POPULAR WORDS

Work and rest areas under fatigue management regulations may be overhauled after the NSW Government met with stakeholders to address concerns over the controversial system.

Minister for Roads Michael Daley held a roundtable discussion with the NSW Road Freight Advisory Council and the NSW Farmers Association as part of a discussion to limit the burden of fatigue management on industry while ensuring safety is not jeopardised.

Daley says significant progress was made and the Government will work to resolve the industry’s issues, which related to complying with work and rest hours during harvest and when transporting livestock.

“I understand the concerns of farmers and trucking operators I can assure everyone I am looking at these reforms with the needs of business and regional NSW in mind,” Daley says.

“A number of short and long term industry issues were identified and we will try progress these issues as quickly as possible.”

The roundtable discussion included the TWU, transport icon Ron Finemore, the Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association and Jim Savage from Stockmaster.

There were also representatives from the NSW Farmers Association, the NRMA and the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

Daley says he will continue to hold discussions in the coming weeks with the same representatives as well as other organisations and trucking operators.

“After the national reforms were introduced, I granted a number of 12-month exemptions for NSW operators, so that I had time to properly consult with the farming communities and trucking industries,” he says.

The NSW Opposition threatened to pass a motion of disallowance against fatigue management regulations unless the Government pledged to amend a number of provisions under the regime.

Opposition spokesman on roads Duncan Gay wants a commitment to build more rest areas as well as amendments to night time driving hours.

He says many aspects of fatigue management are unworkable and must be changed to ensure the trucking industry is not unduly affected.