The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is working with the Government on how the industry can take part in the bushfire recovery plans.
The association had a teleconference call on Monday with deputy prime minister and infrastructure, transport and regional development minister Michael McCormack.
The meeting included ATA members and other representatives from the trucking and rail industries to discuss response efforts.
McCormack thanked the trucking industry for the support it’s providing the community. The discussion also included how the Government can assist affected trucking businesses and the ATA will meet again on January 20 to develop a proposed assistance package for firms and employees.
It will then have a follow-up teleconference with the deputy prime minister to provide a full outline of the trucking industry’s position and recommendations.
“The bushfire crisis has had devastating impacts on communities across the country, seeing the loss of lives, homes and businesses,” ATA chair Geoff Crouch says.
“It has also heavily impacted trucking businesses who have had to endure safety hazards, road closures and lengthy delays in getting much needed supplies to communities in need.
“I commend deputy prime minister McCormack for his initiative in engaging with industry at this critical time,” he says.
“In the longer term, the government must ensure infrastructure and bridges are rebuilt in accordance with bushfire resilient standards.
“The government must also take dramatically stronger action to address climate change,” Crouch says.
The ATA will be providing information to affected businesses about the government assistance that is available.
ATA chief executive Ben Maguire will participate in a roundtable on Thursday with agriculture minister Bridget McKenzie while Crouch will participate in a prime ministerial roundtable on the crisis on Friday.
The association says the trucking industry has been at its best during the crisis as drivers and operators have come together to get supplies to devastated communities.
The ATA says the events are also reminder to trucking operators about the importance of being a member of an industry association.
ATA member associations have been highlighting specific road closures, updates on pending emergencies and access links to government and financial support.
This has been particularly important with the impacts on Western Australia freight routes which have been hugely disrupted and also major eastern routes such as the Hume Highway which was closed at short notice.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett is praising the efforts of Australian truckers for “pulling out all stops to get water and essential supplies to those people, animals and areas who need it most”.
“This is a clear example of how vital roads and trucks are in times of natural disaster as the most reliable lifelines,” Leggett says.
