{"id":15715,"date":"2021-01-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trs-resourcing.ap.applyflow.com\/uncategorised\/industry-in-focus-road-freight-transport\/"},"modified":"2024-04-16T09:31:07","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T09:31:07","slug":"industry-in-focus-road-freight-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trsresourcing.com\/article\/industry-in-focus-road-freight-transport\/","title":{"rendered":"INDUSTRY IN FOCUS: ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\u200bThe Road Freight Transport industry in Australia is a $47 billion market that\u00a0employs over 135,000 Australians<\/span><\/a>\u00a0every year. By transporting goods from door to door across state borders, the Road Transport industry competes directly with the rail, water and air freight sectors through competitive pricing, convenience and reliability. From 2015-2020, the average industry growth declined by 1%, however pre-Covid-19, predictions anticipated that the Road Transport industry would grow considerably up until 2025.<\/h5>\n

IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON ROAD TRANSPORT<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n

Covid-19 has significantly impacted the Road Transport industry with the introduction of\u00a0essential worker<\/span><\/a>\u00a0classifications and significant changes to border crossings. IBISWorld reported in its\u00a0May analysis<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that revenue for the sector will likely decrease by 8.4%, as total market import and export demand declines due to Covid restrictions.<\/p>\n

Also, each Australian state has introduced different Covid restrictions for road freight. A recent example is the South Australian (SA) government\u2019s declaration that as of May 11,\u00a0anyone crossing the SA border<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to required keep a record of close contacts for 14 days. And many businesses have also felt the direct impacts on staffing as self-isolation increased. These process changes, plus\u00a0decreases to cashflow<\/span><\/a>, has made finding a balance between reduced operations and staffing critical for the sector.<\/p>\n

The federal government has worked closely with the industry to provide support. One such agreement is the\u00a0freeze on the Heavy Vehicle User Charge<\/span><\/a>, which will remain at 25.8 cents per litre for diesel, instead of increase by the previously agreed 2.5% over two years. The introduction of the\u00a0JobKeeper supplement<\/span><\/a>\u00a0has also enabled many businesses to keep staff employed and trucks on the road.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, NatRoad and NHVR have collaborated to\u00a0develop an app<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that makes it easier to find resting places during Covid-19. This application allows drivers to see at a glance which facilities are still operational, and to plan their routes accordingly.\u00a0Further recommendations and assistance<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for the transport industry during Covid-19 have also been made available.<\/p>\n

POSITIVE NEWS STORIES<\/span><\/b><\/u><\/h4>\n

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING AUSTRALIA MOVING!<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n

In recognition and thanks of the truck drivers, warehouse personnel, transport boilermaker and every worker who have kept Australia moving, five short thank you poems have been written.<\/p>\n

The thank you poems are a collaboration between Australia\u2019s leading transport and logistics insurer NTI and legendary poet Rupert McCall. Each poem will be aired on the radio, displayed on billboards and is available to\u00a0listen to online<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

TOP COP PRAISES INDUSTRY EFFORTS<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n

Queensland Assistant Police Commissioner Mike Condon had\u00a0found the right balance<\/span><\/a>\u00a0between enabling truck drivers to travel and rest appropriately while upholding lockdown directives.<\/p>\n

ROAD TRANSPORT MODERN AWARD CHANGES<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n

Recent changes made to the\u00a0<\/i>Road Transport and Distribution Award 2020<\/span><\/a>and theRoad Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award 2020<\/span><\/a>\u00a0have increased readability and use the same language as other Modern Awards.<\/p>\n

The key changes include:<\/p>\n