Big Rigs 1 April 2022

FRIDAY, April 1, 2022

ONLINE www.bigrigs.com.au

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2 NEWS CONTACT US Address: 11-15 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: 03 9690 8766 Email: editor@bigrigs.com.au Web: bigrigs.com.au Accounts: 03 9690 8766 Subscriptions: 03 9690 8766 Classifieds: 0403 626 353 Circulation and distribution queries: 03 9690 8766 info@bigrigs.com.au EDITOR James Graham: 0478 546 462 james.graham@primecreative.com.au REPORTER Danielle Gullaci danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au GENERAL MANAGER Peter Hockings: 0410 334 371 peter.hockings@primecreative.com.au MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT Marie O’Reilly: 0403 626 353 marie.oreilly@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS Katharine Causer: 0423 055 787 katharine.causer@primecreative. com.au CONTRIBUTORS Truckin in the Topics/Spy on the Road: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 Brent Davison; David Vile; David Meredith; Mike Williams; Jon Wallis Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper is published by Prime Creative Media. It is the largest circulated fortnightly truck publication in Australia with 26,023* copies per fortnight. *12 month average, publisher’s claim November 2018

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Inland Rail to take 200,000 trucks off the road each year

ONCE fully operational, Inland Rail is expected to take 200,000 trucks off the road each year, or 150 B-doubles for each train travelling between Melbourne and Brisbane.

Though this may not be great news for the road freight operators that will be impacted, new modelling suggests Inland Rail could cut freight transport costs by up to $213 million a year.

According to CSIRO’s Inland Rail Supply Chain Mapping Project, released yesterday, moving from road to Inland Rail could significantly reduce the cost of transporting 22 million tonnes of freight annually.

The potential cost reductions cover more than 12,000 supply chains and 94

commodities, including coal, steel, grains, vehicles, horticulture and livestock.

Inland Rail will span 1700km, providing new freight connections between Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Construction began in 2018 and it’s expected to be operational from 2027.

“Inland Rail gives us the greatest opportunity for boosting economic development in regional areas, which is why we are delivering the project as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce.

“Shifting freight from road to rail will drive down the cost of transporting goods

and commodities to ports and better facilitate the sale of products, like coal, that underpin our standard of living.”

The modelling projects a 40 per cent reduction in transport costs for freight travelling to Queensland, a 31 per cent drop for New South Wales, and a 37 per cent saving for Victoria.

Finance Minister Senator Simon Birmingham said the access and connection to Inland Rail’s freight services would contribute to improving productivity and competitiveness.

“CSIRO’s modelling shows how Inland Rail could slash transport costs for more than 90 commodities across Australia,” Birmingham said.

“This highlights the signif-

New modelling suggests Inland Rail could cut freight transport costs by up to $213 million a year.

icance of building a national freight network that gives producers and businesses better access to domestic and international markets at competitive prices.”

Inland Rail is the larg-

est transport infrastructure project in the Federal Government’s $110 billion infrastructure pipeline.

Once completed, it will connect every state to a standard gauge line.

McColl’s opens its first tanker hygiene facility IT’S been a busy few months for McColl’s Transport, which along with acquiring the dairy division of Stoitse Transport, has also opened the first of its state-of-the-art tanker hygiene facilities.

Strategically located in Dennington in western Victoria, a hub for dairy production, the site is now washing

in excess of 50 barrels a day. It is complete with milk transfer stations and a two-bay tanker wash capability.

“McColl’s is investing in infrastructure that reduces structural costs. We’re investing in tanker hygiene facilities, sites and depots across the country, so it enables us to reduce dead running,” explained McColl’s

Transport group business development manager Andrew Thompson.

“From a dairy perspective, western Victoria is a very strategic location because it’s where a lot of milk comes from. If you’re driving a milk tanker in that region, the closest place for a wash if you cannot go to a dairy factory is

probably Melbourne. Having it in Dennington allows tankers to wash in the region and take another load back to the city.”

McColl’s will construct more tanker hygiene facilities based on the same model as the Dennington site. The next one in the pipeline will be located in Colac, followed by a

site in Longwarry – both of which are due to be completed before the year’s end.

McColl’s is also investing in its fleet and its people.

Through the Stoitse acquisition alone, McColl’s has taken on 144 staff from the company, along with 40 trucks and 145 pieces of trailing equipment.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

Emergency braking and stability control deadline

TWO new Australian Design Rules (ADR) mandating Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on heavy vehicles have been announced.

AEB and ESC systems must be installed from November 1, 2023 for all new models of heavy vehicles.

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan says the new standards will apply to all categories of heavy vehicles.

“Vehicle technology has an important role to play in saving lives and livelihoods on our roads, which is why we have introduced new standards requiring AEB and ESC systems to be installed in all new heavy vehicles,” said Hogan.

“Mandating this technology for heavy vehicles is expected to save around 100 lives and avoid over 2300 serious injuries over 40 years.

“As well as saving lives and giving a bit of extra peace of mind to our hard-working heavy vehicle operators and their families, the new standards are expected to return

a net benefit of around $140 million to the Australian economy.”

For existing models already in circulation, the systems must be installed in new buses from November 1, 2024, and new goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from February 1, 2025.

Hogan cites data that reveals that ESC systems for heavy vehicles are estimated to reduce loss of control and rollover crashes by up to 30 per cent, while AEB systems are expected to reduce crashes involving a heavy vehicle impacting the rear of another vehicle by up to 57 per cent.

“AEB technology will be particularly impactful for our nation’s articulated vehicles, which see around 70 per cent of fatalities and just under half of the serious injuries from crashes involving heavy vehicles striking the rear of another vehicle,” he said.

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has welcomed the changes, with HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking calling the legislation package a major milestone.

“The incorporation of advanced safety features into new heavy vehicles is irrefutably one of the most effective proactive strategies for improving road safety,” Hacking said.

“Our industry is unrelenting in its quest to develop and promote the adoption of technology solutions to make heavy vehicles safer.”

The new legislation brings into effect two Australian Design Rules (ADR’s): • ADR 97/00 – Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) for Omnibuses, and Medium and Heavy Goods Vehicles. This will require all goods vehicles and buses above 3.5T GVM to be equipped with AEB • ADR 35/07 – Commercial Vehicle Brake Systems.

This ADR was revised to expand the requirement of vehicle stability functions of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and roll over control to cover all buses and goods vehicles above 3.5T GVM. The previous version, ADR35/06, did not require ESC and anti-roll on

goods vehicles not used as prime movers. This revision of ADR 35 was needed to support the adoption of ADR 97/00.

“We are delighted that AEB and ESC are now part of the benchmark for heavy vehicles but purchasers of new heavy vehicles should not be waiting for government to mandate safety technology,” Hacking added.

“I encourage anyone thinking of buying a new truck or trailer to make the safety of all road users their priority; don’t compromise if you are given the option to add the latest safety technology to your vehicles.”

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia also encouraged industry to act now and ensure any new truck bought includes an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS).

“Daimler Truck has long identified the major benefits of active safety features for our customers and the wider community and led the industry with its introduction across all classes with our Mercedes-Benz, Fuso and

Daimler has led the way on installing emergency braking features across its range of trucks in Australia.

Freightliner models,” said Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead.

“We commend the move to mandate this critical technology, but also would encourage customers not to wait until then and instead demand AEBS on any truck or bus they buy from now on.”

Mercedes-Benz first intro-

duced AEBS on the Actros heavy truck in 2010, while the Freightliner Cascadia was the first conventional truck to feature AEBS from 2019.

Fuso become the first manufacturer to feature AEBS across light, medium and heavy-duty truck classes last year. The Fuso Canter introduced these features as standard from 2019.

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Fears that supply issues could leave trailers parked up ATA chief engineer Bob Woodward.

AS operators struggle to get hold of essential parts to keep their trucks and trailers on the road and ADR compliant, there are real concerns about how some of these trailers will be able to stay on the road.

Operators are having issues sourcing everything from oil and air filters to trailer EBS parts – with suppliers of the latter saying there is unlikely to be any short-term improvement.

While non-genuine parts can be a viable option for things like oil and air filters, the same can’t be said when it comes to advanced safety technologies.

Australian Trucking Association (ATA) chief engineer Bob Woodward says the issue of trailer parts supply shortages was raised in March during the first Industry Technical Council (ITC) meeting for 2022.

“What our members are saying is that there are problems at various levels, and that’s been confirmed by suppliers as well,” Woodward said.

“Suppliers are essentially sitting on the limited parts they have because they’re trying to keep manufacturers supplied, so they can keep manufacturing going. We know there’s a limited supply, particularly with trailer EBS parts.”

And the worldwide shortage of chips is only exacerbating the problem.

“EBS systems are pretty reliable and robust and do service well. New trailers built after November 1, 2019 must also be fitted with roll stability as a requirement. Now, if for some reason one of these two systems goes down and operators can’t get parts, technically the vehicle is no longer compliant. In that instance, are operators going to be given an exemption or do they have to park their trailers up?”

Operators of equipment fitted with modern safety technologies are the ones most likely to be impacted by parts supply shortages.

“There have been some unfounded stories of people doing bits and pieces to emissions systems because they couldn’t get the parts. If people spent as much energy as they do trying to defeat these technologies, and put it into trying to do the right thing, the industry would be flying.

“I’m a big believer in EBS and roll stability. I’ve seen

what these systems can do when things go wrong. Unfortunately, there will always be operators out there who think they’re smarter than all of the smart systems. But for every bad story in this industry, there are at least half a dozen good stories.”

Woodward says discussions around this issue need to start now. “It’s a bit like with the AdBlue shortage situation, the supply was more dire than anybody appreciated. Unfortunately, the regulators don’t have a good track record with these sorts of issues, so the industry really needs to get on the front foot with this,” he said.

“These sorts of issues are really important to the industry. The general public will remember the shortage of toilet paper, but they’ll never accept if there’s a shortage of toilet paper because we can’t get the parts required to keep the trucks that deliver that toilet paper on the road.”

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

More proof HVNL reform process has failed: NatRoad

NEW government statistics send a clear message that lifting transport productivity needs to be a top priority for whichever party wins the federal election, the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) said.

Statistics published ahead of the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review 2021-22 show the transport, postal and warehousing sector had the worst productivity growth of all industries over a five-year period.

“The sector took the wooden spoon with negative growth of -2 per cent for labour productivity and -2.8 per cent for multifactor productivity,” said NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.

“The Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) reform process was supposed to make road transport more efficient, so this is just more confirmation that it’s failed.

“The pandemic made the freight task harder for everybody but also demonstrated beyond doubt that road freight is an essential industry in Australia.

“With fuel prices sky-high and the supply chain still experiencing blockages, even small reforms can make a big difference.”

Clark said NatRoad was

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optimistic that the Kanofski Review into the HVNL reform process could open the prospect of industry having more of a say and getting the industry on track for productivity enhancing reform.

“The Australian freight task has quadrupled over the last four decades and it feels like red tape and regulation has grown at the same rate,” Clark said.

The federal government has engaged former NSW roads and maritime services head Ken Kanofski to provide the infrastructure and transport ministers’ meeting (ITMM) with an assessment of: • Industry’s view of current jurisdictional supported reform proposals.

• Additional items that industry seeks to have addressed by the review.

• An assessment of what can be done to resolve differences and provide a reform package that reflects the views of all stakeholders.

The report is due by the end of April.

“We want a root-andbranch examination of what’s a very broken process and while that hasn’t been granted, this is the next best thing,” added Clark.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

World-first trial in outback using battery electric truck

THREE Australian companies are partnering on an ambitious world’s first trial to use battery electric trucks for heavy haulage across the long distances and harsh terrains of the Australian outback.

Janus Electric, Qube and OZ Minerals are working together towards a Vision Electric future by applying our shared ingenuity to tackle the challenge of emissions footprint reduction in the heavy transport and resources industries.

This self-funded trial is at an early stage and will be phased over 12 months, beginning in the latter part of 2022.

On co-signing the Letter of Intent, Janus Electric general manager, Lex Forsyth, said Janus Electric was looking forward to putting its revolutionary heavy vehicle exchangeable batteries through their paces.

“The Janus Electric vision is to use our breakthrough battery technology to create a 100 per cent carbon zero solution for electrifying Australia’s road transport fleet,” said Forsyth.

“Part of our mission is to work with companies that take a similar approach to innovation and renewable energy and our partnership with Qube and

OZ Minerals to deliver Vision Electric signals our joint commitment to invest time and capital into delivering a carbon neutral transport network.

“Vision Electric will see the world’s largest electric truck put through its paces over a 12-month trial under some of the harshest conditions in the world.”

Qube’s director bulk, Todd Emmert, said Qube is constantly evolving and that building a strategy that ensures a resilient and robust approach to sustainability is key for Qube’s long- term success.

“Vision Electric is a collaboration of technology and service for a challenging environment with currently limited alternate fuel solutions. The vision is to elevate current technology to meet the demand of a dynamic remote export supply chain and advance our respective pathway to decarbonisation,” said Emmert “Vision Electric is an exciting element to the next chapter of our pathway with OZ Minerals.”

OZ Minerals’ CEO & MD, Andrew Cole, said Vision Electric is an example of how the company is working

THE JANUS ELECTRIC VISION IS TO USE OUR BREAKTHROUGH BATTERY TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE A 100 PER CENT CARBON ZERO SOLUTION FOR ELECTRIFYING AUSTRALIA’S ROAD TRANSPORT FLEET.” LEX FORSYTH

Janus Electric general manager Lex Forsyth showcased the ground-breaking charge-and-change station battery technology at last year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

with proponents from within and outside the mining industry to find better ways of doing things.

“OZ Minerals has aspirations to emit zero Scope 1 emissions and strive to systematically reduce Scope 2 &

3 emissions across our value chain; to work closely with our stakeholders to create mutual value by building each other’s capability and capacity; and to deliver the activities along our value chain to enable our local stakeholder aspirations for

generations to come,” added Cole.

“This battery electric trial is one of the ways we are progressing towards these aspirations, and part of how we are bringing our Decarbonisation Roadmap to life.”

As part of this trial, a battery recharging and replacement station will be set up in South Australia at Port Augusta, approximately 300km from Adelaide.

Construction of this station is estimated to start in May 2022 and be completed by early August 2022.

Once ready, the station will be used as a battery change over pit stop for the battery electric truck, which Forsyth said will be known as the Janus16, a 170-tonne rated road train.

It is expected that the battery change-over can be completed in the same time it takes for traditional refuelling.

Janus is already busy trialling electric prime movers along the eastern seaboard of Australia.

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6 NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Australia’s first logistics charity for disaster relief

BY JAMES GRAHAM

IT’S the small Sydney-based trucking operation with the big heart.

With His Excellency the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley and wife Her Excellency Linda Hurley on hand to cut the ribbon, Turbans 4 Australia (T4A) officially launched its latest initiative last month, Green & Gold Charity Logistics.

It’s yet another community-minded project from Sydney-based truckie Amar Singh, who somehow finds time around running his own transport company to help so many others under the T4A charity banner he launched in 2015.

For now, Green & Gold Charity Logistics only has the two trucks – a 6-tonne, 10-palleter and an 8-tonne 12-palleter tautliner – plus a 14-tonne loaner from major T4A supporter Penske for the next three months.

But it’s already run off its feet helping with flood relief work in Lismore.

Around the official red-carpet launch with the Hurleys

on March 18, Singh says the small Green & Gold fleet has made 15 trips from Sydney to Lismore in just three weeks, racking up a fuel bill nudging $7000 in the process.

“We’re asking the trucking industry to support us, particularly any fuel providers who can help us with fuel, that’s our biggest cost,” said Singh.

“We want to put that money toward buying food.

One thing you have to realise about us is that we actually buy stuff from Foodbank and Costcos, and other suppliers, to give it up for free.

“Whether you pick up $2 worth of supplies from us, or $100, it’s all free. Unlike other organisations, you don’t need to be a member.”

Since T4A first launched, Singh said trucks and the charity have always gone hand-in-hand: “We did hay run out to Coonamble [in 2015] and used seven trucks, but they were all mine and mates’ and other companies.

“Trucks are an integral part of the charity and what we do.

Everyone’s happy to donate a carton of milk but no one understands how the carton of milk is going to go from

Sydney to X, Y, Z. “We need a truck, and it’s this charity that will do just that.

“This [Green & Gold Charity Logistics] is a new start and a new beginning, and we want to have trucks that are ready to serve, when and if, a disaster hits, and expand that side of things as well.”

In another busy week for Singh and his tireless team of volunteers, T4A also held trucking’s first Harmony Day in Sydney.

Co-organised by truckie Mike Williams, Big Rigs columnist and On the Road podcast host, the family-focused event at Liverpool Catholic Club was held to help bring the wider trucking community closer.

Singh was thrilled with the turnout – the event joined forces with Convoy for Kids Sydney (see page 30-31) – and he is hoping it will become an annual fixture.

He was also proud that T4A was able to hand over a cheque for $3000 to convoy charity, Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Services (NETS).

Governor-General David Hurley and his wife Linda were on hand to cut the ribbon at the official launch of Green & Gold Charity Logistics.

In keeping with his charity’s core value of mateship, Singh meanwhile also plans to launch the Australian Driver Welfare Union this month.

Singh, however, wants to stress that this group isn’t aiming to compete with existing

unions and associations.

“It’s all about helping drivers, no matter what race and background, and also about training. I want to start a buddy-up program. New drivers coming in are going to have issues while learning the ropes

and it’s not like the olden days now when you could get in a truck and take a mate with you because of insurance reasons and company policies.

“We also want to address the licensing issue: no driver is happy with it.”

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8 OPINION

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Budget relief for truckies

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

AS we were going to print with this issue, the Prime Minster was dropping hints that there would be some kind of reprieve in the federal budget for truckies feeling the pain at the pumps.

We can only hope that turns out to be true. As we reveal in this issue on pages 10-12, smaller operators all over Australia are reeling from the record diesel price hikes.

Already razor-thin margins have been slashed to the point many are now working either for free, or at a loss, hoping that the prices may stabalilse long enough so that they can work out a fuel levy formula they can take to clients and customers.

For others, I fear it may already be too late. Hard-working truckies just can’t seem to cop a break, but one thing is for sure, they need one. No one can keep going under these conditions without one.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Senate inquiry findings offer best blueprint forward

BY anyone’s measure the past two years have been a crazy whirlpool of continuous crises.

The workforce has been decimated by the Omicron variant of the virus, the AdBlue shortage has had to be addressed as well as the vagaries of extreme weather events.

To further complicate the equation of remaining viable we now have fuel prices elevated almost daily due to the current conflict in Ukraine coupled to a customer base and the major freight forwarders refusing to adjust rates of remuneration in any meaningful way.

The road transport industry

can be justifiably proud of the way it has grabbed all the buzz words and “pivoted”, “been nimble” and “flexible “ to have overcome each of the Covid-era challenges.

The industry has successfully dealt with huge delays following snap border closures, a myriad of permit requirements, a constant testing regime and seen drivers denied basic rights such as meals showers and toilets facilities and all the while, managed to still deliver the goods to carry the nation.

Throughout all this pandemonium the industry “go to” man to sort out everything from

bureaucratic misinterpretation, to dirty showers and blocked toilets has been Senator Glenn Sterle.

While Senator Sterle’s advocacy in these issues has been important and appreciated, his most enduring achievement over the past three years has been one of the few constants we have had and that has been his relentless drive to see the Federal Parliament Senate Inquiry into a Safe, Sustainable and Efficient Road Transport Industry reach its conclusion.

This inquiry was one of the very few occasions when everyone from truck drivers to corpo-

Australia

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rate executives, academics and industry association CEOs were afforded equal opportunity to contribute. At least 150 people appeared in person before 11 hearings. There was 128 written submissions ranging from corporations to owner-drivers and at least 58 from truck drivers.

At the conclusion of the inquiry a comprehensive set of recommendations was presented to the government under the title Without Trucks Australia Stops. Despite the efforts of this industry in keeping the nation functioning during the pandemic this document has been ignored and is now gathering

dust in the bowels of Parliament House.

Despite whatever hurdles the Covid pandemic might throw at us in the future, one other constant that we can rely on is that in the coming months we will be afforded the opportunity to vote for a government to guide us over the next 3 years.

It is absolutely imperative that that everyone who considered it important enough to contribute to the Senate inquiry, either in writing or personal appearance, and indeed those who may not yet have made a contribution, contact your preferred local candidate for the

upcoming election to see if the implementation of the findings in the report is something they will support.

Supporting the recommendations of the Senate inquiry does not require partisanship, but in what is sure to be a closely-contested election, this industry is unlikely to have a better chance to garner effective and positive change and frankly any candidate who is not prepared to work diligently to effect this change is not worthy of your support.

Chris Roe Yarrawonga, Vic

ONLINE 9

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

HOT WEB TOPICS Giving younger drivers a go DYLAN Mcpeake’s plea for the industry to give younger drivers a fair go sparked plenty of lively discussion on our Facebook page.

“Old mate’s right to a degree,” writes Bradley Bowling.

“But why would I want to hire a young fulla when if they turf it the excess is $15,000 whereas for a bloke over 30 with 2years plus experience is $1500.

“As a small company with more than 1 avenue of work it’s cheaper for me to drive the truck myself and put a young bloke in the bush on the skidder where age and experience doesn’t affect insur-

ance rates or excess.”

Jeremy Kent concurred: “Maybe insurance companies can help by not forcing owners to give them a kidney and their first born, drop the premiums and let companies employ youngsters and still make a small profit.”

Added Draagon Sampson: “Been driving road trains since I was 24, just gotta have a crack, start at the bottom and work your way up, most importantly respect the gear and the boss will see that, and simple things like keep your truck clean inside and out and you will go a long way.”

Dylan Mcpeake, 26, says it’s challenging to get a fair go.

Truckies sing praises of Caiguna OUR Spy on the Road snippet about the popular Caiguna Roadhouse on the Eyre Highway in WA certainly hit the right spot.

Alan Simpson tells us he remembers Caiguna Roadhouse as a great place to stop, for a break. “Back in the eighties I had the privilege of being a Coach Captain with Deluxe Coachlines. It was always a pleasure to chill out there, before continuing our journey east or west. Great to see you still “trucking on”.”

Added Sandy Mitchell: “They are marvellous at Cia-

guna rd house. Looked after me when truckies towed me back there on the back of there long load heading east I was heading west and hit a too already on the road. That was on Melbourne Cup day in 2016 I had to wait for my daughter to come pick me up and they kept eye on my car till insurance sent a tray truck from Perth to pick it up on the Friday. When I rang on the Friday arvo the lady said it has just been picked up. I always stop there for fuel and food.”

John Klye said he stopped there on every run across the

paddock 25 years ago. “Best snags & eggs (brekkie) or snags eggs and chips with gravy for any other feed...”

The roadhouse employs eight people including chefs Michael Fernihough and Franklyn Wall.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO READER CORNER? EMAIL US AT EDITOR@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tippers threaten walk-off VICTORIAN tipper drivers fuelled a ton of debate when they announced they would walk-off the job if the Andrews government didn’t stump up with a fuel levy – and not all of it sympathetic to the cause.

Dave Whyte writes: “Why was there not a clause in the tender/ contract to implement a fuel levy one the price hit a pre-determined threshold?

“These people go in at the lowest rate without taking into account the potential risks, and then scream when

it turns bad. Don’t hold us to ransom for your inability to properly run a business.”

Get Jinxed said a lot of drivers, not just tippers are committed to contracts: “Contracts usually have clauses for fuel rises, but never to the extent we’ve seen.

I would also guess there’s a penalty for breaking contract.”

Added Simba Bassy: “All these tutu wearing lot who’s calling these guys mud carters. At least they are not wearing TUTU’s and standing up for what they believe

in. I’d shut the hell up and keep pedalling you pheasants....Ironically I’m a Hwy guy myself!!”

Tip-truck drivers unanimously voted to take action.

Concerns over closures

JACQUELENE Brotherton’s recent column about the spate of regional transport company closures resonated with a slew of concerned readers.

Writes Craig Masefield: “It’s very sad to see those little family businesses in country areas close & I don’t blame them costs , fuel , insurance’s , freight rates ,new regulations , rate cutting & the list goes on plus our industry can’t attract new drivers . There needs to be some big changes to this industry & instead of listening to pencil pushing halfwits start listening to the veterans in our industry as they know

what is needed.”

Jeremiah Wiedl was also concerned: “It’s a big problem just like our manufacturing industry, younger generation doesn’t want to do it. It’s to hard. Luckily I’m surrounded by a great team who inspire me. But when they retire, I’m really concerned.”

Added Janelle Hams Smith: “We have lost 3 great companies in as many months. We have a fleet of 3 and have taken some of the slack but we can only do so much. I don’t blame the guys from closing as 24 hr 7 days a week takes it toll. Enjoy retirement guys.”

A slew of regional closures has industry concerned about the ramifications.

10 COVER STORY

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Operators left reeling by skyrocketing diesel prices

BY JAMES GRAHAM

WHEN a customer told operator Chris O’Brien that he hoped the skyrocketing diesel prices would go down in a few months, the Queensland truckie had a quick-fire response.

“I turned around and said, ‘mate, we might not have a couple of months in us – it could be weeks’.”

O’Brien, who helps run a small family-run general freight company in the far north of the state, said the situation is “really scary”.

“We don’t know if we’re going to make it through this one

– and I feel really sorry for all the owner-operators at the moment. It feels like there’s no end in sight.”

O’Brien said that at the start of last year, it was costing the business about $1800 to run one of its three trucks one-way to Brisbane from the Cairns region.

Today, with diesel soaring north of $2.20 per litre at the time of writing, that same route is stinging them $3700.

“We’ve put the freight rate up as best we can, without the customer screwing their nose up. They understand, and have been really good about the situ-

Truckies were feeling the pinch at the bowsers in March.

2,300ltrs - 10,000ltrs

Operators are hoping for some relief at the bowsers so they can work out a formula to pass on to clients.

ation, but they can’t take much more either.”

O’Brien said that after deducting truck payments and wages, the company isn’t even breaking even on its usual runs.

If the prices would just hold steady for a few weeks, O’Brien said the business could work out a freight rate and work with the customers on a formula pegged to the bowser price.

“We can push through it, but if it doesn’t stop climbing, that’s what’s really going to kill us.”

All around Australia the dire reports of the recent price hike impacts on the smaller opera-

tors are the same.

Further south in NSW, a Road Freight New South Wales (RFNSW) member who runs a small fleet in the construction sector described the current climate as “crazy” due the “insane” price increases of recent weeks.

“From an operator’s point of view, you do your best to control your expenses, but this is one of those situations that’s completely out of your control,” he said.

“We only have five trucks but that actually means the impacts are more because we don’t have the buying power to buy in bulk.”

2,000ltrs - 5,000ltrs

His primary run is from Sydney to Newcastle, and with margins so tight, if he misses a backload, he’s losing money.

“The pressures are right across the board, from labour shortages to now fuel costs and increased tolls: it’s just become crazy.

“That’s why you see so many companies folding up because it’s not a viable business anymore.

“Reward for hard work is very hard to come by nowadays.”

With financial commitments and staff to think about, the operator said he’s digging in

to fight through the fuel crisis, hoping for a bit of government support.

“If the excise gets removed that would be fantastic, but any person with half a brain knows the government needs to continue to earn money, and if they’re going to continue to remove all these taxes while they shell out all this money for Covid, floods, what-have-you, someone is going to have to pay somewhere along the line.

“We’re in such a difficult situation, and these fuel costs drive inflation, I feel.”

Another small fleet owner and RFNSW member told us

100ltrs - 400ltrs

COVER STORY 11

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 the fuel surcharge should be about 25-26 per cent per at present, but clients aren’t willing to shoulder the added cost.

Like many operators he was hoping for some relief in the federal budget, with a cut in the 44c excise tax one option being mooted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison at deadline for this issue.

“We’re not getting any relief anywhere; registrations, insurance, tolls, there’s nothing.

“It just seems to be that transport is the easy target because you’re on the road every day.

“Everyone is okay at the moment, but what’s going to happen in 30, 60 and 90 day’s time when you’re wondering if you’re going to get paid?

RFNSW CEO Simon O’Hara told Big Rigs he believes this is “just the beginning” of fuel price increases, with all members already finding it difficult to pass on the increased costs to clients and customers.

“There are frank discussions happening about costs,” said O’Hara.

“Customers don’t realise,

or are choosing not to realise that the increase fuel costs are impacting the bottom line for smaller operators.

“Smaller operators are struggling to raise with their customers that these are indeed costs and they are going to continue to go up. Even those most recently who have negotiated higher prices are finding those prices aren’t sufficient given the way the northward bound trajectory of the fuel costs.

“Bigger guys aren’t immune, but they mostly negotiate fuel increases into their contracts. If there is an increase, then there is a mechanism within contract to deal with that.”

Former truckie-turned Labor Senator Glenn Sterle believes the diesel price hikes will have dire consequences for the road transport industry.

“There will be some firms that have locked in fuel levies for their clients but I know that there will be a significant number of companies and owner-drivers who will not be able to. As a result, we will see many transport companies go broke or just shut up

Senator Glenn Sterle fears diesel costs will spell the end for some.

Why the war in Ukraine is driving up diesel prices for truckies here

Everywhere you turned, truckies were getting slugged.

shop,” said Sterle.

“The road transport industry is not the bank of Australia and we can’t expect the trucking industry to just suck up this huge cost impost while delivering essential goods around the nation. And this should not be allowed to happen.”

Richard Olsen, the Transport Workers’ Union state secretary for NSW/Qld, agreed that the federal government should be doing much more to help truckies.

“In fact, waking up would be a good thing,” said Olsen. “We just can’t continue to absorb these costs and having to ride them out is just unacceptable.”

At the very least, Olsen believes the Morrison government should abolish the fuel excise tax until the end of the financial year.

“After that we can have a look at things to see where we are in the transport industry, making sure roads are open, and companies can actually operate at a profitable level, and don’t have to cut corners.”

Olsen also called for state government to step in and provide some toll relief.

“There’s got to be something.”

Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters’ Association president Scott McDonald told members that now is the time to put effort into really understanding the full cost of your freight service.

“Customers are far more understanding when you can explain why your rates must go up. It’s of no use to your business to work harder for the same rate - you’ll just go broke faster.”

WE all know that the vast majority of our crude oil isn’t coming from Russia (just 1.2 per cent in fact), so why are transport operators paying such a crippling price for the war in Ukraine?

The answer, say experts, is two-fold.

For one, as the world’s second biggest supplier of oil, Russia has a lot of influence on the rest of the world and when that supply is cut-off it has a considerable knock-on effect.

The global ‘wake-up’ after the pandemic, in which many people are commuting back to work, and global shipping and transport has also led to an increase in demand, driving fuel prices even higher.

To meet Australian diesel demand, 60 per cent is imported, mostly from Singapore, Korea and Japan, with the Singapore price of diesel the key diesel pricing benchmark for Australia, reports the Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP).

“Australian refiners must price diesel to be competitive with imports from the Asian region. If diesel prices were lower here, this would provide an incentive to Australian re-

AUSTRALIAN REFINERS MUST PRICE DIESEL TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH IMPORTS FROM THE ASIAN REGION. IF DIESEL PRICES WERE LOWER HERE, THIS WOULD PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO AUSTRALIAN REFINERS TO EXPORT DIESEL TO ASIA.” AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM

finers to export diesel to Asia,” said the AIP. The AIP added that generally there is a short time lag of 1-2 weeks between changes in Singapore prices and changes in Australia’s terminal gate prices.

The AIP also said that most diesel in Australia is sold in bulk through commercial contracts, not through retail outlets.

“There is no retail discounting cycle for diesel, as only 25 per cent of diesel is sold through retail outlets, and most of this goes to contract or fuel card customers.”

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12 COVER STORY

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Qld truckies feel the pinch of costly bowser blow out Dennis Dent says the prices are “terrible” and can’t be absorbed.

Jo Veneman must pass her costs on to would-be home-owners.

Peter Barnes pays $1000 more to run from Brisbane to Melbourne.

BY ALF WILSON

week and the big price increase started then, and it cost me an extra $1000 for fuel,” said Barnes.

“It is ridiculous, such a big increase. This is going to make the business unsustainable for many small owner drivers.”

Gavan Roy is the operations manager for the family company Rob Roy Earthmoving based at Weipa on western Cape York and told Big Rigs that extra running costs had forced the company to pass on a fuel levy to customers.

“The fuel price hike in par-

backbone of this country and without it we’re all going to be buggered.”

Lindsay Cavill, an owner-operator based at Woodstock who drives a Freightliner told Big Rigs fuel rises were the biggest topic of conversation amongst truckies around the country.

“The rises have increases running costs between 10 and 15 per cent and if something is not done will bring the economy to a standstill. Diesel costs $2.15 litre at Calcium near here and $2.20 at Charters Towers,” Cavill said.

Cavill said the guideline for small operators to charge per kilometre used to be “triple the price per litre of diesel”.

“I have put mine up from $3.50 to $5,” he said.

Dennis Dent is a 75-yearold small fleet operator based at Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands and runs four trucks with a lot of his work to Cape York.

Dent who has been in the business for 40 years and employs two drivers said the price rises were “terrible and can’t be absorbed.”

“I have just spent four hours with my office girl working out a fuel levy we will have to pass on to our clients.

DIESEL has almost doubled in price compared with 18 months ago and these latest horrific fuel rises have operators on the warpath seeking answers.

A global shortage of fuel following the war between Russia and Ukraine has been mainly responsible, forcing the price of diesel to rise to more than $2 a litre.

That has resulted in a flowon effect increasing the cost of food and many other items

forcing some operators to pass on a fuel levy onto customers.

Just over 18 months ago you could purchase diesel for around $1.10 a litre and at some outlets it was even $1 a litre.

Big Rigs asked some operators in Far North Queensland about the impact it has had.

Peter Barnes is an owner operator who with two Mack trucks and said that the rise in fuel prices was “diabolical” for the industry.

“I did a return trip between Brisbane and Melbourne last

Flashback to 18 months ago when Queensland fuel prices were half of what truckies are paying today.

ticular has definitely had an effect on us all, and definitely not limited to transport operators.

“Being a small business, the extra running costs aren’t something we can sustain.

“Some of this pain has to be passed on to our customers – we’ve been forced to introduce a fuel levy onto our invoices to soften the blow, which our customers will then pass on to their client, and this is the roll-on affect that keeps going down the line.

“For our long distance-trucks its over $4000 to fill the truck now, depending on what we’re doing some weeks we’ll do this four or five times and without passing on some of the extra costs, we’d be running in the red.”

Living in a remote area such as Weipa, Roy said people feel it a bit more than most places.

“We will more so now given we rely heavily on road and sea transport for pretty well all of our day-to-day necessities.

“Also, with the tourist season not far off, I think a lot of local tourism operators are worried about numbers of visitors to Cape York being affected by the fuel spike.

“I just think the government need to step in and lend a hand. Transport is the

For a 750km trip between Cairns and Weipa it costs an extra $350 for diesel.

“We have a contract to buy it with BP but have to purchase a certain amount each year to get that. It is an absolute nightmare, and I would expect the fuel levy to be about 10 per cent.

“I have already spoken to some of the companies we carry for about it. You would go broke without it or the other option would be to put the rate up.”

Jo Veneman, the director of Townsville-based company Renewable Homes said recent fuel prices will affect the market for those who are looking for affordable housing.

“The recent fuel increases affect the cost of our trucks per kilometre and third-party approvals which force us to use the services of police escorts, pilots, Ergon Energy escorts etc,” said Veneman.

“We have already increased our per kilometre rate and it looks like we’re going to have to revisit the costs again with fuel pricing soaring.

“Those price increases will be added to the cost of transporting a home. In the long term this hits the pockets of home-owners who are after an affordable home.”

Operators urged to act on rising costs before it’s too late

HIGHER fuel costs were a hot topic of discussion at the recent Victorian Transport Association (VTA) State Conference 2022 at Phillip Island.

The record 190 delegates in attendance were urged to pass higher fees and charges through the supply chain to customers, or risk going under.

Federal Assistant Minister for Freight Transport Scott Buchholz delivered the opening keynote address and echoed VTA calls for operators to be vigilant about their cost models in the face of inflationary pressures not seen for decades.

VTA CEO Peter Anderson welcomed delegates with remarks that acknowledged how operators and the transport industry had been rocked by successive challenges, with conflict in Eastern Europe adding to the pressure.

“Labour shortages, disruptions to fuel and engine additives, difficulties obtaining parts for servicing vehicles, are just a few of the supply chain difficulties that have created such uncertainty in the business and the general community,” Anderson said.

“And when you factor in inflation and the likelihood of interest rates going up, higher costs of doing business just adds to the uncertainty and the stresses it creates on budgets for businesses and consumers.”

Anderson said the sad irony is that the economy was edging towards a post pandemic recovery of sorts when tensions began flaring in Eastern Europe.

“Russia’s war with Ukraine is adding to supply chain uncertainty, with sanctions creating supply issues on commodities the world economy needs. Reduced

supply is leading to higher prices for most goods and services, prompting businesses to make difficult decisions to remain sustainable.”

Anderson said the VTA phones had been “ringing off the hook” with members and operators desperate for advice on how to respond.

“On one hand, operators are sensitive to raising their prices to recover higher costs and are loathe to disenfranchise customers facing similar pressures. But on the other hand, absorbing costs is akin to kicking the can down the road, and ultimately will be to the detriment of already stressed operators.

“Our advice is simple – operators must act on rising business costs. They cannot wear higher diesel and other prices forever and must factor it into their cost models, which will lead to higher consumer prices. There are few parts of the economy that

will be exempt from higher prices because transport is a factor in every commodity, and when transport becomes more expensive, everything becomes more expensive.”

Anderson said operators

need to understand the impact rising costs will have on their business and act; and communicate clearly, effectively and regularly with customers.

“In a broader sense, we

as a nation need to think seriously and take steps to protect our supply chains and make us less reliant on certain imports for resiliency in our supply chains,” he added.

VTA CEO Peter Anderson, right, introduces keynote speaker Federal Assistant Minister for Freight Transport Scott Buchholz.

27-28

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14 READER RIGS

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Reader Rigs proudly supported by

#PicOfThe Month

Congratulations to Jas King, who has scored a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card for this great shot taken at Hume, ACT.

Share your truck pics to win with Shell Rimula

SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so now there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots.

Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfTheMonth, with the lucky winner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card.

Keep an eye out for our regular posts on the Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper Facebook page, calling

for your best truck photos and add yours in the comments, or email them to editor@bigrigs. com.au.

Don’t forget to include a brief note about the truck and where the photo was taken. We’ll feature some of the best photos in each edition of Big Rigs Newspaper, with one winner announced each month. Keep those amazing truck pics coming!

Peter Shiells shared this snap of his Super-Liner (right), together with a Western Star and S-Line, ready to cart hay from farm to farm in Victoria’s west.

Jason Berkhout delivers lime sand in this Kenworth set-up.

Nicholas Dolan and this Kenworth T610 from Blenners Transport enjoy the view at the Great Australian Bight.

Jamie Neville captured this Higgins Services Kenworth road train near Avon Downs, NT.

Bromley Nitschke hauls grain out of NSW on a perfect summer’s day.

Sally Curtis shared this great shot of two mammoth loads at a parking bay on Hillside-Woodstock Road, along the Great Northern Hwy.

READER RIGS 15

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going

A stunning shot from Jakob Batchelor as he navigates the country’s outback roads, while pulling a triple road train.

Taylor Bransby tips off as the sun sets on another day.

Andrew Davison shared this snap, with a road train loaded up and coming into Mount Isa.

Mark Driffield shared this snap, unloading lime blend on a road job.

Milly Bear snapped this pic at Batesford Lime Quarry, with a 4.5m wide Caterpillar Scraper being transported by MB Heavy Haulage.

Chris Micke says, “no matter how busy you are, there’s always time to pull up for five and watch the sunrise”.

Andrew and Alison Page snapped this shot, carrying a mighty big load and pulling into the Wubin parking bay in WA.

Robert Veitch and his Kenworth rig stop by the Little Topar Roadhouse for a well-earned break.

Paul Ellbourn relocates camels from Curtin Springs in the Northern Territory.

Kyle Nicholas-Benney hooks back up after unloading potatoes in Geelong at sunrise.

16 OPINION

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

‘I am more confused than ever about the HVNL’

After taking a deep dive into our national trucking laws, this veteran Tassie truckie can understand why WA and the NT are happy to go it alone.

BY SELWYN SINFIELD I HAVE been researching recently about why Western Australia and the Northern Territory have not taken up the so-called national heavy vehicle law (NHVL), as the eastern states have.

I pondered this for a while and came to this conclusion: nothing can, or will change, while we devise such a fragmented structure of law and then enforce it onto the heavy vehicle industry and their drivers.

WA and NT have similar laws which have been accepted by the majority of heavy vehicle drivers working within those two jurisdictions, as being a good workable system.

It was presented to us [in Tasmania] with no training, yet we were expected to know how it worked.

We were told we are the professional drivers and should know the law, but we would have to do our own research for the interpretation of this law.

Explains a lot about the misunderstandings some drivers have with this law, doesn’t it?

If this law was presented in the correct way, we would not need to interpret it. It would be easily understood in one reading.

Many times, I have read parts of the law when faced with some aspect of it I did not understand. In retirement I have read even more of it, and to be fair, I consider I am now even more confused than I was at first.

How I managed to operate under that law for almost 10 years and not get a penalty still has me baffled.

Here in Tasmania officers came from Victoria and NSW to train officers employed by the regulator, most likely forgetting the law operating in Tasmania was different to the law of the state they came from

to train our officers.

How many drivers received penalty notices not relative to the Tasmanian law? Same goes for the other states, except Queensland.

Currently we have five different laws on the east coast of Australia.

Then there is WA and NT, giving us seven differing laws.

Five laws on the east coast called a national law, or administered as a national law. A national law would be just one law, nothing more.

A national law would allow us to cross seven borders and not find ourselves in breach of the law in any of those six states and one territory.

The NTC is only making it worse Does the National Transport Commission (NTC) lead? No. It is a bureaucratic think-tank that has no powers to make a law, or pass it into a law themselves, in their wisdom they send their ideas to the only state with no upper house of review, (Queensland), and get them to force it through parliament into law.

That then becomes a Queensland state law, which then has no authority in law within any other state other than Queensland.

Other states then take up this law under some convoluted arrangement but have to make a change or changes to that law, so it is then different to the original Queensland law.

The state making the change can then use it as that states law. Confusing, yes. Why does NSW, Victoria, SA and Tasmania take this Queensland law, then make their own changes to it?

This is done to satisfy the Australian constitution which states each individual state is responsible in establishing their own individual state laws.

One state cannot use another state’s law, it has to be fiddled

WA and NT have similar laws, which have been accepted by the majority of heavy vehicle drivers there as being a good workable system.

with to make it different. What we end up with is five laws for the east coast of Australia, and one or two on the western side of the nation. There is no ability for a department devised by bureaucrats, (currently NHVR), to control this law as a national law, due to complexities around each state having different wording in sections of the law.

All it does is create a gold mine for lawyers and blocks valuable time in the courts, creating huge backlogs in cases which have no need to be before the court in the first place.

Here’s how we fix it Get rid of the NTC, or make changes allowing it to have powers to make the law pass through the federal parliament in its own right. That is highly unlikely to happen, as the existing law would be thrown out by the senate when they did their scrutiny of the current laws after they set up a committee to scrutinise it.

They may even call for some of the present NTC heads to roll for devising such a divisive law in its current form.

If we could create a similar law enforcement agency to the

When the HVNL arrived in Tasmania truckies were expected to know how it worked.

Selwyn Sinfield argues that if the HVNL was presented in the correct way, we would not need to interpret it.

federal police where the federal police do not intrude on the state police powers, we then would have a national transport body overseeing a national law, while not interfering with state transport officers.

Then we may be closer to having a National Heavy Vehicle Law. Both state and federal police each have their own roles. That seems to work well enough.

Why not in transport?

We should remove bureaucrats from positions as heads of departments in both state and federal governments after a set term or after each election.

These are the people who hold their job no matter the political party that has won government.

They hold their positions for very long periods and get stale in the way they think and will not listen to another opinion in fear of the person offering that opinion may be able to take his/ her job.

It is often said that Liberal and Labor in government are no better than each other in their operation of government, simply because the decision makers

are not changing only the politician who is in real terms only a mouthpiece for the invisible bureaucrat, who is often on way more salary than the minister who can lose his job if the people dislike what was done while in government.

When a minister loses his job, it is not necessarily his fault, as too often he was misled by the invisible, who holds his/her job to serve the next lot of elected politicians that are voted in.

Where is the support that authorities speak of?

State governments can’t agree on anything. Just look at the way states managed Covid.

Every state had a different idea of what was the correct way to deal with it. States just do not have the ability to agree on anything, that being the curse of the five different state laws being portrayed as a one national law. Never did, never was, never will be a national law in its own right.

When suggestions are presented as a possible fix, a definite that will not work is the usual response.

Attitudes such as that will

never see progress, it will just bury good ideas under a pile of paperwork and excuses.

That only saves that official from scrutiny at all times. Remember that same official will keep his/her job when a change of government occurs.

The law is far too complex for the ordinary heavy vehicle driver to understand the complexities of it as it is written currently.

A large number of current heavy vehicle drivers have only a medium level of education, but they have a huge amount of common sense with an uncanny ability to be very good operators of today’s modern trucks.

When faced with a problem they soon develop a unique ability to come up with a way to fix the issue they are faced with.

How lovely it would be if our federal and state bureaucrats could develop those same abilities.

They then may be able to fix the shambles of a mess they have created in this NHVL. Don’t hold your breath though. It will be a long time coming.

• As told to Alf Wilson.

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18 NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

300 Kenworth 909s in 20 seconds!

BY DAVID MEREDITH

YOU could do a lot with nearly 300 Kenworth 909s. Like towing Suncorp Stadium down to the Gold Coast. But compress their combined power and torque into a single mind-boggling blast of speed that is all over in less than half a minute?

That’s what WA’s Roscoe McGlashan has packaged to-

gether for his latest land speed record attempt.

Sometime in 2023, after final systems and speed testing, McGlashan will sit himself down in front of a massive explosion designed to hurl him along a carefully measured course at 1000mph (1609km/h) in pursuit of a supersonic land speed record.

His car, designed, engi-

neered and built in WA, is the Aussie Invader 5R, the latest iteration of the speed demon toys he lives for.

The car is collection of innovation and good old common sense, blended with a critical component from a US Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. 16-metres long, the needle-shaped car weighs in at 9.2-tonnes fully fuelled and is

The WA speed machine is in pursuit of a supersonic land speed record in 2023.

powered by a single bi-propellant rocket motor.

The core of the engine is an ordinary-looking brownish round plate at the back of the rocket cone. It’s the fuel injector, which is designed by rocket-types to inject massive amounts of fuel and oxidiser in precise proportions into a chamber that becomes hell itself until the fuel is finished.

In its first life, this innocuous disk buried deep in a concrete silo waited endlessly (thankfully) to spark a rocket that would hurl a nuclear holocaust to the other side of the globe.

It’s engineered to deliver 800-litres of turpentine and around 2-tonnes of white fuming nitric acid into Aussie Invader’s burn chamber in a precise pattern and mix to ensure maximum thrust. The fuel and oxidiser are hypergolic, which means they detest each other and explode on contact – like

Quick Release Mudflap Clamp and Coverstrip

ase Mudflap Clamp and Coverstrip Rosco McGlashan, left, gives Big Rigs writer David Meredith the thumbs up for his record-breaking attempt.

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teenage siblings.

The engine churns out 62,000 pounds of thrust at sea level. The equivalent horsepower is calculated thus – thrust in pounds x speed in mph, by 375 (which is equal to one horsepower measured in mile-pounds per hour)!

Phew. So, at 1609km/h (1000mph) Aussie Invader is churning out 165,333hp. That could really take you places.

And that’s where the nearly 300 Kenworth prime movers come in. Aussie Invader compresses all that grunt into a titanic 20-second explosion of fury.

For that party trick, Aussie Invader burns through 2.8-tonnes of propellant in 20 seconds flat, or 140kgs (three and a bit Toyota Corolla fuel tanks) per second during the run.

Put simply, Rosco McGlashan is strapped to the pointy end of one almighty big

bang and a mega-rough ride.

Aussie Invader’s 10,000rpm wheels are solid aerospace aluminium and there’s no suspension.

On the big day, yet to be finalised with sponsors, a surveyed 22km course will include seven kilometres for acceleration, a combination one mile and one kilometre timing trap, and around 14km for slowing down.

Within an hour, Aussie Invader is turned around and refuelled, McGlashan is topped up with mineral water, puts his teeth back in and sets off on the return leg.

McGlashan got the FIA, motor sport’s governing body to change the rules to allow two timing traps, one at each end of the run because of the distance needed to slow down and time for safety checks. The average of the two runs will be the recorded speed.

Go for it Rosco McGlashan!

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NEWS 19

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

Hydrogen servo for trucks to be built in Geelong

VIVA Energy is building the country’s first public hydrogen refuelling station at its Geelong plant in Victoria to support the uptake of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) in heavy fleets.

The $43.3m project will be built opposite Viva Energy’s petroleum refinery and incorporate a 2MW electrolyser along with hydrogen compression, storage and dispensing infrastructure.

Renewable hydrogen will be produced on site using recycled water from Barwon Water’s Northern Water Plant.

The service station will also include 150kW electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced it would be chipping in $22.8m toward the cost.

ARENA’s funding will go towards both the renewable hydrogen and EV infrastructure, as well as to subsidise the purchase and operations of 15 hydrogen FCEVs to help fasttrack FCEV uptake.

ARENA funding for the FCEVs will be paid upon the delivery of the vehicles.

Viva Energy’s project will allow for the procurement,

An artist’s rendering of the New Energies Service Station in Geelong. Photo: Viva Energy

delivery and operation of the hydrogen FCEVs to utilise renewable hydrogen from the New Energies Service Station.

Over time, Viva Energy hopes to add traditional diesel refuelling on-site to allow drivers to witness FCEV charging.

It is hoped the servo will be up and running by the end of 2023.

All vehicles will be purchased and owned by project partners.

Toll Group, ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia,

Cleanaway and Barwon Water have committed to purchasing hydrogen FCEVs for their fleets which include prime movers, wastewater and municipal waste collection vehicles and buses.

Viva Energy said locating the project adjacent to its Geelong refinery provides a number of benefits, including a high level of visibility, due to its proximity to major arterial roads and being within an existing industrial area, as well as access to high voltage infra-

structure and access to recycled water from the nearby Barwon Water recycling plant for production of hydrogen.

The experiences of Viva Energy and fleet vehicles using the renewable hydrogen produced onsite for refuelling will provide valuable insights into the operation of different types of hydrogen FCEV heavy vehicles, a statement added.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said this project will be a key opportunity for early uptake of commercially viable

hydrogen and a service station model that could be replicated across Australia as the price of electrolyser technology drops.

Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said the ARENA funding has opened the door for Viva Energy to work with long-term customers to demonstrate the important role that hydrogen will play in the future of transportation in Australia.

“This project puts hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road to prove their value in

day-to-day commercial operations while reducing the carbon footprint of the heavy vehicle transport we rely on every day,” said Wyatt.

ARENA is also supporting Ark Energy to deploy five hydrogen-powered prime movers operating between its zinc refinery and the Port of Townsville.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the deployment could offer up a valuable pathway towards achieving net zero emissions in the heavy transport and mining sectors.

“As Australia pushes towards net zero emissions, we must continue to find renewable and clean solutions for hard-to-abate sectors now so that alternatives to fossil fuels can be implemented as soon as possible,” said Miller.

“Ark’s first-of-a-kind deployment is a great opportunity to highlight the potential of ultra-heavy fuel cell electric trucks in Australia, which has significant replication potential and could fast track the reduction of emissions by using renewable hydrogen not only in heavy transport, but the entire resources supply chain domestically.”

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20 NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckie weighs in on first Volvo electric truck

THE first electric Volvo truck on Australian roads has now completed 6000km and over 5200kW hours – and here’s what the truckie who drives it has to say.

Rob Smith has been a truckie at Linfox for over 17 years. He currently operates out of the BevChain Distribution Centre in Melbourne’s outer west.

For the past seven months or so, he’s been behind the

wheel of a Volvo FL Electric.

With this truck, he runs various routes across the city to deliver Victoria Bitter and other Asahi Beverages beers to pubs, restaurants and bottle shops.

“I love the freedom of the job, and meeting people,” Smith said.

“The truck itself is actually quite peaceful to drive, in some ways it’s just like any other truck but in others it’s

smoother, quieter, it’s enjoyable.

“When I hop out of the truck, I don’t hear engine noise and I don’t have the fumes.”

As the first truck of its kind on Australian roads, Smith says it attracts a lot of attention. “You get a lot more eye contact on the road as people look at it. It’s great, I get a lot of questions.

“Everyone wants to know

Australia’s first Volvo FL Electric has completed 6000km and over 5200kW hours.

where the batteries are, people are very interested in the lack of noise and how far it goes, is it good to drive, things like that.”

Smith adds that the truck has been going well. “It’s doing the job of a diesel truck.

Trucks like this one are the future,” he said.

Paul Illmer, Volvo Group Australia’s vice president of emerging technologies, also weighed in. “You can’t get a much better voice of authority than the end user of the product,” he said.

“We can continue to

Truckie Rob Smith has been at Linfox for over 17 years.

point out the real-world benefits of zero emissions vehicles, but it’s ultimately the people that interact with this vehicle on a daily basis that will help educate others to their advantages.

“A smooth drivetrain, lack of fumes and noise create a calmer work environment, but it’s also the flow-on benefits to society as a whole that will drive towards a future of cleaner, quieter cities.”

Illmer also says that the zero emissions journey in Australia is “accelerating faster than many can imagine”.

Executive chairman at Linfox, Peter Fox, added, “Linfox is thrilled to see this new electric vehicle inspiring positive conversations as we lead the way in sustainable transport.

“The benefits are coming to life right throughout our community,” he added.

“Our skilled drivers are at the wheel of a new age; our customers are enjoying more sustainable logistics solutions and people on our streets are starting to see the everyday benefits of zero emission vehicles.”

New on-road tests see how Volvo FL Electric stacks up in the heat

THE Volvo FL Electric has undergone new on-road testing to see how fast charging and extreme heat can affect its range, battery charging and vehicle performance.

Equipped with Volvo Group’s second-generation battery packs with a capacity totalling 265kW, local Volvo Group Australia engineers subjected the FL Electric to a series of on-road tests in 35-plus degree heat.

Loaded to a gross weight of 15,000kg, the FL Electric covered over 730km in a variety of traffic conditions and terrain including a climb up the Toowoomba bypass (6 per cent gradient) as well as routes

through inner-city traffic.

These second-generation battery packs have a predicted energy consumption of 0.9 kW per kilometre, however Volvo Group Australia says local testing has found consumption at this point to be slightly lower at 0.73kW per kilometre.

The potential of regenerative braking came to the fore coming down the Toowoomba range. Braking energy alone was enough to replenish battery power by nearly 5 per cent.

Paul Illmer, vice president technology and business development, explained, “Temperature is the enemy of battery performance in any vehicle.

For our industry to go electric

our customers need to know we’ve tried and tested our technology in adverse conditions rather than report contrived figures derived from testing in a controlled environment.

“And I’m extremely happy to see the results of this testing, which proves the FL Electric is a viable option for a range of urban distribution roles while being able to tolerate Australia’s harsh climate.”

The test drives also included a 40-minute fast charge from 40 per cent battery capacity using 150Kwh DC chargers in an effort to understand how opportunity charging may be integrated into an everyday transport operation.

The Volvo FL Electric covered over 730km in a variety of traffic conditions.

“Our electric trucks are more than just a vehicle, they are a part of an electromobility eco-system. Before a customer signs up for our electric offering we conduct a feasibility study using our bespoke range estimation tool to plot out exactly how this vehicle can be integrated into an existing transport task,” continued Illmer. “ “Once in service we can help the customer monitor vehicle performance through our Volvo Connect telematics portal.

“These proprietary tools give us a 360-degree view of our customer’s needs and the operation at hand.

“This year marks the start of commercial sales here in Australia and I look forward to seeing an electric truck with real world usability hit the local market.”

The 4x2 Volvo FL Electric has a gross vehicle weight of 16,000kg and creates 130kW of continuous power which is delivered to the rear wheels via a two-speed automated transmission. Depending on application, range can be up to 300km between charges.

Charging times range from 11 hours (22kW AC) to 2 hours (150kW DC).

Customer deliveries of the Volvo FL Electric are anticipated to begin this year.

The test drives also included a 40-minute fast charge from 40 per cent battery capacity using 150kW DC chargers.

Quietly leading with electric The revolutionary new Volvo FL Electric

At Volvo Trucks, environmental care has long been central to our vision of the future. We care passionately about the world we live in, and as the shift towards electric vehicles gathers pace, we are more committed than ever to driving progress.

To help smooth the transition to electromobility, Volvo Trucks is partnering closely with our customers and providing them with class leading support and expertise. For example, we can help ensure your people are trained, your business is prepared, and key logistics such as charging station installations are taken care of.

Volvo Trucks has always been known for quality, safety and environmental care. And so these same principles are the foundation of our electric trucks. Find out more by visiting www.volvotrucks.com.au/electrictrucks

Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress

22 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Customising for the customer at Kennedy’s

A sheet of steel comes in and a trailer rolls out, but no two are ever the same at this custom-build specialist in Bairnsdale.

BY DAVID VILE

INNOVATION. Grit. Integrity. Respect. Four simple words printed on the coffee mugs at the Kennedy Trailers manufacturing facility in Bairnsdale which could be interpreted as a mantra that has served the company well since its inception in 1986.

From humble beginnings in a modest shed in the Gippsland town, the company started by Garry Kennedy currently custom-builds a variety of logging, platform and side-tipper trailers which are distributed around the country.

Today, the day-to-day running of the business is overseen by Garry’s sons, Cory and Lyndon, with the business managing to negotiate the tough times over the last couple of years with the double-whammy of the Black Summer bushfires and then Covid.

Recent times have seen a consistent production of equipment out of the Kennedy Trailers facility which is spread over a large site on the outskirts of Barinsdale, with Cory Kennedy providing some history of the company

since its creation to the current day.

“This area always had a large hardwood forestry industry and Garry came from a logging background, he got his boilermaker ticket and did a lot of work on fishing boats in his apprenticeship.

He then went into field service working out of a ute, before moving into a shed fixing and refurbishing logging gear, such as log grabs and dozer grapples,” Cory explained.

It wasn’t long before Garry’s expertise was called on to modify a logging trailer which became the first of many.

“He had a jinker chassis which was a McKee jinker back then, it was a tri-axle and one of his customers said ‘I reckon we can make that into a folding skel’, so it became a tri axle jinker with a set of beams on it,” said Cory.

“It was literally designed on corkboard with an old cornflakes box, cardboard cut-outs for the first design it would be awesome to still have now.”

While the finished product was not the first folding skel trailer of its type built, variations in the design helped take the concept forward.

ANC Forestry from Morwell has been a long-term Kennedy customer.

The Bairnsdale factory is a hive of activity with a number of trailers under construction.

As such, this built the business, along with further design and innovation, particularly in the realm of folding trailers for B-doubles and quad dog applications in the often-mountainous operating environments.

“It opened up the gates to a folding skel, especially with the benefits they get as in a lot of places they can’t get into unless they have a folded trailer,” added Cory.

“Dad was keen and still is on the design side of things, he’s always trying to re-invent bits and pieces . It’s pretty cool when you look back through the photos and see these designs come out, the best one I have seen is a folding quad dog which was essentially a pole trailer which morphed into a sliding beam trailer.”

Along the way the Kennedy outfit has diversified into other types of trailers, initially with a project building road train side tippers for a former logging operator in the 1990s.

“The side tippers originally came about through Doug Gould, an ex-logging operator from Healesville, then based at Kalgoorlie. He pretty much rang Dad one day and said, ‘would you like to build a side tipper?’, and that’s how we started in that market.

A new Kenworth T610 gets fitted out with a folding trailer and associated engineering in Bairnsdale.

“For example, between 2009 and around about 2013 we sent about 50 quad sets over to IES [who had purchased the Gould operation as this stage] in Western Australia in that time - we had a bit of an opening up into Queensland as well.”

The company has over the years also built a number of low loaders and 3x8/4x8/5x8 heavy haulage trailers and in more recent times with the expansion of wind farms, has also moved into building platform module trailers for wind turbines.

The company prides itself on being a custom builder rather than a mass-producer of trailers, with the customer’s requirements at the forefront.

“Everything we build is a one-off for that customer, and with a custom build there is two sides, you can have ‘extreme custom’ and it can be a thorn in our side, but it gives the customer input, and if there happens to be any issues along the way it gives you a way to help address it,” he said.

Having outgrown the original site, and with the various sections of the business working out of different sheds in the Bairnsdale industrial area, in 2008 the company moved into a new facility which Cory reckoned they had again out-

Cory Kennedy outside the Bairnsdale manufacturing facility.

grown by around 2012.

The operation handles everything in-house, from design and fabrication through to paint and electrical, along with the fit-out of trucks with the engineering required to handle log trailers, in particular.

The company also carries out refurbishment and maintenance on trailers and transport equipment. Across the business around 60 staff, including a number of apprentices, are employed, with Cory of the belief that having staff flexible to the task at hand is an important factor in building a successful operation.

“Because of where we are, we have skilled and nonskilled people, and everybody plays an integral role somewhere along the line,” he said.

“Currently we have forestry, heavy-haul, and side tipper trailers all being built out in the shed, so our staff have to be adaptable. They might be today working on

a trailer that will be hauling a wind turbine or a tunnel boring machine and tomorrow might be building a log trailer that is expected to do 2 million kilometres carting pine up the highway.”

Depending on the type of trailer being built, yearly output can range between 150 and 230 trailers, with Cory thinking that the order sheet for future production was in pretty good shape. It would seem that the business is well placed for the future with Cory firmly of the belief that building a custom product in-house from start to finish also helps build the business.

“Front to back, a sheet of steel comes in and a trailer rolls out, and there is so much variation in what we do here.

“By adding that custom step and if you can have the customer having the input into the product, you are also building a relationship with them rather than just selling them a commodity.”

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Prices within this promotion are recommended maximum selling prices including GST, excluding labour and fitment costs from a participating dealer. Prices will be valid from 1st March 2022 to 31st May 2022. The offers presented are subject to stock availability during the promotion period and are available at Freightliner participating dealerships only. Participation can be determined by calling 1800 033 557 or by calling your nearest dealership. Parts listed may be VIN specific, parts advertised have been identified to suit the majority of the models specified. Part numbers should be checked against the VIN to ensure suitability. For assistance, please contact your nearest participating Freightliner dealership prior to purchase. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that they will be available during the promotion period. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent actual products. We reserve the right to correct all printing errors. Freightliner and Alliance Truck Parts are registered trademarks of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, all distributed by Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific Pty Ltd. ABN 86 618 413 282.

24 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Tribute Mack Super-Liner spreading the message of men’s mental health

ATTCALL Civil Contractors has unveiled a new 100 Year Mack Super-Liner truck and dog dedicated to an employee who passed away, in a bid promote awareness about men’s mental health.

The paint scheme features a sepia toned Australian flag in keeping with the monochrome theme of the truck; and an image of Charles “Huddy” Simons.

“He passed away in 2020, he was a tough guy and all that sort of stuff, but he died because he was too proud to ask for some help,” said Clinton McKinnon, owner and managing director of Attcall Civil Contractors, which is based in Smeaton Grange, NSW. “All he needed to do was make a phone call and ask for a bit of help and we would have taken him to the doctor. If he had’ve done that he’d probably still be alive today.

“From that day forward we recognised the need to engage with our employees a bit more, to recognise the signs for when

The custom Super-Liner is dedicated to former employee Charles “Huddy” Simons who passed away in 2020.

Brandon McKinnon, Clinton McKinnon and Jacob McKinnon.

people are struggling a little bit.

“So we thought it fitting to put his image on the door and dedicate the truck to him as well as use the Black Dog institute to support the cause.”

The new 100 Year Mack Super-Liner was revealed in Sydney to launch a partnership between Attcall Civil Contractors and The Black Dog Institute, a men’s mental health initiative

for the construction industry.

“Mental health is a concern in our industry,” said McKinnon. “We thought we needed to make a bit more of an effort and get a bit more behind

The paint scheme features a sepia toned Australian flag in keeping with the monochrome theme of the truck.

raising awareness about mental health.

“Our way of looking at it is that our trucks are moving billboards so we just got behind them any way we could.

“Our business has been going well and It’s about time to give something back, we actually want to lend a hand.

“And this truck is to say that Black Dog is there for you.”

Kat Holeyman, corporate partnerships manager for Black Dog Institute, is enthusiastic about the potential the partnership has for spreading awareness around men’s mental health.

“Partnerships like this are so important for us at the Black Dog Institute.

“We are building awareness.

Having a moving billboard going around Sydney, going out to construction sites and just driving along the road means

people are seeing what we do and are talking about what Black Dog Institute is and what resources we have. We may just get someone to reach out.

Holeyman continued, “We have come a long way. Ten years ago we wouldn’t have been having this conversation and we certainly wouldn’t be putting something on the side of a truck.

“We still have a long way to go, and that is why stuff like this is so important to the Black Dog Institute, because we need more people talking about mental health and we need more men opening up about their mental health.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available.

Visit blackdoginstitute.org.au and click on the ‘Get help now’ tab.

Ph Lifeline 13 11 14.

OzHelp announces 2022 Health in Gear ambassadors

OZHELP has announced three new ambassadors for 2022: director of sales for Beck’s Transport Training, Kate Beck; truckie Ian (Eno) Taylor; and managing director of Tippings Transport, Sally Tipping.

They will work alongside continuing ambassadors Rod Hannifey and Lyndal Denny, to promote truckie health and wellbeing.

Hannifey is a well-known interstate truck driver and president of the National Road Freighters Association, bringing decades of experience to the role. “The safety of truck drivers has been my priority, and that’s more than road and vehicle safety. It’s about having adequate rest stops to sleep well, having access to facilities to eat well, and having industry specific support options like Health in Gear to handle

the challenging aspects of the job if it becomes too much,” he said.

“I have devoted a lot of my career advocating for safety within the road transport industry and I’ve made it my hobby as well as my job. I gain personal satisfaction from trying to make a difference and working out how I can improve something, and who I can get to help me do it.”

Truckie and CEO of Women in Trucking Australia, Lyndal Denny, says the health and well-being of the nation’s truck drivers is critical. “Until recently, the industry’s focus has been on driver safety,” she said. “It’s incredibly exciting to be a part of a program that looks at the equally important flip side of the coin – heavy vehicle driver mental health and wellbeing.”

OzHelp says truck drivers

are the second highest occupation group at risk of suicide, after construction workers. Its Health in Gear program was funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative and developed in collaboration with truck drivers, their families, and industry representatives.

The program offers a range of resources including roadside Truckie Tune Up health checks delivered by an OzHelp wellbeing support worker and nurse at popular rest stops and service stations, a 24/7 phone support line, a website with health tips to stay well, and a podcast series calledShare the Load.

To access support, truck drivers and their families can visit the Health in Gear website or call 1800 IN GEAR (1800 464 327) for 24/7 phone support.

Interstate truck driver and president of the National Road Freighters Association Rod Hannifey.

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26 SPONSORED CONTENT

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Meritor and Penske award ute to winning dealer

O’REILLY Trucks has taken out the grand prize after being named the best performing Penske dealer in Australia for 2021.

The business has won a brand-new customised Mitsubishi Triton ute as part of Meritor and Penske’s major promotion last year.

O’Reilly Trucks is a family owned and operated business based in Wagga Wagga.

It services the Riverina and surrounds with quality truck, trailer and bus parts and ser-

vice and has had the most significant growth in Penske’s dealer network for a well-deserved win.

“This great result was achieved through a combination of hard work, teamwork, and offering a great service along with the great support from our loyal customers,” said Tracey O’Reilly, store manager at O’Reilly Trucks.

The ute was presented to the O’Reilly team in March, which coincidentally aligned with the celebration of the

dealership’s two years as a Penske’s Dealer for the region.

O’Reilly was founded in July 2010 by Brad and Tracey O’Reilly from humble beginnings, with only one assistant at the time.

“Through hard work and offering a great service we have grown the business from those humble beginnings to now employing a team of more than 20 dedicated staff members,” Brad said.

The major growth be-

O’Reilly Trucks was named the best performing Penske dealer in Australia for 2021.

As part of a Meritor and Penske promotion, the dealership has won a brand-new customised Mitsubishi Triton ute.

gan in 2018 when O’Reilly Trucks was appointed the Scania dealer for the region.

In March 2020, O’Reilly Trucks were appointed the Penske dealer for the region, acquiring Western Star, MAN and Dennis Eagle Trucks and Detroit Engines.

This resulted in rapid growth in the business, with the number of staff growing from 10 to 20 to support growth and demand from industry.

With this came O’Reilly’s

own dedicated spare parts building to supply genuine and quality aftermarket truck, trailer and bus parts.

Over the past two years the spare parts department has continued to expand both in the physical size of the warehouse and in staff numbers.

O’Reilly is a major supporter of industry leading brands such as Meritor parts.

Their expertise is backed by an experienced team with more than 100 years of com-

bined knowledge in the industry between them to help their customers hit the road with confidence.

“We are honoured to receive the support from such worldwide industry leaders in Meritor HVS and the Penske Australia brands; Western Star, MAN, Dennis Eagle, and Detroit; along with a wide range of other leading suppliers to enable us to support our loyal and expanding customer base,” added Tracey.

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* Calls from Australian landlines are generally free of charge whilst calls from mobile phones are typically charged based on the rate determined by the caller’s mobile service provider. Please check with your mobile service provider for call rates.

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30 FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Convoy for Kids Sydney finally gets a run in 2022

BY COLIN HENDERSON

IT has been a long wait for Convoy for Kids Sydney.

Covid, and more recently flooding, meant the convoy, which celebrated its 30th year in 2021, had not had a run for a couple of years.

Fundraising, however,

kept going with the convoy committee recently giving $20,000 to the NSW Newborn & pædiatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) for vital equipment.

Now, with the postponements in the rear vision mirror, the convoy finally rolled on Sunday, March 20, start-

On the road at last in 2022.

ing at a new venue, the Sydney Dragway and ending up at a Harmony Day event for the transport industry at the Liverpool Catholic Club.

Truck drivers and their families and had a great time enjoying rides and food stalls at the family day event.

Convoy’s president, Mark

Smallwood said: “The committee is ecstatic that the convoy got to go ahead, we are grateful to Turbans 4 Australia allowing us to share their Harmony Day event at Liverpool.

“If we were at the Hawkesbury Showground we would still be digging trucks out

of the rain-affected ground.

Truckies have hearts of gold and will do anything for the kids - donations are still coming in.”

The 2022 Convoy for Kids will roll on Sunday, October 30, most likely from Sydney Dragway in Eastern Creek to a venue in the

Hawkesbury region.

“Lock October 30 now in your diaries, stock up on the polish and tell as many of your mates as you can,” added Smallwood.

“Convoy will be back bigger and better than ever with a family day to follow. We are doing it for the kids.”

The MMM Logistics family were out in force to support this worthy cause. Photos: Colin Henderson

A big thumbs up to the convoy organisers from a MMM Logistics driver.

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FEATURE 31

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

The AirRoad crew also turned out in big numbers to show their support for the popular convoy.

Jim Pearson Transport sent along some muscle.

Traffic Logistics added some colour to the occasion with this truck that was originally decorated for the i98FM Illawarra Convoy.

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32 DRIVER PROFILES

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Tropics

with Alf Wilson

Peter Barnes FORMER chef and now owner-operator Peter ‘Barnsey’ Barnes said that the rise in fuel prices was “diabolical” for the industry.

“I did a return trip between Brisbane and Melbourne when the big price increase started and it cost me an extra $1000 for fuel.

It is ridiculous, such a big increase.

“This is going to make the business unsustainable for many small owner-drivers,” Barnsey told Big Rigs.

I had first met Barnsey at the parking area behind the Golden Nugget Truck Stop at Gympie in early January.

He had parked up for a well-earned break.

His company is Barmond Investments and Barnsey has a Mack Triton and a Mack Super-Liner which were travelling in tandem.

“We are carrying bitumen from Brisbane to Gympie,” Barnsey said.

Barnsey rates the Innamincka to Moomba Highway in South Australia and the 45-minute drive from Moonie to Westmar in Queensland as the worst roads he gets along.

“They are both very rough and need lots of work,” he said.

The first truck Barnsey drove was about 40 years ago and was an old Bedford sprayer which he has fond memories of.

Having been a chef, Barnes is well qualified to speak about which roadhouses serve up good food at reasonable prices.

“The Golden Nugget here in Gympie and the Little Topar in New South Wales both have good meals.

“I started my apprenticeship when I was aged 14 in Mackay at the Gold Creek Motel and was a chef for eight years,” he said.

However, Barnsey did qualify the roadhouse statement by saying he often cooked his own meals when away on a gas cooker he keeps in his truck.

“We also have a microwave and small fridge on the trucks,” he said.

Barnsey had a New Year’s Resolution which he hoped could be achieved and maintained throughout 2022 and beyond.

“I want to give up smoking,” he said.

However, when we spoke on the phone a few weeks later he had not been able to keep that resolution.

I DID A RETURN TRIP BETWEEN BRISBANE AND MELBOURNE WHEN THE BIG PRICE INCREASE STARTED AND IT COST ME AN EXTRA $1000 FOR FUEL. IT IS RIDICULOUS, SUCH A BIG INCREASE. THIS IS GOING TO MAKE THE BUSINESS UNSUSTAINABLE FOR MANY SMALL OWNER DRIVERS.” PETER BARNES

During the recent floods, Barnsey was forced to stay at home for several days because of cut roads.

“It was good to spend some time at home as I don’t often get to do that,” he said.

On the front of his Mack is the name Jaymie-Louise and I asked Barnsey the reason why.

“That was the name of my much-loved daughter Jaymie-Louise who passed away in an accident.

“So I named the old girl after her,” he said emotionally.

Peter ‘Barnsey’ Barnes says rising fuel prices are “diabolical” for the industry.

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DRIVER PROFILES 33

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

Truckin’ In The Tropics Jason O’Neill

with Alf Wilson

Stephen Golinski

Stephen Golinski works for Seymours Transport, driving a Western Star.

Jason O’Neill and Dwight Croft-Ellis work for Townsville based company Gutter-Vac.

YOUNGSTER Jason O’Neill, pictured left, drives an Isuzu for Townsville based company Gutter-Vac and gets to travel to places like Charters Towers, Cairns and the Burdekin.

His company specialises in gutter cleaning, gutter guards, insulation removal, roof washing, bird proofing and solar panels.

Big Rigs saw Jason pull up at a rest area beside the

Flinders Highway about 85km from Townsville on January 21 whilst returning from a job in Charters Towers.

Aged 25, O’Neill said he enjoyed the job and found the rest area an ideal location for travellers along the western highway.

“It has toilets which is why I stopped and the Isuzu is a good truck for what we do,” he said.

O’Neill said for the time

being he was happy to drive a light rig and has no plans to get a licence for heavier vehicles.

With him was an assistant, 18-year-old Dwight Croft-Ellis, who also enjoyed the job for which he does numerous duties.

He added that mosquitoes love living in guttering on roofs, especially if they are blocked with debris and stagnant water.

DESPITE being a truckie for the past eight years, Stephen Golinski still considers himself a rookie in the road transport industry.

Golinski, 50, has worked for Seymours Transport, which is based at Toogoolawah, for the past three years. I recently saw him beside his Western Star near Rockhampton.

“I mostly carry logs and my truck has broken down and is being repaired. It is a battery problem. Seymours is a good company to work for,” he said.

Golinski said the worst roads he travels on would have to be the ones between Taroom and Wondoan, and also from Theodore to Banana.

“They are very rough in

places,” he said.

I spoke to Golinski by phone some days later and he was having a fatigue break at Taroom. “I have a load of timber from Dingo for Brisbane,” he said.

As for rest areas, Golinski said there was not enough overall for drivers but did nominate a few which met the required standards.

“The best one is at Banana which has five showers and others at Miles and Dalby are good,” he said.

The first truck Golinski drove was a N12 Volvo at Esk and his NRL team is the Brisbane Broncos which he hopes will charge up the ladder this season.

Married with two boys aged 27 and 29, Golinski said the most unusual thing that happened to him was when a differential housing broke in half on a Western Star. “It had to be towed away for repairs,” he said.

Outside work Golinski enjoys shooting feral pigs at one son’s property at Cunnamulla and is enjoying life to the fullest.

“I really love my job and life in general,” he said.

Now that he has reached the “Nifty Fifty” age, I asked Golinski what his hopes and aims were for 2022 and his answer was brief but to the point.

“To keep on trucking and stay safe,” he said.

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34 DRIVER PROFILES

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Outback

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY WHERE TRANSPORT DOES BUSINESS

Amber Wright MC driver Amber Wright, 33, certainly doesn’t do things by halves – and that may well be how she earned her nickname the ‘Hot Mess Express’.

In addition to her fly in-fly out gig carting quads filled with fuel throughout the Pilbara and Port Hedland for Toll, Wright also helps others get their start behind the wheel as a trainer and assessor, while running her own business too.

Growing up in Bullsbrook, WA, Wright says she got her start in trucks on the family farm. “I used to have to move sheep and hay on the farm

with the truck, and then I realised it was a job I could get paid for. Because I worked on a farm, I was able to get my car licence at 15 so I had my MC by the time I was 18,” she explained.

“I’m still in Bullsbrook and run that as a horse agistment property, with over 30 horses, so I’m a small business operator at the moment. My sister does the day-to-day operations while I’m away.”

Wright started her trucking career carting grain from farms, then progressed to sheep, followed by tipper work.

“I spent six years driving side tippers all over the Pilbara. I was the only woman on the Telfer run, carting copper concentrate – probably because I was the only one stupid enough to do it.

That run is brutal. I’d go through several tyres a day, I was out on the edge of the dessert and I once even hit a camel,” Wright revealed.

“The run was about 800km, but it was 4.5 hours on the bitumen and 4.5 hours on the dirt. You could be doing 60km/h and going nowhere!”

Wright started her current

gig with Toll at Port Hedland about six months ago.

“I’m only new to fuel. Toll gave me a go on the fuel and has provided lots of training and opportunity.”

When Wright spoke to Big Rigs, she was behind the wheel of a Kenworth C509, pulling a quad set of tankers, though a Western Star 6900 is her usual ride.

“I prefer the quad work.

It’s a long and hard drive with some of the hardest working gear, particularly when you’re going up-hill at the Chichester Range in the Pilbara with 130,000 litres

She’s been driving quads for Toll for the past six months.

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of fuel behind you – it’s fullon,” said Wright.

But her regular run also means she gets to see some breathtaking views too.

“Munjina Gorge in the Karijini National Park has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world – I’m blessed to be able to see it every day. The Pilbara holds a really special place in my heart.”

Wright regularly heads out to the Solomon, Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak mines. “The Soloman run is pretty hard,” she said. “It’s a 15-hour run and we do at

I PREFER THE QUAD WORK. IT’S A LONG AND HARD DRIVE WITH SOME OF THE HARDEST WORKING GEAR, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU’RE GOING UP-HILL AT THE CHICHESTER RANGE IN THE PILBARA WITH 130,000 LITRES OF FUEL BEHIND YOU – IT’S FULL-ON.” AMBER WRIGHT

least a tyre or two each day.”

The role with Toll is eight days on, six days off, which suits Wright to a tee.

“I’ve got a Certificate IIII in driver training and assessing. I do MC training and HC assessments at Westaus Driver Training in Malaga on my days off from driving.

“I took a year and a half off FIFO to complete my certificate, so I’ve been training and assessing on and off for about five years. When you’re not at work, you should be at work, I say!

“The eight and six roster is a lot more family friendly, so it’s a really sustainable roster. I used to do 12 weeks on and two weeks off, which was pretty hard. This is a really good gig at Toll and I’m really happy. I have time on my weeks off to run my business, hang out with my friends and do volunteering.

And if I decide one day to have a family, I’ve also got the training and assessment to fall back on. I’ve only got one more assessment with the Department of Transport before I can become an MC Assessor,” she added.

“I’m very lucky, the crew I’m with is the best. We all look after each other. It’s us versus the heat, versus the storm, versus anything that

DRIVER PROFILES 35

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

Truckin’ In The Outback

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY WHERE TRANSPORT DOES BUSINESS

Toby Shingles GROWING up in a trucking family, third generation truckie Toby Shingles dreamt of one day driving the big rigs.

And in July last year, the now 25-year-old turned that into a reality when he upgraded to his MC licence and began working for Perth-based outfit Morawa Transport, delivering to mines and farms throughout WA. So far, the furthest Shingles has travelled is to Port Hedland, some 1600 kilometres away.

“I’ve been around the big trucks my whole life but only started driving them last year.

My pop, dad and uncles all drove trucks, and now my older brother is driving them too. The first time I got behind the wheel of a truck was when I was 13. It was with my dad. He passed away in 2010,” Shingles explained.

He initially got his truck licence at 23 and before that had worked as a driller’s offsider and a furniture removalist.

Nowadays, you’ll find him steering a 2002 Kenworth T904, pulling B-doubles and triple road trains.

Third generation truckie Toby Shingles works for Perth-based Morawa Transport.

“I love the freedom of the open road. Being able to have my partner with me from time to time is also good. I can’t have her with me all the time, but on the cruisy runs, I can,” he said.

“So far there’s just one road

that has really tested my patience – the Great Central Road. I just got back from my second trip up there. On the first trip there I lost a headlight. There’s just a lot of corrugation and some deep creek crossings.”

As well as being a truckie, Amber Wright is also a driver trainer and assessor.

can go wrong. We try and set each other up for success and make sure no one fails – that’s what being a truckie is all about.

“It’s been a really good career for me. The people who’ve employed me have let me go with people who are kind and patient. I try and pass that on.”

And Wright says it’s the people that she loves most

about the industry.

“I love meeting new people and just getting on with it the best way I possibly can.

If someone wants to look up to me, I’ll give them any help or advice they need, because you don’t know what you don’t know. If I can facilitate someone being a little happier for five minutes of their life, I’ll do it.

“The Women in Truck-

ing Australia (WiTA) page and the girls who run it have been really great for me too.

It’s such a great initiative.

It’s been a great platform to reach out and initiate the conversation about how important women are to the industry, whether they’re drivers, schedulers, mechanics, etc. I’ve made a heap of friends and I feel like I’m not on my own anymore.”

From behind the wheel of a 2002 Kenworth T904, he delivers to mines and farms across WA.

36 SPONSORED CONTENT

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Flow-Easy speeds it up for Mandalay Resources

MANDALAY Resources is a Canadian-based natural resource company with mines in Australia (Costerfield) and Sweden (Björkdal).

The Costerfield operation is located within the Costerfield mining district, approximately 10 kilometres northeast of the town of Heathcote, Victoria. It’s involved with extracting gold and antimony – and is the only mine in Australia to do so.

Antimony is a semi-metal that is used in the electronics industry and alloyed with lead or other metals to improve their hardness and strength. Current annual production is approximately 50,000 gold ounces and 4000 antimony tonnes.

The mining method employed is long-hole stoping with cemented rock fill. The stopes are subsequently backfilled with cemented rock fill

Prior to fitting the vibrator, Mandalay Resources was finding that up to 700kg of product was getting stuck and left in the spreader body.

to supply stability, reduce dilution, and allow for mining above and below developed levels.

The cemented rock fill is produced by mixing the cement powder with water which creates a paste to which waste rock from the mine is added – a great example of a waste product being recycled and repurposed for another use. The whole process takes place underground in the mine.

An issue with tipping the cement prior to mixing was the catalyst for site foreman Tony Gready to look at and ultimately purchase a Flow-Easy vibrator from Melbourne-based vibration equipment specialist Enmin.

“Concrete powder when placed in the spreader body tends to flow in – it levels in much the same way as water.

Because of the angled side of the fertiliser spreader body we found that a lot of the powder would get stuck up on the sides when we were extracting,” Gready said.

“The only solution was to bang on the side or use shovels – an absolute pain of

a process and time consuming. Each load is around 5 tonnes and we were finding that around 700kg was left in the tub. This residue would then be transported back up which was obviously very wasteful and unproductive,” he added.

The manufacturer of the spreader body suggested that a solution could be the installation of a vibrator and recommended contacting Enmin.

The Flow-Easy vibrator range includes 12- and 24volt electric models along with hydraulic and pneumatically powered options that are ideal for transport applications that require vibration to be applied for an extended amount of time. If required, they can be run continuously, rather than the more generally utilised intermittent operation of the electric models.

After discussion with Enmin sales manager Paul Leahy, a suitable electric vibrator was selected. Armed with operating and installation instructions from Leahy, the vibrator was fitted on the side of the spreader body by

Site foreman Tony Gready says the Flow-Easy vibrator has been “worth its weight in gold”.

Gready’s boiler maker.

The result was something of a Eureka moment.

“The electric vibrator quickly cleared all the powder out of the tub in just a matter of seconds. We don’t need the vibrator working for an extended period of time so we had a button fitted which allows for intermittent short

bursts. That’s all that is needed to get the tub completely emptied. Our tipping problems were solved immediately,” Gready said.

“The vibrator has minimised wastage, reduced operator workload and ultimately improved our productivity.

It’s worth its weight in gold,” Gready summed up.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH COMPACTED MATERIAL, WE HAVE THE SOLUTION. A Flow-Easy vibrator speeds up the unloading of bulk materials, providing an efficient, safe and controlled load discharge. Less time unloading, more time making money.

T: +61 3 9800 6777

| W: floweasy.com.au

A FLOW-EASY VIBRATOR:

Eliminates carry back It’s the simple cost effective alternative to body liners Lowers fuel and maintenance costs Reduces wear and tear on the truck and trailer Allows for lower discharge elevation height, minimising the risk of roll over Improves driver and truck safety Hydraulic and pneumatic options available

SPONSORED CONTENT 37

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

New EWD saves drivers and fleets time and money

IF you’re looking for an easy-touse, feature-packed electronic work diary (EWD) with definitive returns from the first day you log on, then look no further than Hubfleet, says its founder James Doherty.

Doherty is confident it’ll be the best $19 per month – the entry-level subscription offering for individual users – that you’ll invest in your trucking operation all year.

With the recent device agnostic tick of approval from the NHVR – meaning it’s not tied to a particular type of hardware – you can also be up and running today with Hubfleet on almost any smartphone or tablet.

The only caveat is that if you’re using an Apple device that its operating system is 12 and above (2017 models and newer) and Androids must be running 6 and above (2016 models and newer).

“The only other restriction we’ve imposed is that your device has to be 4.5 inches or bigger, so basically it’d have to be a postage-stamped size phone not to be able to use it,” said Doherty, a Perth-based civil engineer by profession.

To put that in context, the new IPhone mini is 5.4 inches,

so easily big enough.

Hubfleet is also completely self-service.

Anyone can register and set up a record keeper account, choose the packages they require and select the number of drivers they want to participate and start a free trial straightaway.

From there, it’s simply a matter of inviting the drivers to connect using their mobile phone numbers. Owner-drivers invite themselves.

Each driver is sent a text message with a link to the app and a link to the help centre that includes instructional videos.

“We’ve had several companies get started this way and when we’ve reached out to offer support, they haven’t needed it,” said Doherty. “That to me is a sign we are doing something right.”

Doherty says owner-drivers and fleet truckies keen to ditch the paper diary for the many EWD benefits have quickly become Hubfleet’s best advocates.

“We try and make it as easy as possible to get a pdf of their work records into the fleet manager so at end of every shift, the system sends the driver an email

Hubfleet’s user-friendly dashboard and forecasting tools have been an instant hit with truckies.

that summarises their work hours and includes a link to a pdf of their full work history over last 28 days.

“They can than then just forward this email on to their manager and that replaces the paper diary for the manager. It’s much easier than dealing with paper copies!”

Other advantages of using Hubfleet include the fact it’s the only EWD that works seamlessly across all jurisdictions, and

it also has unique forecasting tools.

“When a driver starts his [or her] shift we simulate them working to the limit of their rules set.

For example in Standard Solo that would be 5.5-hour rule, 8-hour rule, 11hour rule, and so on, the rules you engage in over the day, and we make sure that you’re not going breach any of the longer rules.

“So if our forecast gives you

the all clear you know at the start of the day that if you work to the limit of your short breaks, you’re not going to breach” At the time of writing, Hubfleet was also about to include a more general forecasting feature to accommodate future events, enabling truckies to park up at night check their planned route for the next day won’t result in a breach.

Doherty says early feedback from drivers has already been

very positive with some saying they’re getting half an hour a day extra, or another 50km each day as a result of making the switch to the EWD. “One of the reasons being is that the EWD works to the nearest minute rather than in 15-minute blocks.

“So, if you’re pulling up for three rests a day and rounding up, it pretty quickly adds up to half an hour [of extra time].”

Hubfleet convert Cody Cooper regularly delivers freight on 15,000km runs between Brisbane and Kalgoorlie.

Like many other truckies he was initially opposed to using an EWD, but after trying Hubfleet during a company trial, he’s done a complete 180.

“Now I firmly believe that to go back to a paper-based work diary would be a massive step in the wrong direction,” said Cooper.

“Time is counted in minute intervals, allowing for much more productivity, and the app does all the fatigue calculations for the operator.

“This means there’s no need to stress or second guess yourself about your fatigue breaks, as all potential violations are flagged before the start of a shift.”

EWD

Ditch the Paper Logbook HEAVY VEHICLE NATIONAL LAW COMPLIANCE MADE EASY www.hubfleet.com.au

38 SPONSORED CONTENT WORKSHOP FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Aussie made coolant from Fleetguard

WITH the ongoing supply chain challenges, which have only been exacerbated by the aftermath of the recent invasion of Ukraine, and Covid outbreaks in key manufacturing and transport hubs worldwide – worker shortages persist, containers remain difficult to obtain and ports remain backlogged. This has bled into all industries, pushing prices of raw and final materials to record-highs, and leading companies to both halt production and forego certain product features.

Fleetguard has been manufacturing locally for over three decades. Not only do its Australian made coolant and air filters remain relatively unaffected by the supply chain troubles, but product quality also remains uncompromised.

The company has been manufacturing its coolants in our own Aussie backyard since 1990, a move that among other things, allowed the company to support the local economy and reduce import costs.

It’s all well and good to

WHILE SOME COOLANTS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH OTHERS, CHANGING THE CHEMICAL BALANCE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO ITS PERFORMANCE, SO MIXING DIFFERENT TYPES OF COOLANT IS NOT RECOMMENDED.” MIKE HUDSON

use a local coolant, but do you know what you should look for when choosing a coolant?

First and foremost, choose a good quality coolant from a reputable brand and check that it has been tested to, and meets, a heavy-duty coolant standard. One such internationally recognised standard is the ASTM D6210, and coolants that meet OEM standards are even better.

In terms of the coolant’s properties, it should have good heat transfer abilities and a higher boiling point

Fleetguard has been manufacturing locally for over three decades.

PG Platinum coolant is designed to create a long-term, robust solution that is recommended for all diesel, petrol, LPG and natural gas engines.

and lower freezing point than water. It should also prevent corrosion and erosion, resist foaming, be compatible with cooling system component materials, be compatible with hard water, resist sedimentation, and be chemically stable. Other considerations include the life of the coolant and its maintenance requirements.

The PG Platinum coolant epitomises the approach Fleetguard adopts in developing products, one that places the customer first. It provides distinctive features compared to others in the market, designed to create a long-term, robust solution that is recommended for all diesel, petrol, LPG and natural gas engines.

From heavy-duty to passenger car engines, the

ARE YOU CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH COOLANT TO USE? PG PLATINUM COOLANT IS DESIGNED FOR ANY APPLICATION ACROSS YOUR FLEET

www.fleetguard.com.au

product has been rigorously tested to ensure that it meets the Fleetguard benchmark and exceeds customer and industry expectations. The PG Platinum coolant also meets internationally recognised standards, such as the ATSM standards.

Speaking about the PG Platinum coolant, Fleetguard’s chemical technical specialist, Mike Hudson, explained that while every brand of coolant requires different levels of maintenance, some coolants, such as Fleetguard’s ES Compleat OAT coolant and PG Platinum are lifetime. Meaning they do not need to be changed over the life of the engine. Others such as those containing nitrite used for cavitation protection, require additive top-ups, as

the additives within them deplete over time. Fleetguard’s PGPlus is an example of this.

“While some coolants are compatible with others, changing the chemical balance in the cooling system can be detrimental to its performance, so mixing different types of coolant is not recommended,” Hudson explained.

All coolants, no matter the type, colour or brand should be tested at least twice a year to ensure they are maintaining the correct chemical composition and concentration.

For more information on Fleetguard coolants, check out the Fleetguard Coolant and Chemicals Catalogue at fleetguard.com.au and click on ‘Literature’.

SPONSORED CONTENT WORKSHOP FEATURE 39

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

A one-stop Archerfield shop for your truck repairs

SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance is a local business, employing local people.

With a well equipped workshop located Archerfield, Queensland, SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance services all makes of trucks, trailers, machines and vehicles.

While customers are free to drop into the workshop, SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance’s fully qualified heavy vehicle mechanics can also come to you – to help to ensure less downtime for your vehicles.

Because at SEQ, they know that time off the road costs you money.

SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance services the south-east Queensland and the Toowoomba-Darling Downs regions.

The services on offer include everything from general repairs and maintenance, preventative and routine maintenance, fleet maintenance, to breakdowns, gearbox and clutch repairs/replacement and engine rebuilds.

As well as a fully equipped workshop, SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance also offers mobile services too.

Bringing over 15 years of experience in the heavy vehicle repairs industry to the business, Jake Gallagher

started SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance in January 2020.

He made the decision to

go out on his own after the business he was working for decided to close its workshop. It was the perfect op-

The SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance workshop is located in Archerfield, Queensland, and services all makes of trucks, trailers, machines and vehicles.

SEQ HEAVY VEHICLE Repairs & Maintenance

portunity to launch his new business, so he started his new venture as a mobile mechanic.

But as business grew, he saw the need to establish his own workshop too and with that the site in Archerfield was opened.

Gallagher has a Certificate III in Heavy Vehicle Road Transport and has worked on all makes and models of trucks throughout his career – so nothing is ever a problem.

He continues to go above and beyond for all of his customers.

He says the business places a firm focus on employing highly qualified staff, and offering its customers affordable rates and exceptional service.

“We like to be able to offer a range of services to our customers and we try to be a one-stop shop when we can, working with many other local businesses and collaborating our services. Some of

WE LIKE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER A RANGE OF SERVICES TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND WE TRY TO BE A ONE-STOP SHOP WHEN WE CAN, WORKING WITH MANY OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COLLABORATING OUR SERVICES.” JAKE GALLAGHER

these include suspension and mechanic engineer services, auto electrical services, tyre fitting, wheel balancing and alignment,” explained Gallagher.

For more details on how SEQ can improve your business and cater to your heavy vehicle repairs and maintenance needs, please contact Jake Gallagher on 0400 199 699 or visit the website at seqheavyvehicle.com.au.

0400 199 699

seqheavyvehicle@gmail.com • General Heavy Vehicle Servicing and Repair • Preventative and Routine Maintenance • Engine Rebuilds • Breakdowns

www.seqheavyvehicle.com.au SEQ Heavy Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance Pty Ltd | 192 Beatty Road, Archerfield Qld 4108

40 SPONSORED CONTENT WORKSHOP FEATURE

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Getting your vehicle and business back on the road

DARREN Wales likes to say AMA Group’s Heavy Motor unit does one thing, and does it well: They get your vehicle, and your business, back on the road again.

But to do that one thing,

the group offers a comprehensive range of services.

They repair everything from trucks and trailers to buses and earthmoving equipment.

They sand-blast, steam-

clean and spray paint vehicle bodies.

They can perform mechanical and electrical repairs, re-align chassis and suspension, and repair both metal and fibreglass panels.

AMA Group repairs everything from trucks and trailers to buses and earthmoving equipment.

Up-to-date equipment and training also mean the group can recalibrate ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), camera and radar systems. “ADAS is a huge leap in terms of truck technology,” said Wales.

“The equipment and training needed to repair and re-calibrate these vehicles after an accident require enormous amounts of investment.”

AMA Group’s scale and dedication put them at the forefront of such investment, in both people and facilities, so they can continue to return vehicles to original manufacturer’s specifications.

Wales and the AMA Group maintain close relationships with truck and bus OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), staying current with the latest repair processes and techniques, and purchasing parts on a national basis as one group.

In addition to the truck

Darren Wales, executive general manager – heavy motor, AMA Group.

and bus repair sites that Wales’s family founded in Sydney, the group now has seven other Heavy Motor facilities across Australia – from Parins in Perth to Recar in Townsville and Brisbane.

“Our national clients have relished the opportunity to finally have a dedicated, truly national repair network of the highest calibre,” said Wales.

“Every one of our branches across the country brings something unique to the table.”

Insurance companies also benefit from dealing with an ASX-listed public company, with the transparency, economies of scale and regulatory governance that it provides. AMA Group has binding agreements with all major insurers, speeding up the process of assessing, quoting and completing repairs.

Getting you back on the road at Western Truck Repairs in Melbourne.

OUR NATIONAL CLIENTS HAVE RELISHED THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY HAVE A DEDICATED, TRULY NATIONAL REPAIR NETWORK OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE.” DARREN WALES

Whichever part of the network is closest to you, you can expect superior craftsmanship and an average repair time that is second to none, minimising your downtime and getting you back on the road faster than ever.

Read more about AMA Group’s world-class heavy motor repair network at amaheavyvehicle.com.au or give them a call on 1300 223 072.

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42 SPONSORED CONTENT WORKSHOP FEATURE

Upgrade the workshop pit for efficiency and safety

Each elevating platform is custom designed to the individual workshop’s requirements.

THERE’S a dilemma numerous workshops around Australia are currently facing: the pit. That hazardous hole in the floor has been the bane of many mechanics at some point – climbing in and out frequently to grab parts or tools; stretching or crouching to reach the undercarriage of the vehicle. Is the pit worth keeping, or do you invest in one of the many hoists on the market now? Yes, hoist safety and Maximum Rated Capacity (MRC) has improved over the years and it has earned its merits in a number of unique workshop situations but it does comes with a new set of safety criteria and hazards.

Evolving Workshop Technologies (EWT) has spent years and capital researching and developing a solution to convert the pit into a safer, highly valued and efficient piece of workshop equipment.

Fitting an elevating work platform (EWP) to a workshop pit moves the mechanic, tool trolley and equipment to any

height. A hand-held radio remote controls the hydraulic lifting platform while working and once finished, the platform is raised to floor level to roll off tools and equipment and then acts as a safety cover, increasing workshop floor space.

The hydraulic lifting system has a counter balance valve on the ram, preventing the platform from falling in the unlikely event of a hydraulic hose failure. Should the platform load exceed the MRC, the hydraulic system bypasses, allowing a controlled decline of the platform. Support cables have a break-test rated capacity to five times that of the platform MRC. Accidental activation of the platform is eliminated by utilising dual control circuitry.

Rope tension switches activate in the event of any restriction sensed on the downward movement in instances where items are inadvertently left under the platform.

Each elevating platform is custom designed to the individual workshop’s requirements.

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

40 years of trusted service

Eadie’s Mechanical’s site has two dedicated pits, including a wheel alignment bay, and a large yard to allow turning.

Platform standard thickness ranges from 125 – 230mm and can be built with a grated cover for wet pit operations or from steel plate. The load capacity of the standard platform is 900kg but this can be customised to a higher MRC if required. Accessories such as mobile steps, gearbox jack on trolleys and removable drive-over bridges are just a few of the possibilities to further enhance functionality of the platform.

EWT has also kept the system simple. Workshop staff can easily follow the quick maintenance schedule with no annual certified inspection required. Parts, if required, are non-specific so should be available locally.

Since 2007 the pit elevating platform offers the fastest access to a vehicle undercarriage and has earned its merits in many workshops across the nation with clients appreciating the improvement in comfort and proficiency for staff and as a cost-effective, long-term asset for the workshop owner.

EADIE’S Mechanical is a family owned and operated workshop that has been serving Ipswich and its surrounds since 1971.

In 1999 they relocated to their current premises, approximately 500m outside RAAF Amberley. The custom-built site includes two dedicated pits, including a wheel alignment bay, as well as a large yard to allow turning. Their location, affordability and friendly service make them an easy choice for your maintenance and repair needs.

Eadie’s Mechanical technicians are all dual qualified (in various trades) and the workshop is equipped for wheel alignments, servicing and repairs.

With two dedicated pits for heavy vehicles and a wash bay, they can handle all types of vehicles, big or small. From a prime mover and trailers, down to little hatchbacks and anything in between, stamping your maintenance books to maintain your vehicle’s warranty. They specialise in air conditioning and wheel alignments and are also an approved inspection station for registration inspections.

In the 1990s, Steve Eadie trained with Bruce J Reilly and Truck Align, a leader in wheel ...improving workshop PIT efficiency Fitting an Elevating Work Platform (EWP) to an alignment technology at the ...improving workshop PIT efficiency Fitting an new Elevating Work Platform (EWP) toto an existing or workshop pit has proven time. He has been honing his Fitting an Elevating Work Platform (EWP) to anto existing or new workshop pitPIT has proven ...improving workshop efficiency skills and teaching his team increase productivity by 20-30%. existing or new workshop pit has proven to increase productivity

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Eadie’s Mechanical has all the gear to perform alignments on rigids, buses, prime movers and can even align your trailers.

If the camber or castor adjustments are too far out to correct, Eadie’s Mechanical can remove the axle for all Type Axle Correction to perform the correction. They work hand in hand and generally achieve a same day turnaround.

Eadie’s Mechanical prides itself on offering practical, cost-effective solutions to cater to customer needs. They use quality parts from reputable suppliers and understand that genuine parts are not always a feasible option. Eadie’s Mechanical uses quality Australian

made Penrite Oils and has a long-standing relationship with the manufacturer. If you prefer a different brand of oil, most brands are available, or you can supply your own too.

Recently Eadie’s Mechanical celebrated its 40th year in business, having started with Doug Eadie before being passed on to his son Steve.

The business has grown from strength to strength and built a reputation on practical knowledge, quality workmanship and cost effectiveness.

Eadie’s Mechanical and All Type Axle Corrections are located just off the Cunningham Hwy, approximately 25 minutes from Rocklea.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

How you can benefit from temporary full expensing

IF you’re busy and thinking of upgrading your equipment, be sure to check out the federal government’s temporary full expensing (TFE) incentive.

Packaging TFE with Capricorn Finance may enable eligible Capricorn Members to get the equipment they need without burdening their cash flow.

Wondering what the TFE incentive is? Read on to find out.

The temporary full expensing incentive The TFE incentive aims to support business and encourage investment by allowing businesses that qualify to immediately claim a full write-off for eligible assets.

This deduction could help workshops grow by allowing them to claim, on their next tax return, the business portion of the cost of purchasing or upgrading equipment.

Tight cash flow often prevents workshops from investing in equipment and assets which could significantly improve their busi-

ness efficiency.

Purchasing and installing equipment just before the end of the financial year may reduce the time members are out of pocket, providing an opportunity to invest in capital equipment with minimal impact to cash flow.

What can workshops claim?

Workshops that qualify for TFE can claim any eligible asset that is first used, held or installed ready for use for a taxable purpose between October 6, 2020 and June 30, 2022.

This may allow workshops to get new spray booths, wheel balancers, hoists, scan tools, solar panels and other workshop equipment they need to have their business running at its full potential.

The incentive also allows eligible businesses to deduct the business portion of the cost of improvements made to an asset from October 6, 2020 to June 30, 2022. This may provide workshops with the opportunity for upgrades which will enable

them to achieve their maximum potential.

Which workshops are eligible?

TFE may be available to businesses with an aggregate turnover of less than $5 billion.

However, businesses with a larger turnover may be eligible if they meet the alternative income test.

Head to the TFE page on the Australian Taxation Office website to find more details.

or purchasing new equipment can significantly increase a workshop’s capacity and capabilities.

Capricorn Finance makes it easier for members to purchase the equipment required to grow their businesses.

We’ve pre-approved some members for loans of up to

$30,000 to fast-track the application process, making it quicker and easier for Capricorn Members to get equipment installed before June 30, 2022.

Contact Capricorn Finance at lending@capricorn. coop to discover how Capricorn Members can finance

the equipment they need to build a stronger business.

• This article does not, nor is it intended to, constitute legal, financial or other independent professional advice. Please refer to the ATO website and consult your professional adviser before relying on any information contained herein.

Capricorn top tip: As the deduction is only applicable to items used, held or installed ready for use before June 30, 2022, Capricorn Members who qualify for TFE and wish to claim a tax deduction should order any equipment early. This will help to avoid potential delivery delays or wait times that may impact their ability to claim the expense on their FY21/22 tax return.

What can Capricorn Members do next?

Capricorn knows that upgrading existing equipment

Tight cash flow often prevents workshops from investing in equipment and assets which could significantly improve their business efficiency.

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Diagnostics: Getting it right Retruck Australia is now from the start under new ownership

WHEN there’s a steering issue with your truck, the correct diagnostics can save you thousands and ensure you’re back on the road as quickly as possible.

Hydrosteer knows steering and it knows it very well. “We specialise in steering; we don’t do brakes or suspension, we stick to what we do best. The benefit of coming to a steering specialist is that we can use the knowledge and expertise that we’ve acquired over the past 40 years to save you time and money,” said Hydrosteer sales manager Timothy Day. He says that any time a driver complains of a steering issue occurring out on the highway, the first job of a service technician is simple. Talk and listen.

One of the problems in diagnosing steering complaints, particularly road performance complaints such as wander and darting, is the various terminology used by technicians and drivers. It’s vital for technicians to talk to drivers to determine exactly what is happening and under what conditions – including road conditions.

“With diagnostics, a lot of it comes down to interpretation. If you don’t get that interpretation right from the beginning, based on what the driver is telling you, you can be chasing a red herring and wasting a lot of time in diagnostics,” explained Day. Usually, a truck will be road tested by service personnel without the trailer and only at city speeds, whereas the fault may only be evident with a load at highway speeds, on country roads.

People have different ways of expressing themselves, par-

“When you don’t have the diagnostics right, it can end up being a long process of elimination.”

ticularly when it comes to technical issues. For example, a driver might say the truck is oversteering, yet ‘oversteer’ and ‘understeer’ are terms used in the car industry to describe something entirely different.

Oversteer is where the rear of the vehicle begins to slide out on a turn, and understeer is where the front or steer tyres slide, requiring more steering lock than should be required.

There are various steering faults that drivers can be experiencing on the road, such as darting, wander, nervous steering, steering wheel kick, shimmy, vague steering, heavy steering, and steering lock up.

“When you don’t have the diagnostics right, it can end up being a long process of elimination. Customers can spend thousands of dollars unnecessarily – without fixing the problem – when they could have come to us in the beginning,” added Day. “With an average service of

13 years per employee, when it comes to steering, we know what we’re talking about. We walk the talk.”

Hydrosteer has been specialising in heavy truck steering technology for the past 40 years and is currently the only ISO accredited steering business in the industry.

With major service centres located in Maddington (WA), Bayswater and Laverton (Victoria) and Smithfield (NSW), along with a third-party distribution centre in Brisbane, Hydrosteer provides national coverage.

It offers a full driveway service (WA and Vic only), covering diagnostics, same day removal and replacement of all steering components, local manufacture and more.

Its products and services are also covered by a “No Argument”, unlimited kilometre, 12-month warranty. “Because we stand by what we do,” Day said.

Hydrosteer offers a full driveway service in WA and Victoria.

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A study conducted by Retruck found that its fibreglass aerodynamic kits can help operators save up to 15 per cent on annual fuel costs.

RETRUCK Australia is a trusted and respected name in Australia and it has recently had a change of ownership.

Originating in Brisbane over 30 years ago, Retruck was purchased by The Fibreglass Factory, which is located in Gippsland, Victoria. It’s a trusted family owned and operated business, with Ben and Bek Muir at the helm.

The business started in 2007, when Ben decided to turn his hobby for Bedford Vans into his own business.

Over the years, they have expanded their range and grown their team. Their aim is to produce fibreglass products that are truly inspirational in both their looks and their purpose.

Retruck manufactures an impressive range of products and provides its services to the trucking and heavy vehicle industry – all designed to help improve the style and performance of your truck. Its offering includes everything from vehicle modifications and aerodynamic kits, to sleeper boxes, wings, wheel arch flares and more. Retruck continues to provide quality products and services all around the globe.

One of the largest expenses to owning a truck is fuel, particularly as fuel prices hit record highs. Retruck’s aerodynamic kits are specifically designed to improve fuel efficiency, Back in 2016, Retruck per-

formed a comprehensive study on fuel consumption with and without its fibreglass aero kits.

With the reduced drag and better performance, the study concluded that you could save up to 15 per cent on your fuel bill per annum.

At Retruck, we understand that truckies are in an ever-changing economic climate, where they may not always be able to upgrade to a new truck and therefore may need to modify an older one. Here at Retruck we are able to supply fibreglass products that are fully customisable to ensure they best suit your needs.

What makes Retruck unique is that the team can customise any of its products to suit your vehicle, with a

non-conductive fibreglass material that has a high strength to weight ratio.

We also pride ourselves on our quick turnaround times to help ensure we get you back on the road quickly – and running as efficiently as possible.

There is no job that is too big or too small for the team at Retruck. The experienced Retruck team can manufacture, supply and install a broad range of aero kits. Retruck can also supply a range of sleeper cabs too.

At Retruck, we’re only limited by your imagination. We understand that every customer has different needs, so if you can’t find what it is that you’re looking for, please contact us for a no-obligation quote.

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AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH contributors@bigrigs.com.au

46 COLUMN

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Federal government sits on hands as industry suffers EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NEWS

TWU NEWS RICHARDOLSEN OLSEN RICHARD TWU NSW State Secretary TWU NSW/QLD State Secretary

THE time for the government to step in to provide financial relief for contract carriers in the transport industry is now.

It seems however that the current federal government is once again content to sit on its hands, refusing to act, when it comes to the needs of our industry.

You are taking the hit on your financial bottom line while fuel prices have spiked up to an eight-year high, that’s according to a recent petrol monitoring report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

As an industry representative, we are hearing firsthand the financial burden owner drivers are facing.

Owner-drivers are calling us, we are responding. This is why the TWU is in the

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS contributors@bigrigs.com.au

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

Principal Lawyer RK Law

Australian truck drivers are paying 44.2 cents a litre in federal government fuel excise, plus an additional 10 per cent in GST.

court, seeking relief. In light of past performance, we currently do not trust that the varying levels of government will adequately respond to the needs of the transport industry.

The Transport Workers’ Union filed a claim in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for an increase to rates paid to critical own-

er-drivers, carrying freight under the General Carriers Contract Determination.

The rates that contract carriers are being paid were set when diesel costs were around $1.23 a litre. Now they are averaging $2.18 a litre (and more) at the pump.

It is you as transport workers who are copping the costs of getting the job done.

We know that contracts are not changing to meet higher fuel costs.

Drivers are telling the union that the situation is appalling. The federal government must surely be aware that fuel is the big cost drivers are covering. Drivers are asking us, “Where is it going to stop?”

We know that what might

lose out is truck maintenance, finance payments, or the mortgage. The real impact is on working families.

According to a TWU survey conducted in 2021, three in four owner-drivers had worked for no profit and nearly two thirds were constantly worried they would need to sell their truck to get by. More than half said they

had been forced to delay maintenance to their trucks because they could not afford it.

This was before fuel prices spiked.

We would also make a suggestion to the NSW Roads Minister, Natalie Ward. Speak to Transurban Linkt who operate Toll Roads and seek financial relief for the transport workers forced to use toll roads to get the job done.

Australian truck drivers are paying 44.2 cents a litre in federal government fuel excise, plus an additional 10 per cent in GST. Removing the excise could be the first step in helping transport operators stay in the black. While other countries are now intervening to ease the fuel cost spike, the Morrison Government has remained a spectator, still focused on squeezing every dollar out of you they can.

The TWU has written to the Prime Minister asking for financial relief for the transport industry. Not to anyone’s surprise, we have not heard back from him.

COLUMN 47

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

$3m to train older workers for transport jobs in state VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

ATTRACTING and training new people to the transport industry continues to be a major focus for the VTA, with labour shortages crippling operators and adding to an already stressed supply chain.

Indeed, the labour crisis in transport was one of the most talked about issues at our recent state conference, with speakers and delegates putting their heads together to devise solutions for this escalating problem.

One of the strategies the VTA has been pushing for some time is to look to cohorts that traditionally are not aligned with freight and logistics, albeit for no good reason. Women – and in particular women over 45 – were identified as a particular cohort to target, with many women

looking for second careers or returning to the workforce after raising children.

So, we were thrilled to be able to kick off the conference on a very positive note, with the Victorian Minister for Freight and Ports, Melissa Horne, joining us at Phillip Island to announce $3 million in funding for the VTA to train and place new workers to jobs in transport.

The Freight Industry Training for Jobseekers Project will create 125 jobs in the transport and logistics industry, providing a sustainable training and employment pathway into heavy vehicle driving, forklift driving and warehousing roles.

Through the program, priority groups such as women, women over 45, and older participants, will undertake training and will be provided with minimum 12-month employment on commencement into the project.

The project will increase the reach of the industry in securing suitable employees to meet existing workforce shortfalls and ensure it is well positioned for the growing freight task.

This funding and these new

transport jobs will go a long way towards addressing labour shortages operators face, and of course is consistent with our efforts to increase participation rates among women in the transport industry.

Building on the success of the VTA Driver Delivery program, which has trained and placed over 200 new drivers into well-paying long-term jobs in transport, the program will make a meaningful contribution to growing our workforce and reducing pressure on operators that are desperate for help.

We acknowledge and thank the Victorian government for continuing to listen and respond to the needs of the freight industry across a myriad of issues that transport operators are confronting.

The state conference was a terrific opportunity to discuss many of these issues, with a particular focus on how higher fuel costs and rising interest rates – coupled with labour shortages – are impacting operators.

The message from speakers from a variety of backgrounds was clear and is one that the

VTA has been expressing for many months, which is that operators cannot ignore rising costs within their businesses.

The Federal Minister for Assistant Minister for Freight Transport Scott Buchholz was especially blunt, cautioning operators at the conference who didn’t act on these rising costs that they would likely be out of business within a year.

Inflationary pressures are expected to be felt throughout the whole economy over the months ahead, with the

Reserve Bank tasked with trying to keep a lid on inflation through the economic levers at its disposal.

Higher interest rates will inevitably be one of these levers, which will lead to cost hikes for everyone. The challenge for operators will be to build these increases into their cost models, so that customers and eventually consumers are also exposed to higher prices.

As I’ve said on these pages before, the VTA maintains many resources on fuel pricing

to assist members in understanding how price fluctuations might impact their business.

These items can help operators to create cost models that accurately forecast how their businesses will be impacted by price fluctuations, and what must change in their pricing to address it. They are a VTA ‘members only’ benefit, and I would urge you to contact our secretariat on 03 9646 8590 for information on how to access it.

The Freight Industry Training for Jobseekers Project will create 125 jobs in the transport and logistics industry in Victoria.

Z

O

O

48 COLUMN

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Driver licensing system needs an urgent review

INDUSTRY ADVOCATE BEN MAGUIRE Australian trucking Association CEO

TRUCKIN’ IN VICTORIA GRAHAM HARSANT contributors@bigrigs.com.au

WA CAMPAIGNER CAM DUMESNY

Western Roads Federation CEO

I SPY ON THE ROAD ISPY@BIGRIGS.COM.AU

WELCOME MESSAGE MARK BAILEY

INSURANCE GURU MARK BROWN

LEGAL CORNER SARAH MARINOVIC

TELEMATICS EXPERT SHANNON KYLE

Qld Minister for Transport and Main Roads

Armstrong Legal

Manager, TBI Insurance Services

Safety solutions specialist, Teletrac Navman

Belinda Hughes, NHVR chief prosecutor, was a riveting keynote speaker at our Dubbo breakfast.

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE AIR CTI founder/owner

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

I don’t think anyone in the industry will disagree that there is a lot of inadequacies in the industry, from the driver training to the driver licensing to the driver testing, especially when EDITOR doing the driver testing or the JAMES GRAHAM james.graham@bigrigs.com.au re-testing for older drivers.

Some of the testers are in the first few months of their career and have no knowledge of heavy vehicles. In some instances quoted it appeared that they were actually breaking the law when conducting the driving tests.

Where do we go from here?

WhereNEWS do we make a formal TWU complaint?

Who follows it up?

RICHARD OLSEN TWU NSWwouldn’t State Secretary Who want more safety on our roads? This is where we have to start - at the beginning not after drivers have an accident.

As always, we had complaints about logbook fines and everybody knows how I feel about them, with all the different rules for rest, counting and working and so forth; but for anybody who needs help with this, the NHVR has a Helpline which I have used on several occasions with great success.

There was concern within the audience that if you contacted the Helpline and told

them you had a problem and spoke about that problem with them, that this would lead to an investigation of your company.

I find that nothing could TASSIE TRUCKIN’ be further from JON WALLIS the truth, they contributors@bigrigs.com.au just wanted to help you get it right and then make sure that they fix it.

They are not looking to go back to what has been happening, they say you’ve identified the problem and now you’re going to fix it. If they were going to then come down on you, no one will contact the helpline.

LEGAL EAGLE I advise anybody who has ROWAN KING Principal Lawyer and RK Law needs help to an issue contact the NHVR. I have done so and received the help I needed from the amazing staff who monitor this Helpline.

It is there for your convenience, so take advantage of it. It is another way that the NHVR is there to engage with the industry and they do this really well. I think everybody in the audience was really interested in learning about EUs and what they mean.

I learned from the examples shown the different ways they could be enacted and this

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

WOMEN IN TRANSPORT TRANSPORT WOMEN IN JACQUELENE BROTHERTON JACQUELENE BROTHERTON Chair of Transport WomenWomen Australia Chair of Transport

AT THE WHEEL DAVID MEREDITH

Australia

AFTER spending two days in the last few weeks with members of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Prosecution team and learning more about Enforceable Undertakings (EUs), I was very impressed with the continuing work the NHVR doing to engage with THE OZ is TRUCKER the trucking industry.

MIKE WILLIAMS contributors@bigrigs.com.au During these seminars we had many questions from the floor and many anecdotes; a majority of these were about licensing which is not under the auspices of the NHVR, but Belinda and Dallas Henderson tried to give as much information as possible.

One aspect that came up repeatedly, is that the licensing laws need a review; that the people doing the licence testLOBBYIST ing need to be better trained; STEVE SHEARER SA Road Transport Association the training schools themselves Executive Director need to be better accredited, and the driver training itself needs to be overhauled.

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is a much better outcome for our industry than just prosecuting.

Under an EU, money is put into safety and education to benefit all of our industry, by making these undertakings, we are encouraging companies to think about better safety initiatives for all.

Of course, all of our Transport Women Australia Limited IWD events were not so serious, we just had some fun and some amazing speakers at Melbourne, Sydney and Wollongong dinners.

We would like to thank the speakers, for giving up their time to share their stories. We now look forward with great anticipation to our conference in June and the expansion of our initiatives and the launch of our new initiatives in the coming months.

We will be at the Careers Expo at Oran Park next month and the Hands On Trades Career Expo at Winton Raceway in May. For information about Transport Women Australia Limited, its initiatives or events, please contact chair@ transportwomen.com.au or call 0417422319.

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

Stop the HVNL review circus now The draft policy raises questions that governments and industry all need to consider. It starts from this basis: Australia needs laws that have, as their centre, the national economy and the safe, productive movement of freight.

Our draft Road Transport Act sets out positive changes.

It would be a Commonwealth Act, not a co operative national scheme, so the law would be the same for all the states and territories that agreed to participate.

The law would require all businesses operating trucks to have a safety management system (SMS).

This would mean that every business operating trucks would need to address driver fatigue in its SMS. The regulations would set out maximum work hours for non-certified businesses. Certified businesses could exceed that level with appropriate risk controls.

Businesses would be required to keep records of driver work hours. They would not need to use official work diaries. This would save operators millions of dollars every year.

ATA CHAIR DAVID SMITH Australian Trucking Association

THE National Transport Commission’s increasingly disappointing review of Australia’s Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) has been a circus.

Since 2018, there have been endless papers, meetings, submissions and consultancies: everything except trapeze artists and clowns And it has achieved nothing.

The ATA has decided to elevate the discussion by drafting an alternative policy for comment and negotiation. This proposed policy is called the Road Transport Act, which would replace the HVNL. As the peak trucking industry group, we are uniquely positioned to create a workable, intelligent policy that hits the right balance between idealism and pragmatism.

Minor fatigue and work diary offences would be eliminated, ending the onerous record keeping and work and rest hour requirements.

Long term fitness for duty would be handled through the licensing system. All heavy vehicle drivers would be required to have regular medicals against fit for purpose medical standards.

Under the policy, there would also be a smoother and more efficient process for changing the law, and administrative would go to a single tribunal not multiple state tribunals.

We are calling for a stronger linkage to Commonwealth road funding and genuine parliamentary scrutiny of delegated legislation.

Importantly, the board and executive of the renamed Australian Heavy Vehicle Regulator (AHVR) would be held to account through the Senate estimates and other parliamentary committee processes.

The new Road Transport Act would dramatically boost the industry’s productivity.

It would define vehicle access on the National Land Transport Network to include

COLUMN 49

Under the proposed Road Transport Act, minor fatigue and work diary offences would be eliminated.

combinations up to 53.5 metres.

The Road Transport Act would also replace the permit system.

Off the national network, access would be managed through an automated notice system based on the successful Tasmanian model.

Operators would be able to check their access 24/7. The system would match each vehicle’s configuration to the network assets on the vehicle’s

possible routes. Operators would generally be able to use an available route without needing a permit.

PBS vehicles would be handled the same way.

The number of access permits would be reduced by at least 95 per cent.

The Road Transport Act would make changes to heavy vehicle registration. Transitioning the HVNL to a Commonwealth law would enable heavy vehicle plates to

become truly national.

The inconsistencies in the current scheme would be eliminated and heavy vehicle registrations would be exempt from state stamp duty.

The ATA’s draft Road Transport Act has been described as a revolution. It’s certainly an unusual move but it’s one we feel is absolutely necessary if we’re to stop the HVNL review circus.

It’s time for the clowns to go home.

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FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Fuel price hikes hitting transport operators hard SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

Life changing rises Rising fuel costs have changed the lives of transport operators around the country – and the latest massive increases occurred so swiftly.

The big hike in diesel prices especially hit owner operators, many of whom had been struggling to run their business with modest earnings.

In the space of days this changed to often running at a loss when fuel prices rose sharply due to the Ukraine war and the following sanctions.

I was speaking to an emotional small operator at a roadhouse, whose fuel costs for a long interstate trip increased by $1000.

He has been locked into a rate with a client and a small profit for the regular journey turned into a loss.

This truckie was going to

talk to his client about a rate increase but was sensitive about it.

Because he realised the client would be facing similar financial pressures due to the fuel issue.

But like every road transport operator, he has to pay the bills which include many off shoots such as higher prices for food.

We spoke about how the price of diesel had dropped to around $1 a litre two years ago due to Covid when there was a general lower demand for fuel.

At the time of writing, it is now mostly more than $2 a litre.

This operator estimates his overall costs will increase by about 25 per cent.

However one thing is certain in these uncertain times. Despite the doom and gloom, trucks will still be the backbone of the country by keeping Australia supplied.

Meat pie inrease Soon after the big price hike, a driver stopped off at his favourite bakery to purchase several “dogs eyes with dead horse” for himself and colleagues who all work

The ferry barge after floods in NSW.

at the local depot.

To his shock he found the price of a meat pie had risen by $1 so he asked the lady behind the counter, why such a big increase?

“The cost of flour has gone through the roof and so has delivery,” she said.

That bakery is a popular

The price of fuel has almost doubled since this pic was snapped by Spy in early 2021.

small business with truckies who also like yarning to the friendly staff.

One truckie told me he will try and combat the rise by purchasing a dozen pies from a local wholesale establishment.

To patronise it, you just need an ABN.

High and dry A veteran truckie who lived in NSW returned there after recent floods and came across a ferry/barge he used to travel on to get to Ballina.

“I pictured the ferry yesterday – high and dry after last week’s floods. I think they will need a couple of big cranes to

lift it back in the water. We lived among the cane fields south of Ballina for 13 years before we moved to Skennars Head. We used this ferry to cross the Richmond River to get to Ballina,” he told Spy. The vessel was once used on the Daintree River, north of Cairns.

A Woolworths truck on the highway.

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SPY ON THE ROAD 51

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 Dirty laundry At the laundry room of a roadhouse there was almost a punch up between a couple of truckies and some backpackers.

Apparently the truckies who were far away from home had placed their dirty clothes and other items in the coin operated washing machines and retreated to the eatery for a feed.

However when they came back it was discovered that some backpackers who were traveling in one of those weird vans had removed their clothes and put their own in.

“We fill our trucks with fuel and purchase food and these people didn’t spend a cent on either. The laundry is supposed to be for truckies anyway. And they were loud mouths,” one driver told Spy. Now one of these truckies is a strong and powerful looking younger man and the backpackers took off taking their half washed dirty laundry with them.

Weekend driver shortage Information which has meandered its way to Spy seems to indicate there is a weekend driver shortage in some parts of Tasmania.

One company needs drivers to service a contract which requires deliveries on a Saturday and Sunday.

With this in mind, the situation below doesn’t make sense.

An informant told Spy that an employee of several months service with a company offered to work every weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, with no rotation, to help the company solve their inability to get people to work those days.

He asked the company to work every weekend, but on a five day week, not six.

But he was refused Spy has been told.

Cashless economy If you listen to some bank employees, we are heading for a cashless economy in the

The Burdekin Duck Roadhouse at Sellheim, on the Flinders Highway.

not too distant future.

Old Spy was at his local bank branch the other day and remarked to the teller that queues there seemed to be much shorter than in past years.

“Oh yes, and that will continue as we will end up being a cashless society,” he said.

Obviously the less people who do their transactions in person, the less tellers will be employed at bank branches.

You can already see signs of the future as pass books, which many of the middle aged and older people still have, aren’t issued anymore.

I heard an old-timer the other day being asked by a bank employee if he would like help to use the automatic teller in the branch instead of standing in the line.

“No way because I want to keep you people employed,” he said.

Duck in to this roadhouse The aptly named Burdekin Duck Roadhouse located at Sellheim beside the Flinders Highway is a nice place for truckies to pull up.

It is about 110km from coastal Townsville and 20km from Charters Towers and is a hop, step and a jump away from the mighty Burdekin River.

I passed there in late January and there were several trucks parked outside where there is plenty of space.

Spy gets scores of calls every year from truck drivers who say it is a popular place for them for a short stop.

The Burdekin Duck had a proud history as a roadhouse for decades before it closed for several years before reopening in 2012.

This writer can fondly recall more than 30 years ago when it was operated by Bert Adams who was a great character.

One day I was driving past and saw a distraught lady run out of the toilets at the side of the roadhouse towards the bowsers with her knickers down.

“I went to use the toilet and there was a snake on the floor,” she said.

It turned out to be a deadly poisonous Taipan and at least a half dozen truckies who were

Volvo, UD and Mack truck specialists across Queensland, the Northern Territory and regional New South Wales

there that day would recall the incident with humour.

A big tourist attraction there is the unusual “weather board” which locals tell you gives a correct predication about what can be expected daily.

But it really is just a gimmick.

A rock on a chain hangs from the top of the board and is supposed to move to one of the weather types listed.

Dunny with a difference The public toilets at Mount Larcom in the Gladstone region of Queensland are

amongst the most photographed around.

Probably because of the cow and bull art directing you to the mens’ and ladies’ dunny.

Several truckies told Spy about the toilets and I checked them out whilst passing through.

The public toilets at Mount Larcom in Gladstone, Queensland.

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40 PUZZLES PUZZLES 52 2

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GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 7

8

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3

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6 11

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8 14 15

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14 SUDOKU

15

16

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 17 18 199. box contains the digits 1 to 20

QUICK 1

2

13 ame a kind of pepper (7) 15 To be dry, is to be what (7) 19 What are hangmen’s nooses (5) 17 What is a state of ecstatic joy (7) 21 Which movable barrier is on a swinging frame (4) 20 To arrange, is to do what (8) 22 Name another term for a religious denomination (4) 23 Name a particular poll (6) 24 What is another term for an ingress (8) DOUBLECROSS CROSSWORD 25 What is an official enumeration of inhabitants, with 3 4 5 6 7 Find a finished crossword by deleting one of details as to age, gender, etc (6)

the two letters in each divided square.

8

21

9

22

Down

23 11

24 25

14

10

1 What is a function to raise money for charity, church, school, etc (4) 2 Name a12barrier in a racetrack to be leapt over by contestants (6) 13 3 What is a† radiance surrounding the head of a 16 saint (4) 17

15

18

1

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18 5x5 R E E D S

ALPHAGRAMS: LEASE, MYRIAD, NEARING, ORGANIST, PATRONESS.

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amir amrita aria arum atria atrium attar aura auric carat cart Across: 1 Shod,tart 4 Mica, cram curt marc maria mart raita rata rimu tarmac tiara 8 Moa, 9 Oral, 10 Ibis, 11 Spate, 12 Tent, 14 Sir, 15 Err, Roe, 19 Gag, 21 Epee, 23 Actor, 26 Nave, 27 Soon, 28 Yes, 29 Hole, 30 Stay. tract trait tram trauma TRAUMATIC17 trim

TODAY: Good 13 Very Good 18 Excellent 24 M A O S P T R A G P E N Y E S

I C A R A L A T E T E R R E E M A V E S D T A Y

HARD

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N I G E R

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S H O D M O P I B I S T E D E S R O E X A C T O S O O N H O L E

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Iffy 3. Forgiven 9. Partner 10. Inner 11. In the long run 14. Owl 16.

Cacti 17. Eon 18. Hierarchical 21. Brute 22. Maudlin 23. Election 24. Ants.

Down: 1. Imprison 2. First 4. Oar 5. Going without 6. Venture 7. Nark 8.

Undercurrent 12. Occur 13. Inclines 15. Leisure 19. Colon 20. Able 22. Moo.

R

24

DOUBLECROSS

21

5

Down: 1 Spider, 2 Omit, 3 Doses, 4 Mop, 5 Irate, 6 Cat, 7 Ale, 11 Strap, 13 Niger, 16 Remedy, 18 Extol, 20 Genes, 22 East, 23 Ash, 24 Coo, 25 One.

GK CROSSWORD Across; 1 Pottery, 4 Conga, 7 Warp, 8 Monrovia, 10 Steve Davis, 12 Edison, 13 Slaves, 15 Clark Gable, 18 Anteater, 19 Pall, 20 Yonks, 21 Tetanus.

Down: 1 Pawns, 2 Turmeric, 3 Yeoman, 4 Cardiology, 5 Nova, 6 Amadeus, 9 New Orleans, 11 Eva Braun, 12 Estuary, 14 Argent, 16 Ellis, 17 Eton.

C A

A T

E G R E T

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word.

No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb.

SUDOKU G E A R S

WORD GO ROUND

23

11

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Across Given shoes 1 4 Readily splitting mineral 8 Extinct bird 9 9 Spoken 10 Wading bird 11 Flood 12 Camping item 14 Knight’s title ALPHAGRAMS 15 Do wrong Solve the anagrams. Each solution a one-word 17 isFish eggs anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions 19 Joke are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution 21starts Duelling starts with J, the six-letter solution with sword K, and so 15 16 on.

23 Thespian 26 Part of a church EASEL 27 Shortly DIM RAY 20 28 Acceptance GRANNIE 29 Cavity 30 Remain ROASTING 22 TRANSPOSE Down Insert1the missing letters to Arachnid 5x5 make ten words — five reading 2 the Leave out 26 across grid and five reading A G R down.3 Prescribed amounts 4 more Cleaning Note: than oneimplement solution I G may be 5 possible.

Angry 6 Domestic animal S A E 7 Drink R E 11 Thong 30 13 African State © All puzzles T S S The Puzzle Company 16 Cure 18 Praise highly 20 Units of inheritance 22 Direction 23 Tree 24 Dove’s call 25 United

4

Down 1. Jail (8) 2. Initially (5) 4. Paddle (3) 5. Abstinence (5,7) 6. Dare (7) 7. Informant (colloq) (4) 8. Feeling, atmosphere (12) 12. Happen (5) 13. Leans (8) 15. Free time (7) 19. Punctuation mark (5) 20. Competent (4) 22. Low (3)

Across 1. Uncertain (colloq) (4) 3. Absolved (8) 9. Associate (7) 10. From inside (5) 11. Over time (2,3,4,3) 14. Night bird (3) 16. Succulent plants (5) 17. Immeasurable period of time (3) 18. Arranged by rank (12) 21. Violent person (5) 22. Tearfully sentimental (7) 23. Poll (8) 24. Colony insects (4)

HARD

3

8

SOLUTIONS

EASY

2

22

N I T R E

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

20

A S S E T

SUDOKU

EASY

19

MOORE

QUICK CROSSWORD

2

6/6 DOWN 1 Which chess pieces are most numerous? (5) 2 What bright yellow powder is used for flavouring in Asian cookery? (7) 3 In early England, what was a small landholder between gentry and labourers? (6) 4 What branch of medicine is concerned with diseases and abnormalities of the heart? (10) 54 A starThe thatuniform suddenlyofbrightens gradually fades iscolour (5) soldiersthen is usually of which called what? (4) 5 What is a formula for preparing a dish in cookery (6) 6 Which film, 1984’s Best Picture Oscar winner, was 6 in Name an alternative term for a topic (5) filmed Prague?

(7) 99 Where was Louis Armstrong born?to(3,7) Which person is licensed practise medicine (6) 11 Which woman was married on 29 April 1945, and died 10following To beday? of a (3,5) lower price, is to be what (7) the 1212 What is theiswidening channel of a river What a seat on a bicycle (6) where saltwater mixes with freshwater? (7) 14 What are usually the cheaper seats in theatres (6) 14 In heraldry, what is the colour silver? (6) Name a form of quadrille marked by extravagant 1616 Millions of records from which US immigration entry island are accessible on the internet?

(5) leaping and kicking (6) 17 Which English college was founded by Henry VI in 18 (4) To astonish, is to do what (5) 1440?

SOLUTION

10

ACROSS 1 If you are a collector of Clarice Cliff, what do you collect?

(7) 4 What Latin American dance is performed by several people in single file? (5) 7 What are lengthwise threads on a loom? (4) 8 What is the capital of Liberia? (8) 10 In 1982, who made the first televised 147 break in snooker?

(5,5) Across Which inventor (Thomas ____) took out more than a 4 12 Name a type of unarmed combat (6) thousand patents in his lifetime? (6) 7 13 To What dispose oflast in one’s will, is to do what (6) (8) is the word of “Rule Britannia”?

The Misfits 1961 thetwo lastMelbourne film starringcups Marilyn 8 15 Which horse in won thewas first (6) Monroe and which other actor? (5,5) 9 18 What is atostate ofand affairs in which progress is is Native Central South America, a tamandua what type of animal?

(8) impossible (8) What cloth is spread over a coffin? (4) 11 19 Which people reject conventional values(5) in 20 What is an informal word for “a verysocial long time”? favour new standards of awareness (7) 21 Whatofdisease is also known as lockjaw? (7)

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across:4 Karate, 7 Bequeath, 8 Archer, 9 Deadlock, 11 Hippies, 13 Cayenne, 15 Parched, 17 Rapture, 20 Organise, 23 Gallup, 24 Entrance, 25 Census.

1

Down: 1 Fete, 2 Hurdle, 3 Halo, 4 Khaki, 5 Recipe, 6 Theme, 9 Doctor, 10 Cheaper, 12 Saddle, 14 Stalls, 16 Cancan, 18 Amaze, 19 Ropes, 21 Gate, 22 Sect.

G E N E R A1 L 7 K N O 9W L E 13D G E

FRIDAY JUNE 12 2020 BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

More Trailer For Your Money

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CAREERS AND TRAINING 53

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022

Apprentice technician’s love of bikes and trucks

Belinda Fonda started as a light engine apprentice, and is now undertaking a dual trade apprenticeship at Scania.

HAVING grown up around trucks and motorbikes, Belinda Fonda is kicking goals as she embarks on a four-year dual trade apprenticeship as a diesel technician and auto electrician.

Fonda’s passion for engines started early on. She got into dirt bikes at around 11 and more recently has been competing in the women’s seniors

category in local club events on the back of her Honda CRF 150 cc two-wheeler.

“A couple of years ago, I got into dirt bike racing after attending a ‘come and try’ day on International Women’s Day at the Broadford track. I met a few women there who, like me, were keen on racing.”

She’s taken that passion

and is now pursuing it as a career. Having begun as a light engine apprentice, working on motorcycles, Fonda has now moved to something much bigger – and we mean that literally.

Now you’ll find her working at the Scania branch at Campbellfield in Melbourne, adjoining Scania’s Dealer Support Centre.

Sargeant Transport currently has various roles available for HC and MC drivers based in our Truganina, VIC depot.

HC DRIVER Casual up to $34

“I’m learning my way around the wires. The diesel hardware is straightforward, but the wiring is new,” said Fonda, who is just a few weeks into her apprenticeship.

Despite it being early days, Fonda says she is fitting in quickly.

“We were straight onto the tools and getting into it. There are a few other apprentices, and there’s a good atmosphere. I’m looking forward to learning a lot about Scania’s technology.

“There’s a good structure in the way Scania looks after and encourages its apprentices, starting with the basics, and I already feel like I have learned a lot,” she said.

Eventually, once she is fully qualified, Fonda’s goal is to work on trucks in the mines.

At Scania Australia, women comprise 16.5 per cent of the workforce. The company notes that there has been growth in the number of women it is seeing moving into roles such as technician, apprentice technician, and joining the parts and warehouse teams.

Though Scania has good representation of women in

senior management roles, the company says there is always more to be done.

“Scania is very keen to welcome more females to our business across all of our activities from technicians to customer-facing roles,” said

As well as working with trucks, Fonda also competes on the dirt bike track.

READY TO COME HOME TO NEW ZEALAND? We have a variety of positions nationwide – general, bulk, container & dairy.

MC DRIVER Casual up to $37

Please contact (03) 9219 4200 and ask for the driver training manager to discuss available opportunities.

Scania’s people and culture director Michele Gellatly.

“We have been successful attracting women into the workshop over many years.

As a multinational company we strive for a greater gender balance across our activities.”

Check out our jobs www.hiltonhaulage.co.nz/vacancies or get in contact by emailing us today at people@hilton.co.nz

54 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

‘You can’t learn experience, you can only gain it’

From the initial struggles of trying to get a foot in the door, this livestock truckie quickly learnt the ropes and has now taken the plunge and gone out on his own.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI HAVING grown up in Sydney, a career in trucks and livestock wasn’t always on the cards. But when Scott Verrender, 33, got his first taste of livestock trucking, he knew it was where he wanted to be.

Without any background in farming or trucking, he committed himself to the job and learnt everything from scratch. Over the past nine years in the livestock game, he’s honed his skills and recently took the next step.

“I always had an interest in livestock and one of my best mates was doing it. I started out doing general freight and it didn’t excite me one bit – I just didn’t enjoy it. My mate showed me a few things and I eventually ended up getting into livestock,” explained Ver-

render, who had just finished loading his truck full of cattle when we chatted.

As he explains though, it wasn’t easy to find someone willing to take him on. “It was hard to get a shot at first because no one wanted to give a young bloke with no experience a go. But then I finally got a start with Stockmaster,” Verrender said.

He and his wife Rachael made the move from the city to the country 12 years ago, settling in the town of Forbes, NSW. “I floated around some new towns and found a spot that works for us. It was a good small town and we found a house here and everything fell into place.”

“When I started in livestock transport, I really liked the industry so gained my experience with the company

I was working with. I made a lot of good relationships and then Rachael and I decided to do something for ourselves.”

In early 2021, the wheels were in motion for the couple to begin their own business.

Verrender purchased a 2005 Mack Quantum and pig trailer. “We started putting things into place at the start of last year, then I told my boss two to three months prior and he was pretty happy with that, and then we went head first,” he revealed.

“When I looked around the industry, it seemed there were a lot of older people in the industry with this sort of truck so we thought we would buy one of those. We got all our ducks in a row and off we went, and we haven’t looked back.”

And with that, SRV Live-

With no prior background in farming or trucking, Verrender has learnt everything from scratch.

Fuel Driver Opportunities QLD - Pinkenba The Role Toll Group have full time permanent opportunities for experienced MC/ HC drivers and new drivers wanting to expand their career path for our Fuels Business operating in Pinkenba, Qld.

• Experience in bulk fuel is preferred, but all training will be provided • Basic Fatigue Management accreditation preferred • Experienced MC and HC Drivers

Benefits: • Permanent Full Time Opportunity • Great hourly Rates and allowances • Career advancement and training opportunities • Safety Obsessed Culture • Modern Fleet with replacement programs • Varying Rosters to provide a work/ life balance • 5 Weeks A/L

Working at Toll At Toll Fuels we are proud to be a leading logistics provider of bulk liquid, you name it we do it from Metro service stations, Jet and Avgas to Mine site distribution with local and linehaul options.

Skills & Experience • Current MC/HC driver’s license • Current Dangerous Goods (DG) license preferred

If you are interested in any of these roles, please contact John Markham via email at john.markham @tollgroup.com or phone 0402 965 715 to discuss further.

INDUSTRY LEADING RATES OF PAY & SUPERANUATION OF 15% ROSTERS THAT PROVIDE WORK/ LIFE BALANCE IF YOU WANT TO LEARN FUEL WE’RE WILLING TO TRAIN THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Toll embraces and celebrates a variety of cultures. We continue to build a business that reflects the values of equality, built on the knowledge and understanding that everyone is welcome including the First Nations Peoples, and those of all ages, genders, and abilities.

Women are actively encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be entitled to work in Australia and be prepared to undergo a criminal history check, pre-employment medical and/ or drug & alcohol testing as required.

CAREERS AND TRAINING 55

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY APRIL 01 2022 and cattle too. It can be a very rewarding industry to work in and there are opportunities out there for people who want to have a crack.

“The truck driving apprenticeship is a fantastic idea.

I hope it does gain momentum and that a lot of people take it on board and get into it. There’s a lot of knowledge to gain from people who’ve been doing the job a long

time, and that knowledge will sadly go with them when they retire. You can’t learn experience, you can only gain it.”

As for plans to expand SRV with another truck, he says a shortage of drivers would make it difficult. “I’d love to give a young bloke a go. You can invest in them and really give them the time of day. Let them make mistakes, because that’s the only way you learn.

But then you just don’t know how long they’re going to hang around for.

“At the moment, I rely on myself and I don’t want to be let down by someone because it’s my name on the door, not theirs. I don’t want to say no to a customer because the driver I have doesn’t want to come to work. It’s so hard to find drivers you can really rely on.”

He decided to go out on his own last year and launched SRV Livestock Transport.

stock Transport was officially started in July 2021.

Though it was a relatively quiet start, he says that by two months in, he was flat out. “The customers we work with have been really good.

We’ve made a lot of good relationships – and we never say no.”

Around 70 per cent of the company’s work involves transporting sheep, with the other 30 per cent being cattle. Though, he’s even done a load of horses on one occasion too. Most of the work is throughout NSW and Victoria, however Verrender has also travelled as far as SA. “We will go anywhere we need to go,” he said.

Less than nine months

into taking the plunge, and Verrender says he’s already looking to upgrade to a newer truck with bigger horsepower, with a UD or Isuzu likely to fit the bill.

When asked what he enjoys most about the job, he replies, “I suppose being your own boss is pretty good. We meet a lot of good people – and being able to provide a good service to those people, that they really appreciate, is truly rewarding.”

Verrender is also quick to sing the praises of his wife.

“Rachael is an absolute legend. She does all the paperwork and looks after the farm.

I wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t for my wife.

“The industry has been

really good to us. It does take a lot of work, don’t get me wrong. But nothing is perfect, you’ve just got to work with it, adapt, evolve and put strategies in place that accommodate any issues that arise – appreciate the best times and prepare for the worst.”

Though he loves the industry he works in, Verrender says he’d like to see more people having a go and more being given a chance. “It is a tough job, it has it’s tough times and it can be very challenging. I wish there was more training available for young people to take on the job and I wish that more people would want to do the job, because it’s not just driving a truck, you need to work with the sheep

Scott Verrender and his wife Rachael moved from the city to the country 12 years ago.

Easter Group Pty Ltd 73 Formation St, Wacol

Bitumen Sub Contractor TheTanker Opportunity

Fulton Hogan Transport currently have a vacancy for a tanker owner driver to join our transport teams based out of Dry Creek in South Australia, and Hazelmere in Western Australia. Reporting to the WA/SA Transport Manager, your primary duty   will be the transportation of bitumen products to our plants and customers.

The Opportunity

Fulton Hogan Transport currently have a vacancy for a tanker owner driver to join our transport team based out of Dry Creek in South Australia.

Reporting to the WA/SA Transport Manager, your primary duty will be the transportation of bitumen products to our plants and customers.

You will be Responsible for

Adhering to all Safety procedures to operate the Tanker Ability to work efficiently and effectively to deadlines

   

Accurate completion of all trip paperwork Work in accordance with all Fatigue Laws

You will be Responsible for • Adhering to all Safety procedures to operate the Tanker   • Ability to work efficiently and effectively   to deadlines  • Accurate completion of all trip paperwork • Work in accordance with all Fatigue Laws • Ability to work as part of a small team • Delivering hot bitumen to required sites and ensuring all safety regulations are adhered to during transportation Ability to work as part of a small team

Delivering hot bitumen to required sites and ensuring all safety regulations are adhered to during transportation

What we need from you?

Dangerous Goods License MC Driver License

Experience in the Asphalt industry an advantage

Willingness to travel and work away when required

White Prime Mover (Late Model) capable of towing a B-Double or Double Road Train

We Offer     

Continuous work Fulton Hogan Transport will provide training and all specialised PPE. Remuneration is paid twice monthly.

If you are willing to work the opportunity is there to develop a very profitable and sustainable business for yourself.

Fixed term cartage contract

Fulton Hogan Philosophy

We build and maintain critical infrastructure that connects and enhances communities across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Everything from roads and bridges, to airports and utilities. We're committed to ensuring the Good Work we do will make a positive difference to the quality of life for our people, our customers and the communities we all call home. Our continued success relies on generating new and diverse ideas, which is why our 'Good Work' culture encourages ownership and empowerment, while never forgetting the importance of balancing life's priorities.

What we need from you?

• Dangerous Goods License • MC Driver License • Experience in the Asphalt industry an advantage, but not essential • Willingness to travel and work away when required • White Prime Mover (Late Model) capable of towing a Double Road Train

We Offer • Continuous work • Fulton Hogan Transport will provide training and all specialised PPE. • Remuneration is paid twice monthly.

• If you are willing to work the opportunity is there to develop a very profitable and sustainable business for yourself.

• Fixed term cartage contract

Sound like you?

If this sounds like and you would like to help build on our Good Work culture, then we would like to hear from you.

In the First instance please contact Peter.Hug@fultonhogan.com.au WA/SA Transport Manager

Fulton Hogan Philosophy We build and maintain critical infrastructure that connects and enhances communities across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Everything from roads and bridges, to airports and utilities. We’re committed to ensuring the Good Work we do will make a positive difference to the quality of life for our people, our customers and the communities we all call home. Our continued success relies on generating new and diverse ideas, which is why our ‘Good Work’ culture encourages ownership and empowerment, while never forgetting the importance of balancing life’s priorities.

Sound like you?

If this sounds like and you would like to help build on our Good Work culture, then we would like to hear from you.

In the First instance please contact Peter.Hug@fultonhogan.com.au WA/SA Transport Manager

Easter Group, located in Wacol, provides time sensitive road transporting solutions to many companies throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. .

We are a family owned business, operating since 1976.

We currently have the following positions available:

OPERATIONS ALLOCATORS (Brisbane based only)

You will be required to work on a rotating roster including Days-Nights-Weekends Previous Operations experience preferred.

MC LOCAL & LINEHAUL DRIVERS WANTED

(Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Based) Come and work for us as we are committed to: • Training and further education • Your safety • Maintaining an impressive Fleet On offer are permanent full time and roster positions including paid leave entitlements and public holidays. Drivers will need to be available to be scheduled for work falling across the 7 days of the week.

The successful Applicant will: • Hold a current MC licence (minimum two years) • Have knowledge of the HVNL and Load Restraint • Be professional • Be reliable

To apply for the Operations/Driver positions please contact Operations Manager or by emailing your resume to

WORKSHOP MECHANICS & TYRE FITTERS WANTED (Brisbane based only)

To apply for Mechanic positions please forward your resume to Workshop Manager via email to employment@kseaster.com.au

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