Under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007, corporations that meet certain thresholds for greenhouse gas emissions and energy production and consumption are required to report to the Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer.

To determine whether your business is liable, see the Trucking Industry Fact Sheet 10 – Obligations under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (available from your ATA member organisation).
Reporting responsibility under the NGER Act 2007 ultimately lies with the corporation that has operational control of facilities where thresholds are triggered.

Operational control lies with the corporation that has greatest authority to introduce and implement operation environmental and OH&S policies (refer section 11 of the NGER Act 2007) and needs to be applied in conjunction with the facility definitions described in Section 9 of the NGER Act 2007 and Division 2.4 of the NGER Regulations 2008.

Where operational control is difficult to determine, or could lie with two or more corporations, a balanced scorecard can be used to help corporations decide which facilities they need to report. The completed document might also form part of a corporation’s reporting methodology and records for audit and compliance purposes.

Industry developed examples will cover most business situations and the outcomes can be applied accordingly, depending on the business situation the parties are involved in.

It is not mandatory for corporations to use the scorecard and its application will require a somewhat subjective assessment and consultation between interested parties. However, applying the scorecard may assist with compliance to the legislation.
The Operational Control Scorecard examples can be downloaded at www.atatruck.net.au

Organisers are proud to announce that Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific (MBAuP) has signed on to return to the International Truck, Trailer & Equipment Show in Melbourne in March 2010.

Once again Daimler Trucks, Fuso and the Commercial Vehicles aftersales team will be on display under one roof at the Melbourne Showgrounds in the RASV Pavilion.

The aftersales team will focus on service and parts programs and products that MBAuP has developed to help optimise customers’ business operations. Their stand will feature a new range of Alliance-branded products and parts and a full-size cut away of a working V8 Actros engine.

The MBAuP stand won the Best Industry Truck Display at the inaugural ITTE Show in 2008.

CV Sales and Marketing General Manager Vince King said the ITTE Show was an important event for the Australian transport industry and MBAuP was proud to support it.

“The ITTE Show is a professionally-run event and a wonderful showcase for our industry,” he said.

“Being based in Melbourne, the show is also a chance for us to provide extra opportunities and events for our customers, suppliers and partners.”

“Plus after our success in 2008, we’ll be back to defend our ‘Best Industry Truck Display’ title and aim to again leave a lasting impression on show visitors and the industry,” said Vince.
To secure your involvement in the ITTE Show, or for more information please contact Sarah Ellul on +61 (3) 9690 7022 or sarah@trucktrailershow.com.au

Several independent owner drivers threaten road blocks on the Airport Link road and the Ipswich Motorway unless they receive hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to them by collapsed sub contractor TF Group.

The TF Group, based in Sydney, has alleged debts of $11million , with 50% of the debt owed to Queensland operators. TF was hired by Thiess John Holland constructions as the priority contractor for the $4.8 billion Airport Link project. The Thiess/Holland consortium reportedly paid out a small group of contractors in July this year after complaints about unpaid monies to truckie contractors.
Many truckies are left in the lerch and doing it tough with cash flows drying up.
The Ipswich project known as Safelink, is in jeopardy of major construction continuity if the money strapped truckies do not get an answer soon.
The Airport Link is also in jeopardy, and will be a hot topic of discussion by truckies working on the project.

One truckies comment, “our backs are against the wall,” is indicative of the general feeling by the owner drivers who need to meet their fuel costs and installment payments on their trucks.
Truckiesonline, will follow this issue closely, but asks the question…”how and when did it get to the stage that the project contractors could not meet their contractual agreements with the truckies working on these projects”

Jane Chudleigh
July 16, 2009 09:20pm
SEVERAL cows were killed and Gateway Motorway traffic disrupted for hours on Thursday night when a cattle truck overturned, blocking the road with dead and dazed livestock.

The truck overturned and caught fire about 7pm in the southbound lanes near Eagle Farm.
Several head of cattle were killed, crushed when the truck overturned.
Distressed and injured animals ran over the Gateway Bridge, bringing traffic in both directions to a standstill.
The escaped cattle were rounded up near the toll booths.
The B-double truck rolled about 7pm, on a bend of road near where a fatal rollover of a truck full of fruit and vegetables occured earlier this month.
The truck driver in this incident was able to escape without serious injury.

A second truck to remove the escaped cattle was still being organised.
Brisbane City Council workers will clear the dead animals from the road.
The southbound lanes of the motorway leading on to the Gateway Bridge have been closed for several hours. Fire crews also have to clean up diesel that spilled from the truck.
Northbound traffic was closed at Murrarie, with diversions in place at Wynnum and Lytton roads.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said about 50 head of cattle escaped from the truck and had to be rounded up.
“They have had to euthanise four of the cows already and looking at euthanising several more because of their injuries,” the spokeswoman said.

Melbourne March 18/19/20….2010

Western Star Trucks and MAN Automotive Imports will take an entire hall at the International Truck Trailer and Equipment Show in Melbourne next year, something that will be an important milestone in the company’s history.

When you look at the current truck and trailer market some pundits are convinced that there is nothing but doom to come. However, while commercial sales in many areas have slowed, those at the Western Star Trucks and MAN Automotive Imports headquarters in Brisbane are actively engaged in keeping the two brand names up in lights.

So much so that at the International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show in Melbourne from 18–20 March next year, the two truck ranges will occupy an entire exhibition hall, to give visitors an up close and personal view of what is on offer for Australian road transport.

The inaugural Melbourne show, held in 2008 at the Melbourne Showgrounds, was an exciting and highly successful event staged on a large scale and attracting a high number of visitors from all facets of the Trucking Industry. According to Western Star Trucks and MAN Automotive Imports Marketing Manager Pat Cook (pictured), the 2010 show will be another important milestone in the company’s history.

“Never before have we had a hall of our own at any truck show,” he says. “In recent times, Western Star has really come of age with a continually growing market share and we now have an entirely new MAN truck range that will certainly expand sales, too.

“There are some people in the industry who keep referring to a recession, but the ‘R’ word is not in our vocabulary, as both Western Star and MAN have exciting times ahead. We really believe in our product ranges, which are supported by one of the best dealer networks in the business, manned by the best sales people, as well as the best in back-up service.

“The Melbourne show worked well for us last time and we see no reason why 2010 will not be as good, if not better. We are extremely pro-active in the market and can clearly see where our truck ranges fit. The show is an opportunity to inform customers, both existing and potential, how we can help their businesses.”

The full range of Western Star and MAN models will be displayed in Melbourne along with some innovative new products, including latest developments for the refrigerated B-Double market.

“2010 is very important and it is expected Melbourne will showcase products to people taking advantage of the pre-buy before the next round of emissions regulations.

“People need to see what is new. Those in road transport are working smarter and appreciate advantages offered by new technology. At the end of the day they all have to buy trucks, pay drivers and buy fuel, and the show allows them to take a close look at what we can offer, enabling them to make smarter purchase decisions,” Pat points out.

Western Star will utilise its Melbourne show pavilion to host customer functions, which Pat says offers another facet to the big exhibition.

“It gives us the opportunity to have guests in-house amongst the trucks where they can see first-hand vehicle features and presentations, providing them with vital information to meet their truck requirements. With the entire product ranges available for inspection and experts on hand to discuss specific transport needs we can deliver a high quality show experience,” Pat says.

“Because the 2008 show was so successful for us we feel 2010 will build on our success. With both products in the one pavilion we can offer road transport operators complete transport solutions – and that is paramount in times when they need to build their unique businesses.

The facts are undisputed: Melbourne’s 2008 International Truck, Trailer & Equipment Show was the largest dedicated road transport expo ever to be staged in the Southern Hemisphere. And now the organisers are gearing up to make it even bigger and better in 2010.

The facts are undisputed; Melbourne’s 2008 International Truck, Trailer & Equipment Show was the largest dedicated road transport expo ever to be staged in the southern hemisphere. Over 300 national and international based companies, representing all major truck, trailer and ancillary equipment suppliers, made the Melbourne Showgrounds site their home to demonstrate the dynamics and cost efficiencies of their products and services.

Such was the size of the event that it attracted over 35,000 genuine business leads from around Australia and overseas. All the exhibitors surveyed reported that the Melbourne based show brought high quality trade visitors to their stands and very few, if any, of the so called tyre kickers. The high level of business activities also moved off site, after dark, as many networking events were staged in and around the city precinct, located just 10 minutes from the newly renovated Showgrounds venue.

The success of the 2008 event, and the subsequent requests from previous and new exhibitors for more display space, has prompted the organisers, Transport Marketing Australia, to expand both the show and management committee. “We have now negotiated with the Melbourne Showgrounds to open the last of the remaining pavilions and outside areas for display use. In essence, the 2010 show will absorb all available showground space to cater for both the local and overseas industry involvement,” Showtimes will remain the same as the previous inaugural event commencing at10 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m., each day. With the move to the month of March, trade visitors and exhibitors alike can take full advantage of the States daylight savings times as well as Melbourne’s balmy autumn weather.

To be part of the 2010 exhibition action contact Transport Marketing Australia on +61 3 9690 7022 or info@trucktrailershow.com.auThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it mailto: info@trucktrailershow.com.auThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Paula Doneman
July 05, 2009 06:55pm
LATEST: FRESH witness accounts have cast doubt on claims a motorist stole vegetables from truck smash in which the driver was killed.
Police are continuing to probe the claims after witnesses came forward disputing the story.

A man died when his truck rolled about 5.30am on Saturday on the Gateway Motorway and the load of produce it was carrying spewed over the ground.
Police received reports of a man seen driving a silver Holden Commodore utility who stole a small amount of produce at the scene while the driver lay dying.
But a police spokeswoman said on Sunday more witnesses had come forward with conflicting information.
“We’ve got other people saying, no, that’s not right,” she said.
The spokeswoman said new information suggested the man had rendered assistance before leaving the scene.

“What we’re doing is trying to get to the bottom of it,” she said.

The 47-year-old married driver from Lowood, near Ipswich, was thrown from the cab of his vehicle after it smashed into a guardrail and rolled on the southbound lanes of the road at Eagle Farm.
The truck, which was coming from Bowen and headed for the Rocklea Markets, skidded on its roof, crushing the cab and splitting open the tandem trailers.
Pallets of pumpkins and boxes of capsicums were strewn over the roadway.
Police want to speak with anyone who might have also seen the alleged incident.
They also plan to examine footage from traffic cameras along the road and at the Gateway Bridge toll booth.
Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson earlier said if the theft claim was correct, it was a “poor act”.

He said if evidence was found that supported the claim and led to a suspect, that person could be charged with stealing.
“On the face of it, it is a despicable act, particularly if assistance was required,” he said.
RACQ spokesman Gary Fites said if the claim was proven true, he hoped the incident was a rare and disappointing exception to the way most Queensland motorists look out for each other.
“If it is true, it is pretty callous. It surprises me,” he said.
“Everyone has a duty to render assistance to injured motorists until help arrives.”
Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the crash, which occurred in an area where extensive roadworks are under way as part of the Gateway road and bridge duplication.
Police said it appeared the truck failed to take a bend.
They are investigating whether fatigue or speed were involved.
Transport Workers Union Queensland secretary Hughie Williams questioned whether the Gateway in its current state was suitable for such B-double semi-trailers.
Yesterday’s accident, which closed parts of the motorway for most of yesterday, was the latest in a string of recent truck incidents on the road.
“I think it is OK for prime-movers but perhaps drivers of B-doubles should take a different route,” Mr Williams said.
- with AAP

On behalf of The Truck Volt we thank you for your comments and future support.

My husband has been in the industry for 26 yrs, his love and passion for driving trucks began at the age of 5 when his father who was an owner driver would take him out and spend the day at work. He has worked locally and country but I must say his passion was on the highway working interstate from Melbourne to Sydney or wherever work took him.

He met and made good friends with a lot of fantastic people along the way but also came across the minority who truly didn’t have any respect for the next person or the industry (cowboys). I think it is a shame that so many truck drivers out there have and are still putting up with having to use facilities that are not up to hygiene standards. The majority of the food that is served is also less than acceptable and the constant abuse from the media does nothing to help our plight.

We have been for the last couple of years working on a TV show that is not only appealing to truck drivers and their families alike but will hopefully highlight many short comings that happen on a regular basis in our industry. Only then can we begin to make this industry a better place for future generations to be proud of.

When I came across PJ’s comments my husband and I were not at all surprised that these people still exist in the industry and will continue to do so unless we expose what life on the road is really like. Hopefully with everyone’s support we can begin to make these changes.

The Truck Volt is being self funded by myself and my husband. We are always on the lookout for new sponsors and welcome any assistance offered by anyone who share our passion and want to make a change for our industry.

Our show is designed to be hard hitting, factual, informative and humorous. We feel it will be a familiar sight to those who are on this side of the industry and will give viewers who are not, an insight to their jobs and lives.

Once again I would like to show my appreciation to Truckies Online for their time and letting us have our say.

Six companies were recognised with show awards at the 2009 Queensland Truck and Machinery Show. Mr Brett Wright, CEO of the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association (CVIAQ) praised the exhibitors for their contribution to what is forecasted to be the best show in the 41 year history of the event. “The show is a major undertaking and construction of the exhibits is a mammoth task spanning 5 days and involving thousands of contractors and staff to bring it all together,” said Wright.The 2009 Queensland Truck & Machinery Show Awards consist of 6 major categories with winners as follows:

Truck of the Show Sponsored by Truckin’ Life

AWARDED TO WESTERN STAR TRUCKS – 69FXC

Outstanding Truck Manufacturer Display Sponsored by Australasian Transport News & Owner Driver

AWARDED TO MACK TRUCKS AUSTRALIA

Outstanding Trailer / Body Manufacturer Display Sponsored by Deals on Wheels

AWARDED TO O’PHEE TRAILERS

Outstanding Vehicle Component & Equipment Display Sponsored by Diesel

AWARDED TO JOST AUSTRALIA

Outstanding Earthmoving Manufacturer Display Sponsored by Earthmovers and Excavators

AWARDED TO JCB CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AUSTRALIA

Risk Management Excellence Sponsored by Worklaw Health & Safety

AWARDED TO VOLVO TRUCKS AUSTRALIA

Mr Wright added: “The judges commended both the individual winners and the industry as a whole on a truly world class display at this year’s show which is conducted on a biennial basis”.