THE annual Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) conference held in Ballarat mid-August, was jam packed with information sessions on various transport and agriculture related topics on the highly regulated industry.

Insurance was a hot topic, with transport companies encouraged to ‘know your policy’.

Does it cover wandering livestock if you are involved in an accident? If you are injured in a farmer’s yard while loading - is that a farmer insurance issue or the transporters? As a farmer - are your yards safe for you or anyone else to use? Are your feet getting bogged in mud? Will this prevent you from taking evasive action quickly if necessary?

How do ‘Chain of Responsibility’ laws impact the farmer or transporter, if there were to be an accident/incident? The answer to this question will be dependent on the result of a ‘WorkSafe’ investigation that takes place after an incident – which will determine if the condition of the farmers yards contributed to the resulting accident.

The insurance session was followed by a ‘WorkSafe’ session with WorkSafe, fatality prevention, Jenny Grigg. There have been 14 fatalities in the agriculture sector and eight of those in road freight in the last twelve months. Farming and the associated transportation of animals remains one of the highest risk industries. Injuries around loading and unloading of stock have resulted in injuries mostly involving falls, vehicle roll aways and impacts by animals.

A presentation on workers compensation highlighted the fact that the system is effectively bankrupt. Premiums collected - even though the costs to business have increased - are well short of what is being paid out. There have been increases in premiums of up to 75 per cent and claims will affect your business premiums for a minimum of three years.

Businesses were advised that the premiums are government regulated - so there is no point shopping around for a better price. The road transport industry has seen increases in premiums of between 4.5 and 6.2 per cent. Prevention of claims by mitigating risk, must be a priority if businesses are to remain viable in a market that has seen huge increases in costs - particularly maintenance costs due to appalling road conditions.

The LRTAV declared that they have little confidence in the Victorian Government being able to maintain or repair the road network.

The irony here is the statement of ‘Little confidence in the Victorian government being able to maintain or repair roads’ - was followed by the Victorian Government’s plans to increase the ‘Higher Productivity Network.’ In real terms, this means that we will be seeing more road trains (B triples at 35.5m in length and AB triples 42m in length) on our deteriorating road network!

While most in the LRTAV understand from a business point of view, that it is more economical to tow larger vehicles to carry more freight; the whole process of putting larger trucks onto a road network that is crumbling under existing pressure makes no sense and will only increase risk for all road users.

Biosecurity and Effluent Code of Practice measures were also covered. The issue of not enough truck washes and effluent disposal pits is still an issue for drivers to remain compliant. Obviously, farmers correctly curfewing stock to minimise effluent on the trucks remains an issue; with many now charging additional washout fees in an effort to correct this behaviour.

It was advised that farmers be reminded that under ‘Chain of Responsibility’ legislation, a farmer can be fined for excess effluent/ failure to comply with Effluent Code of Practice, during transportation of livestock.

The LRTAV introduced a ‘Rural Women in Business’ session this year with former Australian Federal Police officer, Kylie Flower, facilitator, trainer, and program designer and taking the session. Those attending gained considerable insight into Kylie’s various roles. Participants discussed leadership in business while balancing families within the business. There was recognition of the juggling of so many roles played by women, while still playing a vital role in running transport businesses.

The ‘Young Driver Award’ for 2023 was won by Melissa Ryan.

Melissa is a livestock driver who started out driving horse trucks and is now driving B Doubles and Road Trains. At 24 years old in January this year, she stepped into her first brand new Kenworth 909.

The LRTAV Conference nominates a charity to support each year - this year it was The Royal Childrens Hospital. Sheep carriers competed in a time trial to assemble sheep decks in a livestock crate to raise money. Delegates and sponsors dug deep and raised over $17,000 for the hospital.

LRTAV president Russell Borchard was re-elected for another term. Russell was very pleased with the progress the LRTAV has made over the last twelve months but admits that “there will always be more work to be done to make the industry safer, and to impact better outcomes with the government regulators and policy makers.”