SARTA and NTRTA join Main Roads WA and WARTA to plan for developments
Freight- and trade-related discussions involving non-east coast road industry representative bodies and Main Roads Western Australia are underway to plan for and facilitate future developments.
The Western Australian Road Transport Association (WARTA) and the South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA), along with WA industry and government representatives plus the Northern Territory Road Transport Association (NTRTA), participated in what is described as “an important and innovative strategic planning forum”, held in Perth by Main Roads WA.
The associations say the forum, the first of a number of WA discussions between industry and government, considered some key transport issues over the next decade including; trade facilitation, the future of compliance and enforcement, automation, road freight productivity and cross-border harmonisation.
“SARTA welcomed the invitation from Main Roads WA and WARTA to participate,” SARTA executive director Steve Shearer says.
“There are many cross-border issues that affect both SA and WA trucking operators so this was an excellent opportunity to discuss those issues with WA industry representative and officials.
“Many of these issues impact not only on the trucking operators and their drivers but on the economies of both states.
“We anticipate that today’s important planning session and the subsequent sessions will help harmonise the regulatory and operational regimes between WA and other states and also facilitate the improvements and efficiencies in the provision of safe and effective transport that will be necessary to enable the full potential for growth of the economy and trade in and between WA and SA.”
NTRTA executive director Louise Bilato appreciated the opportunity particularly in relation to cross-border issues regarding key remote freight routes such as the Tanami Road and the Great Central Road, issues she has been vocal on recently.
https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1609/industry-bodies-say-more-work-needed-in-nt-and-wa
“These remote freight routes are integral to economic prosperity of both WA and NT,” Bilato says.
“It is therefore important that we ensure that these roads are brought up to the necessary standard and that regulatory regimes reflect the needs of remote Australia, which differ from the rest of the country.
“So we applaud Main Roads WA’s initiative in commencing a more innovative and visionary solution-focused approach to planning and including industry and government, as this is more likely to deliver effective outcomes.
WARTA’s Cam Dumnesy endorsed these comments saying he and the state department appreciated the participation of SARTA president Sharon Middleton, who operates a fleet primarily between Adelaide and Perth, Shearer and Bilato.