Volume 44 Issue 24 16 February 2024 |
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New Regional Road Freight Forums announced |
Industry connection and communication will be the theme of the
2024 Regional Road Freight Forums to support the drive for regional solutions. A key priority of the QTA is to establish an all-weather freight route in Queensland for high productivity vehicles, connect regions and increase efficiency and productivity in the supply chain.
Developing access solutions and navigating workable solutions involves input from both operators and industry stakeholders. So this year, we are inviting you to attend a productive road freight forum that will facilitate an opportunity to meet and discuss common issues faced in your regions, help drive workable solutions to benefit your businesses and the wider road freight industry. Topics will be relevant to your region, information will be useful and conversation will be professionally facilitated towards creating mutually beneficial industry connections and outcomes. Joining QTA Staff will be presentations from NHVR, TMR, QPS and local Council. The presentation at each location may change slightly based on regional issues/needs however the general topics will include: - Connecting the freight network
- Opening up road access
- Navigating workable solutions
Locations/Dates:
Click below to Register for your preferred location. Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm (catering included) Cost: QTA Member - $50+gst per person Non-Member - $75+gst per person Places are limited at each location. Payment will need to be settled prior to the event.
For any further information or questions about the Forums, please contact Frances Schafer frances@qta.com.au or Ebony Harber ebony@qta.com.au |
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Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Enterprises Round 2 |
Article from business.gov.au
The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Round 2 will support businesses to upgrade or replace inefficient equipment to improve their energy efficiency. These upgrades will enable industries to reduce their energy use, manage energy cost volatility in the long term and contribute to Australia’s target of a 43% reduction on 2005 emission levels by 2030.
The objectives of the program are: - improve energy efficiency practices and increase the uptake of energy efficient technologies
- assist small and medium businesses to manage their energy usage and costs
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The intended outcomes of the program are: - increase awareness of energy efficiency opportunities and help businesses to save energy
- reduced power bills for small and medium businesses
- emissions abatement to contribute to Australia reducing its emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.
For more details and to see if you are eligible visit Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Enterprises Round 2 | business.gov.au. |
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Limited Tickets Available for 2024 Diversity in Transport Breakfast - 6 March |
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EVENT DETAILS Wednesday 6 March 2024 Hillstone, St Lucia Golf Links Event Theme: Inspire Inclusion Thanks to TWUSUPER who are the Principal Event Sponsor. - Bronwen Howell-Director, VE Group, 2023 QTA Trucking Woman of the Year
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Drew Hipwood-Manager Corporate Affairs Manager, IOR
- Virgin Airlines - Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
Panel Facilitator: Kirsten MacGregor TICKET PRICES Members: $88 inc gst/ticket - Book Now $670 inc gst/Table of 8 - Book Now
Tickets selling fast - Get in Early and purchase your TICKETS now SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE If you'd like to get on board to showcase your brand to a sold out crowd, CLICK HERE to find out more. |
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NHVR to deliver heavy vehicle regulatory services in Queensland, from 20 April 2024 |
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Excerpt from NHVR Media Release 15/2/24
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is on track to transition responsibility for delivering heavy vehicle regulatory services, including on-road compliance and enforcement, from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), on 20 April 2024.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM said the transition of services in Queensland will be a significant achievement for the organisation and will result in safer and more consistent regulation of heavy vehicle movements across Australia.
From 20 April, on-road compliance, investigations, prosecutions and programmed heavy vehicle inspections will be some of the services currently provided by TMR to transfer across to the NHVR.
On transition, the Northern Region will be created within the NHVR’s Operations Division and will join Central and Southern Regions in leading on-road operational service delivery.
From April, the heavy vehicle industry can expect to see the NHVR’s Safety and Compliance Officers working roadside across Queensland, including in the far north and western areas of the state. Read Full Release here
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Risk Insight: Electric Vehicle Battery and Charger Risks |
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As electric vehicle (EV) chargers are rolled out in carparks and other premises this uptake increases some risks: notably battery fires. Lithium-ion battery fires tend to be characterised as both intense and prolonged. Both generate a higher risk of destruction as a result. The concern for property owners and landlords is the heightened risk at both residential properties and business premises where EVs are charged, parked or repaired. The consequences of a significant fire may reach beyond damage to your own property and could also lead to business interruption, as well as loss, damage or injury to other third parties. Implementing EV battery charger infrastructure calls for a risk management approach to planning and installation, and discussion with your broker about insurance coverage and limits.
What are the potential risks of EV battery chargers to property? Read full article here |
How Insurance Premium Funding can Protect your Business Affordably |
With Australian small businesses facing increased costs across the board, premium funding
offers a solution to paying your insurance premiums that allows you to reduce cash outlay upfront. Essentially a short-term loan, a premium funding arrangement allows businesses to spread the cost of your annual insurance cover across smaller instalments instead of paying a lump sum upfront.
This gives businesses greater flexibility and, importantly, ensures business owners can afford the cover they need while using their cash for other important expenses, such as investing in stock or wages. The four most commonly cited premium funding benefits include: - retaining cash flow
- ability to provide better service
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enables reinvestment into the business
- simplifies insurance payments.
Read full article and listen to the webinar here |
Get Support for Employee Superannuation Needs
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TWUSUPER Qld Account Manager Sam Smililie is available to visit your workplace and talk to your employees and assist them with any superannuation related information, advice or paperwork. Sam is flexible with times and is able to come out when you can get your drivers together. She can be contacted on 0424 511 164. |
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Case Study: Jarratt Transport Solutions- Electronic Work Diaries: increasing safety and efficiency |
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Note: This is a repeat article and has been extracted from the Teletrac Navman website.
Jarratt Transport Solutions (JTS) is a logistics company based in the Port of Brisbane, QLD, Australia. While it doesn’t specialise in particular loads or types of work, much of its business currently comes from power companies building power lines or solar farms. JTS operates eight Kenworth trucks, with another four on order, and has a ‘one driver, one truck’ policy. Challenge: Integrate EWDs and fleet management software to from the get-go for safety, compliance, and efficiency.
Solution: Safe drivers, fleet compliance and the ability to do coaching While JTS is all-in on EWD, it also uses the full suite of Teletrac Navman fleet management solutions, including calibrated electronic scales. These scales were recently put to the test on a weighbridge where the numbers coming back differed to what the onboard scales told the driver.
“The weighbridge operator didn’t appreciate being told their scales were out, but sure enough, they were subsequently tested and found to be out by over a tonne on a road train 1.2 tonnes,” says Phil Jarratt.
The fleet management solutions let JTS do driver coaching, he says, and provides a scorecard
, promoting friendly rivalry between drivers to see who comes out on top each quarter. The company awards the top-scoring driver a bonus of $250-500, but Jarratt says what it costs him to pay the bonus is a rounding error compared to what the company saves in fuel each month from better driving. “While the EWDs don’t contribute to a fuel saving, what really makes a difference is the variety of performance and efficiency metrics that TN360 displays,” he says. “This is what generates the fuel savings, which I’d estimate being in the area of 2000-3000 litres per month.”
Through the scorecard app, the system tells the driver if they’re braking too harshly, accelerating too hard, or engaging in close following or manoeuvring. By driving within eco-limits of the metrics, operators are more efficient in their throttle use and better at keeping under the speed limit, leading to the fuel savings Phil Jarratt outlined.
Used together, the fleet management system and the EWDs make JTS more efficient and predictable as a company, he explains. “We know if a truck leaves Melbourne in the afternoon, taking into account rest periods, the following night he will be at the border and ready for another seven-hour break,” Phil Jarratt says. “Then he’s in Brisbane early mid-morning and from a scheduling perspective, it ticks every box.” Read full article here |
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SWQ-Surat-Balonne River Bridge-Feedback on Upgrade |
TMR are investigating options to upgrade the bridge over the Balonne River and its approaches at Surat.
TMR are inviting business, operators and drivers to share their experiences around flooding and let us know how this road impacts their/your operations. We are also interested in hearing if there are any factors that TMR should consider as part of this project.
Feedback can be submitted via email, phone or can facilitate a meeting (either online or in person) if that would be preferred. Please feel free to contact the TMR South West Offce on 07 4622 9511 or by return email to SouthWest.office@tmr.qld.gov.au, to provide feedback or organise a time for a feedback session. |
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SWQ-Cunningham Highway in Tregony 19-22/2/24
On the Cunningham Highway between the Crest car park and the Fisher Park Rest Area, road users may experience intermittent delays of up to 15 minutes, from Monday 19/02 to Thursday 22/02 between 6am to 6pm for road repair works. A reduced speed limit of 40km/hr will be in place for the safety of road users and work crews. Cunningham Highway between Tregony and Mount Edwards 20-22/2/24
On the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap, road users may experience intermittent delays of up to 30 minutes from Tuesday 20/02 to Thursday 22/02 between 6am-6pm.
A single lane reversible flow (to serve both directions) and a reduced speed limit of 40km/hr will be in place with traffic control for the safety of road users and work crews continuing retaining wall works. |
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NTH BNE-EATONS CROSSING ROAD from 26/2/24
Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions to undertake road widening works on Eatons Crossing Road between Lergessner Road and Bunya Road. Eatons Crossing Road, between Lergessner Road and Bunya Road will be reduced to a single lane shuttle flow, under 24/7 traffic control.
Lane closures are required to accommodate the works within the road alignment. Works will include earthworks, pavement, sealing and asphalt works. Works are scheduled to begin 26 February 2024 and will take approximately three months to complete, weather and construction conditions permitting. Works will be delayed if wet weather occurs.
Works will be undertaken, Monday to Friday between 6am to 6pm with occasional weekend works as required. Traffic management will remain in place throughout the day and night.
Motorists can expect delays and increases in travel time when temporary lane closures and traffic management are implemented within the work zone. Traffic controllers, portable traffic control signals, reduced speed limits, temporary lighting, road signage and variable message signs will be in place to advise of the changed traffic conditions and to ensure motorist and roadworker safety.
Please allow extra time for travel during these works. Contact the Community Liaison team on 1800 314 756 or ssrrsp@tmr.qld.gov.au for further information. |
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WIDEBAY/BURNETT-Gympie Connection Road/Ascot Road/Old Goomboorian Road Closure
This was postponed several times due to recent wet weather, however it is now scheduled to be temporarily closed from 4.30am Saturday 24 February to 6pm Sunday 25 February 2024 (weather and construction conditions permitting).
A detour will be in place for residents on Old Goomboorian Road via Old Veteran Road and Sandy Creek Road. Other road users are advised to seek alternative routes.
With the wet season upon us, it is important to note that construction activities may be cancelled and rescheduled. If wet weather delays the temporary intersection closure, it will be postponed to either 2/3 March or 9/10 March 2024. No further notifications will be sent for postponements unless the work is pushed into April 2024. Onsite Variable Message Signs will provide any changes of dates for the closure.
Single lane closures and temporary traffic signals will also continue to be in place intermittently on Gympie Connection Road between Ascot Road/Old Goomboorian Road and Browns Road. |
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CQ-Gwambegwine Creek, Fitzroy Developmental Road changed traffic conditions and single lane closures TMR advises of an upcoming project on the Fitzroy Developmental Road (Taroom-Bauhinia), 27 kilometres north of the intersection of Fitzroy Developmental Road and Leichhardt Highway.
Works will include concrete culvert replacement and earthworks. The project is expected to be completed in late 2024.
To ensure the safety of our workers and road users, as well as maintain network efficiency, a single-lane side track will be in place and managed by traffic signals with speed restrictions.
Pavement reconstruction work will also occur at three additional locations on the Fitzroy Developmental Road (Taroom-Bauhinia) between March 2024 and late 2024. Refer to the attached map. The timing of these works is dependent on weather and site conditions.
Motorists may experience short delays when travelling through the project zones. Road users are encouraged to drive to the changed traffic conditions and follow the direction of signage and traffic control.
If you require any further information about the project, please contact the project team at TMR Rockhampton by phone on 4931 1500 or by email at fitzroydistrict@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Information on the latest traffic conditions is available by phoning 13 19 40 or by visiting www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au. |
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FNQ-Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba), street lighting upgrade
TMR will be carrying out works to upgrade the street lighting at three key intersections on the Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba), from Tuesday 20 February 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting.
The works will involve installing street lighting at Windy Hollow Road, Top Rock Quarry Access Road and Gilmore Road intersections. The works will improve safety for motorists at these locations.
Crews will be onsite between 6 am and 6 pm and will progress from site to site. For the safety of road users and maintenance crews, changed traffic conditions will be in place during the works including temporary speed limit and lane reductions under coordination of traffic controllers. Road users should expect minor delays and plan their journeys accordingly. From the 20 February 2024, foundation works will be carried out to prepare the footings for the street light poles at the intersections. The street lights are expected to be installed in March 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting. Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be in place on the approaches to the work site to ensure motorists are aware of the changed traffic conditions. |
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Temporary closure on M1 Princes Motorway and Picton Road
The M1 Princes Motorway between Bulli Tops and Memorial Drive, and Picton Road between the M1 Princes Motorway and Almond Street at Wilton, will be temporarily closed on Sunday 18 February and Sunday 25 February, weather permitting. The roads will be closed in both directions and detours will be in place between 8pm and 4am. Picton Road eastbound will be closed from 7.30pm to 4am. A detour will be in place via Bulli Pass. However, this detour is not suitable for any OSOM vehicle or any vehicle exceeding 19 metres. Vehicles of this length are advised to delay their journey. Motorists travelling between Wollongong and Bulli Tops will be detoured via Memorial Drive and Bulli Pass and should allow up to 15 minutes additional travel time. Motorists travelling between Wollongong and the Hume Motorway will be detoured via Memorial Drive, Bulli Pass and Appin Road, and should allow up to 40 minutes additional travel time.
Motorists travelling to the Hume Motorway can also detour via the Illawarra Highway (Macquarie Pass). For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com, download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701. |
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NSW-Reminder about changes to On-Board Mass Management (OBM) |
This a reminder, with national recognition of this more advanced telematics technology, Transport for NSW is transitioning from Interim On-Board Mass Management to Smart OBM in June 2024. Transition Arrangements If you are currently operating under Interim OBM arrangements, you may continue to use your existing system. However, you will be required to transition to a Smart OBM system by 1 June 2024
. In many cases, it is possible for an existing OBM system to be upgraded to a Smart OBM system. Please contact the supplier of your OBM system or Transport Certification Australia for further information.
If your vehicle is currently fitted with a Smart OBM system, you may enrol the vehicle in a Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) scheme for operation in NSW through your service provider. What is Smart OBM? Smart OBM systems
are devices that use digital technology to collect and transmit mass data from vehicles in a reliable and standardised way. With Smart OBM, operators may enrol in an applicable scheme of the Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA).
Smart OBM systems provide operators critical information about the loading of their vehicles, which is important to manage safety and regulatory compliance while also maximising productivity. On-Board Mass as a condition of access OBM is currently a road access condition for some Performance Based Standards (PBS) heavy vehicles in NSW operating under permit and under both the National Class 2 Performance Based Standards Vehicle (Tier 1) Authorisation Notice 2022 and where applicable, National Class 2 Performance Based Standards (High Productivity) Authorisation Notice 2022.
Where OBM is an agreed condition of road access in NSW, the vehicle must have a NSW TMA / IAP or IAP Certificate of Enrolment showing the vehicle enrolled in TMA or IAP and that it is monitored in a scheme that requires OBM. Please note that if your vehicle is already enrolled in TMA or IAP in another jurisdiction, the vehicle will still be required to separately enrol in TMA or IAP with Transport for NSW, for travel in NSW.
To enrol in a scheme that requires OBM please contact Transport Certification Australia or call 03 8601 4600. Changes to OBM Permit Conditions
In light of the OBM transition, Transport for NSW is working with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to update mass monitoring permit conditions for new and existing operators. |
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