Queensland's major transport
industry association

About the QTA

Member Services

Communication

Industrial Relations

Environment

Workplace Health & Safety

Partners

QTA Calendar

TruckSafe

Links

T&L Careers Forum

 Street Address:
 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

 

 FACT SHEETS

___________________________________

Fatal Heavy Vehicle Crash Data - December 2009 (August 2010)

Key points

  • During the 12 months ended December 2009, 144 people were killed in 119 crashes involving articulated trucks. The number of fatal crashes involving articulated trucks decreased by 7.8 per cent compared to the year ending December 2008.

  • During the 12 months ended December 2009, 81 people were killed in 77 crashes involving rigid trucks. The number of fatal crashes involving rigid trucks decreased by 13.5 per cent compared to the year ended December 2008.

  • The BITRE has done a detailed classification of 240 of the 245 deaths from heavy vehicle crashes in 2008. Heavy vehicle drivers or occupants accounted for 59 of those 230 deaths.

For a copy of the full Fact Sheet download here.

 

___________________________________

Trucking Industry Releases Election Wish List (July 2010)

The Australian Trucking Association and its Member Organisations working through its established Policy Committees have developed a 2010 Election Brief for the engagement of all Political Parties and Candidates in the forthcoming Federal Election to be held on the 21st August 2010.

The trucking industry’s key priorities in the 2010 election campaign are more rest area funding and continued spending on roads.

The brief calls on all of Australia's political parties to recognise the important role trucking plays in the economy.

"The industry needs more truck rest areas to manage driver fatigue and improve safety," said Peter Garske, CEO QTA Ltd.

"That's why the ATA is calling on all political parties to make a commitment to continue funding rest areas after the existing government rest area program ends in 2011-12."

The election brief urges political parties to support national heavy vehicle regulations.

"National regulation needs to preserve existing local productivity and access arrangements and promote the adoption of those benefits in like circumstances," said Peter Garske.

"There must also be a uniform solution on fatigue management that takes into account the unique characteristics of operation in regional and remote Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory."

The brief also rejects the Henry Review’s recommendation to rush into imposing mass-distance-location pricing, which could impose a heavy burden on operators.

Members are encouraged to lobby their local candidates on local issues and in doing so you are invited to draw upon the material prepared for the engagement of Political Parties.

The Election Brief is available to download here.

___________________________________

Changes to MSIC Scheme effective 1 July 2010 (July 2010)

The Australian Government imposed new port security rules on 1st July, which will affect drivers and operators who apply for new Maritime Security Identity Cards or need to get their existing cards reissued.

The Government originally announced the new rules in January. They added 161 offences to the existing list of 137 offences that block people from holding Maritime Security Identity Cards, or MSICs.

The new offences on the list include riot, kidnapping and arson, which automatically disqualify a person from holding a card. Other new offences such as deceptive trade practices, carrying a concealed weapon, and aggravated assault prevent a person from holding a card if they were sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

A series of fact sheets outlining the changes to the MSIC rules, how they will affect the industry and how to appeal after a refusal is issued can be downloaded here.

___________________________________

Performance Based Standards - ATA Response to RIS (May 2010)

The ATA has released its response to the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) regulatory impact statement into its review of the Performance Based Standards (PBS) Scheme.

The RIS identifies a number of issues with industry take up of the scheme and examines several options for improving participation, as well as providing certainty of access for PBS vehicles on Australian road networks.

In its response, the ATA has focused on what must change to make the PBS scheme more appealing to the industry.  Its key recommendations include:

  • national consistency in operating access conditions;

  • certainty of access for approved vehicles;

  • improved operational flexibility of PBS vehicles;

  • reduced compliance costs; and

  • a change in the approval process to allow for component certification.

ATA Chief Executive, Stuart St Clair said the move to component certification would go a long way to making the PBS scheme more appealing to trucking operators.

“Allowing operators to use different combinations of vehicles under PBS certification would see more operators look at the scheme as a viable business opportunity,” Stuart said.

“Under the current arrangements, an operator must get approval for each individual combination, as opposed to each part of that combination.

“That raises the cost of operating under PBS and limits the way operators can best use their vehicles to suit their business needs.

“Component approval would mean an operator could decide the best way to operate his business, while still meeting all the requirements of PBS certification.

“A change to component approval would also see PBS design championed by truck and trailer manufacturers, rather than operators. This would in turn reduce the cost of the program and open PBS up to more and more operators.

“The trucking industry supports the implementation of PBS; seeing it as one of the ways we can meet the increasing freight task while still improving our safety record.

“But if the program is to meet the Government’s objective to improve safety and productivity, changes must be made to ensure it does not disadvantage operators who move to PBS compliance.”

For a  copy of the ATA’s response to the PBS RIS please click on the following link:
 http://www.vision6.com.au/download/files/22094/1175630/ATA%20PBS%20RIS.pdf.

The NTC’s report can be downloaded at http://www.ntc.gov.au/DocView.aspx?DocumentId=1943

___________________________________

Heavy Vehicle Registration Charges from 1st July 2010 (Comparisons 2008 - 2010) (May 2010)

Notwithstanding a well constructed submission by Industry Associations through the ATA urging the nation’s Transport Ministers (ATC) to reject the NTC proposal to increase Fuel Tax and Registration Charges from the 1st July 2010, the ATC meeting in Perth on the 30th April 2010 approved a 4.2 percent increase from 1st July 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter depending on the regulatory timetables in the separate jurisdictions.

At the time of preparing this information, QTA Ltd understands that the Queensland Government will increase registration charges in this State from the 1st July 2010.  Attached to this News Brief is a schedule of vehicle types with both the 1st July 2009 charges and the proposed 1st July 2010 charges.  QTA Ltd provides this information to assist members in preparing budgetary and contractual adjustments with customers and clients.  While we believe the numbers to be accurate until such time as they have been formally approved through the regulatory process, the figures are indicative and do not include any “additional” fees normally included by the State Government on the vehicle registration account.

The decision of ATC further provides that, subject to the Federal Government’s processing of the Disallowable Instrument through the Senate, from the 1st July 2010 trucking operators Fuel Tax Credit will decrease to 15.543 cents per litre effectively increasing fuel Excise paid to the Federal Government by 0.9 cent per litre.

Heavy Vehicle Registration Charges Comparison Schedule

___________________________________

Heavy Vehicle Driver Licensing Submission (March 2010)

The ATA's Skills and Workforce Policy Group of which QTA is a participant has released a proposal to change the truck driver licensing system to increase drivers' skills and encourage more job seekers to consider truck driving as a career.

The trucking industry faces a shortage of skilled heavy vehicle drivers, due to the industry's ageing workforce, the increasing freight task and competition from other industries, such as mining.

To read the proposal, please click here.

___________________________________

Truck Safety in the Clem7 (March 2010)

The CLEM7 is Australia’s safest tunnel.  With state-of-the-art safety systems and free-flow tolling, every passage through the tunnel will be faster, safer and more reliable.  Truck drivers in particular will experience the benefit of bypassing the CBD cutting their cross-city travel time significantly.

Designed with safety in mind, the CLEM7 consists of two 4.8km-long parallel tubes 10m apart with the following safety features:

  • The two tunnels are joined by cross-passages every 120m to allow access in emergencies

  • Interior lighting provides high visibility

  • In case of fire, extinguishers and hoses are located every 60 and an overhead water deluge system is in place

  • Emergency phone are located every 60m

The Tollway Control Centre situated at Bowen Hills monitors the CLEM7 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with over 250 cameras to ensure a high level of safety is maintained throughout operation.

Moreover, there are restrictions in place for vehicles with loads over 4.6m high and no carrier of dangerous good (e.g. Fuel Tankers) or other placarded vehicles are allowed through the tollway.

Warning signs are in place prior to the tollway entrance points and before the tunnel itself to alert over-height vehicles to not proceed any further.  If these are ignored physical barriers will prevent them from entering the tunnel.

This Control Centre will be alerted to any over-height vehicle entering the tollway through gantry points and will dispatch a team to aid the driver turn around and exit the tollway.

Safe driving in the CLEM7 also depends on motorists.  Here a few simple tips:

  • Always follow the variable speed and message signs

  • Ensure your radio is on and listen to any announcements

  • Avoid unnecessary lane changing or overtaking

  • Avoid wearing sunglasses

  • Switch on your headlights

  • Keep a safe distance from the car in front

All these systems and precautions provide the safest driving environment possible for motorists.

For a copy of the brochure “Tunnel Safety for Truck Drivers” which provides information on Vehicle Restrictions, Warning Signs, Penalties, What if you Breakdown in a Tunnel and What if you are stopped in Tunnel Traffic, please click here.

Please make drivers aware of the restrictions etc in relation to the Clem7 Tunnel.

 

___________________________________

Flooding on Roads in Queensland (March 2010)

This Fact Sheet from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) includes some interesting facts about the damage water does to our Roads and to help understand the reasons behind road closures and load limits.

For the latest information on road closures and flooding around the south-west and the rest of Queensland companies can log on to http://www.131940.qld.gov.au alternatively you can contact the Department on 4622 9511 or email roma.office@tmr.qld.gov.au during business hours.

To read the TMR Fact Sheet click here to download.

___________________________________

The Facts About Truck Safety (February 2010)

In the year ended June 2009, 222 people were killed in road accidents involving trucks, compared to 252 in the year ended June 2004 - a decrease of 12 percent.  During the same five year period, the number of trucks on the road increased by 19 percent; the total kilometres travelled by the industry increased by 19 percent.

To read more click here to download full fact sheet.

___________________________________

Delivering Australia's Freight (February 2010)

The trucking industry carries three quarters of Australia's domestic freight, including every item on the shelves of every supermarket. 

To read more click here to download full fact sheet.

___________________________________

Environmental Performance (February 2010)

Modern trucks are subject to tight emissions standards and are considerably more fuel efficient than vehicles from only 30 years ago.  The trucking industry could achieve even greater gains in fuel efficiency and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through the use of longer, safer trucks on some routes.

To read more and to download a copy of the full fact sheet please visit the Environment page of this website

___________________________________

Careers & Training (February 2010)

The trucking industry faces a shortage of skilled heavy vehicle drivers, due to the industry's ageing workforce, the increasing freight task and competition from other industries, such as mining.  The QTA Ltd and ATA member organisations are working to encourage more people to enter the industry in driving, operational and management roles.

To read more and to download a copy of the full fact sheet please visit the T&L Careers page of this website

___________________________________

Fatal Heavy Vehicle Crashes

According to the latest heavy vehicle crash statistics released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) 90 people were killed in 86 crashes involving rigid trucks in the year ended March 2009.

The number of fatal crashes involving rigid trucks increased by 2.4 per cent compared to the year ended March 2008, when there were 84 crashes.

Over the three years to March 2009, the number of fatal rigid truck crashes increased by an average of 8 per cent a year.

The figures show the number of fatal crashes involving articulated trucks has continued to fall.

In the 12 months ended March 2009, 138 people were killed in 124 crashes involving articulated trucks. The number of fatal crashes involving these trucks decreased by 16.2 per cent compared to the year ended March 2008, when 183 people were killed in 148 crashes.

For a copy of the Fact Sheet, please click here

___________________________________

Anxiety & Depression Awareness

Please click on log below for a copy of the Fact Sheet by beyondblue (Sept 09)

________________________________________

National Greenhouse & Energy Reporting: Operational Control Scorecard (September 2009)

Please visit the Environment page of this website for further information

________________________________________

Greenhouse Reporting Guide for Trucking Companies (September 2009)

Please visit the Environment page of this website for further information

 

________________________________________

New Fatigue Regulations & Driver Work Hours

Commenced 29th September 2008

For a copy of the Fatigue Regulations & Driving Hour Fact Sheets, please click on the following link:

EXEMPTION NOTICES (12 + 2 hrs)

For a (pdf) copy of the Gazetted government Exemption Notices relating to the new Fatigue Laws, please click on the relevant State below.

Where to find further information and advice on the New Fatigue Regulations & Driver Work Hours

National Transport Commission: http://www.ntc.gov.au/ViewPage.aspx?page=A02314401400090020

Queensland Transport: http://www.transport.qld.gov.au or contact QT Heavy Vehicle Fatigue Management Project Team on 07 3253 4037 or email qthvproject@transport.qld.gov.au.

 

____________________________________

Intelligent Access Program

For a copy of the Queensland Transport Intelligent Access Program Fact Sheet please click on the following link: pdf\QT IAP fact sheet - may08.pdf

 

____________________________________

Planning for an Influenza Pandemic

The Queensland Government encourages all businesses to undertake planning for a human influenza pandemic.  While nobody can predict when an influenza pandemic might occur, planning ahead could minimise the impact of a pandemic on your business, help protect your staff, and contribute to the local and national recovery.  A pandemic planning kit has been developed that encourages businesses to understand the risk, plan to maintain essential services, and protect their staff.

All businesses are encouraged to make pandemic planning part of their ongoing business continuity planning.

 

Please click here for copy of article published in the Transporter News Brief in relation to the above.

About the QTA | Member Services | Communication | Industrial Relations |  Partners | QTA Calendar | TruckSafe | Links | T&L Careers Forum | Home