Economic resurgence promises pressures on support staff supply
The economic recovery of Western Australia is exposing a number of issues in the road transport sector, with a number of transport stakeholders looking for answers.
Although the recovery is patchy, there is already growing concern amongst both businesses and transport leaders.
Cut-backs by industry and government during the downturn have meant that the state is struggling now to meet renewed demand with companies reporting issues from delays in receiving new equipment, inability to recruit mechanics, drivers and other skilled staff, delays in getting escorts wardens to move OSOM [over-size over-mass] equipment etc even waste, removalist and couriers are reporting issues,” Western Roads Federation (WRF) CEO Cam Dumesny says.
“Rather than wait, Western Roads Federation and Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA have united to get business and transport industry together on the September 18 at Perth Convention Centre to look at what the issues are, what can be done both in the short and long term.”
Read how WRF responded to the WA summit on driver shortages, here
The event will also discuss:
- details of the driver shortage solution proposal that has been put forward to Government
- examples of how expanding road productivity access can grow markets for WA horticulturalists, save manufacturing jobs from being lost to China and reduce transport traffic in the CBD and metro areas
- how new regulatory models could be adopted that increase safety and public confidence, improve productivity yet reduce compliance costs
- explaining the issues driving changes in road funding, including potential congestion charges and encouraging the development of an industry position
- the proposal and initial research by a major PR agency to develop a campaign to change community attitudes to road transport
- a separate afternoon session is being held to help small businesses and transport operators develop their own compliance and safety systems without paying consultants.
“Finally, we are encouraging vendors with products, services or solutions to help improve productivity to come and showcase what they have,” Dumesny says.
“In particular east coast vendors who have largely ignored WA for the last few years.
“WA is critically dependent on its road transport, as it connects every community, every business and every exporter to markets, suppliers or services. Therefore what impacts road transport impacts WA.”
Details and tickets for the event can be found on the CCIWA or WRF websites.