it to be compliant with levels allowed in the Roadside Advertising Policy. Main Roads will continue to monitor these signs and if they

are found to not comply with the Policy and pose a safety hazard, Main Roads will take this up with the sign owners. Question When are Main Roads going to redo the stretch of road from the old Great Northern/Brand Highway lights to the Muchea RTAA… or is the patch job or the 450 potholes deemed sufficient? Answer from Main Roads Spokesperson Pavement repairs between Dalwallinu and Wubin were completed earlier this year and the road surface was last resealed in 2013-2014 (typically required every 12 – 15 years). It is recognised that this section of Great Northern Highway is rough and will require rehabilitation, which involves reconstruction of the pavement. The works will need to be prioritised against other requirements in the State however, Main Roads will continue to inspect the road, and undertake routine maintenance as required until funding for rehabilitation is available.

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Over to you A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt

Western Australia’s MINING BOOM and BUMPER HARVEST

hat a crazy world we live in. Australia has seen the ‘highs and lows’ with the COVID-19 Pandemic yet Western Australia is in the grip of a mining boom and to cap it off there is a huge shortage of skilled workers. Cars, trucks and trailers are in short supply and there is a long waiting time to fill demand. We predicted ages ago that the transport industry was in for a rough time with a shortage of experienced drivers, especially as older drivers were exiting the industry, but nobody took much notice and so consequently little as usual was done to combat the issue with exception the State Governments program to train 1000 drivers over the next two years. We certainly did not see this mining boom coming, especially with the issue of the Pandemic rearing its ugly head every so often with the news for our state that Western Australia is closed off to the rest of the country. This situation is getting so bad that it is affecting our economy as we fail to keep up with demand for the mining industry and the next big issue will be the demand for trucks and drivers when harvesting our ‘bumper’ grain crop starts up shortly. West Australian farmers are predicting a massive harvest so demand for drivers and 8

WATM • September 2021

equipment will be high. I applaud the push to increase truck driver training which is a 'great initiative' however, the problem will be trying to find suitable people who wish to make a career out of truck driving. Finding drivers is one thing but we need them to be professional and experienced before we see them behind the wheel of large multi combination trucks. It certainly

I applaud the push to increase truck driver training which is a ‘great initiative’ however, the problem will be trying to find suitable people who wish to make a career out of truck driving is not the career choice that many would consider. Too often the effort to get bums into seats means inexperienced drivers are let loose on our highways with little thought to proper training. This brings a lowering of standards and a lack of professionalism which in turn creates more problems than it fixes. Experienced truck drivers are horrified

with the way the industry is heading to the extent that they find themselves in the predicament of having to share the road with these people. It’s certainly a recipe for disaster. I’ve said it before and I will say it again and that is the transport industry is in trouble. Drivers are exiting the industry because of poor work conditions and treatment. In the Twenty First Century who wants to work fourteen plus hours a day for weeks at a time and always be fatigued? Who wants to be married to the job and have no social life? Who wants to put up with second grade Road Houses with poor food choices and substandard amenities? Who wants to sleep in a truck sleeper parked near a busy truck route? Who wants to park in a truck bay and find a tree to go to the toilet? And who wants to deal with other motorists putting your life in danger? Certainly it was normal ‘once’ to put up with all these issues but times are changing and it’s time the industry changes so that it becomes attractive enough to entice new drivers into the industry and to retain them. It’s pointless getting bums into seats until we have change but what would I know, I’m just a Truck Driver. Keep it safe, Ray Pratt.

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News

$330 million of road projects underway across the Kimberley

ore than $330 million worth of road upgrades are underway or planned for the Kimberley region, supporting local jobs and boosting the local economy. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti was recently in the Kimberley region to view progress on the Great Northern Highway Upgrade project at Ord River. The $98.14 million Ord River North project is jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments and will see priority sections of the highway and bridges upgraded improving safety and efficiency. Eight kilometres of Great Northern Highway between Ord River and Tickalara Creek has already been upgraded, with work recently starting on the next 11 kilometre section. Planning is underway for additional works, including an additional six kilometres of highway and upgrades to Tickalara Bridge and Frog Hollow Bridge. Working closely with local communities, the project is providing job opportunities for local Aboriginal people and Aboriginal businesses as sub-contractors. In the first month of construction, May 2021, nearly 16 per cent of the project's workforce comprised Aboriginal people, with just over six per cent being local

WATM • September 2021

Aboriginal people. A target of 30 per cent Aboriginal employment has been set for the project, with mentoring provided by local Aboriginal business Dadaru to create a support system and team culture. Other major projects currently planned or under construction in the Kimberley include: • Upgrades to the single lane Arthur Creek Bridge; • Planning underway to upgrade four floodways to bridges south of Ord River; • Planning for upgrades to all single lane bridges at Willare Crossing and Fitzroy Crossing on the Great Northern Highway in the West Kimberley as well as upgrades to substandard sections of highway between Broome and Fitzroy Crossing; • Planning for upgrades to Great Northern Highway through the East Kimberley is continuing and will include the removal of all single lane bridges between Ord River and Bow River; • $25.8 million committed by the State and Federal Governments to upgrade sections of Great Northern Highway between Broome and Derby including the upgrade of 15 kilometres near Deep Creek east of Broome, 18 kilometres

near Logue River and a further two kilometres near Derby at Wonjil; • More than $21 million committed to the Kimberley as part of the Regional Road Safety Program in 2021-22. This has enabled low cost upgrades to be undertaken on 740 kms of various sections of Great Northern Highway and Victoria Highway; • $15 million jointly funded Broome Cape Leveque Road project; • $42.75 million jointly funded Tanami Road upgrade; • $51.3 million jointly funded Duncan Road and Gordon Downs Road upgrade; • $18.3 million Moonamang Road upgrade. Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Working with the Commonwealth Government, we have allocated more than $330 million to road projects across the Kimberley region, supporting local jobs and the local economy. “Many of these projects are either under construction or in planning phases and will lead to a pipeline of work across the Kimberley. “With more people visiting our northern regions during the school holidays, these upgrades are providing a safe road network to ensure that freight can be transported safely, whilst Western Australians can see the beauty of the Kimberley.”

Main Roads News

Introduction of the Class 1 RAV Restricted Area Low Loader Overmass Period Permit

riven by Industry feedback, Main Roads has recently introduced the new Class 1 Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) Restricted Area Low Loader Overmass Period Permit. It has been developed to simplify permit arrangements for some overmass low loaders required to complete local movements without crossing a bridge. The Permit provides access to low loaders that generally require Single Trip Permits in approved Local Government areas where there are no (or minimal) bridges. It covers low loaders with the maximum axle group mass limits outlined below: • Tri Axle Low Loader with 8 tyres per axle – 48 tonnes • Quad Axle Low Loader with 8 tyres per axle – 55 tonnes • Quin Axle Low Loader with 4 tyres per axle – 45 tonnes • Six Axle Low Loader with 4 tyres per axle – 54 tonnes Under the Permit, travel is permitted on roads within the approved Local

Government area, as identified in the Class 1 RAV Restricted Area Low Loader Overmass Period Permit Operating Conditions. To ensure operators identify that no bridges are located on the proposed route, operators must complete the Restricted Area Low Loader Route Plan as part of their route survey before travelling. Prior to applying for the new Period Permit, operators are reminded they must familiarise themselves with all the requirements of the Class 1 RAV Restricted Area Low Loader Overmass Period Permit Operating Conditions. The Operating Conditions, Restricted Area Low Loader Route Plan and Period Permit application forms are available on the Main Roads website.

Industry Consultation about proposed changes to Various Permit Operating Conditions Following on from our recent HVS Industry workshops and information sessions, changes have been made to the following Permit Operating Conditions: • Class 1 Oversize Period Permit

• Single Trip OSOM Vehicle Standard Operating Conditions • Special Purpose Vehicle Prior to implementation, Industry feedback was sought via the MySay Transport website, with comments closing on Monday 26 July. Thank you to those who participated.

Launch of the WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Auditor Hub We’re pleased to announce the launch of our dedicated online Auditor Hub that will allow for real time communication and collaboration between WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation (WAHVA) Certified Auditors and Heavy Vehicle Services. The Hub was established following feedback from the WAHVA Review and Auditors Conference, held in March 2021. It will initially be used to provide information about planned changes to Auditing documents and processes, however it will also house FAQs and draft documentation and allow users to participate in surveys, provide feedback and raise issues relating to WAHVA. WATM • September 2021

News

DGL acquires Opal Australasia

Bye bye boom gates N

ew station locations have been revealed and a single-structure elevated rail solution along key sections of the track has today been announced as the preferred option to remove five level crossings along the Armadale Line throughout Victoria Park and Canning. Five level crossings at Mint Street, Oats Street, Welshpool Road, Hamilton Street and Wharf Street will be removed and replaced with elevated rail, allowing motorists to pass through the area without interacting with the rail line. New elevated stations will be built at Carlisle, Oats Street, Queens Park and Cannington, while Welshpool Station - which has very low patronage - will be closed. Each of these level crossings is down for longer than three hours a day, causing traffic bank ups and frustration for motorists. The new station locations have now been confirmed, with Carlisle Station moving closer to Mint/Archer streets and Oats Street Station will be moved to over the top of Oats Street and will have a station entrance on either side of the road for safer access. Queens Park Station's entrance will relocate slightly and is planned to face Cecil Avenue. The project is currently in procurement phase with a contract award expected later this year. To facilitate the works, Western Power

WATM • September 2021

will be relocating – and in some cases undergrounding – a number of high voltage transmission lines around the stations and rail corridor, eliminating interface risks during and after rail construction and improving overall amenity. A contract for the key Western Power works is due to be awarded later this year, with their main construction works expected to be completed in late-2022. Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said, "By alleviating congestion across this transport corridor, we’re helping the people of Perth get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re driving the economy and we're supporting local jobs.” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Anyone who has been stuck at a level crossing knows the dread when the lights start flashing and the boom gates start coming down. “We have already removed the dreaded Denny Avenue level crossing in Kelmscott and I cannot wait to get to work to remove these five level crossings throughout Victoria Park and Canning. “We have worked with the community to determine that elevated rail is the preferred solution and will minimise noise while opening up six hectares of land for community activation.”

GL Group Limited, a specialist chemicals business that manufactures, transports, stores and processes chemicals and hazardous waste, has announced the strategic acquisition of Opal Australasia for $8.6 million. Opal is a specialist contract formulator and packaging business based in the Kwinana Industrial Area, one of Western Australia’s most important strategic industrial areas. The company has been operating profitably for nearly 20 years, and is one of only two independent agricultural chemical toll manufacturing companies in WA. The acquisition will provide DGL with access to a suite of agricultural customers on Australia’s west coast and increase DGL’s manufacturing capacity to in excess of 150,000 tonnes p.a. The acquisition price of $8.6 million, includes property valued at approximately $4.3 million. Founder and CEO of DGL, Simon Henry, said, “Opal brings to our business a substantial foothold in the Western Australian market. It means we can now adequately service Western Australia’s grain industry, the largest agricultural sector in the state, which also represents around 40 percent of Australia’s grain exports. “Through this acquisition, we will have Australia’s agriculture market covered, and with a presence on both the east and west coast of Australia, it will provide a natural hedge on varying drought cycles.” Opal currently services the majority of major chemical suppliers in the agricultural industry in WA, providing them with a range of specialised product and formulation development services. The business comes with an extensive suite of licences and approvals, as well as unique product intellectual property, which will be integrated into DGL’s existing logistics and assets to increase efficiencies and bring greater utilisation and scale to the manufacturing division. In commenting on the Group’s

strategy, Mr Henry added, “Acquiring one of the leading formulators in Western Australia is completely aligned to our group strategy to operate from a broad and strategic network of sites across Australia and New Zealand. It will give us the client base and additional capabilities to deploy our extensive suite of licenses and accreditations in the area, and bring our capabilities and skills from the east coast to the west. “The acquisition will also add quality property to our existing, substantial, footprint as we continue to focus on investing for the long-term, while

strengthening our balance sheet. Our geographic coverage enables us to service national and trans-Tasman customers in a highly effective manner, avoiding the need for customers to engage multiple service providers.” The Kwinana Industrial Area is a specialist centre for chemical and resource-based processing industries, with close proximity to Fremantle Port’s deep-water bulk materials facilities and associated road and rail and networks. It’s a strategic location for DGL to service key agricultural customers.

Opal brings to our business a substantial foothold in the Western Australian market. It means we can now adequately service WA’s grain industry, the largest agricultural sector in the state, which also represents around 40 percent of Australia’s grain exports

National Transport Commission research

he National Transport Commission (NTC) is conducting research into the requirements and use of escape respirators in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.7. Currently – as detailed in Table 12.2 of the code – an air supplied short term breathing apparatus suitable for escape purposes must be readily available in the cabin of road vehicles transporting placard loads of dangerous goods containing any: • division 2.3 (toxic gases) • division 6.1 (toxic substances) • class 8 (corrosives). Vehicle owners are invited to undertake a short, five-minute survey at https://bit.ly/35DYgF0 The data gathered will help inform the NTC’s comprehensive review of the code. Information gathered through this survey will be aggregated and no personal information will be shared.

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WATM • September 2021

Over to you BIRDS EYE VIEW by Carol Messenger

SBT – Our Story

n the August edition of WA Transport Magazine the article uncovering the reality of SBT to the transport industry was brave and important. For too long, the discussion of SBT has been taboo. “Don’t talk about it for fear of copycats” however, it is the transport industry that is being affected and as many of these acts are ‘planned’ and not just random - we must talk about it. It is a subject that I have wanted to tackle for a long time but walking that fine line between ‘empathy and blame’ is hard. I applaud Karen-Maree’ Kaye for her balanced and factual approach in the article and wanting to bring this subject into the open.

“Don’t talk about it for fear of copycats” however, it is the transport industry that is being affected and as many of these acts are ‘planned’ and not just random - we must talk about it You see, many of us in this industry will come face to face with this issue - sadly many will not survive the encounter and

News

Plan ahead as road safety upgrades underway in the South-West

WATM • September 2021

those who do will be scarred for life. SBT ‘needs’ to be discussed and drivers and companies be aware that this happens regularly on our roads. Hiding the figures and not reporting on SBT will not make it go away. We were totally unaware of SBT until it happened to us. After the fact, the Policeman told me that ours was the 11th such incident that year on that stretch of road - and it was only July. I personally have no problem with someone committing suicide. It is your life to choose to do with as you will. I understand that when people are deeply troubled, they may not consider the

ore than $41 million of upgrades and safety improvements are currently underway across the South-West, as part of the biggest regional road safety upgrade program the State has seen. Road Safety Minister Paul Papalia reminded motorists to be patient and plan ahead, as major roadworks are completed. Traffic management remains in place on the Bussell Highway as stage one of the $85 million duplication project, which includes five kilometres of dual carriageway between Spurr Street and Hutton Road, nears completion. Safety improvement work to realign three-kilometres of the South Western Highway near Brookhampton has also commenced, along with pre-construction

anguish and sense of failure of the family and friends left behind – they just see no other way out to end their pain. They make a ‘choice’ which is theirs to make ‘until’ they decide to involve a complete stranger who is happily living their life often in order to make their demise look like an accident. So they step in front of a train, or swerve their car into the front of a truck and they might be lucky to end their life quickly and painlessly but the stranger they dragged into their stinking dark pit is now in one of their own if they are not killed too. Many truck drivers do not survive that head on crash. Before you go getting your knickers in a knot and saying that we should be more understanding and that these are troubled and confused people let me tell you what it is like from the other side. We, [my husband Don, but the fall out affected us both so badly] were the unfortunate victims of a man who ‘chose’ SBT. In fact, after the incident we were told by Police that this was his ‘third’ attempt having swerved before impact on the first two tries. Don had headed up through Chittering with an oversize load - 4.3m wide and under escort. The escort went around the corner but then became concerned when Don didn't appear in his rear vision mirror so went back to investigate. Don said everything was normal, there was a car coming towards him - nothing special, but all of a sudden he knew what this guy was going to do and before he even had chance to react, this guy had ploughed into the front of the truck and the force of the impact ripped out the front axle. This sent the truck spinning across the road

work for a roundabout at Vittoria Road. As part of a partnership between the State and Commonwealth Governments, important safety treatments like shoulder sealing, the installation of audible edge and audible centre lines is being installed on around 430 kilometres of South-West roads including: Coalfields Highway, CollieMumballup Road, Boyanup Picton Road, Lakelands-Lake Clifton Road, Brockman Highway, Bannister-Marradong Road, Greenlands Road, Melville-Mandurah Road, Pinjarra Road, South Western Highway, Sues Road, Vasse Highway and Forrest Highway, These safety treatments aim to significantly reduce the risks associated with run-off road crashes.

After the incident we were told by Police that this was his ‘third’ attempt having swerved before impact on the first two tries and by some ‘miracle’ Don ended up in the ‘only’ gap between the trees; otherwise I would still be collecting the widow's pension today. Not going into the gory details but it was not pleasant. I got the call with the news and the nightmare of recovery, costs, police and coroner investigations and everything else began. As we had a fully fenced secure yard, we were permitted to have our truck brought to our yard, where once all the investigations people had signed it off, we were able to recover what we could. We had chosen to self-insure our fleet. We had third party cover in case we damaged someone else's vehicle but no cover on our own trucks/trailers. It was a calculated risk with the cost of the premium plus the excesses. That was our choice and our risk but this guy took all of that away from us. His insurance wouldn't pay out as it was suicide so we had to bear the cost of a write of a $200K truck - we got $20K back from a wrecker. The after effects of dealing with the continual police and coronial inquiries, Army inquiries (he was Army personnel) and then his brother contacted us and wanted to talk to Don, for him to tell him what had happened.

Traffic management remains in place on the Bussell Highway as stage one of the $85 million duplication project nears completion Significantly, over $980 million of road works is being delivered in the South-West, including; • $41 million from the $455 million Regional Road Safety Program; • $852 million for construction of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road; • $85 million to duplicate the Bussell

I took on as much as I could of the paperwork and the questions and the letters and phone calls but obviously some of them Don had to deal with himself. Don left the industry maybe a year later, the mental strain just too much for him. What we had done for 30+ years, what we had always enjoyed was now just too painful, too scary, and too hard. Don would see the same colour car, or a glint off a windscreen as a car came around a corner and he would have a panic attack. The stress just became too much. The flash backs were too real and the lack of sleep as he turned it over and over in his mind too debilitating. Don had physically survived but mentally it was a bridge too far. In my mind, suicide is the most selfish thing that you can do - you rip the hearts and guts out of your family and friends that you leave behind. We had a family member who committed suicide, but he took himself out into the bush and left the engine running. He didn't involve anyone else but I still feel for those poor Police officers who found him a few days later. I wish those in that frame of mind could just see this pain that they cause. That is why it is so important that it is not just brushed under the carpet - if just one person could see the horror and pain that they leave behind then maybe they might just think twice. Life is hard - no doubt about it, but no-one has any right to screw up someone else's life because of their struggles. We have a right to go to work and to come home safely. You do what you like with your own life but don't drag someone else into that black hole with you.

Highway, between Busselton and Capel; • $7 million upgrades to South Western Highway between Brookhampton Road and Tassone Road, at Thompsons Hill; and • $2.1 million for Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of South Western Highway and Vittoria Road. Minister Papalia said, "This is the biggest single investment in regional road safety Western Australia has ever seen. "Sadly, far too many crashes still occur in our regional areas. "Many of these crashes are a result of simple mistakes and single vehicle run offs "Safety treatments like these will make a huge difference and make these roads safer." WATM • September 2021

Over to you WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION by Cam Dumesny, CEO

Western Australian Driver Training Initiative Gains Momentum Update on the Western Australian Heavy Vehicle (HV) driver training program that commenced in April 2021.

he program was designed to attract, train and recruit drivers to support the growing demand for drivers across multiple transport sectors in our state. An integral component of the initiative is to promote industry engagement and active participation from prospective employers and Industry veterans to provide a broad view of the career opportunities. This initiative is designed to work collaboratively with the industry to attract new entrants, provide trainees with career pathways and deliver a level of base training that allows for an efficient and effective deployment of these drivers into employment where the employer can continue their development and training. The program is designed to deliver Industry with over 1000 drivers, over a two (2) year period, trained in safe and responsible vehicle operations ready to activity fill the growing demand in both metropolitan and regional areas. To achieve the desired results the initiative focuses on attracting new entrants to the industry and promoting the benefits of employment in a safely operated and managed industry capable of providing long term sustainable employment. The six (6) week program aims to provide recruitment opportunities for Industry, graduates with

WATM • Septembert 2021

a strong grounding in all aspects of vehicle operations and consists of the following modules-: • 18 units drawn from Cert III in Driving Operations • Hands on training in work environments • Driving simulations in state-of-the-art facilities • Practical hours in Heavy Vehicles with experienced trainers. • Attainment of Heavy Rigid (HR) and Forklift licence, or • Upgrading from HR to Heavy Combination (HC) and Multi Combinations (MC) licences. The project has gained significant traction from its commencement with enrolment numbers being strong and the

pipeline of potential participants growing. Course design and delivery through the RTO with TAFE oversight has produced strong and consistent results through theoretical and practical training facets. Industry understanding and support of the program has been initially slow, however a reassessed approach to this through the Western Roads Federation dedicating a resource as Industry Engagement Manager and continued cooperation between key stakeholders being the TAFE, Dept of Training and Workforce Development, Main Roads and Perth based training provider Driver Risk Management has seen a significant upswing in Industry awareness and interest in the program. Direct Industry engagement has resulted in higher levels of understanding of the intent of the program from prospective employers. Through the continued focus of all stakeholders to deliver well trained, safe drivers, this support and engagement is continuing to grow and looking to dovetail into training programs being developed or already in place in many organisations. The drive for a more efficient and effective logistics industry as detailed in the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy will require participants to be trained in adopting new technologies, changing infrastructure and more complex processes. This effort will require a joint co-ordinated approach between all stakeholders with training as a building block for the success. The creation of a program delivering broad scope training applicable to drivers no matter the specialised area they are ultimately engaged in will assist in the development of a skilled and adaptable workforce in support of the future initiatives. The program aims to align primarily with and support four (4) components of the

National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy • Safe, secure and sustainable operations • Innovative solutions to meet freight demand • A skilled and adaptable workforce • An informed understanding and acceptance of freight operations A consistent delivery of content supported by hands on realistic reinforcements is producing cohorts of graduates hearing, seeing and learning a focused message therefore providing participants with a well-rounded preparation to be safe and reliable drivers. As currently no standardised and recognised training program for HV Drivers exists the initiative looks provide a pilot for such a program. Ongoing Industry engagement along with the evolution of the programs content and streams will continue to provide benefit to Industry by delivering driver at an understood and agreed level of competency. The program to date has been highly successful in realising this benefit with strong enrolment numbers and a full pipeline of potential candidates keen to be involved.

WA State Government getting more truckies on the road

he McGowan Government's $6.1 million Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set was developed in consultation with the WA transport industry. The six-week course aims to address driver shortages, by training 500 new workers in Heavy Rigid (HR) licences and upskilling an additional 500 existing drivers from HR licences to Heavy Combination (HC) and/or MultiCombination (MC) licences. An Australian first, the new course aims to increase skilled workers through both theoretical and practical hands on truck driving at the state-ofthe-art Driver Risk Management facility located at Perth Airport. On successful completion, participants obtain a Heavy Rigid; Heavy Combination; or Multi Combination class vehicle, and may apply for a forklift (LF) licence. The course is free for eligible

students and the Practical Driving Instruction Training and Assessment and licencing costs $500 for concession students and $1,250 for non-concession students. Western Roads Federation has been advising the State Government on issues affecting the industry, and has been instrumental in developing the expanded skill set to address unprecedented workforce demands due to COVID-19. As the peak industry body, Western Roads Federation will mentor and support students on the path to employment, working to connect students to industry employers. Central Regional TAFE is now taking expressions of interest for future intakes and planning is underway to expand the training to the Mid-West, Goldfields and Great Southern regions in coming months. Visit www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 for more information.

WESTERN ROADS FEDERATION IS THE UNITED VOICE OF WA TRANSPORT COMPANIES Western Roads Federation has been formed to give a strong unified voice for companies who use WA roads for commercial benefit.

Western Roads Federation is a membership driven organisation. If you believe in the industry and what you do, then make sure your company is a member, and get involved. For a membership application form Email cam.dumesny@westernroads.com.au ◆ Phone 08 9365 7799 or 0481 064 371 180 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004

WATM • September 2021

News Below: The waste to wages convoy with trucks donated from Centurion and Keys the Moving Solution Right: Glenn with Nick D’Adamo from Keys The Moving Solution after a 40 foot trailer of mattresses had been unloaded

2021 Waste to Wages 2021 Crew

n September last year, Glenn Sterle Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Labor Senator for Western Australia met with East Kimberley Job Pathways (EKJP), a local organisation in Kununurra which provides training and employment programs throughout the East Kimberley. After identifying the many training and employment opportunities for local people through possible recycling ventures, EKJP created a program called Waste to Wages which trains and employs local Aboriginal youth to collect and repair recyclable items (normally confined to landfill) for their recycling store named “Revive”. All money raised from the sale of repaired items at the store goes directly back into training local indigenous people and providing meaningful employment. After learning of their amazing work, Glenn immediately asked EKJP if they were happy to receive used and unwanted furniture from Perth if it could be arranged and they said absolutely. So, Glenn put out a call and asked if anyone had any unwanted furniture they would like to donate to the program, rather than sending it to the tip and was blown away with the response his office received. Glenn’s office and a team of supporters then collected the donated furniture from across Perth and even as far south as Margaret River. The items were then loaded onto a road train which Glenn then drove himself to Kununurra and delivered to the

WATM • September 2021

team at EKJP. To Glenn’s absolute delight – he was having a conversation with Paige McLachlan (the site manager at Revive in Kununurra) earlier this year and she said that all the furniture that Glenn had delivered in October 2020 had been sold. He asked her if we could get the team back together again to do another furniture collection run up north and Paige couldn’t have said yes quick enough. So Glenn put out a call in April for furniture and got a bigger response than what he got last year which was amazing. Glenn and his team made 46 collections from residents across Perth and filled four sea containers which Glenn delivered

last during the week of the 12th of July in a convoy of trucks made up of two road trains with five trailers between them. Glenn’s partners on this year’s trip were Keys The Moving Solution, Western Roads Federation, ACFS Port Logistics, North West Quarries, Rentco Transport Equipment Rentals, Skippers Transport, Centurion Transport, Ocean Beach Hotel, East Kimberley Job Pathways, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre, Wunan Foundation, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation and the City of Canning. Glenn also partnered with Don Bantock, the owner of Bedshed in Osborne Park. Don donated more than 100 brand new

News

NHVR prosecutes multiple engine remapping charges

T The team at Fitzroy Crossing after they had finished unloading.

mattresses that were delivered by Glenn to Fitzroy Crossing. Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing are conducting an audit at the moment across the 17 communities in the Fitzroy Valley and beds will be distributed accordingly. There is a severe shortage of beds in the area at the moment so this donation will make a huge difference to local communities and families.

Glenn departed Perth on Monday the 12th of July and pulled into Kununurra on the afternoon of Thursday 15th. Unloading began on Thursday and finished on Friday with Glenn’s support crew who followed him from Perth and Paige’s team at Revive. The convoy pulled out from Kununurra on Sunday the 18th and headed to Halls Creek to make another furniture drop for families before they headed back to Perth.

$100m to Black Spot projects across all states

n the latest round of Black Spot Program 2021-22, a Federal Government initiative to improve safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts where serious crashes are known to have occurred New South Wales has receiving the biggest share of funding. As part of the Program, the Federal Government has committed a total of $1.1 billion from 2013–14 financial year to 2023–24 financial year – part of the Local and State Government Road Safety Package. Western Australia will see 34 dangerous crash sites improved with $14.74 million of funding. Chair of the NSW Black Spot Consultative Panel Dr David Gillespie said the high-priority locations to be

funded through the program had seen a total of 15 fatal and 584 crashes causing injuries recorded over the past five years. Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said this would raise the total investment through the Black Spot Program in NSW to $292.2 million. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent on average. Projects nominated for the Black Spot Program are reviewed by a consultative panel, chaired by a Member of Parliament or Senator appointed by the responsible Minister in each state and territory.

he National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has charged two South Australian operators with offences relating to illegal engine remapping. An investigation conducted by South Australia Police (SAPOL) Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Unit (HVEU) found a South Australian produce company had ‘remapped’ the engines of four heavy vehicles to disable the vehicles’ emission limits. The operator pleaded guilty to four charges of tampering with an emission control system fitted to a heavy vehicle and was fined $3,000. They were also required to spend over $32,000 to fix the compliance issues. A further SAPOL HVEU investigation found software and electronic equipment associated with speed limiter tampering at a South Australian transport company’s office. The operator pleaded guilty to possessing a device designed or adapted to enable speed limiter tampering was fined $1,200, and was required to forfeit the equipment. NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance Ray Hassall said the NHVR was working collaboratively with the heavy vehicle industry to remove engine remapping and improve safety. “We’re currently undertaking an education campaign to highlight the harmful effects engine remapping can have on heavy vehicle drivers and logistics workers, as well as communities and the environment,” Mr Hassall said. “By ensuring all engines are compliant with current regulations, the transport industry can better protect the health and safety of truck drivers, the supply chain, and the general community.” “The NHVR and SAPOL regard speed limiter tampering as a serious public safety offence and we won’t hesitate to prosecute operators who ignore the law.” For more information on illegal engine remapping, visit www.nhvr.gov. au/engineremapping. WATM • September 2021

News

Australia’s first hydrogen-powered trucks to be delivered

oregas, an Australian-owned industrial gases company, part of Wesfarmers, is advancing its commitment to the decarbonisation of transport by deploying zero emission heavy duty prime movers to its bulk distribution fleet. Decarbonisation opportunities will be immediate with the project to deliver emissions reductions of 50% in comparison with diesel trucks currently in use. The Hyzon Hymax-450 prime movers will be delivered in the first half of 2022 and will mark the first hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles to operate in Australia. They will be refuelled at Coregas’ facility at the BlueScope Port Kembla Steelworks in New South Wales.

With the support of the New South Wales Government and its Port Kembla Community Investment Fund, Coregas will develop a hydrogen refuelling station at its existing Port Kembla hydrogen production facility, supporting the introduction of zero emission hydrogen fuel cell trucks to the IllawarraShoalhaven region for the first time. The facility will enable the deployment of Australia’s first prime mover fleet of hydrogen- powered vehicles to initiate a transformation of the region’s transport environmental footprint. Coregas Executive General Manager, Alan Watkins, said, “Coregas is working hard to apply our expertise in hydrogen distribution, compression and storage

to Australia’s transition to a hydrogen economy. Transforming the transport sector is a critical piece of the puzzle, and we are delighted to partner with Hyzon to operate these vehicles out of our Hydrogen refuelling station in Port Kembla.” Hyzon Motors CEO, Craig Knight, said: “Hyzon is proud to partner with Coregas in our shared effort to decarbonise Australia’s heavy trucking industry. This partnership reflects two truths about the energy transition: first, that the technology is ready to be deployed now; second, that collaborative efforts are integral in accelerating this shift. We are excited to work with Coregas to introduce hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks to Australia.”

Calls for five-tonne load limit to be removed from Lake King-Cascade Road

im Carmody, Cascade region farmer and Wiluna Shire Councillor is calling for a five-tonne load limit on the Lake King-Cascade Road to be lifted so it can be utilised by road trains and large vehicles. For those travelling to Perth from the Cascade area this route is 54 kilometres quicker than the next best route and the road was originally built for industry expansion throughout the region. Mr Carmody acknowledged that permitting heavier vehicles on this route would require more road maintenance

however, he believed Federal or State Government funding could be secured and permits issued to select vehicles. Presently, the Shire of Esperance does issue vehicle permits greater than five tonnes for this route allowing local travel between farms for the movement of large machinery. Main Roads spokesperson Dean Roberts, said its transport inspectors do not have the power to enforce the five tonne load limit and Main Roads cannot do a route assessment or approve road train access without support

from the Shire of Esperance. The Shire of Esperance said they could not afford to maintain the road in its current form if it was open to road trains and heavy vehicles and that they had applied for and received funding for an upgrade and maintenance of the Cascade Road to the end of farming land. However, the Shire is open to considering upgrading the road in the future if they can secure funding as they understand the economic value to the region if the five tonne load limit was removed.

For those travelling to Perth from the Cascade area this route is 54 kilometres quicker than the next best route and the road was originally built for industry expansion throughout the region

WATM • September 2021

News

Mid West’s first heavy-vehicle brake testing facility builds regional capability

egional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan has officially opened the Mid West's first heavy-vehicle brake testing facility at JMH Group in Geraldton. The McGowan Government provided a $66,700 grant through its Regional Economic Development (RED) Grant program to help build local capability. The Geraldton facility will see maintenance and servicing of heavy vehicles occur in the region, rather than taking place in Perth. The equipment provides for brake testing, steering and suspension inspection and weighing vehicles in one drive through

process, reducing down time and identifying faults before failure occurs. The project has created five jobs over 12 months and facilitated the training and upskilling of employees, including apprentices, in the heavy automotive and mining industries. Minister MacTiernan said, "Investing in this facility boosts the competitiveness of the Mid West's heavy-vehicle service sector and the sectors it supports, like agriculture and mining. "It is diverting skilled jobs to Geraldton and building diversity in the local economy. "It also encourages local heavy-

vehicle operators to use a brake testing service regularly – a win for road safety. "This project is an excellent example of our RED Grants driving regional business diversification, and creating more options for regional communities." Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said, "Having more services available in regional areas is key to growing regional economies. "For haulage businesses, large and small, this means less travel for assessments on their equipment and helps to build efficiency and productivity. "Less time travelling to Perth means more time on the job.

No future road development for Beeliar Wetlands

move to permanently protect the Beeliar Wetlands with legislation has passed the Legislative Council. The Metropolitan Region Scheme (Beeliar Wetlands) Bill 2021 will now be given Royal Assent and signed into law. The legislation rezones approximately 34 hectares of the wetlands from a Primary Regional Roads reserve to a Parks and Recreation reserve, stopping any future road

development, while a scheme amendment strengthens its A-Class status. The McGowan Government stopped the Liberal Party's Perth Freight Link from proceeding and funding set aside for the Perth Freight Link was diverted to other road and rail projects - many of which are completed or underway. With a location for the new container port now confirmed for Kwinana, work

Road safety, tourism priority for regional mobile funding

he WA State Government will invest a further $3.37 million towards 14 new telecommunication towers along major road networks and in tourist hotspots. The investment has helped WA mobile network operators to secure funding from the Federal Government's Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) Round 5A that will support the installation of the new towers. The projects will rectify mobile black spots and improve safety by expanding mobile coverage along major transport corridors and in disaster-prone regions, as well as remote communities and tourist locations, which have little-to-no mobile coverage. Three towers will be erected along Indian Ocean Drive at Cliff Head, Cliff Head Campsite and Coolimba-Eneabba Road in the Mid-West. Hyden East, a major agricultural

transport network, and Talbot in the Wheatbelt, North Greenbushes in the South-West, Tunney North in the Great Southern and Cascade North in the Goldfields-Esperance regions will each have a new mobile tower. There will also be a tower for the Kadjina remote community located on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert and at Embulgan in the Kimberley. Several towers will be installed at popular remote tourist destinations including 14 Mile Camp and 3 Mile Camp in the Gascoyne, Lake Kepwari in the South-West and Palm Pool in the Pilbara. More information on the program is available at www.agric.wa.gov.au/ econnected/mobile-connectivityregional-telecommunications

is well underway for planning for a primary east-west freight corridor along Anketell and Thomas roads. WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "It's been a long battle, but we can say that our Government has permanently protected the Beeliar Wetlands. "We have a comprehensive plan for freight and trade for Western Australia and are working to implement this plan.

JANSZ-IO INVESTMENT

he final investment decision by Chevron Australia and the Gorgon joint venture partners for the Jansz-Io Compression (J-IC) project is a A$6 billion vote of confidence in Australia’s gas industry and will support jobs, exports and domestic energy supplies for decades to come. Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt welcomed the final investment decision for the massive J-IC project, which will ensure continued gas supplies to the LNG on Barrow Island, off the northwest coast of Western Australia and for domestic users. “The final investment decision represents a massive vote of confidence in the future of Australia’s gas and LNG sector. The Gorgon Project supplies clean-burning natural gas to both domestic customers and to customers across the Asia Pacific region,” Minister Pitt said. “The decision is a major step forward for the J-IC project, which will create around 350 construction jobs during the five-year development, and secure the future of around 700 Gorgon project jobs during operations.”

WATM • September 2021

Over to you

Holden and Rugb

VISIT TO VAA By Kevin Toovey

he HCVC received an invitation to visit the VAA club at its clubrooms and workshop in Bellevue. They have a very nice set up where they can meet and work on projects together and they meet on a weekly basis. The club has been going for nearly fifty years, it started out at a premises located up in the hills. When that burnt down they moved down to their current location about twenty years ago. The building has been renovated and added to over the years. COVID-19 boredom might even have given the clubroom extra attention recently as it looked very Micky Mouse. The walls have some good pictures of club and motoring history including their first run to York in October 1973. The vehicles driven there were mainly from the 1920’s era. Some of our HCVC members hold dual

WATM • September 2021

memberships and our clubs have been on outings together. In the workshop when we were there was a Riley that had been donated to the club and is looking very good. In the other work area members were working on putting together a car rotisserie. The VAA also has recently installed a vehicle hoist and the shed roof has been raised to accommodate it. Members work on a variety of projects from small motors, motorbikes through to cars and trucks. In the outside shed there was a couple of upcoming projects. The Durant Rugby was up for sale as the line-up was getting too big. This was an excellent visit and the morning tea was second to none. It is not often you get served morning teas like this anymore.

Cars on the first VAA run to York in October 1973 Trevor, Kevin president HCVC, Tony, president VAA and Peter outside the club rooms.

Cars on the first VAA run to York in October 1973

In the workshop

Working on the Riley that has been donated to the VAA

Peter Johnston's Chev in front of the VAA building

Putting the car rotisserie together

HCVC members in the sun

Putting the car rotisserie together

Five star morning tea

WATM • September 2021

History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

1977

Sandfire Roadhouse 1978 Credit: W. Bulach Wikimedia

nother strike, mentioned in “Wheels of Progress”, published by WARTA in 1983, stated that TWU tanker drivers struck over a claim that they should cart fuel to agents’ new bulk installations on the fringe of the metropolitan area, instead of contractors who had been signed up for the work. Union picketers and a Labor State parliamentarian were arrested for obstruction at a North Fremantle fuel depot; more than 1000 unionists marched through Fremantle in support and a crippling general strike seemed imminent. But cases against the picketers were adjourned indefinitely and after four days the tanker drivers agreed to return to work. The MRD was given approval by the Government to purchase land and establish a vehicle assembly area at Muchea where road trains combinations would be assembled. The average number of children carried on each school day by bus totalled 23,305 with an average daily run of 82,804km. There were 718 bus contracts and 17 minor contracts in operation for an annual cost of $7,522,155. The average cost per child was $323.24.

1978

Subsidy schemes known as the Youth Employment Training Programme and the National Employment and Training Scheme, could be accessed for the training of junior truck drivers, according to the Commonwealth Employment Service, following talks with the WARTA Executive Director. It was reported the State Road Transport Training Committee intended to go into recess “until such time as the industry responds with more enthusiasm for staff training”. An application from Courtesy Driving School for full membership was rejected 24

WATM • September 2021

The MRD was given approval by the Government to purchase land and establish a vehicle assembly area at Muchea where road trains combinations would be assembled on the grounds that the company did not own or operate vehicles for hire and reward, as provided for in the constitution. It was decided that the company be offered associate membership. A special general meeting staged on June 26 was abandoned as only 12 members turned out when a quorum of 20 was required to make changes to the constitution. The Association sent a letter of protest to the ABC regarding a television programme, “The Truckies”, which badly reflected upon the image of the road transport industry. A letter came back stating the ABC’s reasons for producing the series and was tabled at the September 6 Executive meeting. A proposal was sent from the

Association to the MRD concerning the widening of the T Junction at the intersection of Great Eastern and Great Northern Highways at Midland. It was noted that there were plans for a bypass road at West Midland to avoid the necessity of vehicles entering the present intersection. Mr C Thomas, newly-elected Chairman of the Furniture Removers’ Division, was elected to the Executive of the National Furniture Removers’ Association and that he and Vice-Chairman Mr D A Malone were elected to a sub-committee on Industry Training and Education. Transport licences were being granted for the “express” delivery by road for parcels up to 10kg to country centres. The Association decided that as Past Presidents retired from the industry that appropriate farewell functions be arranged. This was to be the case for Mr I Chandler, with a function scheduled for February 2, 1979. The average number of children carried on each school day by bus totalled 23,974 with an average daily run of 83,728km. There were 720 bus contracts and 23 minor contracts in operation for an annual cost of $8,559,479. The average cost per child was $357.03.

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WA TRANSPORT MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2021 EDITION

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Fitzroy Crossing’s reputation at Rock Bottom