Trucking firm avoids being taken off NSW roads after State Government accepts its plan to improve operations.
Cootes Transport has avoided being kicked out of New South Wales after the State Government accepted its plan to implement stringent measures to improve its safety and compliance record.
The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) earlier this month handed Cootes a show cause notice as to why it should be allowed to continue operating in NSW in the wake of ongoing compliance failures.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay announced today the company would continue to have access to the State’s road network, but that access will come at a cost to the firm.
Cootes management sent the RMS a corrective action plan that binds Cootes to decommissioning 50 older trucks and bringing in new prime movers and tankers for its NSW fleet.
The company will also retrofit electronic stability (ESC) control to its vehicles five years ahead of the 2019 deadline the Government has set for the rest of the trucking industry.
“The Cootes corrective action plan and commitment means it will be allowed to continue operations within NSW for the time being,” Gay says.
The plan also requires an RMS-approved independent third party to review Cootes in-house maintenance regime, and for externally serviced and repaired vehicles to undergo a final check by Cootes’ workshops including checks on brakes, suspension and steering components, and oil leaks.
Cootes has also committed to introducing new training and standard operating procedures to ensure staff are aware of their obligations in detecting and reporting defects.
Furthermore, Cootes will review and implement improved maintenance standards to increase the focus on brake, steering and suspension components.
Drivers will need to increase the number of on-road vehicle checks, such as carrying out leak tests on LPG tankers for each shift, and new processes will be implemented to provide feedback on maintenance systems.
“I am encouraged to know the company has taken sensible action to address the issues,” Gay says.
“I am particularly encouraged by the board’s commitment to ensuring the company carries out the agreed program of corrective works.”
However, Gay has made clear the Government will take action should Cootes fail to improve.
“The company is aware that should compliance issues continue to be detected, action will be reinstated to ensure the safety of all road users,” he says.
Cootes felt the wrath of the RMS after one its tankers was involved in a fatal crash at Mona Vale last year.
The RMS subjected Cootes to ongoing audits, which continually uncovered serious defects in the company’s fleet.
Followiing the crash, Cootes lost lucrative fuel haulage contracts with BP and Shell, prompting parent company McAleese to announce a restructure of the brand.