Remote Areas Consultative Group (RACG

The RACG consists of government and industry representatives from the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Its purpose is to act as an advisory body to provide a remote areas perspective on proposed and existing transport reforms. The WA industry representatives are Western Roads Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association. The RACG provides this advice to Senior Officials and Transport/Infrastructure Ministers.

Chairing and Secretariat responsibilities for the RACG are managed by member jurisdictions on a two-year rotation of hosting duties. In 2021, Main Roads WA took on the hosting duties from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport South Australia for the 2021 and 2022 rotation. Queensland will be the host during 2023 and 2024. Jurisdictions have expressed their appreciation of the oversight WA maintained throughout its tenure as host, during which the Group discussed the following issues:

Members noted the ongoing government funding of Road Train Assembly Areas (RTAAs) and rest bays and expressed the need for further funding to address the requirements identified by industry.

Industry peak bodies in jurisdictions operating under the NHVR welcomed the availability of the Road Train Notice.

Members noted the progress of the HVNL Review.

Members noted that on 1 August 2022 the NHVR took over regulatory services for New South Wales.The next jurisdiction will be Queensland.

Members discussed the ongoing issue of the shortage of truck drivers, deliberated regarding driver training and experience, noted the recent implementation of WA’s truck driver training scheme, and agreed to raise the profile of the driver competency issue at a national level.

It was reported that skills shortages are also affecting the availability of mechanics and operational and administrative staff.

Members discussed the anticipated impacts of the next emissions standard and noted the success of Government incentives in renewal of the truck fleet.

Members noted that the report of the findings was released in December 2021.

Members discussed emerging technologies such as heavy vehicle automation, Artificial Intelligence, fatigue monitoring, and trucks powered by alternate fuels such as electricity or hydrogen.

Members noted that the NTRTA and Western Roads Federation have issued a media statement calling for Federal funding to train truck drivers who are often the first on scene at traffic crashes in remote and regional Australia. The proponents’ intention now is to seek funding to formalise a training program that can then be gifted to every other State road transport association or livestock association that wants it so they can roll it out to their own members. General expressions of support were made at this meeting for that course of action.

Image provided courtesy of Gary Dunlop and Main Roads staff