Big Rigs 09 Jul, 2021

FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021

ONLINE www.bigrigs.com.au

BIG STINK AT TOILET PROTEST

EMAIL info@bigrigs.com.au

FRAUDSTER CAUGHT OUT Pages 14-15

Pages 6-7

LEGACY LIVES ON

HIGH COUNTRY YOUNG GUN STEPS UP IN MILESTONE YEAR: PAGES 18-20

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FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Grain dumping warning opens a can of worms

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: Alf Wilson, 0408 009 301 Brent Davison; David Vile; David Meredith; Ian Lee; 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

The Victorian Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions has issued a warning about illegal roadside grain dumping.

The truck drivers seem to be caught in the crossfires again, with grain carters having to sweep out their trailers, but many not provided the facilities to do so.

WHEN the Victorian Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions recently issued a warning about the risks caused by piles of grain being left at rest stops and roadsides, our readers took to social media to address the root of the problem.

Yes, the dumping of grain is an illegal practice and a biosecurity risk, which attracts insects and pests, including mice and rats, and in no way do we at Big Rigs condone it.

Truck drivers are required to sweep out their trailers before backloading with fertiliser or grain from a different facility, so the issue is: where are they are supposed to put it?

to thrive and spread into neighbouring paddocks and farms, creating a significant biosecurity risk.

“Dumped grain can be a food source for birds and vermin such as mice and wild pigs which build in number and infest and damage nearby crops and grain storages. Vermin can also carry seed to other areas where it becomes a weed or vector for pests and diseases.”

Drew Irwin took to our Facebook page to vent his frustration. “Looks like the same as livestock effluent. It’s there, it needs to go somewhere and no one wants to take responsibility for it. So it’s left up to drivers

A lack of available clean out sites and infrastructure to support this requirement only serves to add fuel to the fire.

“If you’re one of the thousands of highway drivers who use roadside rest stops you may well have seen piles of grain on the ground left behind from trucks that are either cleaning out trailers or reducing weight,” said grains farm biosecurity officer Jim Moran from the Victorian Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions.

He said that dumped grain “provides an untreated, unmonitored, unmanaged and very attractive site for stored grain insects and disease pests

to deal with it. Receivers and senders of products should step up and provide places for trailers to be emptied and cleaned upon loading or unloading.

And just like that the problems are solved,” he said.

Nathan Venn echoed this sentiment. “We aren’t allowed to clean out on farmer’s property. We aren’t allowed to clean out on Graincorp sites or other depots. We can’t do it in truck stops. We use whatever we have left, roadside out of the way. This is a joke. How about before you start criticising us and picking on us, put in a solution. And don’t palm it off to a farmer’s responsibility. I’d

make it the major depots responsibility to let us clean out in a tidy and safe manner as they are usually the ones who expect us to be spotless, but consistently refuse us areas to do so. Our hands are tied once again. What a joke,” he wrote.

Moran says while it’s an ongoing matter between the grains industry and receival sites, any leftover grain needs to be disposed of safely. “It can be burned, buried or bagged and reused, perhaps as livestock feed if it is uncontaminated,” he said, urging those who witness roadside grain dumping to report it to the Environment Protection Authority.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

AFM keeps drivers safer: NHVR

FEARS that the NHVR is campaigning to keep drivers on the road for longer couldn’t be further from the truth, says the regulator.

A recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald under the

heading ‘It is astounding’: Push for truck drivers to be on the road for up to 16 hours a day quoted the TWU criticising the NHVR’s recent Advanced Fatigue Management roadshow.

“No driver wants to work

15 or 16 hours in a day,” said Michael Kaine, national secretary of the Transport Workers Union.

“This kind of schedule is gruelling. It’s not the job of the regulator to get employers

AFM STANDARDS There are 10 fatigue management standards that you need to comply with for AFM. 1. Scheduling and rostering 4. Responsibilities 7. Health 2. Readiness for duty 5. Internal review 8. Workplace conditions 3. Fatigue knowledge and 6. Records and 9. Management practices awareness documentation 10. Operating limits Visit nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance for more info.

The recent AFM campaign is to highlight the flexibility options it gives drivers to manage their own working days.

to sign up to a system that sees drivers sweated.”

But NHVR fatigue specialist Andreas Blahous said AFM is all about added flexibility for drivers, rather than a licence for operators to work them harder.

He said studies show that drivers working for an AFM accredited company actually work less hours and have less crashes.

“It’s about having the flexibility to work the hours when they need them, and that is supported by an operator who prepares the driver for the trip, has controls in place during the trip and allows them time off after the trip,” Blahous said.

He said June’s nationwide Fatigue Choices program, the NHVR’s new initiative to help drivers and operators understand and gain access to the options available under AFM, was a big success with more bookings for the one-on-one consultations than anticipated.

Blahous believes that one of the reasons that uptake of AFM lags well behind standard or BFM fatigue management options is the hangover from the days of the costly third-party consultation process required

Veteran truckie Trevor Warner has just submitted a proposed change to the AFM laws.

for entry.

Today, the NHVR says it’s stripped away those initial barriers to the point they have in-house staff that can walk operators through the process from as little as $150 per application, and they also encourage individual drivers to apply.

Blahous said there is no plan to increase the current 15.5hour time allocation under current AFM rules.

But the National Road Freighters’ Association (NRFA) is hoping to persuade the NHVR otherwise with a 16hour option designed to give individual drivers even more flexibility in their working day.

Queensland NRFA delegate Trevor Warner, of the Drivers’ Advocate Facebook page, and NRFA secretary Glyn Castanelli, who is also an NHVR auditor, have just lodged an application with the NHVR

along those lines, and are also planning to push their case on social media from this month.

“What we’re saying is, seven hours sleep, plus an hour a day for meals, and then you’re free to do whatever you like in the remaining 16 hours like the rest of the people on the planet without fear of penalty,” said Warner.

The only caveats are that the driver must be using an EWD, and they can’t be scheduled to work more than 14 hours, adds Warner.

“I’m extremely confident that the NHVR will like what we’ve done because they really want to bring WA into their jurisdiction.

“One of the big key things with drivers is the work hours so if we can have a framework we can work to, I believe it will help synchronise the national law.”

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FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckies overlooked in latest priority immigration list

DESPITE the industry’s widespread shortage of experienced drivers, Canberra did not deem the crisis worthy of acknowledgment on the latest Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke announced the inclusion of an additional 22 occupations to the list, with the only nod to the transport sector being a call-out for more roading engineers.

The PMSOL, first announced in September 2020, is developed in conjunction with the National Skills Commission to ensure a small number of critical occupations are filled to continue to create Australian jobs and

aid in Australia’s ongoing recovery from the impact of Covid-19.

Minister Hawke said the government engaged with small, medium and large Australian employers, business leaders, and industry bodies across the economy to determine these changes.

“Government has received valuable feedback from Australian business stakeholders on critical skill vacancies, which has been considered together with data from the National Skills Commission, in order to develop today’s update to the Priority Migration Skilled Migration List,” Minister Hawke said.

“The Morrison Government will continue to support Australian businesses, including through skilled mi-

gration, as the engine room of our nation’s economy.”

Foreign truckies were able to migrate to Australia via the 457 visa scheme but that was abolished by the Turnbull government in 2017 to “put Australians first”.

Sam Marks, the Australian Trucking Association’s transport and infrastructure adviser, said there is a pressing need to address skilled shortages for critical trades in the trucking industry, including heavy vehicle mechanics and automotive electricians, by adding these occupations in the short term to Australia’s priority skilled migration program.

“The ATA has supported the work of our member associations Western Roads Federation and the NT Road Transport Association by recommend-

The Australian Trucking Association says there’s a pressing need to address skilled shortages for critical trades in the trucking industry by adding them to Australia’s priority skilled migration program in the short term.

ing these changes to both the Australian Government and the Parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program,” Marks said.

“The Parliamentary inquiry reported on the need to

consider including motor mechanics to the priority skilled migration occupation list. It is disappointing that the Australian Government has not followed this advice.

“ATA member associations

continue to invest in and lead the debate on improving training to address skill shortages, including for truck drivers, with a number of projects, proposals and initiatives right around Australia.”

Vaccine access for supply chain workers under review THE Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has welcomed the decision of National Cabinet to seek advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHP-

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ALC Interim Chief Exec-

utive Officer Rachel Smith said, “The evolving situation demonstrates the speed at which infections can occur.

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tres or a reduction in the numbers of available heavy vehicle drivers. Ensuring the continued flow of the nation’s food, medical, and essential goods supplies should be a priority.

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Veteran outback truckie blames broken system for driver shortage

Michael ‘Kingy’ King runs a chemical carting business called Faststar Holdings, transporting liquid chemicals with his Kenworth T950.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI DANGEROUS goods driver and business owner Michael ‘Kingy’ King opens up about the struggle to find good drivers.

He runs Port Hedland based chemical haulage company Faststar Holdings, transporting liquid chemicals such as sulphuric acid, caustic and

hydrochloric to mine sites and remote communities; as well as containers of flocculant from Perth up to the Pilbara. A separate arm of the business also buys and bags salt for mining companies.

Faststar has a fleet made up of two 2000 model Kenworth T950s, nine tankers, along with some flat tops. “I prefer the older trucks. The

newer ones have more trouble with them. These 20-year-old trucks are built for reliability. I normally run them as double and triple road trains,” he said.

“I drive one of the trucks and I have another driver on the other one. There’s also another 2000 model T950 we’re rebuilding at the moment. I’ve been searching for another dangerous goods driver but I

just can’t find one. With a lot of those drivers who are in their 50s or 60s and still driving, either their father or uncle was in trucks and that’s how they got involved – but now that’s all out the door.

“You can’t take your kids with you anymore. I can’t even take my grandkids with me, because when I get to the mine site, what can I do with them?

“I’m 64 and the bloke who works for me is 61. How can you keep running reasonably sized shows when we’re all in our 60s? They’ve created a monster because we don’t have any young blood. We have no safe systems – the system stopped 20 years ago and it’s going to take another 20 years to repair it. I can’t get a kid who’s 15 or 16 and start training them now, because I can’t even get him into the seat.

People go to a driving school and get trained by trainers who aren’t driving a truck in the real world. It’s ludicrous.

I’ve been looking for a driver and the first question they ask is how much I’m going to be paying them. I tell them I want to know what they can do first.

“We can’t take someone 15, 16 or 17 on the road, so

you have some of these drivers coming to you at 22 and thinking they know it all. That makes it hard. They don’t know it all, I’m still learning at 64 years old.”

Like many truckies his age, Kingy – who some might recognise from his appearances on Outback Truckers – began driving trucks from a very young age.

“My first truck driving experience was at 13. My dad had a superspreading business down south. He had trucks and went from superspreading into farming. In between that, us kids would come home from school and load up the trucks, and me and my brother would go tractor driving.

By about 13, we were both

driving the truck. I got myself kicked out of school at 15 but was lucky enough to get an apprenticeship, so I did a five year apprenticeship as a mechanic.

“Then when I turned 18, I got my truck licence, and started doing the run from Kingsley to Perth carrying grain. As I got closer to 20, I got my C-Class licence and was carting Perth to Sydney for a few years.”

Kingy soon went out on his own and started Faststar Holdings – nowadays the trucks are based in Port Hedland, while the mechanical work takes place in Geraldton.

Turn to page 12 to read about a special convoy organised

by Kingy and his mates to raise money for Parkinson’s WA.

A large portion of his business involves transporting liquid chemicals to mine sites and remote communities.

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FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckie supporter fights for

THE Gatton heavy vehicle decoupling facility only opened a few months ago, but according to many of the truckies who have to use it, the site lacks one important detail – toilets.

Now a local who is protesting about the Queensland site’s lack of toilets and the Department of Transport and Main Roads have hit a stalemate.

Echoing the sentiment of many truckies, Wes Walker says he won’t back down until toilets are installed, however the department says it won’t be installing toilets at the site in the future because it wasn’t designed as a rest area.

Walker started pushing for toilets at Gatton not long after the $18 million facility opened and has since upped the ante.

He’s been sitting at the site in protest from 8am until 6pm each day, at times on his BYO throne with his pants around his ankles, with a sign painted in bold red letters that reads: ‘Help truckies get toilets here’.

His antics are definitely being noticed, with photos of his sign going viral on social media.

Walker is also behind a petition about the matter, which was put online with the assistance of local Lockyer MP Jim McDonald who is rallying behind him.

Walker isn’t a truckie but has many mates who are.

“Without truck drivers you’d be sitting there butt naked.

Why should truckies keep getting treated like second class

citizens?” he said.

Transport and Main Roads has hit back. “The decision to omit toilets from the facil-

ity was due to the University of Queensland objecting to the biosecurity risk of human waste or litter being left

Wes Walker (left) and a truckie hold up the sign which has now gone viral. Photo: Facebook

at the site, which may impact their agricultural research programs,” a spokesperson said.

“The purpose of the Gatton

Heavy Vehicle Decoupling Facility (GHVDF) is to provide a safe area for heavy vehicle drivers to reconfigure their combinations to conform to national regulations before continuing their journey.

“We are actively discouraging the use of GHVDF as a rest area as it is not suitable due to surrounding land uses.”

The department’s solution is for truckies to use one of two rest areas nearby. “Eastbound traffic can use the nearby BP service station offering commercial facilities to drivers, which is approximately three kilometres east of the Gatton facility,” the spokesperson said.

“Westbound traffic can use the Gatton bypass rest area which provides a toilet, sheltered picnic tables and rubbish bins, approximately 8.5 kilometres west of Gatton.”

The department also said it was looking at installing additional signs at Gatton to advise of the nearby facilities.

Although this doesn’t sit well with Walker who also points out that in another report TMR said it wouldn’t put toilets in because it considered the site a workplace, and not a rest area.

He said people are disgusted and have had enough of the lack of facilities for truckies.

“Let’s put that sign of mine front and centre, let’s get the

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

toilets at Gatton facility

The Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland says the site was never designed as a rest area so it won’t be installing toilets there.

community behind it. I’ve seen it all my life the way these truckies are treated.

“My opening line to all of these muppets is always the same: I’m going to ask you a stupid question first up. Have you got bathroom facilities where you’re working? The answer of course is yes. So why haven’t truck drivers?

“A lady truck driver told me that she had to go the other night so she was squatting down and another truck came down and started shining their lights on her. It’s just not right.

Maybe they should just get all the truck drivers to park up and stop the show.”

Already during his long on-site protest Walker has seen first-hand why some basic facilities are sorely needed.

A driver got radiator fluid in his eyes but luckily Walker had some water of his own on hand to help flush it out.

Meanwhile, WA Labor Senator Glenn Sterle has also shown his support for the issue, speaking about it in parliament.

“I don’t know Wes but I reckon he’s a damn good bloke. He’s absolutely had a gutful. Do you know why?

The government has spent $15 million in the best interests of our truckies but there’s no toi-

let! Senators, in 2021 – let that sink in – we have a road train assembly area, we’ve spent $15 million but no-one thought that the truckies might like a toilet. If they had one ounce of understanding of what us truckies do, they would have come and asked the truckies,” he said.

“I remember running the campaign back in the nineties to get the Wubin road train assembly area done in WA. We were pretty proud.

We got a big hunk of dirt and put some bitumen on it and we put toilets and showers on it. God help us, we even put lighting in.

“We wanted our truckies to be able to come in, unhook, pull the air lines out, pull the light lead out, drop the leg on the drawbar and dolly – and you beauty. Three hours from home and I might even have a tub. What is wrong with that?

What is wrong with expecting our truckies to want to have a shower? But something as basic as a toilet, we can’t even get that.

“Do I have to stand in this Senate to plead with someone with half a brain to go and talk to the truckies who are using these facilities, before you spend our taxpayer dollars, to get what they want?”

At deadline for this issue, Lockyer MP Jim Patterson

said he had an offer from a local company to supply portable toilets to the site, but that was knocked back by TMR. “They told me that reason was that portaloos are as much a biohazard to the area as permanent toilets, but I don’t believe that for a minute, that’s just rot,” said Patterson.

“People are using the great

outdoors there already and that’s got to be a greater biohazard risk.

“There was $18 million of federal money spent on this site with the state managing it and this is just an oversight, and now they’re playing cover-up with bureaucratic answers.

“Just put the bloody thing in there.”

NEWS 7

The online petition is currently only open to Queensland residents as it will be presented to Queensland parliament. At the time of writing, it already had over 1700 signatures.

Visit parliament.qld.gov. au/work-of-assembly/petitions, or bigrigs.com.au for the petition link and the latest on this story.

He has been sitting at the site from 8am until 6pm each day, collecting signatures from truckies and others passing by. Photo: Facebook

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8 OPINION

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Wes, we salute you

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

IF only trucking had more supporters like Wes Walker (see pages 6-7) in the halls of power.

As I write this, more than two weeks on, he was still sitting tall on his makeshift ‘throne’ at the new Gatton pads, defiantly protesting the lack of facilities for drivers there.

His only pay-off? The hope that he can help truckies get a better deal. He’s not a driver, just in awe of the service they provide.

But how do those at the top repay our essential workers at this $18m facility? By telling them to drive another 8.5km down the road because this isn’t a rest area. I didn’t have the heart to tell Walker that TMR had even rejected the offer of a portable toilet on site because they deemed it a biohazard to the adjoining University of Queensland agriculture research programs.

Sorry to break the news to you TMR and university boffins: truckies have been answering the call of nature all over your precious fields since you opened the gate.

HOT WEB TOPICS Dolly converter trial

OUR extensive coverage of the converter dolly project trial culminated in an extensive report on the final two trials before going to market.

Although the operators were impressed with the results, it seems readers weren’t as convinced of its virtues.

“Be alright on a single axle dolly or a single pointer!, 4 springer or a tri dolly would just keep breaking drawbars!

And if you don’t want a triple swaying around don’t use short drawbars ! We learnt that back in the ‘70s!,” writes Les Parkinson on Facebook.

Adds Ben Crabb: “Can’t see it being much of an issue unless you’re in real rough terrain logging down south were we go would definitely test it. If you were that worried swap out ya ringleader for a download bearing model.”

“Why fix something that’s not broken,” concluded Billy Bannerman. “They will be no good for creek crossing or constant ups and downs for blokes that don’t see bitumen.”

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

Melbourne inner-west

THE latest chapter in the long-running saga of trucks using the inner-west streets of Melbourne sees the Victorian Ombudsman getting involved to find out why the West Gate Tunnel won’t be the fix it was mooted to be.

“If it’s just about trucks avoiding tolls take leaf out of NSWs Northconnex book,” suggests Jaffa Groube on Facebook.

“Make it illegal for trucks to use above ground roads unless it’s genuine local traffic. And include the toll in the transport bill as taxis have done in Sydney for decades.”

“Easy fix !, “adds Jason Razumic. “Subsidise all heavy vehicle toll charges within the residential rates around the areas and it’s a win for both parties! They the rate payers foot the bill for all tolls and the heavy vehicles are off their streets as they want , and there is no increase in transportation charges for the operators and down the supply chain.”

“Probably should have built port of Hastings instead of locking in port Melbourne, probably should have built east-west link instead of Westgate tunnel,” concludes Geoff Meers.

Swap-and-go battery THE latest from the Janus crew and their game-changing swap and go electric battery in a retro-fitted prime mover again sparked plenty of lively discussion online.

“This sounds good and once autonomous vehicles get released in Australia it would be an extremely attractive option to have especially on the East Coast of Australia,” said Mark Visser “What’s the tare weight?” asked Ben Wilkinson. “I know it’s not the same thing but the Tesla electric truck tares at 15-20 ton depending on battery options. Can’t see too many companies wanting a 20 ton prime mover?”

I’m doing the around town clown work at the moment,” countered Jeff Bartlett. “The prime mover with 700k on it uses around 150 litres of fuel per week. The boss isn’t going to spend $85k to convert it.”

Mike Williams added: “I had a conversation with Lex Forsyth, one of the guys behind the Janus project. This isn’t as crazy as some of you seem to think it is. The technology is very real and it seems to work.

Rather than just dismiss it I’d say do some research.”

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10 STATE BUDGETS

IN BRIEF New transport minister Newly elected Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has also picked up the role of Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.

It’s the second time Joyce has held the transport industry’s top cabinet role, having served a short stint from December 2017 to February 2018 before resigning from the front bench and Nationals leadership after revelations of an affair with a former staffer.

Joyce is the fourth transport minister since the Coalition came to power in 2013, with Warren Truss and Darren Chester also in the chair during that time.

ATA CEO quits The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is on the lookout for a new CEO after the surprise resignation by Andrew McKellar, after just five months in the job.

He is leaving to take up the role of CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). He will finish up at the ATA on August 6.

“Despite my short time in office, I will leave the role with a far greater appreciation of the critical role that the road transport sector plays in the Australian economy and the many great people and personalities that populate the industry,” McKellar said.

Vale Steve Post Transafe WA is mourning the loss of its founding chairman Steve Post who passed away on June 24 following a brave battle with brain cancer.

A passionate and dedicated advocate for the road transport industry in WA, Post was chair of Transafe WA since its incorporation in 2012.

“Steve was a forward thinker who determinedly worked to ensure positive outcomes rather than simply talk. His passion was fuelled by the experiences of his many roles in industry from owner driver to risk assessor, and by his genuine care for people,” said Transafe WA executive officer Ana Stachewicz.

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

More help for regions: Gin Gin pads a priority

The QTA says more funding is needed for the regions and to flood-proof the Bruce. Photo: Alf Wilson

A “steady-as-she-goes” state roading budget has fallen short on regional funding, says Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon.

Although happy with the joint commitment with the feds to the Inland Freight Route – the QTA’s proposed 1200km Bruce Hwy alternative from Mungindi to Charters Towers – Mahon says the state’s $27.5bn roads and transport cash splash has missed the mark on key projects.

Top of that list is an urgent need to build truckie pads at Gin Gin, near Bundaberg.

Mahon said you only have to drive through the town after dark and see that something needs to be done to reduce the number of B-doubles on the roadside.

“It’s becoming an ever-increasing problem,” said Mahon. “There is certainly land available along that section you would have thought could be used to put in a really decent pad.”

Cairns are being transformed thanks to projects like the $164m Smithfield Bypass and the $481m duplication of one of the busiest stretches of the Bruce Highway in the state between Edmonton and Gordonvale.

“We’ll start upgrading the Captain Cook Highway north of the Cairns CBD later this year and moving ahead with planning to fully duplicate the last remaining single lane sections of the Cairns Western Arterial Road,” said Saunders.

“In Townsville, work has started on the $107m Bruce Highway safety upgrades at Black River, and early works are underway on the Stage 5 of the $230m Townsville Ring Road.

“Work to improve flood resilience on the $514m Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville at the Haughton River will finish ahead of schedule this year.

Saunders added that Palaszczuk government will continue to support western Queensland communities too, with more than $980 million locked in the budget over the next four years for western roads and highway upgrades.

NSW bush to benefit from record spend REGIONAL NSW freight operators are one of the biggest winners in the latest state budget, believes Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole.

Toole said the NSW government would invest more than $9bn in regional transport and roads in 2021-22 alone, as part of a record spend on transport infrastructure and services in the bush.

“At a time when regional communities are still recovering from the impacts of COVID and natural disasters, the NSW Government is investing more money than ever

before to help turbocharge jobs in the bush and unlock new opportunities,” Toole said.

“Right across the state, the NSW Government is investing in transformative projects through this Budget – from construction kicking off on the Parkes Bypass to the completion of the Albion Park Rail Bypass and Berry to Bomaderry upgrade on the Princes Highway and continued sealing of the Cobb and Silver City Highway in the Far West.

“Nearly every major highway is seeing investment that will deliver safer journeys and improved productivity - from

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Mahon said the other two sections of concern are on the Gore Highway that runs between Toowoomba and Goondiwindi and the Peak Downs mining corridor.

“There are some bridges along there [Peak Downs] that absolutely need to be brought forward in terms of replacement,” said Mahon.

Mahon was also puzzled by the budget’s apparent lack of acknowledgement to how the northern end of the Inland Rail Project would look.

He said the QTA will continue to advocate the cause for the Inland Freight Route and work closely with central Queensland councils on the Queensland Beef Corridors project, a campaign advocating for action to improve a strategic supply chain of roads stretching more than 2000km across the region.

Mahon said there will be more details on how the Inland Freight Route will complement the beef corridors project in the QTA’s federal election blueprint due out next month.

“We’ll be looking for further boosts, particularly regional roading infrastructure investment.

“We believe we can achieve flood immunity, or something close to it, on the Inland Freight Route much sooner, but need to continue to progress that work up the Bruce as it’s given more investment priority.”

Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said $17.5bn of the $27.5bn Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2021-22 to 202425 would be invested in the regions.

He said roads around

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the $2bn being invested in the Great Western Highway to the $1.2bn we are investing over the next four years in the Coffs Harbour Bypass on the Pacific Highway.

“We’re also tackling the congestion challenges in fast growing areas like the Hunter and Central Coast, with $438m to progress the Singleton and Muswellbrook Bypasses which will see works underway in 2022, $10.9m to deliver Stage 1 of the Hillsborough Road upgrade at Crockett Street, and $54.5m for Manns Road intersection upgrades at Narara Creek and Stockyard Place.”

Toole said the NSW government was also committed to helping regional councils build a stronger local road network, with $240m for Fixing Local Roads in 2021-22 to help councils repair, maintain and seal priority roads in their communities and $297.2m for Fixing Country Bridges which is helping councils replace hundreds of ageing timber bridges.

“The NSW Government has created a new fund to support the upgrade of regional roads transferred to the State as part of the NSW Government’s regional road classification review, with $250m commit-

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Overall, the state budget revealed an unprecedented $30bn infrastructure spend within the next financial year, with $585m allocated to the Gateway project, linking WestConnex and Sydney Airport, with work likely to begin within months.

Another half a billion dollars will be spent next year on the M6 Motorway as construction begins on stage one of the project, twin four-kilometre tunnels linking Kogarah to the WestConnex M8 toll road at Arncliffe.

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12 FEATURE

Rock to Rock trip for Parkinson’s research

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Three truckie mates are set to embark on a 3000km trip from Geraldton to Uluru, each driving a restored WWII military truck, to raise money for a cause close to their hearts.

Kingy restored this 1945 Chevrolet Blitz and will drive it for Rock to Rock.

John Marriott, Jamie Morrison and Kingy are the trio behind the Rock to Rock convoy.

BY DANIELLE GULLACI THE trio from Geraldton, WA – Michael ‘Kingy’ King, John Marriott and Jamie Morrison – plan to begin the voyage in their hometown on July 9 (Covid-permitting), making their way to Mt Augustus and then over to Uluru. They expect to arrive at their final stop on July 25.

They’ve aptly named the fundraising event Rock to Rock, with the Mt Augustus to Uluru itinerary re-enacting the wartime journey of convoys during WWII. Marriott, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, came up with the idea for the convoy.

Each vehicle travelling with the Rock to Rock crew will make a donation of $1000 and those travelling part of the trip are asked to contribute $500, with all money raised going directly to Parkinson’s WA. The mates have each restored an abandoned vintage military truck – Kingy will be behind the wheel of his 1945 Chevrolet Blitz. John Marriott and Jamie Morrison will drive the 1944 6x6 Studebaker that they restored with the help of some close friends who have also been affected by Parkinson’s. While Mick Burnett will steer the 1963 International Acco that he and Kingy recovered on a recent episode of Outback Truckers.

Kingy, 64, runs a chemical carting business called Faststar Holdings, transporting liquid chemicals such as sulphuric acid, caustic and hydrochloric to mine sites and remote communities. A separate arm of the business also buys and bags salt for mining companies.

Kingy has been on Outback Truckers over the years and appeared on episodes screened in

June, where he and Mick Burnett embarked on an extremely difficult trek to pick up two abandoned military trucks from the Great Sandy Desert in WA. The veteran long haul truckie took his 2000 model Kenworth T950 through the unforgiving dessert landscape.

“About 25 years ago, I was in Port Hedland. I had left the salt mine and was doing fuel cartage out of the mine. There was an Aboriginal community I had to travel to and that track along the Sandy Desert was the only way to get there. That’s when I discovered the old abandoned mine site and one of the trucks.

For an unrelated reason, I went back there 8-10 years ago and that’s when I found the second truck. But I had no interest in getting them until I got into the army vehicles,” explained Kingy.

“When I became interested in these old military trucks, I decided to go out there and try to find them. I travelled out in the ute to have a look and real-

Jamie Morrison and John Marriott with the 1944 6x6 Studebaker they restored, with the help of some close friends.

ised they were collector’s items so I went back with the truck.”

In the sweltering heat, he and Burnett got both vehicles onto the truck. The 1963 International Acco has been fully restored and will be used in the Rock to Rock convoy, while the second truck, a 1945 softtop GMC, will be Kingy’s next

Kingy has appeared on various episodes of Outback Truckers, which recently aired two episodes about his mission to rescue two abandoned military trucks from the Great Sandy Desert in WA.

project. “The GMC is quite a collectible because there’s not a lot of them around,” he said.

Kingy’s interest in army trucks started about two years ago. “It was because of John, so I’m blaming him,” he joked.

As those who saw Kingy on his truck rescue mission on Outback Truckers could attest, the operation was not an easy one. “If you put a piece of steel on the ground and can’t pick it up, you can rest assured it’s over 50°C. At one stage on the last day while we were trying to

load, I had to sit in the crew’s car with the air con on just so I could get back out there and keep on going,” he revealed.

At one point on the show, Kingy was visibly upset. “They asked me to sum up what it would be like to have Parkinson’s. And I said, if you think this was hard, think about these people with Parkinson’s. Hard is when you’re sitting in a chair and have to ask someone else to do your shoelaces up.

“One of the crew members asked what made me think of that. There was this one day where I had to pick up John but his wife Pearl was out so he wasn’t ready because he couldn’t do his shoelaces up.

“John is also a truckie. He was an old station boy – did a lot of carting to stations, hay and that sort of thing. I’ve known John about 15 years or so. Here’s a guy that ran parks and stations, played state level polo and now he can’t even do his shoelaces up. Parkinson’s is such a horrible, horrible thing.”

John Marriott has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for about 20 years. “It was in the early stages back then. He has a probe in his head now and he has reasonable days and bad days. It’s been a bit of an eye opener watching these people I know suffering from Parkin-

The trip begins in Geraldton and runs all the way to Uluru.

son’s,” added Kingy.

Prior to his recently completed restoration, Kingy had only bought and sold vintage army trucks at auction. “I only wheeled and dealed. I held onto the trucks and then sold them but had never done them up.

The Chevrolet Blitz was the first one. We started trying to rebuild it in January last year and planned to take it out in June/July, but then Covid hit, so we’ve had to postpone the trip to this year.”

Recently the mates held a big charity auction. Around 400 people attended and there were 380 items for sale, ranging from push bikes to trucks. “It was a big effort from everyone.

We raised close to $15,000 for Parkinson’s WA,” said Kingy.

The trio plan to meet up with those taking part in Back To The Track at the conclusion of their charity convoy. Running from July 24 until August 15, Back To The Track brings together groups of military vehicle collectors, who depart from Alice Springs and make the wartime journey, travelling along the track back to Darwin to commemorate the end of WWII in the Pacific.

For more information about Rock to Rock or to donate, visit rock-to-rock.raisely.com and scroll down to the donate button.

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14 FEATURE

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Rise and fall of high-flying Queensland operator

A former employee shares an insider’s look at what went wrong for award-winning transport boss Fred Mohammed and Crane Trucks R Us.

BY JAMES GRAHAM ‘TAKE it on and think about it later’, was one of Fred Mohammed’s favourite business mottos at Crane Trucks R Us (CTRU).

But if you ask Robert Hudson, Mohammed’s former Townsville-based operations manager, that philosophy also had a lot to do with his ultimate downfall.

Hudson said Mohammed, who was jailed last month for three counts of fraud, simply got too big, too quick.

“My theory is that he was a medium-sized transport company doing pretty good for himself, then he got a contract with Holcim that he made big promises with,” said Hudson.

“He financed a lot of gear to get the trucks required for that job, and he never fulfilled his promises because there was always bad blood between the company and Holcim in Brisbane.

Hudson is more qualified

Mohammed was feted by the industry and won several awards.

Convicted fraudster Fred Mohammed flaunted his jet-setting lifestyle on social media. Photos: Instagram

than most to reveal how Mohammed’s meteoric rise came unstuck.

Hired in 2013 as a yard

driver in Brisbane, Hudson quickly worked his way up the ranks to be promoted to Townsville depot manager a year later, about the same time CTRU picked up the Holcim contract.

Hudson had a staff of 13 under him, with eight trucks

and 10 trailers working overtime to meet Holcim’s needs – and a slew of outside jobs he brought in – across a massive chunk of Far North Queensland.

Then, slowly but surely the cracks started to show, always over money, which Hudson

Crane Trucks R U boasted more than 200 pieces of equipment across several depots.

believes could be traced back to CTRU failing to build in demurrage (load waiting time)

into its contract with Holcim.

“The contract was so poorly put together and under-quot-

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The Range Rover that Mohammed bought just before Crane Trucks R Us collapsed.

ed,” said Hudson.

He said the cash-flow shortage was then further compounded when CTRU took on more work helping to build Sydney and Melbourne tunnels.

Hudson suddenly found himself short on equipment, and fielding an increasing number of calls from local creditors, from the depot landlord to skip supplier who stopped its regular pick-up because head office hadn’t paid the bill.

One of the lowest points for Hudson was the day he took a trailer into Bridgestone for a new set of tyres only to have to return a week later to have the tyres removed again because CRTU couldn’t pay.

Hudson knew the writing was finally on the wall the day in 2015 when he got an email out of the blue from HQ to tell

him all CTRU employees were now considered casual workers rather than fulltime employees and didn’t receive any of their legally required entitlements.

It was not long after that he received another email saying CTRU had collapsed, and he was no longer required, along with an estimated 45 to 50 other employees.

“That was on a Friday, then on the following Monday I got another email saying, ‘Oh Rob, can you take a couple of trucks to the auction yard and can you organise for the rest of the trucks to come down to Brisbane?” Hudson recalled.

“So, me being a stupid boy, I got them into the auction yard, then me and one of the other drivers took the other equipment down [to Brisbane].

“When I got there Fred said I have another plan and

he asked me to come and work for him, but I said no, I’d made other arrangements.

“I wasn’t going to go back after what I went through with them.”

Big Rigs first broke the story of Crane Trucks R Us heading for liquidation in 2015 when employees claimed they had not been paid their full entitlements.

Mohammed, also known as Farmouz Farhaad Mohammed, told Big Rigs at the time that his company failed because multinational giant Holcim terminated a $10 million contract part-way through a two-year deal.

A spokesman for Holcim denied the company owed money to Crane Trucks R Us. Although relieved that Mohammed finally had his day in court in Ipswich last month when a jury found him guilty of three counts of fraud and a judge sentenced him to two and a half years, Hudson is angry that his former boss will only serve six months for his crimes.

The company had a wide range of trucks working in a variety of jobs all along the eastern seaboard.

“What amazes me is that CTRU collapsed in 2015, then he starts up Tranz Logistics. Where did he get the money to start up another

Mohammed’s favourite ‘toy’, his Nissan G-TR that he paraded on social media right up until his sentencing last month.

NEW RELEASE

company?”

A statement from ASIC said investigators found Mohammed had, on three separate occasions, dishonestly withdrawn funds from the CTRU company account.

“The withdrawal of the funds occurred around 10 weeks before Crane Trucks R Us was placed in liquidation and was most likely insolvent,” the statement said.

“At the time Crane Trucks R Us was placed in liquidation it had total liabilities of $6,266,394.69 owed to 198 creditors.”

When Big Rigs queried the time lag between the demise of CTRU and Mo-

hammed’s conviction, and how Mohammed was still able to helm a new company in the interim, ASIC told us Tranz Logistics was registered in September 2015, two months before liquidators were appointed to CTRU. An official investigation didn’t begin until after the liquidator’s report was finalised in mid-2016.

ASIC also reminded us that as a consequence of Mohammed’s conviction, the disgraced director is automatically disqualified from managing corporations until December 10, 2026.

Again, that’s small solace to Hudson who watched Mohammed remodel his Brisbane office with marble bench tops shortly before CTRU collapsed, and build a shed inside his workshop to house all his ‘toys’, which included a Range Rover with the rego plate CRUPTED. “It sort of sends this message that if you want to steal millions of dollars , or a lot of money, go and do because you’re only going do six months in a straight bar hotel and live life large again.”

Hudson says he’s semi-retired now at 58, and has no desire to go back to the industry after working for CTRU. “As a driver you don’t get to see what goes on behind the closed door in the office; they give you the job and you go out and do it.

“But I got to see the other side with a corrupt player, and it’s soured me on the whole industry.”

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18 COVER STORY

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

International is a Shaw bet in family’s milestone year

Victorian young gun James Shaw is committed to carrying on a proud family tradition behind the wheel of his beloved Eagle.

BY DAVID VILE IT is a fine Sunday afternoon on the historic Barragunda Station, in rural Victoria when a distinctive turquoise and white International Eagle livestock truck rumbles up the valley.

Kicking up a plume of dust along the dirt road, James Shaw heads into the station’s yards to load out sheep for the next day’s market in Corowa.

Shaw negotiates his way along the farm track and swings around the station’s outbuildings before neatly backing his B-double into the loading race attached to the shearing shed.

The back trailer is part-loaded, with Shaw having spent the morning running around the local area in an Iveco Stralis rigid collecting sheep from numerous smaller properties in the area before cross-loading onto the larger unit, and once these sheep are pushed through into the a-trailer the back trailer can be fully loaded.

The International 9900 Eagle is the flagship of the Shaw Transport fleet, which is based in Mansfield and is celebrating its 50th year of operation being established by Shaw’s father Steve in 1971.

At just 23, Shaw has been involved in the business all his life and is poised to take the five-truck operation well into the future.

“I have been behind the wheel of a truck ever since I could touch the pedals and grab the steering wheel,” Shaw said with a grin.

“As a kid I would hook trailers up in the yard, Dad might have been away and said he needed a B-double hooked up so I would muck around doing that. Eventually that progressed to going out on

James Shaw negotiates the dirt road into Barragunda Station.

The Shaw Transport White Road Commander in the 1980s with stock crate built by Steve Shaw.

James Shaw with his prized International Eagle.

the road in all the spare time I could after school. I finished Year 12 in 2015 and I have been in the trucks ever since.”

Backed in ready to load sheep out of the Barragunda shearing shed.

Shaw climbed the ladder starting out in with a medium rigid licence at 19, then on to a heavy rigid which got him

behind the wheel of the Iveco Stralis before getting his HC classification which allowed him to tow a pig trailer behind the Stralis, finally he worked up to his B-double licence and into the Eagle six months later.

Over the last five decades the Shaw operation has run a number for trucks from an International Accos in the earlier days to a White Road Commander, with the fleet having predominantly an Iveco/International focus for the last 30 or so years.

Today, the fleet consists of Shaw’s Eagle, two Iveco Powerstars and the Iveco Stralis rigid, along with a variety of livestock trailers in various configuration for sheep and cattle transport. A set of flattops rounds out the equipment at the company depot which is part of the 800-acre farm also owned by the family.

“The flat tops are mainly for our own use as we cart a fair bit of our own hay and we do cart a bit of machinery.

We operate predominantly for

livestock, but we will do that sort of work if people want it,” Shaw said.

In the last few weeks, the operation has taken delivery of a new Kenworth T610SAR out of Twin City Truck Centre/Kenworth-DAF Wodonga which will in time replace one of the Iveco units. Having purchased the International out of Larsen’s Truck Sales in Melbourne a few years back it would seem that Shaw is not ready to pension his Eagle off in favour of the new Kenworth just yet.

“The Inter is my toy, those that know me know I just about live in the thing. It was just by chance Larsen’s listed it on their Facebook page and I just happened to see it as I was driving along with Dad, and I said ‘I reckon we ought to go along and have a look at this’.

“We went and had a look and purchased it in September 2018. It’s a 2007 model with a Cummins Gen2 Signature set at 600 horsepower, with and 18 speed Road Ranger. Originally it did belong to a bloke in Queensland, and it was painted silver with a black roof. We had it fully resprayed.”

The Eagle had 1.3 million kilometres on the odometer at the time he bought it, and Shaw has added another 400,000km with the only major issue being the replacement of a turbo in that time.

Given the longer distances Shaw can cover he reckons the International is well spec’d for his line of work.

“The Eagle is by the far the smoothest ride with the 5.7m wheelbase, so it definitely rides a lot better than the Iveco’s and it’s a lot better on the road-for going away in.

“On the longer trips it is a lot roomier with the 50-inch bunk on it-very comfortable for long distance driving. International definitely had a good product.”

Continued on page 20...

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20 COVER STORY

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Youngster in for long haul

...From page 18 AS is the nature of livestock work, the terrain covered on and off road and the destination of the livestock carried varies considerably.

The majority of Shaw’s work is off-farm directly to the abattoirs in Melbourne or to Colac with a lot of work in recent times for Coles to the abattoirs in Gundagai. The company also does weekly saleyard work with cattle into Yea, Euroa, Wangaratta, and Barnawartha along with sheep to markets at Bendigo, Corowa and Wagga.

As a result, Shaw has seen a fair bit of Australia out the windscreen of the International and is happy to be out in the wide-open spaces rather than driving in the builtup areas.

“In my time behind the wheel I have been as far as Tamworth-carting lambs

to an abattoir up there was a fairly regular gig last year, probably the furthest been by myself would be Toowoomba along with Mt Gambier and Adelaide.

“I’ve always been keen on running the Newell up to Tamworth, you get out on the open road or up the Kidman Way to Griffith, I definitely like getting out on the open road rather than into Melbourne and the city traffic.”

With Mansfield based at the foothills of the Great Diving Range the winter months bring their own unique challenges with cold weather and increased ski traffic to the Mt Buller snow resorts requiring Shaw to keep his focus.

“I have been in a few situations heading to Omeo over the top of Mt Hotham you find yourself in the snow, around Mansfield there’s

been a bit of snow on the odd occasions…basically once the snow season, or the silly season as we should call it starts the Mt Buller road is a constant flow of traffic.

“Our depot is located off the main road to Mt Buller, some days you can be fifteen minutes trying to turn out on to the main road because of the traffic. It disrupts our business a bit somewhat, but you just have to live with it.”

The unique turquoise paint scheme of the Shaw trucks sets them apart from a lot of other livestock operators and has been the colour of choice for around 25 years.

“Originally Dad had a White Road Commander SE9 that back in the late 80s it had a similar paint design, but it was a straight green colour.

“When he sold the White and purchased the first Iveco Turbostar it was painted this

The Shaw Transport International Eagle at the Mansfield depot.

turquoise shade of green and we have stuck with it, the turquoise has been our colours since the around 1995.”

Upon the completion of loading at Barragunda, Shaw was looking at heading out to Benalla via the Midland Highway and on up the Hume before turning off to

Young James Shaw, 23, is looking forward to taking over the reins.

Corowa, aiming to be at the receival pens on the Sunday night well in time for Monday’s weekly market.

Despite the trip only being around a 350km journey it would seem that there is still a few more miles for Shaw and his International to make before he considers anything

else, or getting into the new Kenworth full-time.

“I will definitely be doing it as long as I can physically do it, if all goes to plan, I can see myself taking on the business and looking after our valued clients in the wider Mansfield district. I absolutely love the job.”

Alpine trucking at Mount Hotham in the 1990s with the first International/Iveco Turbostar.

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THE BUSINESS OF SAFETY

We’re all in the business of safety.

Working safely has never been more important. No matter who you are – a driver, team leader, fleet manager or CEO – we’re all in the business of safety, every day.

NTI has teamed up with the NHVR as part of its Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative to bring you tips and tools at nti.com.au/better-business-hub. Our experts, alongside your industry peers, break down the important information you need to face the challenges of your role.

So head online to nti.com.au/better-business-hub and make safety a priority.

NTI’s The Business of Safety is funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, supported by the Australian Government.

National Transport Insurance is a joint venture of the insurers Insurance Australia Limited trading as CGU Insurance ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 and AAI Limited Trading as Vero Insurance ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 each holding a 50% share. National Transport Insurance is administered on behalf of the insurers by its manager NTI Limited ABN 84 000 746 109 AFSL 237246.

22 AD FEATURE

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Hard numbers on fatigue

THE numbers on fatigue are in – and there’s good news and bad. According to the just-released NTARC 2021 Major Accident Investigation Report, fatigue-related crashes are at their lowest recorded level. Still, they remain the largest single cause of truck driver deaths.

The National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has analysed data from insurer NTI’s large loss claims database for the last decade.

Adam Gibson, Transport

and Logistics Risk Engineer at NTI, has authored the last six reports. “Over that time, we’ve seen a dramatic improvement in the safety performance of the Australian road transport industry,” said Gibson.

“Over the past decade we’ve seen an improvement in the safety performance of the trucking industry, going from 1.4 deaths per billion tonne-kilometres of freight moved down to 0.9, which is a 36 per cent reduction.

“That means Australia’s transport industry is one of the safest, if not the safest, in the world. That’s a success to be celebrated.”

The report also busted some myths about fatigue-related incidents.

“Most of the truck drivers who have fatigue crashes are not young, and they’re not inexperienced. They’re on familiar routes doing familiar tasks,” added Gibson.

“Even though fatigue-re-

Fatigue crashes don’t just happen to inexperienced drivers.

lated truck crashes are at their lowest recorded level, fatigue remains the single biggest cause of crashes where truck drivers lose their lives.”

The good news is that the overall trend is downwards; after plateauing from 2017 to 2019, the rate of fatigue crashes dropped again, down to eight per cent of all large loss crashes.

One ‘myth’ is that fatigue is only a problem for inexperienced drivers who don’t know how to manage their time and

alertness. But fatigue crashes don’t just happen to inexperienced drivers.

“The report shows that being a veteran is no protection,” Gibson said, with most drivers involved in fatigue crashes having more than a decade behind the wheel.

The report also shows that the small hours – between midnight and 6 am – are the worst for fatigue crashes. It’s a message that operators have taken onboard.

“We’re seeing fewer drivers doing the extreme hours that were once more common. We see a lot of operators that now have their trucks parked up from 10pm to 4am.

“To those operators, we say ‘thank you’. It’s a wonderful example of the interplay between the report and the industry’s operational practices.”

How to protect yourself Gibson says there are three key steps you can take to protect yourself against having a fatigue crash: • Get good quality sleep: “Caffeine, alcohol, stress and being overweight can all reduce your sleep quality.

Getting less than five hours sleep affects your judgment as much as if you have 0.05 per cent blood alcohol.”

• Use a driver management system (DMS): “We know they’re controversial, but the

simple fact is they save lives.

They can also make you a better, more alert driver and make your day-to-day work easier.”

• Stay off the roads between midnight and 6 am: “Check your routes and schedules. If it looks like you’ll be driving past midnight, flag it.”

Gibson says the most important step for any driver is to realise that “you’re not a super-trucker; fatigue happens to everyone.”

The good news is it’s a problem the industry can fix – starting with a good night’s sleep.

Download a copy of the NTARC 2021 report at nti. com.au/better-business-hub/ ntarc www.nti.com.au/betterbusiness-hub

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24 TEST DRIVE

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Taking charge of metro deliveries

Our test driver takes his first fully electric truck for a spin and is impressed with what he discovers.

BY WARREN CAVES FUSO Trucks has amped up the race to full electric mobility with the recent release of the 100 per cent electric drive eCanter 1.1, lauded as Australia’s first commercially available, production electric truck.

The eCanter heralds in an exciting new era of urban logistics possibilities for businesses chasing green initiative targets and a reduced carbon footprint, via the eCanter’s zero local emission when in operation status.

Big Rigs was invited to evaluate the electric drive truck from the Fuso head office in Western Sydney, to see watt (sic) all the hype is about.

At first glance, (looking past the promotional signwriting), the eCanter does not look dissimilar to its traditional diesel or hybrid stablemates.

It’s only distinguishable from a distance by the brushed silver look covers, shield-

At first glance, (looking past the promotional signwriting), the eCanter does not look dissimilar to its traditional diesel or hybrid stablemates.

Hopping in to the eCanter for the drive revealed a remarkably familiar environment.

ing four of the six, 370 Volt, 13.8kWH Lithium-ion batteries located along the outer side of the chassis rails where a traditional diesel tank would reside. The remaining two are located within the chassis rails.

The eCanter operates two separate voltage systems. Pow-

ering the drive for the eCanter is the 370-volt, high voltage system, identified by heavy orange cabling running around the vehicle, and a more traditional, 12-volt system used to power all of the accessory systems and pumps that would normally be driven from the

Powering the drive for the eCanter is the 370-volt, high voltage system, identified by heavy orange cabling running around the vehicle.

diesel engine.

The high voltage system is used exclusively to provide power to the drivetrain, while the 12-volt system powers items such as the power steering pump, vacuum pumps for the brakes, coolant pump, heaters and voltage inverters.

Fuso engineers have opted to incorporate a cooling system for the Lithium-ion batteries. This system runs a coolant envelope around the batteries to maintain them at optimal temperatures for extended longevity. With this, Fuso offers a 10-year warranty for the eCanter batteries.

Hopping in to the eCanter for the drive, revealed a remarkably familiar environment. All present were the usual items found in any number of light trucks: steering wheel, brake and throttle pedals, indicator

and wiper stalks and a regular auto transmission selector lever. It’s not until you take a closer look that there arise subtle differences.

What looks to be a standard fuel gauge actually has a little electric plug printed on it.

The left steering column stalk does provide switching for the windscreen wipers, however what would normally be the control for the exhaust brake, is now the actuator for the regenerative braking feature.

After a quick orientation and instruction session with Kevin Youngman, field service manager for Fuso Truck and Bus, I’m ready to roll.

I insert the large fob key in its dock and press the start button as instructed, and nothing. All I hear are crickets, no whining throw of a starter

Fuso engineers have opted to incorporate a cooling system for the Lithium-ion batteries.

motor engaging a flywheel, no shake of the cab from the eruption of an engine, all I hear is the faint whir of what I’m informed is the vacuum pumps (of which there are two) priming the braking system. It’s a bizarre experience for me.

While I have experienced hybrid vehicles before, I had not yet experienced a 100 per cent electric vehicle (as long as you don’t count forklifts).

My long relied upon sense of sound, which alerted me to the fact that my vehicle was good to go, was now defunct, I now had to observe the dash display and wait for the little green light to convey to me that we were in fact ‘ready’.

I gazed across to my passenger for reassurance that everything was ‘Ready’ as the text in the dash display was confirming: “Yes, select drive and push the throttle as you would any other vehicle,” Youngman reassured.

I gingerly amble out of the driveway and up to a T-intersection, at which point I decide to mash the throttle pedal to gauge off the line performance, and I was not disappointed. From the available 135kw of power and 390nm of torque, throttle response and up-take from a standing start was as zesty as it was linear.

Continued on page 26...

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26 TEST DRIVE

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Big leap forward in the city space

...From page 24 FROM the moment the pedal is depressed, your request is conveyed to the rear wheels without haste or lag. It was not throw-you-back-in-the-seat, neck-cracking, whiplash stuff; just smooth, instant responsiveness, seemingly unhindered by the trucks 6300kg GVM for our test.

To bring the eCanter up to speed from a standstill on a gradient also detracted little from its performance, or at

least it seemed so.

Perhaps it’s just that the long endured aural indicators of load and toil are gone. The repetitious ascending tone of a revving engine spiraling toward its limit before engaging another ratio and starting the concerto all over again have been removed, so while you can see a hill and instantly know that the truck must be working hard, the truck is no longer complaining about it through sound.

The eCanter heralds in an exciting new era of urban logistics possibilities.

The eCanter is lauded as Australia’s first commercially available, production electric truck.

In place of a traditional exhaust brake for speed retardation, the same lever is now used to apply the regenerative braking system, which as a double-edged sword, reduces road speed without the use of the service brake, reducing brake maintenance costs, while at the same time generating added charge current which is direct-

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ed back into the high voltage batteries.

The braking effect on vehicle speed was quite reasonable.

It took some time for me to come to terms with the unfamiliar ‘Zen’ of this workplace, particularly when sitting at traffic lights, the silence was foreign and a bit surreal.

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30-years driving conventional powered trucks, if I had previously experienced that level of silence at a set of traffic lights, chances are I’d stalled it.

To hold a conversation within the eCanter, no longer requires competing with the engine noise. I really did at first, find the silence quite deafening.

Also greatly removed are vibration, both at standstill and while driving. I think the combination of a quieter atmosphere, with reduced vibration aided by eCanter’s Isri, mechanical suspension seat, would equate to a greater sense of calm while negotiating city environs (that has to be a good thing).

TEST DRIVE 27

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

What looks to be a standard fuel gauge actually has a little electric plug printed on it.

It should be noted that the eCanter, when compared to an equivalent diesel-powered 815 Canter, suffers a weight penalty of an extra 600kg.

The single speed, direct drive transmission performed seamlessly during the test. It does however have one small limitation: eCanter’s top speed is stated as 80km/h, although on my short freeway stage of

testing it did achieve 90km/h under its own power.

The fixed ratio driveline, according to Youngman, can generate large amounts of heat at highway speeds.

When it reaches this point

The eCanter is certainly a quantum leap forward in the inner city, urban transport space.

an alarm sounds within the cabin to alert the driver and speed is reduced to avoid driveline damage.

While some may see the 80km/h speed limit as a negative, I feel the eCanter is not necessarily marketed as a highway truck. Inter-urban and last-mile deliveries are where this truck is most at home, where average speeds are well down.

Fuso quotes a range of 100km from a full charge for the eCanter, which is certainly not far reaching and could possibly induce range anxiety, however that 100km is based on full load operation for the duration, so figures in excess of that are potentially achievable, via coasting and regenerative braking top-up.

The single speed, direct drive transmission performed seamlessly during the test.

Charging can come from either AC or DC options. The eCanter can be fully charged from flat in eight-hours via AC, or in as little as one-hour via a DC fast charger. Fuso have chosen to fit a type 2 EV

charging port to the eCanter, which can plug into a standard three-phase AC power socket.

In the race for electric mobility, battery technology and advancement is also moving at an incredible pace.

With greater battery efficiencies, gains in terms of reduced weight should follow.

It should be noted that the eCanter, when compared to an equivalent diesel-powered 815 Canter, suffers a weight penalty of an extra 600kg.

I believe that for most in the light truck market, particularly those involved in e-commerce and parcel deliveries this should not pose too big a problem.

The eCanter is certainly a quantum leap forward in the inner city, urban transport space where range is not critical and charging infrastructure is close at hand.

At our test drive end the figures are as follows: • Distance travelled - 68.5km • Average speed – 22.4km/h • Predicted range remaining – 45km

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FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Total package at Krueger

At Krueger National Spare Parts and Service, it’s about much more than having an extensive list of products. High levels of customer service and a trusted national support network are all part of the package.

KRUEGER is best known for its quality trailers, which it’s been producing for over 45 years, however over the past few years, it’s been making a name for itself in the parts domain too. It stocks items both for its own brand of trailers and all other makes of trailers too.

Krueger National Spare Parts and Service carries around 15,000 product lines and has access to thousands more. It stocks big brands such as Jost, BPW Transpec, Hendrickson, Fuwa K-Hitch, SAF-Holland and more.

“Our stock levels are second to none. We carry stock on the shelf, rather than having to source it from a warehouse.

This means we can quickly access parts when customers need them. It speeds up the process of getting them what they need, when they need it,” said national spare parts manager at Krueger Transport Equipment Ben Raudino, who has over 30 years of experience in the parts industry.

Though it’s the customer service that really sets the business apart, he says. “We’ve obviously got a wide range of parts for all makes of trailers, but it’s the service that differentiates us from our competitors. We offer as many deliveries as we need to – there are no set morning and afternoon runs. We also have a wealth of knowledge of the parts industry. There are a lot of our staff here who are ex-mechanics and many who have been with us for 30 years or more, so they know our product backwards and know the industry inside out.”

Krueger has been able to grow its parts business by continually adding to its range.

Under Raudino’s leadership, he’s helped to increase the product portfolio five-fold in the past five years.

Krueger National Spare Parts and Service has its own workshops in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and a network of dealers in oth-

Krueger National Spare Parts and Service carries around 15,000 product lines and has access to thousands more.

er capital cities. “The entire country is covered via our own network and our partner network,” added Kevin Dennis, group CEO at Krueger Transport Equipment.

“One of our key partners is Brown and Hurley, which has been a very successful sales distributor for us. Over in Adelaide and Perth, we have enlisted independent dealers.”

Krueger also has field service vans at each of its locations, offering roadside assistance 24/7, 365 days a year.

Add to that Krueger’s rental fleet – available at each of its workshops – and it’s a complete service package. “We have 350 trailers rented out at any one time. It’s another level of service we offer our customers and it’s especially important if they have a trailer off the road or being serviced.

Krueger can put them into another trailer set so they can stay on the road. It also means if a customer gets a six-month contract, they can rent the trailer for the period they need it, instead of having to one.

Some of our signature rental customers include the likes of Toll and Woolworths,” said Dennis.

Extending on its service offering, Krueger launched an online parts catalogue around 12 months ago. Krueger’s na-

tional service manager David Grant explained, “It gives customers the opportunity to look at all the technical spec-

ifications and find out part numbers, then they can either order online or quote the part number and order over the phone. What we’re finding is that most of our customers will find what they need online and call us to place the order, which goes to show that this is still very much a relationships industry.”

Recently, Krueger has also put an apprenticeship program in place. “Like everyone in the industry, we recognise that there’s a skills shortage in Australia, so we’re willing to step up and sponsor those wanting to get into the industry through an apprenticeship program,” said Dennis. We’re always on the lookout for new talent across the whole business, with opportunities for boiler makers, heavy vehicle mechanics, light vehicle mechanics, spray painters and more.”

To view the online parts catalogue, please visit kruegernationalspares.com.au. For career opportunities, visit krueger.com. au/careers.

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30 READER RIGS

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Nick Withycombe snapped this shot during an early morning Sunday run.

Shannon Gregory and this Volvo Globetrotter leave the storm behind them, near Broken Hill, NSW.

Share your truck pics THE trucking game is as diverse as the terrain on which our truckies travel.

If there’s one thing we know many of you love, it’s a good looking rig – and sometimes life on the open road brings some golden photo opportunities.

The Big Rigs #PicOfTheDay competition is a chance

to share your best snaps through our Facebook page (@BigRigs). We’ll choose a weekly winning shot to feature as our Facebook cover photo and a selection of the best pics will be featured in the next edition of Big Rigs Newspaper.

So get snapping and keep those great pics coming!

Phillip Radford shared this pic of his restored 1990 Ford LTL 9000 Louisville Kentucky.

Shayne Dann got this great shot at Cawnpore Hills while bound for the Plenty Highway.

Owner-driver Lee Yonge’s Western Star 6900 loads cattle in south western Victoria.

Great shot sent in by Tom Charlton at the Mulgowie farm in Bowen, Queensland.

Kevin Bemrose stopped to snap this delightful night sky while transporting mineral sands to the Port of Bunbury, WA.

Ricky Lawson and this PBS-approved 32-metre A-double set-up carry import and export containers between western NSW and Melbourne.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

Wayne Agius had the best seat in the house to watch this sunrise while enjoying a cuppa.

Tim Mealey was transporting underground mining fuel from Eromanga to Dubbo, when he stopped to snap this beauty in Quilpie, Queensland, just after a storm.

Robert Veitch stops by Cobar, NSW, where this sign, built on the side of a slag heap, welcomes visitors to the mining town.

There’s lots of history in this photo of two vintage Macks shared by Sam Hill.

Jim Gatt sent in this great pic of three military vehicles heading home on the back of a Mack.

Awesome photo shared by Blake Appsy of this Western Star 4900 and Kenworth T909 hard at work during harvest.

Great shot sent in by Ben Talbot, while transporting a triple load of defence gear from SA to NT.

James Reynolds shared this shot, loaded up with fencing wire from Perth and bound for Quilpie, Queensland.

Loading up the Western Star – another ripper of a shot sent in by Kev Cameron.

Dennis Perfrement shared this great shot, taken at Ayers Rock, while delivering bitumen for a sealing job nearby.

32 NEWS

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Rallying for Beyond Blue

WHAT started as a simple idea between mates is now gaining traction, with trucks turning out in their dozens to help raise money for Beyond Blue.

Truck drivers Jake Cusbert and Luke Roberts decided to start up monthly truck meets at Marsden Park in Sydney.

The first one in May attracted about 30 trucks, while the one held on June 12 brought in 82 trucks. With the success of the last meet, it’s looking like the next one, to be held on July 17, will attract an even bigger crowd.

The two truckie mates work together at D&C Heavy Haulage, doing tipper work throughout NSW, and into Victoria and Queensland.

“I’ve been driving for nearly four years now. I’ve grown up around it. My old man is a truckie and then his dad was as well. I used to go in the truck with dad on school holidays and weekends,” said Roberts.

For Cusbert, it was much the same story. He too grew up around trucks as a kid.

“One day Jake rang me and said he had seen something about a car meet and asked what do you reckon about a truck meet? I said if it didn’t work, then I’d say it was all his idea,” he laughed.

“We’ve held two so far and there’s no charge, all we ask is

The June truck meet attracted 82 trucks and even more are expected at the next one in July.

that those who come along make a donation to Beyond Blue. KWT Transport put on a barbeque for us and drinks.

And then we had a coffee van there too. There’s no trailers, just prime movers and rigids,” said Roberts.

“There’s no show and shine, no ‘my truck is better than yours’, no politics. It’s simply about getting together, having a chat and then going home.”

The first truck meet raised

around $350 and then at the second one, it was around the $450 mark. But with their monthly meets now gaining a lot more interest, it’s hoped their fundraising efforts will go even further at the next meet and beyond.

At the July 17 event, the pair are planning to have Beyond Blue wrist bands and magnets available for purchase, as well as t-shirts they’ve had made, which will help to raise further funds.

The monthly meets are all about truckies getting together and raising money for an important cause.

Cusbert and Roberts are also in talks with a Melbourne truckie who is hoping to start

up regular truck meets there too, based around the same concept.

New podcast connects drivers TRUCKIES now have a new podcast to tune into while on the road courtesy of the OzHelp Foundation’s new health and wellbeing initiative Health in Gear.

Hosted by OzHelp wellbeing support officer, Frank Arsego, the podcast shares stories from Australian truck drivers and the driving community.

The series aims to promote connection, discuss industry issues and challenges, and inspire ideas on ways to feel healthier and happier on the road.

Available on popular podcasting platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, the series reveals stories from well-known Australian truck drivers, including Health in Gear ambassadors Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall, Tony ‘Tones’ Fulton and Lyndal Denny.

“The podcast series aims to reach a wider audience within the truck driving community, whilst being able to share some great tips, advice and research on ways we can support truck driver’s health and wellbeing,” said OzHelp chief executive officer, Darren Black. “The podcast series will add to the many resources drivers can access through Health in Gear.”

Let’s clear the air over illegal engine remapping

Remapped engines release 60x more pollutants To ensure the heavy vehicle industry does its part to minimise impact on the environment, all new trucks sold in Australia since 2010 must meet Euro V Vehicle Emission Standards.

The illegal practice of engine remapping means the vehicle will not comply with these standards, putting truck drivers and the public at risk of harm.

Exposure to toxic diesel emissions in the workplace, our communities, schools and the environment causes major health risks.

The NHVR’s priority is to protect the safety of drivers and the community, helping to ensure a productive and sustainable heavy vehicle industry.

To find out more on the risks and penalties visit nhvr.gov.au/engineremapping

34 AD FEATURE TELEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

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Wheel tech forging the future of road transport

ALCOA Wheels didn’t stop at the invention of the forged aluminium wheel in 1948.

It has continued to stay at the leading edge of innovation and its wheel technologies are helping forge the future of the transportation industry.

New technologies such as electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles, along with fuel emissions regulations, are impacting how fleets operate.

The future is electric We have seen a range of prototypes, demonstration trucks and commercially available hydrogen fuel-cell and plug-in electric vehicles come onto the market and in October 2019, Daimler Trucks committed to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2039.

Both Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks started producing electric trucks in

2019, and Scania joined them in early 2020.

What does Alcoa Wheels have to do with the electrification of vehicles?

It’s all about light weighting.

According to Scania’s life cycle assessment (LCA) of distribution vehicles published in 2021, the environmental impact of battery electric vehicles is significantly lower than vehicles with an internal combus-

tion engine, so lighter wheels are becoming a necessity.

“The push toward electrification in the industry now is driving the light weighting crusade with batteries being very heavy currently,” said Michael Nichols, national sales manager of Howmet Wheel Systems, the distributor of Alcoa Wheels in Australia.

Fitting lighter wheels not only offsets the added weight

tery energy density of 160 kwh, ~4.8km of range could be added with the same ~68kg weight reduction.

The new Alcoa Ultra ONE 18kg wheel can reduce an individual truck weight from 272 to 590kg versus steel options and up to over 100kg for a standard truck and trailer combination with 22 wheels, compared with current aluminium wheel options.

moment, according to Dave Walters, manager of warranty and field service for Alcoa Wheel Products, who acted as chairman for the Technology and Maintenance Council’s (TMC) Recommended Practice (RP) 261, Considerations for Aerodynamic Wheel Covers over in the US. Doug Mason, Alcoa Wheels global technology manager shares the following example: “A fleet that adds a trailer skirt might see 5 per cent savings.

They might then decide to add another component that should provide an additional 2 per cent savings, but only realise 4 per cent instead of seeing a total 7 percent in savings.”

Why? “The interaction between the two components did change the airflow, but because of the complexity of the truck and trailer designs themselves, the addition of the second aerodynamic device may have actually created more drag,” Mason explained.

What does Alcoa Wheels have to do with aerodynamics?

In a nutshell, aerodynamic devices add weight and Alcoa wheels, as the lightest and strongest in the market, help offset the additional weight from the aerodynamic equipment without compromising on the load capacity.

Larger fleets may spec Alcoa wheels as standard across their equipment, providing a stable and consistent measurable while trialling new technologies.

Alcoa Wheels’ innovative wheel technologies will continue to forge the future of the transport industry as it adjusts to demands to become more sustainable.

Alcoa wheel technology innovation is forging the future of transport by leading in light weighting.

Alcoa wheels are chosen by leading OEMs and fleets to offset weight of fuel emission technologies.

of the battery, but it helps extend battery life and improve range.

To get maximum battery capacity, weight needs to be reduced, so for every ~68kg of weight reduced, one extra passenger can be added (in accordance with various regulations), notes one OEM. Alternatively, with a bat-

The future is aerodynamic Aerodynamics reduces air drag which means a lowered fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions and is becoming popular for fleets.

For long-haul operators, there’s a definite advantage to streamlining with aerodynamic products, and fleets are doing it through trial and error at the

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Electronic and mechatronic repair solutions

all units are tested on the Injectronics designed Virtual Automotive Simulator, providing a comprehensive full function test to ensure correct operation.

IN a world where a semiconductor can bring global vehicle production lines to a standstill, it’s good to know your truck’s electronic modules can still be repaired, getting your heavy vehicle back on the road with a typical turnaround of 48 hours.

For over 30 years, Injectronics has been providing repair solutions for automotive electronics and mechatronics.

During this time, Injectronics has developed a reputation as Australasia’s leading supplier of quality new and remanufactured automotive electronic components, including those used on commercial and heavy vehicles.

The ever-growing number of electronic and mechatronic components in heavy vehicles has seen Injectronics receive a steady increase in the volume of enquiries and requests for assistance from the sector.

The Injectronics team knows how important the heavy industry is and how time critical any type of repair is. Injectronics provides a dedicated repair channel to support the fast turnaround required for commercial and heavy vehicle applications.

The team is also continually developing solutions for the latest technologies and can efficiently rectify common causes of failure and even upgrade components during repairs where necessary. It’s already offering several repairs that restore electronic components to a better-than-factory design.

Injectronics offers repair solutions for a range of components, including those that are no longer available to purchase from the OEM. The repair service also supports modules that require programming to the vehicle and can, in many cases, retain or copy programming data into the repaired or replacement module.

This programming service avoids the need to reprogram the module back into the vehicle and delivers not only a fast repair, but also one that is cost-effective.

From engine control modules to mechatronic units like ABS and transmission control units, Injectronics offers test and repair services of your original unit which includes a comprehensive function test and upgrade of components to ensure the unit functions correctly

Injectronics offers unique repair solutions for late model ECUs.

Injectronics has been providing repair solutions for automotive electronics and mechatronics for over 30 years.

for many years to come.

Programming is also available to ensure the component can be installed plug-and-play, and ready to go. All work is backed by a 12-month warranty. Injectronics also offers a free technical assistance line to trade customers.

Visit injectronics.com.au to learn more or contact the sales department on 03 8792 6999 for any enquiries.

For example, the Temic MLPLD control unit is fitted to many heavy vehicles including Mercedes-Benz Actros, Atego and Vario models. Injectronics has been presented with many of these units having several common issues including no power to injectors, running

rough, dropping cylinders when warm, no start, one injector bank not functioning and fault code 4906 – “The feedback of the second-row plunger pump is short on the weight”.

To overcome both the supply availability and programming challenges of late model ECUs, Injectronics offers a unique repair service solution to the original product failure.

Injectronics can repair these units for the common faults listed and offer a time and cost saving solution. Once repaired all units are tested on the Injectronics designed Virtual Automotive Simulator (VAS). This provides a comprehensive full function test ensuring correct operation.

MERCEDES / MAN ML-PLD Control Unit Repair Service The Temic ML-PLD control unit is fitted to many heavy vehicles including Mercedes-Benz Actros, Atego, and Vario models. Injectronics has been presented with many of these units having several common issues including: • No power to injectors •R unning rough • Dropping cylinders when warm • No start • One injector bank not functioning • Fault code 4906 – “The feedback of the second-row plunger pump is short on the weight” To overcome supply availability and programming challenges of late model ECUs, Injectronics offers a unique repair service solution to the original product failure.

Injectronics can repair these units for the common faults listed and offers a time and cost saving solution. Once repaired

Injectronics can rectify faults when climate control units fail.

Kenworth Climate Control Unit Repair Service Keeping the cabin temperature regulated is crucial. Injectronics has seen many Kenworth climate control units fail. As these units are becoming extremely difficult to source new, Injectronics now have a solution.

Common faults include: • Unable to control air direction •U nable to adjust temperature • Heater fan inoperative • Air-conditioner compressor not activating

As these units are difficult to source new, Injectronics has a solution.

HEAVY DUTY REPAIR SOLUTIONS PROVIDING ELECTRONIC & MECHATRONIC REPAIR SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEAVY VEHICLE SECTOR Cummins International Celect ECM

ECMCIDREP Cummins diesel engines cover a wide variety of uses including trucks, cranes, marine, industrial, generators, construction, and on-highway are some of the most popular applications. Injectronics have seen many of these units fail due to various causes. The most common being due to liquid/oil contamination. Other causes may be related to capacitor damage due to the age of these ECM’s, internal shorts due to brittle wiring looms and large amounts of corrosion.

These units are no longer available from OEM so Injectronics offer a test and repair service of the customer’s original unit. This includes a comprehensive function test and upgrade of electronic components to ensure the unit functions correctly for many more years to come.

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Problem is solved with MyTrucking

ONLINE transport management system MyTrucking was developed to help solve the issues related to excessive paperwork, too many phone calls and invoicing dramas.

Since the app was launched over seven years ago with a small group of New Zealand transport operators, it has grown extensively and is now being used by over 300 transport businesses in New Zealand and more than 100 in Australia.

“An accountant in Australia was looking for an add-on solution for their transport clients and he found us. From there it’s grown through word of mouth, which is fantastic,” said MyTrucking founder Sara Orsborn.

Carpendale Commodities and Transport, based in Goondiwindi, swears by the technology. The business has

a 50,000 acre grain farm, with a grain handling and storage facility as well as the transport business. It took on the MyTrucking software in July 2017. Reports from drivers at Carpendale have been great.

They are stoked about how the MyTrucking app simplifies their job, which means more time behind the wheel and less time messing around with a pen and paper.

“We get receipt printouts at jobs. We used to have to then re-write half of them but now we just take a photo with the app and its sorted,” said one of Carpendale’s truckies.

Back at the Carpendale office, operations manager Jason Elms reckons MyTrucking has halved the administration workload, which frees up time to build the transport operations. “It’s cut the workload by 50 per cent around the

office, especially at harvest time. When we enter a job, the information pre-fills a lot of the time and isn’t double handled.”

The big benefit for Carpendale and its drivers, Elms says, is having everything in one place within the app – from the address of a farm through to contact details. “On the logistics side it’s just as good as the invoicing.

Because contact details and farm details are all there, it saves so much time and mistakes. I can also do things remotely which saves everybody time.”

The MyTrucking team set out to offer the best service in the game, and Carpendale Transport has been pleased with the result. “The service has been great, I can’t fault them,” Elms added. “We’ve had that much help getting

Goondiwindi based Carpendale Commodities and Transport has been using MyTrucking software since July 2017.

it all set up and the moment you have a question you’ve got someone calling you to answer it.”

This high level of customer service has seen customers across Australia – including DT Rogers in Victoria (with owner David Rogers featuring in many of the MyTrucking adverts) and TGR Transport also in Victoria – grow their business alongside MyTrucking for many years.

MyTrucking is billed on a

month-by-month basis with no contracts to sign. Tom Allen at TGR said, “MyTrucking has helped with saving time, improving efficiencies, accuracy, cashflow – the list goes on. Overall, we are so much more organised now.”

It’s not as though the schedule and diary are broken, but MyTrucking’s simple software allows businesses to operate more efficiently.

When every lost docket is lost income, having a digital

record in real time just makes sense.

The MyTrucking team is committed to building software that is the scheduler’s friend, making it simple to plan loads and communicate with drivers as well as generating data and reports that give business owners real insights into efficiency and performance.

Transporters can try MyTrucking free for two weeks by visiting mytrucking. com/freetrial.

The smart way to transition to paperless

THS specialises in simple paperless compliance systems that can turn your existing NHVAS system into an easy to use paperless system that costs very little and saves hours of paperwork.

Through integration of simple forms using the same technology that’s used when checking into a roadhouse, THS can keep your business up to date with all your prestart, fit-for-duty, CML/HML weight records and fault reporting.

THS compliance specialist and registered auditor Glyn Castanelli explains, “While engaging with our audit cus-

tomers I have found an array of expensive, ineffective, out of the box systems that do not do the job properly and in most cases are more work for the operator than what is required. Some operators I have visited have had two or more of these systems, all adding big dollars per truck to the business’ expenses every month.

“We can eliminate these costs and simplify your systems so you can concentrate on running your business – not shuffling paper or being confused by over-complex systems for little benefit.”

THS also distributes NHVR-approved EWD

Smart eDriver which can be purchased separately or combined with a paperless system, providing operators with a true paperless compliance system that is 100 per cent compliant all the time.

Smart eDriver is simple to use on an android phone or tablet and will be released on iOS in July.

“Drivers can now be confident that they are no longer driving around with potential costly breaches in their written work diary and that businesses have up to date records of all driver work and rest hours with email alerts of any potential non-conformance. I have

used the Smart eDriver since December and will not jump in a truck without it. We offer all our customers 24/7 support and are lucky to get one call a week,” Castanelli added.

The Smart eDriver EWD can be purchased by the business or an individual driver at transporthealthandsafety. com.au.

THS provides free setup and a free 24/7 helpline to all Smart eDriver customers. As one of the largest EWD distributors in Australia, THS now offers the Smart eDriver EWD for $17+GST per driver, per month, to all new and existing customers.

Glyn Castanelli has used the Smart eDriver EWD since December and “will not jump in a truck without it”.

THS Smart eDriver EWD FULLY COMPLIANT EWD APPROVED BY THE NHVR can now receive in-vehicle stats to  Drivers better plan work and rest times will also gain insight into driver  Operators stats, to help improve scheduling interaction direct with the  Driver developer, to get user insights into future features and developments

Visit our website for sign up $23+gst per month per driver 0430 503 580 transporthealthandsafety.com.au info@transporthealthandsafety.com.au

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Maximising technology within your business

THE use of innovative technology is changing the way road transport operators do business, providing industry with opportunities to improve day-to-day operations.

There are a growing number of solutions to make existing work practices more time and cost efficient and the online course ‘Maximising Technology’ gives a detailed overview of three key areas where technology is really making a difference to the road transport industry.

The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) is partnering with leading technology providers to bring you the Maximising Technology three-part series included in the Road Freight Resilience Program.

The sessions are designed to be an hour long, each looking at different types of technology and how they can support specific functions in your business.

Session 1: Fatigue Monitoring Technology • Covers wearable technology

as well as in-vehicle cameras.

Session 2: Going Paperless in your business • Looks at general freight solutions and covers sign-on glass technology and electronic work diaries.

Session 3: Telematics • Provides an overview of how telematics can support your business in understanding job costs, tracking fuel tax credits and creating a more efficient fleet.

This series will give you not only an overview of available technology, but also an understanding on what you need to consider when setting it up in your business. It will cover topics like training, new policies and procedures, and introducing new ways of working with your team.

Commencing in July through August, these sessions will give transport operators a good foundation to establish new business practices using available transport technology.

In case you can’t make it along,

the sessions are recorded to view later. However, if you are able to join the live webinars it is an excellent opportunity to speak with the technology provider in the live Q&A. The Road Freight Skills Passport will also be launched in August, giving drivers a digital credential that is accessible via mobile phones, making it truly a portable, secure and third-party verifiable passport.

Using the Credly platform, all learners who have already completed a course, are currently completing, and any new users will have access to digital badges for the Road Freight Resilience Program courses.

QTA CEO Gary Mahon said that this innovative digital credential program will help the transport sector to develop a common language of verified knowledge, skills and abilities which will help all stakeholders to build a safe and productive industry for the future.

“Our workforce undertakes both on-the-job and more formal or accredited training programs; making it difficult for individuals to keep track of the

numerous safety inductions, certificates and short-courses they complete,” Mahon said.

“Moving to a digital credential, will help transport operators keep an accurate record of accredited and non-accredited training.

“It will change the way an

individual can share what they have learnt and easily build on their professional development.

“The Credly digital badges contain what you learned, where it was learned and why it matters.”

The program is a QTA initiative funded under the

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Micro-credentialing Pilots Program.

Visit the Road Freight Resilience Program online learning platform at roadfreightresilience.thinkific.com to find out more.

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The future of trucking is tech-driven in Australia

Generating roughly $100 billion for the nation’s economy annually, Australia’s transport and logistics sector plays a vital role in keeping the country moving. However, the industry has long battled a perception of being a dangerous one,

with safety perennially a top of mind concern for any business with a fleet of vehicles on the road.

As the industry progresses, advancements in technology are creating a safer environment, not just for truck driv-

ers, but for all road users. For example, a new joint report from the NHVR, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA) and the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) found that PBS vehicles

As technology continues to evolve rapidly, so do the solutions that will empower your safety on the road for many years to come.

are involved in 60 per cent fewer major crashes than conventional vehicles.

Here are some other examples of tech that is improving road safety.

Enhanced fatigue monitoring When you’re tired, your reaction time is critically impaired, meaning you take longer to respond to potential hazards and make quick decisions, putting yourself and others at serious risk. Telematics is one of the most impactful technologies on driver safety.

EWDs help you manage your work and rest hours more easily behind the wheel.

They automatically record a driver’s work and rest times with just the push of a button, alerting you when they need to take a break so you’re never at risk of driving while dangerously fatigued.

Not only does this technology allow you to easily monitor and manage your time behind the wheel, but they also ensure you’re compliant with Chain of Responsibility and reducing risk across the business.

Improved vehicle maintenance Some fleets still use paper-based checklists to monitor the condition of each vehicle and asset. The problem with this is that potential faults may not be flagged with maintenance staff as quickly as possible, putting you and others on the road at risk.

Digital pre-trip checklists ensure any faults are immediately highlighted to your team members, so they can stop the vehicle before it leaves the depot, or order parts and have them ready for installation on the vehicle’s return.

When combined with an AI-enabled fleet management system, any faults are instantly brought to the attention of the business instantly, and the vehicle can be put onto a preventative maintenance schedule to keep it safe and roadworthy.

Eyes to the future As technology continues to evolve rapidly, so do the solutions that will empower your safety on the road for many years to come.

Multi-camera solutions are designed to capture a complete 360-degree view in high-definition of the vehicle, as well as other finer details on the road like license plates.

When events are raised, alerts are raised to back-office staff, like harsh braking or speeding, and the footage is available alongside all the telematics data so any incidents can be analysed to help reduce the risk of incidents in the future.

These solutions arm businesses with a comprehensive view of your vehicle and surroundings. Not only does this footage help to prevent fraudulent insurance claims by providing details of an incident, but it can be used to create a personalised driver training program that helps you to build safe habits and progress through the business.

The future of Australia’s transport industry is a tech-driven one. Empowered with smart, easy-to-use tools, drivers can easily and proactively manage fatigue, stay on top of vehicle maintenance, and remain safe on the road.

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Take control of your fleet

Mayika can provide photo proof for supervisors and clients, which is a popular option for no-contact delivery.

MAYIKA’S GPS tracking solutions and fleet management software is helping transport operators take the management of their vehicles to the next level.

Its end-to-end fleet management solution is specially built for all types of vehicles, heavy to light, to serve all purposes. With Mayika’s GPS tracking solution and fleet management software, enjoy full control of your fleet.

Mayika’s software assists with driver safety and performance; asset tracking and management; fleet tracking and management; job scheduling and dispatch; route optimisation and planning; video telematics; and driver journal for FTC. Mayika says it offers Australia’s most comprehensive fleet management solution, providing complete control of your vehicles.

Using its knowledge, expertise and experience, Mayika strives to serve its customers by maintaining their vehicle fleets and enhancing their performance on the road.

Mayika is a one-stop vehicle tracking/telematics technology partner. It provides the latest GPS tracking hardware, and user-friendly and highly intuitive software, to help you manage and track your commercial vehicles. Its solutions

Mayika provides the latest GPS tracking hardware, and userfriendly and highly intuitive software, to help you manage and track your commercial vehicles.

help save time, money and resources, so transport operators and businesses can focus on their daily operations.

Its fleet vehicle tracking and management solution allows you to connect your fleet and gain total control and visibility, with the latest 4G LTE vehicle trackers and devices paired with Mayika’s world class fleet management software.

Mayika’s asset tracking and management is more than just GPS location. Enjoy profound visibility with HD-tracking, a rich set of GIS tools and maps, and real-time telemetry data. Protect fleet, cargo and equipment from theft or unauthorised use.

In regards to job/delivery management and dispatch, Mayika wants to support businesses in these difficult times. From July 1 to September 1, 2021, it’s offering X-GPS tracker absolutely free of charge to new customers.

Mayika technology can even provide photo proof for supervisors and clients.

Enable teams to share their location and current activity by simply tapping the ‘checkin’ button. The location and work results will be proven by the attached pictures.

Photo proof is instrumental for customer service as well. A popular option of no-contact delivery can be easily proven with images

that are immediately shared with the supervisor. That’s how deliveries combine customer care and meet service standards.

When it comes to driver safety and performance, Mayika provides fleet managers with powerful tools to have everything under control.

Map every event to react fast to accidents and violations by getting real-time alerts and locating drivers on a map.

Stay aware of harsh driving by learning about incidents of harsh braking, turns and accelerations online or refer to history records. Users can even monitor excessive idling vehicles to optimise fuel and maintenance costs.

With its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), train employees to improve safety and reduce fleet costs – by assisting drivers to avoid crashes. Provide drivers with real time in-cab visual and audio alerts to react in time.

Lane Departure Warning instantly warns drivers when he/she veers out of lane, so they can get back on track.

Forward Collision Warning prevents forward collision by assessing current speed and distance to an object ahead.

While Speed Limit Indication alerts a driver in case of speeding to avoid accidents or fines.

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1. Schedule service jobs Create and manage fleet related service works in several clicks. Schedule jobs by date, mileage and engine hours.

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3. Be notified to perform on-time maintenance Get timely reminders about scheduled service works by email or push notification to increase fleet lifecycle.

1. Avoid bottlenecks Experience optimized routes generated automatically. Skip traffic jams or small trails, not suitable for specific vehicle types.

2. Automatic route optimization Build efficient routes across the assignments. Spend less time & kms behind the wheel.

Helps keep the vehicles in mint condition. Create a detailed service job checklist for timely notifications and reminders.

Enable, fast automatic route planning. Enjoy the GPS tracking platform that considers road restrictions and flawlessly adapts to current traffic.

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Monitor drivers on the road. Set parameters for each violation, get instant notifications and analyse the results for any period.

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40 AD FEATURE

Long live the king pin

KING pins are a vital component in a truck’s steering system. The king pin and the greased bushings that surround it perform the crucial function of attaching a truck’s steering knuckle to the front axle beam while still allowing the entire wheel end to move and “steer” the truck in the intended direction.

As might be expected, even under normal driving conditions, the solid round king pins and the lubricated bushings in which they rotate are subject

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

to intense forces. These forces, combined with continuous movement, mean that all king pin joints will eventually begin to show signs of wear. This can manifest in vehicle wheel alignment issues, excessive or uneven tyre wear or a steering that pulls to one side. If the excessive movement or “play” in the king pin joint caused by wear is not rectified by replacing the king pin and associated components, eventually the entire axle may require replacing.

This is an expensive fix.

Meritor, a leader in steering axle technology, has an extensive range of king pin kits aimed at the heavy-duty end of the truck market.

There are four unique Meritor king pin kits in the current range.

Meritor, a leader in steering axle technology, has an extensive range of king pin kits aimed squarely at the heavy-duty end of the truck market. Meritor’s aftermarket portfolio includes parts used in production and fitted to Meritor’s own steer axles as well as high quality options for common Dana, Mack or Volvo axles.

There are four unique Meritor king pin kits in the current range. These are differentiated by the type of bushing used, each with respective features and benefits giving customers

a choice to suit their individual needs.

Ezi-Steer kits use a composite bushing which provides less friction, improved steering and longer maintenance intervals.

These are commonly used in Australian-built Meritor axles.

Bronze kits are a traditional choice for their durability and offer reaming simplicity with the use of conventional tools.

FastSet kits feature a stainless-steel spiral bushing engineered for heavy-duty service with no reaming required.

ReadySet kits are the latest kits to join the line-up. They

feature a pre-sized bimetal bushing which does not need reaming and can be installed without pressing using a bushing driver. The result is a substantial reduction in labour time and cost at replacement.

“We believe Meritor has the broadest king pin kit range in the market, an offering that meets multiple price point requirements and covers 95 per cent of the market for ream and no-ream applications,” said Patrick Jose, Meritor Australia aftermarket product manager. “King pins are considered a safety related product

and are essential components in a vehicle’s steering performance. Truck owners can trust that our products have undergone and passed Meritor’s stringent quality approvals.”

Meritor king pin kits are backed by an industry leading two-year aftermarket parts warranty and supported by a highly experienced DRIVEFORCE field team across Australia, New Zealand and the ASEAN region.

For further information please contact your local Meritor representative or visit meritorpartsonline.com.au.

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NEWS 41

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

Adelaide truckie, 83, notches milestone in Canter

EIGHTY-THREE year-old Peter Masseroni has notched up one million kilometres in a Fuso Canter.

Neither Masseroni, nor his truck, are likely to stop any time soon.

“It’s too late for me to re-

tire,” said a smiling Masseroni, who delivers firewood, sand, loam and other landscaping materials to various Adelaide suburbs for Newtons Building and Landscape Supplies, which he founded in 1979.

“I really enjoy it, for me it is a pastime. I drive six days a week and then go for a bike ride with my friend on Sundays,” he said.

As for the Canter factory tipper, it is not likely to be retired soon either.

Peter Masseroni (centre) and the team from Newtons Building and Landscape Supplies celebrate the milestone.

“The truck works like a charm,” Masseroni says. “It never breaks down.”

In fact, the trusty Canter tipper has only ever had one non-consumable part replaced.

“All I have had to do is replace one clutch at around 500,000km, that is it,” Masseroni explained.

“I have not touched the engine, the diff, nothing,” he said.

Masseroni, based in the Adelaide suburb of Campbelltown, takes pride in ensuring his truck is well maintained, and that it remains in excellent condition.

Never one to shy away from hard work, Masseroni came to Australia from Italy in 1959 and started at the Holden Woodville plant before going to drive for Ready Mix. He then started his own business supplying concrete as well as building and landscaping material, before selling the business to current owner and friend Frank Ferella in 1996.

Masseroni stayed on to drive for Newtons, which has grown throughout the years, and bought his current Can-

Neither Masseroni, nor his truck, are likely to stop any time soon.

ter in 1998.

Ferella said Masseroni is the perfect employee.

“Peter’s work ethics are second to none – he is always on time and brings nothing but joy to the staff and customers,” Ferella said. “He puts smiles on everyone faces.”

Fuso recently presented a commemorative ‘one million km’ plaque to Masseroni during a special ceremony attended by his workmates, friends, family and representatives from Daimler Trucks

Adelaide and Fuso head office.

This year, Fuso is also celebrating 50 years of Canter in Australia.

Fuso Truck and Bus Australia Director, Alex Müller, says there are many stories of Canter helping Australians get the job done throughout the last half century, but Masseroni’s is one of the very best.

“We would like to congratulate Peter on this exciting milestone and thank him for being such a good ambassador for Fuso,” Müller said.

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42 DRIVER PROFILE

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Truckin’ In The Tropics Harpnut Schlie

GERMAN-born truckie Harpnut Schlie has driven trucks to every mainland Australian state and the NT during his three decades behind the wheel in Australia.

The 71-year-old Schlie works for Melbourne based

FJF Amusements which is part of the agricultural show circuit.

When Big Rigs saw him he was parked up at the BP Cluden Roadhouse fixing some lights on the Kenworth K200 he drives. During his long career as a driver, Schlie says the

mechanical skills he’s picked up have come in very handy at times like this.

“I usually haul a big ferris wheel and am preparing for the Townsville show which commences in two days. We have just been to the Darwin

with Alf Wilson

show,” he said.

After this event Schlie would head to shows in Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne and some places in between.

“The worst roads I get along have been between Mount Isa and Rockhampton in

Queensland and I refer to them as wobbly. NT roads are far superior,” he said.

Schlie said more rest areas for truckies were required which had toilets.

He enjoyed stopping at the Three Ways Roadhouse in the

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NT recently. Outside work Schlie is into watching car racing and hopes to do more of that when the current show circuit finishes for the year.

“I came to Australia from Germany as a nine year old boy and love it here,” he said.

DRIVER PROFILE 43

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

Truckin’ In The Tropics Dean Thomas

with Alf Wilson

In his latest fight Thomas beat Palm Islander Patrick Clarke on points over five rounds in the super lightweight division.

From left are Dean ‘Blonde Bomber’ Thomas, Jalen Tait and Steve Smith near the Digimen Isuzu.

the watchful eye of now retired truck driver Dennis Clancy.

With Thomas was his Digimen workmate Steve Smith who also drives the Isuzu and boxing club member Jalen Tait.

The gala boxing night had a special theme with organisers hoping to help tackle a

massive youth crime problem in the city.

Previously Thomas has fought at Brisbane, Bendigo in Victoria and Townsville.

Before turning professional, Thomas boasted an impressive amateur record and he continues to impress his trainer Dennis Clancy.

More fights will be on of-

fer for the Blonde Bomber this year.

Former NRL footballer Sonny Bill Williams fought in the main bout beating Waikato Falefehi over six rounds.

The 57-56 unanimous points victory continued Williams’ unbeaten streak in the ring, which now stands at eight.

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works for Digimen which is a sign writing company and I saw him arriving at his local gym in Kirwan suburb in the Isuzu.

“We travel all over Townsville and sometimes to nearby places and it is a good truck for the job,” he said.

Thomas trains with Hawks Boxing Club under

Lum

named “Fighting For the Future” tournament at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on June 26 and beat Palm Islander Patrick Clarke on points over five rounds in the super lightweight division.

That took his pro boxing record to four wins and two losses.

Quietly spoken Thomas

135 L

WHEN he isn’t driving an Isuzu light truck around Townsville, Dean Thomas is a professional boxer who packs a power punch.

Thomas is known in the sport often referred to as the Sweet Science by the nickname “Blonde Bomber”.

He had his sixth professional bout on the aptly

Read more articles on www.bigrigs.com.au

44 FEATURE

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

with Alf Wilson Truckin’ In The Tropics Local legends serving truckies for more than 50 years SINCE 1968 Lesley Hansen and her husband Jim have run the Woodstock Roadhouse and General Store in far north Queensland.

That business includes the Woodstock Post Office at the hamlet which is 40km from coastal Townsville along the Flinders Highway heading out west.

Times have changed for the couple and their business as you would imagine over such a long innings.

Big Rigs stopped in there and had a yarn to the 83-yearold Lesley recently and she estimates about 50 trucks pull up there weekly.

“It used to be a lot more years ago but some of the other places can offer discounts on fuel,” she said.

The other two roadhouses between the outskirts of Townsville and Charters Towers, 130km away, are the Calcium Puma and the Burdekin Duck.

Calcium is 13km further along the Flinders, and the Burdekin Duck at Macrossan is 20km inland from Charters Towers.

Woodstock is a rural community with a permanent population of around 400 and almost every farm in surroundings areas has a truck.

“Most of the locals stop

A truck outside the old building.

Lesley Hansen at the Woodstock Roadhouse.

here during a week as we have the Post Office and they pick up mail. Jim is delivering mail to properties now,” she said.

The pair started the business back around Christmas in 1968 and Lesley said they met whilst on a visit to the then zoo at Mt St John just north of Townsville.

“After that we ended up at the Tobruk Pool with our

mates,” she said.

Until the year 2000, the Hansens ran the business from a shop next to the new roadhouse which is still standing.

“This new one has been going for 21 years and we stock groceries, papers, drinks and take away food so we still get people coming in as they travel and trucks,” she said.

Lesley said things have

slowed down since the pandemic, at least in regards to travellers.

Everybody in the Wood-

stock area knows Lesley and Jim and some families’ forebears settled there way back in the late 1880s.

During its colourful histo-

Visitor Jo Wilson outside the newer building.

ry Woodstock had a cricket team and in one era each of the 11 players had the surname of “Field” and that included some truck drivers.

So, when they filled out the batting order on the score sheet only Christian names were written down.

The Field family still has many members living there.

It is common for locals to stop and have a yarn to the pair who possess a wealth of knowledge about the region.

Like most people from the bush, Woodstock residents are a friendly crew.

So if tourists stop in and want some history Lesley is delighted to help them.

“We have a local primary school here where kids from around the area attend,” she said.

At that point a light rig pulled up out the front to take on fuel and a lady arrived inside to collect her mail.

“It does get busy here at times and we love the lifestyle,” Lesley said.

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TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

46 COLUMN

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Is the NHVR really listening to the industry?

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

paid to fatigue issues that already exist in the industry.

We understand the need to be able to complete routes more effectively than your competitors, LEGAL EAGLEbut given the history of this industry, the numROWAN KING ber ofLawyer unscrupulous employers Principal RK Law and contractors that take advantage of drivers already, what enforcement will actually be used maintain the shared responsibility for a driver’s safety?

Last month in Canberra, the TWU laid down 58 crosses on the lawn of the Parliament House, one for each life lost by a truck driver whilst at work.

We do not want more deaths on our roads due to fatigue.

Getting employers to sign up to a system with gruelling work schedules that sweats drivers is not the job of the regulator. The regulator wants “counter-measures” in place if you choose to use AFM. This means a need to submit a “safety case” outlining how you will combat fatigue on the job.

This means, fatigue is recognised as an issue, and if you have to combat it rather than relieve it then there is a fundamental flaw in the system.

Before the regulator runs

TWU NEWS

TWU NEWS RICHARDOLSEN OLSEN RICHARD TWU NSW State Secretary TWU NSW State Secretary

EVERY day, transport workers tell us that it gets harder to do the job. Now the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, the organisation responsible for setting the rules is promoting the idea that you can drive up to 16 hours a day, under Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM).

The TWU is astounded that the NHVR is encouraging employers to sign up to a system which allows them to work drivers harder.

The Australian Trucking Association, a lobby group for employers is behind AFM which in eastern states allows truckies to drive for up to 15.5 hours in a day.

Is this really necessary? The union is concerned about the level of fatigue this can create.

The union is also concerned about the lack of attention

the new ideas of the employer lobby groups up their flagpole, where is the support for the existing issues including fatigue that the Regulator still needs to consider?

The TWU are still asking about adequate rest areas that are missing off the sides of our highways. Fatigue man-

agement is already a problem.

The industry needs legislated payment schedules and needs relief for toll road costs, these are things that are part of the story for a safer and fairer industry, not yet dealt with by the Regulator.

The regulator needs to understand that without mea-

sures put in place that take into account the current problems in the industry, then the reality for transport workers and their families is that they are simply future road toll, simply a statistic that does not acknowledge the pressure on drivers to get their loads on time no matter what the cir-

cumstances in so many companies.

At the TWU, we support any measures that can make our roads safer, but not at the expense of a driver already facing a load of problems not supported by governments.

Let’s get drivers home safely, every day.

The TWU is astounded that the NHVR is encouraging employers to sign up to a system which allows them to work drivers harder.

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BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

Grateful for the support in testing year

COST CUTTER CHET CLINE AIR CTI founder/owner

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE

family both in your own state and other Australian states is having a detrimental effect on everyone’s mental health.

I know that personally I often feel that I am teetering on EDITOR the edge of the abyss, and it JAMES GRAHAM james.graham@bigrigs.com.au can be exceedingly difficult to keep from going over that edge.

I am lucky to have a job, family, and friends to support me but not everyone has that, and it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Transport Women Australia Limited has started to work with high schools TWU NEWS through Inspiring Women RICHARD OLSEN TWU NSW State Secretary Australia to attend career days and expos to expose students to careers in the transport and logistics industry.

With this collaboration with Inspiring Women, we are hoping that we can connect with young women in years 10 through 12 and encourage them to look beyond the careers now being offered to them. We are planning to have a Transport and Logistics Careers Expo held in Melbourne soon. We are very thankful to Inspiring Wom-

en Australia, Make Your Move and Training Services NSW for this opportunity.

TWAL is also holding Learning Initiatives Breakfasts, over the next month TASSIE TRUCKIN’ or so in Perth, Sydney, BrisJON WALLIS contributors@bigrigs.com.au bane, and Melbourne to be followed by the postponed Driving the Difference conference from October 22-24, 2021.

At the conference, we will be presenting the 2021 Trish Pickering Memorial Award, holding our Annual General Meeting and we are also hopefulEAGLE of launching our LEGAL new website.

ROWAN KING Principal Lawyer RK Law the Difference The Driving show on Import Export TV has come to an end after six episodes, but you can still catch those episodes on the IETV app, the Import Export channel or via YouTube.

I will be launching a new show in late July or early August called Talking Transport on Import Export TV, the new show will be bringing you stories from Australia and around the world.

We have some very exciting shows planned for you.

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

THE year is half over, and we are still enduring lockdowns, businesses are being forced to close with little warning and reopen with restrictions, so many of them not reopening at all.

If the international borders OZ were to remain closed, THE TRUCKER surely, we could get Covid MIKE WILLIAMS contributors@bigrigs.com.au under control, and this includes the Prime Minister staying at home in Australia instead of flying off to the G7 and enjoying being a tourist when no one else is even allowed to see their families overseas.

At least we could then travel freely within our own country and look after our local businesses and local jobs.

LOBBYIST TheSHEARER continued uncertainSTEVE SA Road Transport Associationjobs, busity surrounding Executive Director nesses and being able to visit

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Transport Women Australia Limited has started to work with high schools through Inspiring Women Australia and is attending career days and expos.

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FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Freight must be prioritised in reworked intersection

VTA COMMENT PETER ANDERSON CEO, Victorian Transport Association

THE intersection of Power Street and City Road in Melbourne’s inner-city Southbank precinct has been the focus of significant public and media attention in recent weeks, following an incident involving a heavy vehicle.

As one of Melbourne’s busiest thoroughfares for all modes of transport, the intersection, and associated issue of how freight interfaces with the community, is useful to examine because every major city around Australia is experiencing similar issues as they grow and become denser.

This intersection is unique because most of the volume of freight traffic that traverses it is there by design, not choice.

Dangerous goods, livestock and other heavy vehicles that are banned from using the adjacent CityLink tunnels have no choice other than to use this intersection to cross the Yarra River and continue their journey on the M1 and West Gate Freeway.

In fact, it could be argued that most of the heavy vehicle traffic was there first, with a significant amount of the new car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic emerging from a spike in residential construction in a part of the city that has enormous appeal to townhouse and apartment dwellers.

The intersection is a timely

The intersection is a timely case study of how compromise must be achieved between various stakeholders and interest groups. Photo: Google Maps

case study of how compromise must be achieved between various stakeholders and interest groups so that the growing freight task can continue to have safe and uninterrupted access to road infrastructure to keep supply chains moving and functional.

It also demonstrates the necessity for planners to prioritise freight over pedestrians and cyclists – especially when there are alternative roads and paths these cohorts can use to safely complete their journeys.

The VTA is pleased to be part of a working group tasked with examining this important intersection and set of thoroughfares to make it safer for all users. We will

thoughtfully be making the case that in re-engineering the intersection, freight movements must be prioritised to generate the safest outcomes for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of all persuasion.

As a gazetted freight route, and the only road infrastructure trucks are diverted to away from the CityLink tunnels, it is essential that cyclists and pedestrians be quarantined away from the intersection as much as possible.

When there are plenty of adjacent roads that are much better suited to cyclists, it makes no sense whatsoever to encourage or facilitate a direct interface between bicycles and heavy vehicles.

As for pedestrians, atten-

uated concrete corners with rigid barriers must be a part of solutions to separate pedestrians, along with offset pedestrian crossings to keep them as safe as possible from motorised transport.

As part of the re-engineering of this crucial intersection, it is incumbent on the Melbourne City Council – the local government authority that has much responsibility for this road infrastructure – to do away with the isolationist mentality they have adopted when it comes to considering the needs of the freight industry.

The MCC must acknowledge that heavy vehicle operators are starved for choice when it comes to crossing the Yarra River, and support

a reworking of the road infrastructure in the precinct that favours the transport industry. The irony here is that by supporting the needs of freight, Council will be supporting safer outcomes for the more vulnerable cyclists and pedestrians.

The VTA’s door remains open to the Melbourne City Council when they want to engage in serious dialogue about the needs of the freight industry as we go about servicing communities in our city and across the state.

We are genuine in our desire to educate Council about the importance of productivity and efficiency to operators as they go about their business, something that isn’t

factored into decisions that make it harder for operators to service CBD customers.

Done properly, transport policy and associated roads and infrastructure can achieve higher levels of road safety, whilst attaining greater productivity measures as well.

Safety and productivity are not mutually exclusive.

Drivers working in the transport industry are ultimately the ones tasked with using the roads. What we don’t want is these drivers being victimised by bureaucrats and other road users because of poorly designed transport infrastructure and traffic management policies that are incongruous with the needs of freight.

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Building the next generation of leaders ATA CHAIR DAVID SMITH Australian Trucking Association

AS our industry deals with new and evolving challenges, it has never been more important to build a strong and productive workforce.

Like many Australian industries, trucking is facing disruption. We have been, and will continue to go, through profound change as modern technologies, legislation and social change transforms the way we do business, work and live.

While dealing with disruption, we must also address the issues of today, from improving safety and building business productivity, to recruiting skilled and motivated employees.

In response to this change, and with the responsibility to ensure a viable future for our industry, the Australian Trucking Association, together with Daimler Truck and Bus have partnered for the past four years to deliver the career-defining Future Leaders’ Forum.

First established in 2018, the Future Leaders’ Forum is developing the next generation of trucking leaders, shaping them to be strong, experienced, and knowledgeable representatives of their business, community, association and industry.

One of the most valuable elements of this program and what makes it truly unique is not only that our Future Leaders get hands-on training in

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ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE ELEMENTS OF THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT MAKES IT TRULY UNIQUE IS NOT ONLY THAT OUR FUTURE LEADERS GET HANDS-ON TRAINING IN LEADERSHIP, MEDIA, POLITICS, AND ADVOCACY, THEY ARE THEN TAKEN TO PARLIAMENT HOUSE FOR REAL-LIFE LOBBYING MEETINGS WITH SENIOR POLITICIANS.” leadership, media, politics, and advocacy, they are then taken to Parliament House for real-life lobbying meetings with senior politicians.

These meetings allow our Future Leaders to learn by doing and gain first-hand experience of how to push key messages and make an impact on Australia’s decision-makers.

In 2021 we welcome 12 new Future Leaders to the cohort, representing a wide array of industry professions, from mechanics and directors to operations management, finance and technology.

Representing the ATA’s member associations, TruckSafe and Daimler Truck and Bus, our new Future Leaders demonstrate a passion for our industry and a commitment to make real change.

For example, Australian Furniture Removers Association representative Maddison Howe is keen to use the program as an opportunity to promote and raise awareness of industry opportunities for

The 2021 cohort of Future Leaders.

the younger generation. Meanwhile, Tasmanian Transport Association representative Josiah de Bruyn would like to develop broad leadership capabilities to support his role and succession planning within the family business.

Queensland Trucking Association’s Jake Myler wishes to further his involvement and understanding of government

policy and industry advocacy, while Western Roads Federation’s Georgia Goss wants to gain an understanding of how businesses can effectively influence government policy, learn how to handle media interviews and build her professional networks.

It is wonderful to have such high engagement from our member associations in devel-

oping leaders. It is clear to see each participant represents their employer and member organisation with pride. Following the success of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Future Leaders’ Forums, I am excited to see what the next cohort will bring to the table, and how they plan to make a change in the industry.

The value of the Daimler Future Leaders’ Forum for

both participants and industry is clear. We are building the next generation of leaders who will make sure the trucking industry remains strong and ready for the future.

This career-defining program nurtures the next generation of industry leaders and gives them the tools and training needed to become strong, knowledgeable industry advocates.

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50 TRUCK SHOW

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Organisers put on a great show against all odds

BY JONATHAN WALLIS

THE weather that preceded the Sorrell Truck Show had been inclement, to put it mildly, so it was with some trepidation that we approached the Queen’s Birthday Truck Show on Sunday, June 13, in Sorell, Tasmania.

The day opened with intermittent rain, so we headed for the Pembroke Oval fearful of a wash out – but once again the indomitable team of Rick Sutcliffe and Emma Bygrave, who organise the show, snatched success from the jaws of defeat against all odds.

The event was conceived several years ago, when Sutcliffe, a well-known Brighton truckie, conceived the idea of a truck show in aid of his daughter Macklyn’s then football club the South East Suns.

It proved to be such a success that it has now become an annual for the long weekend.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid, but this year Sutcliffe and Bygrave decided to give it a go despite the many restrictions put on them by the Department of Health and the council, rais-

After being cancelled last year due to Covid, the rain did little to dampen the spirits of those who attended.

ing some much-needed funds for the footy club. And so it was all systems go for their fourth event – albeit a very wet one.

Organised as a major family day, the show started at 10am sharp, but the continuous rain didn’t stop the crowds from pouring through the gates.

Yet again they pulled off a

show that offered something for everyone.

There were 65 immaculate trucks lined up, detailed and polished to gratify the crowd and provide an impressive spectacle. Some of the truck awards included Truck of the Show, which was awarded to Darren Quinn’s T909 (Quinn’s Transport & Spreading), with Luke Moore’s T610

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(Moore Civil) as runner up; and Carl Wagner’s spectacular Mack Superliner won Restored Truck of The Show, with Bill Free’s vintage Dodge runner-up in that category.

Refreshments and hot food were available, with several coffee stands doing a roaring trade, and a great and enthusiastic crowd.

Many donned their rain gear and carried umbrellas as they braved the weather and turned out in high spirits. We couldn’t help but notice that the anticipated Royal Australian Navy Band decided it was too wet to set up on arrival and departed promptly. Maybe these modern-day

Alex Rothwell with Scott Triffett in his Top Form Excavations 1995 T480.

Bill Free’s restored vintage Dodge was named runner-up in the Restored Truck of The Show award category.

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Pat Slaninka at one of the event’s various stalls.

Leigh Madew, Memphis Madew, Jonathan Wallis and Pete Smith with Leigh’s classic Peterbilt.

sailors don’t like a little water?

There was a competition wood chop and the PCYC arranged a range of events for the kids. A great array of model trucks were on display undercover and there were heritage vehicles and several muscle cars, as well as a lineup of double decker busses which pleased the crowds.

In excess of 1500 people attended, accepting the wet weather with good humour – and it certainly didn’t appreciably dampen anyone’s spirits.

Despite all the Covid restrictions, including crowd limits, which were strictly abided by, the event was able to raise $10,000 South East Suns Women’s Football Club.

The raffle raised over $500,

Rick Sutcliff and Robert McGoldrick with Rick’s Mack.

and Linda Poulton attended and donated $450 on behalf of the Trucking in Tasmania Facebook page, which will go towards the fundraising for the Tassie Convoy for Kids later in the year.

“Fingers crossed things will be relaxed in the future and we can get the show back to normal. But for now, we have done everything we can to at least get things up and running again, and to put on a good day out for the guys and girls that enter their vehicles and those that came to support our football club or just

to have a look around,” said Bygrave.

With another successful

truck show under their belts, we can confidently look forward to an even bigger and better one in 2022, along with the upcoming Convoy for Kids (date to be advised).

We’d like to applaud all the drivers and supporters who polished, detailed and exhibit-

ed their trucks and cars in the rain with such good will and enthusiasm.

Oscar Puclin with his home-built articulated model Scania.

John Sutcliffe’s 1912 T-Model Ford offered a glimpse into the past.

T. P. Bennett’s 1936 Side Valve Ford Ute was a spectacular sight.

This red double decker busses was a real crowd pleaser.

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52 EVENT DIARY

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

What’s on

SAVE the date for these major industry events in 2021.

will host its annual industry day at Burswood on Swan.

JULY LRTAQ 2021 Annual Conference July 16-17 Roma, Queensland Visit: lrtaq.com.au/confer ence-2021/ The Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland (LRTAQ) will celebrate its 40th anniversary at this year’s event, returning to the location of the very first meeting in 1981 – Roma. The event will discuss the latest industry developments and the future of the industry.

NatRoad Conference August 19-21 Gold Coast, Queensland Visit: natroad.com.au/ events-networking/ 2021-conference/ The NatRoad National Conference aims to provide an opportunity for freight operators to get together and reconnect after a difficult year.

Event highlights include the ‘NatRoad Parliament’ where attendees can debate pressing issues; and the NatRoad Awards which will be presented at the Gala Dinner.

AUGUST QTA NQ Women in Transport & Logistics Breakfast August 4 Townsville, Queensland Visit: qta.com.au/ event-4254645 At this event at The Ville Resort & Casino, guests will hear from a number of inspiring women who are thriving in their careers. It is open to both men and women and will be based upon the theme ‘Choose to challenge for change’.

LRTAWA Conference August 14 Perth, WA Visit: lrtawa.org.au/conference The Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA

LRTAV Conference August 20-21 Bendigo, Victoria Visit: lrtav.com.au/confer ence The Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria represents 200 rural operators throughout the state. It will hold its conference weekend at the All Seasons Resort in Bendigo.

SARTA Conference and Dinner August 21 Adelaide Convention Centre, SA Visit: sartaevents.com/ 2021-conference-and-dinner The South Australian Road Transport Association’s event will be opened by Premier Steven Marshall and Minister Corey Wingard. It will

discuss issues impacting the industry including the Heavy Vehicle National Law, driver licencing and more.

The dinner will feature industry awards, an auction and live entertainment.

National Road Transport Hall of Fame Reunion August 23-29 Alice Springs, NT Visit: roadtransporthall. com The National Transport Historical Society and The Old Ghan Historical Society has announced the inaugural Festival of Transport, with new events to be held alongside the usual reunion activities, including introducing the newest members to the Rimula Wall of Fame.

National Skills Week August 23-29 National event Visit: nationalskillsweek. com.au National Skills Week is dedicated to raising the status of practical and vocational learning. Over 500 events are set to take place across Australia.

Heatherton Truck Show August 28 Heatherton, Victoria Visit: facebook.com/ heathertontruckshow The inaugural Heatherton Truck Show will help raise money for Variety, the children’s charity. The day will

This year the LRTAQ celebrate its 40th anniversary, bringing its conference back to where it all started.

At the National Road Transport Hall of Fame Reunion, the newest members will be inducted into the Rimula Wall of Fame. Pic: Shell Rimula Wall of Fame Facebook page

include a vast display of trucks old and new, awards presentations, food stands, kids activities and more.

SEPTEMBER MEGATRANS September 8-10 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Visit: megatrans.com.au MEGATRANS is Australia’s leading industry freight and logistics trade exhibition and conference, showcasing multimodal transport solutions. For the first time, MEGATRANS will be held in conjunction with the specialised bulk handling expo, Australian Bulk Handling Expo 2021, with both events taking place side by side.

Australasian Road Safety Conference September 28-30 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Visit: australasianroad safetyconference.com.au The 2021 Australasian Road Safety Conference will combine a mixture of in-person and online delivery to ensure people can be involved regardless of any travel restrictions that may be in place.

The event aims to align with road safety efforts across Australia, New Zealand and globally, and assist in building road safety capacity.

Trucking Australia 2021 September 29 – October 1 Gold Coast, Queensland Visit: new.truck.net.au/ta/ The date is set for the Trucking Australia conference, presented by the Australian Trucking Association, with further details and VIP conference packages to be released soon.

OCTOBER Lights on the Hill Memorial Convoy October 2-3 Gatton, Qld Visit: lightsonthehill.com.au The memorial convoy gives drivers and their families an opportunity to get together with other truckies in a social environment whilst making the public aware that truckies are the backbone of the country.

Convoy for Kids Sydney October 31 Sydney, NSW Visit: convoyforkids.com.au Since the first Convoy for Kids Sydney in 1992, which was started by truckies, there has been nearly $3 million raised for kids’ charities and hospitals in NSW. The upcoming convoy will start from Huntingwood and arrive at Hawkesbury Showground in Clarendon for a fun-filled family day with

rides, entertainment, food and stalls.

NOVEMBER Illawarra Convoy November 21 Illawarra, NSW Visit: illawarraconvoy.com. au The Illawarra Convoy and Family Fun Day is the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, raising much needed funds for various charities.

Brisbane Convoy for Kids and Truck Show November 6 Redcliffe Showgrounds, Queensland Visit: brisbaneconvoyfork ids.com.au Raising money for Hummingbird House, the truck and bike convoy will run from Forest Lake to Redcliffe Showgrounds, where there will be a truck show with awards that include everything from Best Decorated Truck to Best Dressed Driver. The evening will culminate in a fireworks display.

In 2019, the event raised $140,000 and it’s hoped that can be achieved again.

•H ave you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to editor@primecreative.com.au.

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54 SPY ON THE ROAD

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Army equipment is put to the test at Shoalwater Bay SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

New army trucks pass muster EXERCISE Diamond Walk conducted at Shoalwater Bay from May 17 to June 11 was an opportunity to test not only fighting skills but also the supports needed to keep vehicles including many trucks rolling and communications flowing.

New fuel delivery systems and covert communication tactics rolled out there will make a big difference to the Australian Army’s future war fighting efforts.

Units of 7 Combat Brigade field tested a range of

Soldiers of the 7th Combat Service Support Battalion drive a HX77 truck as an escort.

new equipment and ideas to better support infantry from 6 Battalion, Royal Austra-

lian Regiment, and the main battle tanks from 2/14Light Horse Regiment (Queensland

Private Luke Hinton of the 7th Combat Service Support Battalion prepares a HX77 for refuelling.

Mounted Infantry).

Private Luke Hinton, from 7 Combat Service Support Battalion (7 CSSB), said the new HX 77 fuel tanker, replacing the Mack fuel trucks, are a step up in capability.

“We are a mechanised Army, and without fuel you lose. This HX-77 truck is a lot more user-friendly, and it was good to test it in the field and see how it goes. They can deliver about 300 litres of fuel per minute, which is almost double the capacity of the old Mack trucks. They are really good for giving people quick fuel on the go,” Pte Hinton said.

Lance Corporal Matthew Wood, of 7 CSSB, said the new HX 77 fuel trucks hold 18,000 litres of diesel, compared to 11,500 in the Mack trucks.

“The capability is bigger, and it’s quicker to refuel. We can unload this in about 20

minutes, maybe less, and then get out of there as quick as possible,” he said.

The 7 Combat Signal Regiment (7 CSR) were also hard at work during Exercise Diamond Walk, testing a new way to hide communications equipment in plain sight.

Lieutenant Callan Robinson said one of their key tests was trying to make a communication node supporting headquarters look unremarkable.

“In the past we have used satellite dishes, but they are easily spotted and quite recognisable as communication hardware,” he said.

“By changing the look of the equipment and moving gear away from the Brigade’s forward operating space, critical communication nodes are less visible in the battle space.”

ATO BAS warning MANY owner drivers and small fleet operators are sole traders who are required to submit Business Activity Statements (BAS) either monthly or quarterly to the ATO. This info will be of extreme interest to these hard workers especially those who submit paper statements and post them off to the ATO. One sole trader sent his off

for the January to March quarter soon after on April 2.

At the same time, he paid what was owed by B-Pay and of course recorded the receipt number.

Come mid-June he received a text from the ATO advising his BAS had not been received.

So, he phoned the ATO number the following Monday and after 30 minutes finally got switched to an officer who could help him.

“Your BAS was received on April 14 but has not been processed at our end,” the ATO Man explained.

Which went over like a lead balloon. However, to the officer’s credit he took details and processed it online.

And he explained that the text was an automatic response from another ATO section and apologised.

Our man was at a loss to see how this could happen considering he could have been fined for something that wasn’t his fault.

Tree trims praise for growth SOME truckies who regularly negotiate the Tasman Peninsula along the Arthur Highway in the Apple Isle have been impressed with State Growth which has trimmed a lot of trees which

A light rig travels along the Arthur Highway with trees beside the road.

SPY ON THE ROAD 55

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

A road sign along the Arthur Highway.

were hanging over the road.

One small fleet operator contacted State Growth to advise them that the tree brabches in some areas posed a potential danger.

“They were great and started trimming the trees in late May and since the work has been done it is much safer,” he said.

The driver said the trees had particularly been a concern at the Port Arthur section.

That highway can get very busy with lots of tourists and caravans travelling.

Strange lights REPORTS have made their way to Spy of strange lights being seen in the night by drivers travelling parts of the Eyre and Tod Highways in South Australia.

These drivers said they had ruled out them coming from a satellite, plane or helicopter.

One did suggest they may have been from a UFO or a Min Min Light.

But they weren’t willing to be named for fear of being ridiculed by mates.

Bargain hunter THERE is a South Australian driver who often boasts to his mates that he spends no more than $100 a year on clothes.

A bit hard to believe really so a few colleagues asked him to explain how.

He reckons that he hardly ever buys clothes which are provided from gifts on his

birthday and at Christmas by his wife and children.

If he does need a fashion intake it is off to a charity stores to pick up some second-hand garments.

Annually he buys about four pairs of those double rubber thongs which are available at most roadhouses.

They generally cost between $10 and $16 depending where you go.

So, it would appear his claim is quite achievable.

Good Samaritan TWO football supporters are appreciative of a owner-operator who gave them a lift from beside a remote NT road so they could get to watch their beloved football team.

The lads barrack for the Lake Nash Young Guns Australian Rules team which competes in the five club Mount Isa competition in Queensland.

They live at Alpurrurulam community in the NT and had to travel on a 230km road of which 170km is red dirt to get to the “Isa” along the rough Sandover Highway.

When their car broke down they were overjoyed when the truckie pulled up and gave them a lift in time to see the Young Guns play.

Ben Olschewsky has lived in the community for 11 years not far from the football oval.

“The players have pride in their community and passion in games which are all away at Mount Isa. I see them kicking

the ball around the oval to prepare for games,” Olschewsky told Big Rigs.

Weight loss explained I unexpectedly saw a truckie recently after many years and noticed he had lost an enormous amount of body weight.

He was happy to explain and said that 14 years ago he weighed in at 200kg and his future didn’t look bright.

“I had lap band surgery and got down to 120kg and couldn’t believe the difference in mobility,” he said.

However, as time has gone by the lad who is aged in his fifties has steadily gained weight and tips the scales at 140kg.

He is comfortable at that weight and said the surgery had changed his life.

Business booming SINCE roads opened to Cape York Peninsula after the wet season business has been booming for numerous transport companies and owneroperators.

One long time small fleet owner told Spy that it hadn’t been so busy for years in an area of the far north where dirt roads are often closed annually for four months after rain.

“We have been so busy that I had to purchase another prime mover to add to the three I have and also I’ve been using subbies. Carrying all sorts of things such as building material, pipes, equipment etc and it is good to see

The memorial to the late Toots Holzheimer neaxt to Archer River Roadhouse.

it all moving,” he said.

The roads are mostly red dirt with lots of corrugations and local Councils grade them when they can.

The experienced truckies said there were three excellent roadhouses along the way.

They are Hann River, Archer River and Musgrave Homestead which cater well for drivers.

Near the famous Archer River Roadhouse is a monument to the late legendary female truckie Toots Holzheimer.

My informant did say that there were also many tourists along the way in cars, 4WD’s and small buses.

“It is bloody well a mad house up here with so many tourists,” he said.

Celebrity drivers DRIVERS who have appeared in the television program Outback Truckers as well as Big Rigs paper are often treated like celebrities.

One veteran who fits into the description told Spy about incidences of fellow truckies

he had never met mentioning it when they came across each other “somewhere around Oz”.

“I pulled up at a roadhouse and three truckies from the same company who were travelling close to each other mentioned an episode of ‘Outback Truckers’ I was in and also spoke of a couple of my quotes from ‘Big Rigs’,” he said.

On another occasion he said three drivers from Nortrans yarned to him about his new found fame.

“I felt like a celebrity,” he said.

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DOUBLECROSS

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.

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

S T L M P L A T E A X D E S S I N G M E E P S U L E D M L A I E N C E T A S S I F E N D O D A N T R A Y K

Across 1 Cicatrice 5 Sooty matter 10 Minute particle 11 11 Metal-bearing rock 12 Encourages 13 Mature 13 14 Hackneyed 16 Make certain ALPHAGRAMS 18 Capsizes Solve the anagrams. Each solution a one-word 21 isIngrained dirt anagram of the letters beside it, 23 and the Self five solutions are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution 24starts Entertain starts with J, the six-letter solution with K, and so 26 Encountered on.

27 Pleased EASEL 28 Male deer DIM RAY 29 Slender support 19 20 GRANNIE Down ROASTING 2 Wired enclosures TRANSPOSE 3 Consumed Insert letters to 4 the missing Speaker’s platform 5x5 make6ten words — five reading

Filled trench around 25 across the grid and five reading A G R down. castle 7 more Pressing Note: than one solution I G Golf mound may 8 be possible.

9 Low sandhill S A E 15 Revokes R E 17 Lump of gold 19 Ooze Allout puzzles © T S S The Puzzle Company 20 Prophet 22 Duty list 23 Printers’ measures 25 Floorcovering

5

24

10

9

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

HARD

T T E L B L I C A E P S C A O F E A S

19

A S S E T

SUDOKU

EASY

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) 5 4 A starW that brightens then gradually fades is hatsuddenly is a relatively narrow, horizontal projecting part called what? (4) (5) 6 Which film, 1984’s Best Picture Oscar winner, was 5 ToPrague? have a (7) rank, unpleasant, stale smell, is to be what filmed in 9 Where was Louis Armstrong born? (3,7) (6) 11 Which woman was married on 29 April 1945, and died 6 Nameday? some major parts of speech (5) the following (3,5) 129 What the the widening channel of upper a river where saltwater Nis ame muscle on the arm (6) mixes with freshwater? (7) Which what pointed instruments are 1410 In heraldry, is the colour silver?

(6)used for sewing (7) 1612 Millions of records which US immigration entry Name a healthfrom resort in southern Arizona (6) island are accessible on the internet? (5) 14 W hat is a shooting star known as (6) 17 Which English college was founded by Henry VI in 1440?

(4) To be foolish, is to be what (6) 16

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Across: 4 Larynx, 7 Template, 8 Dengue, 9 Blessing, 11 Eeriest, 13 Capsule, 15 Lazarus, 17 Science, 20 Assassin, 23 Offend, 24 Dandruff, 25 Astray.

1

Down: 1 Tell, 2 Spasms, 3 Taxi, 4 Ledge, 5 Rancid, 6 Nouns, 9 Biceps, 10 Needles, 12 Tucson, 14 Meteor, 16 Absurd, 18 Cafes, 19 Caddy, 21 Sink, 22 Info.

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 JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

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EXPERT ADVICE 57

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

How the rubber meets the road affects every aspect COST CUTTER CUTTER COST CHET CHETCLINE CLINE AIR CTI Air CTIfounder/owner Founder/ Owner

THE way that rubber meets and reacts with the road affects every component and every aspect of your truck’s performance and operation.

The footprint or contact patch affects braking, handling, ride quality, truck wear WOMEN TRANSPORT and tear, IN driver health, road JACQUELENE health and our BROTHERTON environment.

Chair of Transport Women Australia The correct footprint is essential for safety, profits, driver health, truck reliability, down time, breakdowns and your business.

Unfortunately, most people don’t understand the ramifications of incorrect tyre pressures, or even what the correct tyre pressures are. Most tyre suppliers are in the same boat, THE OZ TRUCKER as are most truck people.

MIKE WILLIAMS contributors@bigrigs.com.au What is the correct footprint and what controls that footprint?

The correct footprint size for an 11R22.5 tyre is 240mm long, 184 mm wide.

The correct area is 427 square centimetres, or 66 square inches. The tyre should deform and settle onto the road 37mm (1.46”), spreading the load over the full footprint as equally as possible.

LOBBYIST If the load on the tyre STEVE SHEARER changes, theAssociation footprint will SA Road Transport Executive Director change, unless the tyre pressure is changed to match.

Load to inflation tables are available from tyre manufacturers, tyre associations and online.

Load to inflation tables provide the correct pressures for each tyre load to ensure a full and correct tyre footprint, optimising performance. Unfortunately, this does not happen.

This real and scientific information is not taught and is not promoted. This poor distribution of vital knowledge even

effects many major tyre reps.

We were hauled over the coals by one of the major tyre companies because of our recommendations even though our information came from them.

ATOur THEgovernment WHEEL transport DAVID MEREDITH regulators don’t understand contributors@bigrigs.com.au the damage done by incorrect tyre inflation. If they did, our world would be a lot safer, greener and more profitable.

Everyone knows that under-inflation is bad. An under-inflated tyre running on the highway can overheat

TRUCKIN’ ON THE BORDER DAVID VILE contributors@bigrigs.com.au

Optimising the tyre pressure on the load improves tyre life by at least 30 per cent.

EDITOR JAMES GRAHAM

TASSIE TRUCKIN’ JON WALLIS

TWU NEWS RICHARD OLSEN

LEGAL EAGLE ROWAN KING

james.graham@bigrigs.com.au

contributors@bigrigs.com.au

TWU NSW State Secretary

Principal Lawyer RK Law

The Air CTI crew catches up with interstate driver Rod Hannifey, president of the NRFA.

from too much sidewall flexing. The heat build-up weakens the sidewall, and something will break, blowing the tyre and potentially causing an accident.

Over inflation reduces the tyre footprint. As an example, an empty tri axle semi tyre at 100 psi will have a tiny footprint around the size of a business card. That tiny amount of rubber in contact with the road will not have much grip. The typical Aussie tandem drive tyre is 35 per cent over-inflated at maximum legal load. The footprint will be 35 per cent smaller, with less traction, less braking and less

directional control. Most steer tyres at 100 psi are 20 per cent under-inflated at a 6 tonne axle load.

Both over-inflation and under-inflation increase tyre wear. A 20 per cent over-inflated drive tyre on Aussie roads will wear out 22 per cent faster. Optimising the tyre pressure to the load improves tyre life by at least 30 per cent.

At the same time, both under and over-inflation reduces the casing life, increasing costs again. An over-inflated tyre is the main cause of uneven tyre wear and gets 40 per cent more punctures and cuts.

Over-inflated tyres bounce

off bumps and road roughness instead of absorbing the impact within the 37mm of correct deflection. Over-inflated tyres halve the life of your springs, suspension and bushes, and significantly increase fatigue loads leading to cracked axle housings, broken springs, blown shocks and breakdowns.

Wheel bearing life is severely shortened by over-inflation and by uneven tyre pressures in dual tyres. When one tyre carries more load, the wheel bearing load is offset, causing one bearing to be overloaded, severely shortening bearing life. Of course, un-

even tyre pressures also wreak havoc with tyre wear.

Over-inflated tyres act like a rigid wheel, significantly increasing drive train loads. A correctly inflated tyre acts like a crankshaft damper, absorbing loads and vibrations, doubling diff and transmission life. Each explosion in the engine sends a shockwave throughout the drive train. Over-inflated tyres bounce that shockwave back to the engine, affecting every component. Again, a correctly inflated tyre absorbs that shock wave, eliminating wear and tear and breakages.

Over-inflated tyres double vibration levels in the entire truck affecting every component, from the load to the radiator and intercooler. Correct drive tyre pressures reduce suspension seat wear and tear by 65 per cent. Vibration kills your truck and your driver.

Whole body vibration is a proven cause of a lot of health issues with truck drivers. The continuous high vibration levels damage the ocular system (eyes), the skeletal system (back), the stomach and digestion system and the circulatory system. Drivers have the shortest life expectancy of any trade or profession.

Outside your truck, road damage is directly proportional to the tyre pressure.

The higher the pressure, the more road damage. We all know that a new pot hole will develop a few metres from an existing pot hole. Our tyres

simply bounce off the first and hammer the road. Even corrugations are caused by over-inflated tyres. Correctly inflated tyres iron out corrugations.

Our environment is overloaded with dead tyres. Recycling tyres is costly and difficult, as we all know when it costs so much just to get rid of a tyre. A lot of energy, minerals and material go into manufacturing tyres. Tyres are transported to us from other countries adding to the environmental damage. The CO2 waste is huge. Running the correct tyre pressures for the load is good business, and good for our world.

In fact, running the correct tyre pressure will extend the reliable working life of any truck by at least 40 per cent. That saves a lot of money, pollution and waste.

If we as a country and an industry are serious about our financial future and our countries future, correct tyre pressure is simply the smart way to work.

The equipment to optimise tyre pressures on your truck pays for itself, usually in the first year. The safety improvements via Chain of Responsibility really mean this equipment is essential. The improved ride, reduced driver stress and easier driving mean your staff will drive for you for more years, happier and healthier.

For more information, contact chetcline@hotmail.com.

Optimizing Tyre Pressures is Essential if Profit is IMPORTANT AIR CTI WILL SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON EVERY TRUCK ON EVERY ROAD. • 30% LONGER TYRE LIFE • Doubles Diff and Tranny Life • Doubles Suspension Life • 50% Longer Truck Life • Less Downtime

• More Uptime • Safer • Greener

Optimize Your Tyre Pressures with AIR CTI Match Tyre Pressures to the Load and the Road 100 psi in all tyres is simply WRONG

AIR CTI 03 51276128 | www.aircti.com Ring now for more information. Aussie Made

58 CAREERS AND TRAINING

FRIDAY JULY 9 2021 BIGRIGS.COM.AU

Going from strength to strength

IN 2004, Andrew Folker joined MaxiTRANS to fill a temporary position. Fast forward to now, and he’s kicking goals as the technical product manager at MaxiTRANS’ Ballarat manufacturing facility.

“A friend of the family told me MaxiTRANS was in a growth stage in the Ballarat manufacturing plant when they were looking for people,” recalled Folker, who had just sold the business he started.

He took on a job as an assem-

bler on the factory floor at MaxiTRANS, which he saw as a temporary gig to see him through.

“I thought I’d go to MaxiTRANS temporarily however I just worked my way through the business. I found ways that I could improve areas. I set my goals that I was going into that area and I could make a difference to the business,” he said.

While at MaxiTRANS, Folker completed the appropriate schooling and climbed

From what was only going to be a temporary job, Andrew Folker has gone from strength to strength at MaxiTRANS over the past 17 years.

through the ranks in two different areas. From the assembly line, he moved into drafting, he did a diploma of management course and became the engineering team leader for Freighter. To bolster his qualifications and knowledge, he then completed an engineering course.

“I was Freighter engineering lead for about eight years and then I went into product development for three years.

At the beginning of this year I moved into this technical product manager role.”

Now 40-year-old Folker deals with all facets of the business, including manufacturing, sales, product, warranty and engineering support.

His role involves everything from assisting the sales department with technical product enquiries or problems, to receiving feedback and collating industry requirements to help refine the MaxiTRANS range of products.

“Considering I only went there as a temporary job, I have really enjoyed it and I love it. I’ve had a lot of opportunity,” Folker added.

He’s been quick to identify

Easter Group Pty Ltd 73 Formation St, Wacol 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

Andrew Folker stands proud along the Freighter finish-line at MaxiTRANS’ manufacturing facility in Ballarat, Victoria.

areas of possible improvement in product design and production and says he was given the opportunity to move to implement the improvements.

“The most satisfying part of my job is getting a result and taking people on a journey to get that result. That could be working with a customer or a salesperson who was looking for a solution for a particular transport need. Or it might be discussing improvements in product or processes and making that happen,” Folker said.

He said he also gets job satisfaction in training new people to the business, whether it be in engineering or working with trailer sales people, watching people grow and evolve in the business.

“Seventeen years ago when I started, it was a small tightknit group and now the business has grown. It is still tight but it is a mammoth business now. The growth has meant having to change the way we think, the way we behave, and processes. That’s probably

been my biggest challenge because we all treat the business as our own. We treat the money we spend as if it was our own money,” Folker said.

“I love working for MaxiTRANS. It has always provided opportunities for me when I have looked for it. I have met and made many lifelong friends through MaxiTRANS. I was best man for two mates I met through MaxiTRANS. It is just a really good community-based business to work with.”

CAREERS AND TRAINING 59

BIGRIGS.COM.AU FRIDAY JULY 9 2021

Aftermarket specialist opens national facility

AUSTRALASIA’S largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, Bapcor, has opened a national training facility in Brisbane for the exclusive use of Precision Automotive Equipment and Burson Auto Parts team members, customers and suppliers.

Providing an important product training resource, this highly equipped new training facility enables team members to become fully acquainted with the latest in workshop

equipment technology, operation, safety features and much more.

This new high tech facility features two bays of fully functional workshop equipment, including the latest Precision Automotive Equipment exclusive Hunter Engineering and Rotary Lift products, with more new products to be added as they are introduced to the company’s broad equipment range.

Bapcor says the centre al-

lows for hands-on training for sales teams, service technicians and customers taking delivery of these premium quality equipment products.

The facility is also a premium showcase for trade customers to inspect these premium quality workshop equipment products in full operation.

Along with the two fully equipped vehicle service bays, the facility includes a training room dedicated to the latest in vehicle diagnos-

The new facility features two bays of fully functional workshop equipment.

Precision Automative Equipment suppliers can also use the facility for product training.

tics equipment, along with a formal seated training room complete with audio visual equipment.

Close to both the airport and the city, the new Brisbane facility is perfectly located for fly-in and fly-out training sessions while also being centrally located for Precision Automotive Equipment’s many Queensland based customers, says Bapcor.

Precision Automotive Equipment suppliers can also use this facility for product training purposes. A great

deal of interest exists among the company’s team members, suppliers and customers in relation to the training opportunities that this new facility can provide.

“As automotive diagnostics and general workshop equipment continues to technologically evolve, detailed product training becomes much more important. It ensures that our team members and customers gain a strong understanding of the premium quality equipment products that we offer,” stated Peter Hewitt, general

manager, Precision Automotive Equipment “We look forward to conducting many training sessions in our new training facility and to welcoming our suppliers to also make use of this excellent training resource.”

To find out more about the new Precision Automotive Equipment National Training Facility and to organise specific product training opportunities contact Precision Automotive Equipment by calling 1300 366 252.

Merkanooka Haulage is a family owned and run bulk haulage company, enthusiastic about hard work, client satisfaction and staff engagement.

We operate at remote WA mine sites with a robust fleet of Kenworth, Boomerang and Komatsu equipment.

We are competitive in our field and like to provide a safe and personal employment experience.

JOB DESCRIPTION: • Immediate start • 2/1 roster, day and night shift • FIFO from Perth WA • Kenworth T909, C509 & C510 Prime Movers • Komatsu WA600 Loaders

To be considered for this role, successful applicants will possess or able obtain the following: • MC Drivers Licence • 18 Speed Road Ranger Experience • National Police Check or ability to obtain one

Must provide current and contactable references.

If you meet the above requirements and are interested in the role, please apply through Seek or email your CV to: recruitment@merkanooka.com.au

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Legends on the Road

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The Legendary

BUD STEER

1300 005 576

armourywheels.com.au

19 Leland St, Penrith NSW 2750