McAleese Transport expands its Cootes fleet improvement effort following the Mona Vale Road accident
By Rob McKay | November 6, 2013
McAleese Transport has expanded its Cootes fleet improvement effort and put freight transport stalwart Don Telford in charge to oversee it.
Telford was appointed a non-executive director last month following a board meeting and will lead a sub-committee that will provide oversight and governance of safety as well as implement lessons arising from the Mona Vale tanker tragedy and subsequent review of fleet maintenance.
He is a former senior colleague of McAleese Chairman Mark Rowsthorn at Toll and Asciano and will divide his time between McAleese and his present role as Chairman of the Australian Logistics Council.
In conjunction with this review the company has indicated that it is continuing to work constructively with NSW Roads and Maritime Services and other state authorities as part of an ongoing inspection program following the Mona Vale accident.
“We are continuing to work with the authorities to assist in ensuring a comprehensive national assessment of all Cootes vehicles and equipment by both state authorities and independently authorised inspectors,” a McAleese spokeswoman says.
“In addition, the company will undertake ongoing independent inspections and reviews of its maintenance activities to ensure the Cootes and its other fleet are maintained safely and effectively.”
McAleese has also thrown an extra $6 million at the fleet replacement program.
“Close to all of the Cootes fleet currently has what has been previously described as black box technology for trucks installed,” the spokeswoman adds.
“The remaining fleet without this technology are to be sold or decommissioned.”
Look for a feature on the aftermath of the Cootes tragedy in the next edition of ATN.
