Response to inquiry on the impact of weather events on roads

• The Commonwealth’s role in road resilience planning; and

• Any related issues.

ALRTA National Council considered the terms of reference at a meeting on 17 February 2023. It was also important for Council to consider the nexus with a separate National Transport Commission consultation paper proposing to increase heavy vehicle charges between 6 – 10 percent annually for the next three years.

The ALRTA submission makes 11 recommendations as follows: road drainage maintenance and clearance of problematic vegetation.

Recommendation 7: That road construction contracts are awarded only to accredited construction professionals with a greater focus on value for money and quality outcomes, as opposed to meeting minimum standards at the lowest cost.

Recommendation 8: That Australian Governments cooperate in planning and working towards improving the resilience of the Australian road freight network.

Recommendation 9: That the Australian Government allocate and emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion, including:

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) have responded to an Inquiry into the implications of severe weather events on the national regional, rural and remote road network

The Inquiry is being undertaken by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport following a referral from the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP. The terms of reference for the Inquiry include:

• Road engineering and construction standards required to enhance the resiliency of future road construction;

• Identification of climate resilient corridors suitable for future road construction projects;

• Opportunities to enhance road resilience through the use of waterproof products in road construction;

Recommendation 1: That Australian Governments increase the proportion of road funding spent on maintenance on national regional, rural and remote roads.

Recommendation 2: That Australian Governments fast-track work on road funding and supply-side reform to provide improved equity and certainty for local road managers in regional, rural and remote areas.

Recommendation 3: That Australian Governments ensure that road funding and supply-side reforms consider road quality objectives such as safety and economic utility, as well as whole-of-life infrastructure costs.

Recommendation 4: That technical specifications for road base construction materials be reviewed and revised towards an outcomes-based model.

Recommendation 5: That the application of ‘green’ road surface emulsifications be abandoned pending a review of their effectiveness. Traditional tar-based products should instead be used.

Recommendation 6: That Australian Governments place greater emphasis on

• A one-off injection of $1 billion over four years directed at regional road and infrastructure reconstruction for councils impacted by flooding and other natural disasters to ensure the rebuild is to a standard more resilient to future disaster events;

• $800 million a year over four years for the Roads to Recovery Program;

• $300 million a year over four years to address first and last mile freight productivity; and,

• Targeted funding through the Roads of Strategic Importance program to improve the long-term climate resilience of freight networks.

Recommendation 10: That expenditure related to bushfire or flood damage be identified and quarantined from the cost-base applicable to heavy vehicles. Natural disaster related road expenditure must be a whole of community responsibility.

Recommendation 11: That heavy vehicle registration and Road User Charges be increased by 3 per cent in 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26.

A copy of the submission can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/ Committees/House/Regional_Development_ Infrastructure_and_Transport/ ResilientRoads

Sydney-based logistics start-up

Ofload stepping up to support former shippers, carrier sub-contractors and employees of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics, following the bankruptcy filing and is leveraging their 1,600+ network of carrier to help find new opportunities for the customers, drivers and employees affected.

“We understand the challenges the logistics industry is facing right now and that the sudden closure of a business has a massive impact on partners and employees," said Geoffroy Henry, Founder and CEO of Ofload.

"That's why we are committed to helping those who have been affected by the closure of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics find new opportunities and continue their careers in the logistics industry."

Having recently completed Series B fund raising and the acquisition of CIA Logistics,

Ofload has the required expertise and resources to help the employees, carriers and shippers affected by this unfortunate news.

In addition, through its network of carriers, Ofload is working to connect former Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics employees with opportunities across our carrier network to keep qualified and experienced truck drivers and logistics professionals in the industry.