Queensland's major transport
industry association
Suite 1, 96 Cleveland Street
Stones Corner QLD 4120
Postal Address:
PO Box 325, Stones Corner QLD 4120
Phone: 07 3394 4388
Facsimile: 07 3397 9324
Email: admin@qta.com.au
QTA "Centenary" Year
1907 - 2007
Association History
The movement of freight by road has always played an important role in building the Queensland economy. From the early days of horse and cart through to today's technically advanced trucks, the Queensland Trucking Association Ltd continues a strong presence and unified voice in the development of the industry.
In 2007, the QTA celebrates the 100 year history of the people and the road transport companies who assisted in the evolution of the Queensland Road Freight Industry.
1907-1930's
The inaugural meeting of the Master Carriers Association of Brisbane was held in 1907 and attended by 23 freight carters.
In this era, freight in Brisbane centred around the docks on the river at the edge of the CBD and at Roma St rail yards. Goods were moved by horse and cart and the use of “carrier’s ranks” in the city provided central locations to hire the services of transport companies.
The early role of the Association was delivering a level playing field for its members in the freight task and management of rates and wages disputes.
The Association had an office in Eagle St Brisbane and frequently held discussions with the Main Roads Department, lobbying for development and improvement of road infrastructure to provide Brisbane with an efficient freight delivery system.
In 1913, an entry into meeting minutes recorded that Motor Lorries had commenced carting wool. This opened the door for the transition from horse and cart to motorised road freight. Weight of Load regulations were introduced in 1921.
In 1924, the Association amalgamated with the Maryborough Carriers Association to become the Master Carriers Association of Queensland. Membership of the Association was by invitation only and strict rules applied to carriers for continuance of membership.
In 1930, due to the Depression, a government Prohibition Proclamation saw road freight operators struggle through carting restrictions and embargoes on imports.
1930's-1950's
As the Queensland economy recovered from the depression, this era heralded the beginning of innovation in vehicle design to meet the needs of projects such as the construction of the Story Bridge and central western mining development.
The Association expanded its lobby efforts to tackle efficiency issues such as government carrying capacity fees, new motor taxes, regulations on load weight, height and length and loading delays at the wharf.
In 1939, fuel rationing was a major problem and the industry faced a driver and labour shortage during the war time. In 1942, the Association lobbied government for modification to the night time “Black Out” regulations to enable night operations to continue.
During the 50’s the industry felt the effects of the Rail lobby efforts as regulations, permits and work hours were drafted to limit the competition between road and rail.
1950's-1980's
The Association successfully lobbied government for the removal of the road freight “permits” on routes parallel to the rail network. Large transport companies emerged along with the increase of long distance road freight. This era also saw the growth of the road freight industry in the movement of livestock to market.
The road transport sector grew to meet the requirements of the mining industry oil/gas exploration and infrastructure development on projects such as the Moonie Pipeline. Increasingly Australia’s freight import/export task moved to containerisation as the consequence of world wide trends.
This era
saw a movement to bulk freight requiring further innovation in heavy
vehicle design.
In 1976, the Association was renamed the Queensland Road Transport Association and had an increased political lobby task centred on the Queensland State Government as the key regulator of the movement of heavy vehicles in this state.
1980's-2007
During this era the Association expanded it’s representation to a National level as road freight is a task not confined to State boundaries. The inefficiencies of differing regulatory and taxing regimes in each State was hampering economic growth and the QRTA joined forces with other state and sector associations to form the Road Transport Forum, now the Australian Trucking Association.
The National Transport Commission was also established to deliver uniformity across the country in a regulatory environment.
Road safety became a priority for development of industry accreditation standards in driver health, vehicle maintenance and industry training. Accreditation provided a demonstration to customers and regulators that risk exposure could be managed through safe work practice.
The QRTA was one of the main drivers behind the TruckSafe Accreditation program.
In 2000, QRTA was renamed the Queensland Trucking Association Ltd to align with the shift in the political lobby efforts of industry Associations to the Federal Government. Consistency in national lobbying is a focus for QTA while maintaining a key relationship with the State Government.
The QTA continues to advise members on industrial relations matters and provides information and assistance to members. The QTA plays a major role in continued improvements to industry innovation, efficiency and productivity with an emphasis on safety while providing an essential service to the community.
Centenary Sponsors
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