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NHVR opens new inspection station on the Golden Highway

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has opened a new inspection station on this major freight link in New South Wales.

This new inspection station is located on the Golden Highway, about 5.5 kilometres east of Ballimore between Dubbo and Dunedoo, along the Golden Highway, and will be operated by the NHVR.

The Golden Highway connects Dubbo in the state’s west with the Hunter region, Newcastle and Sydney via the Castlereagh Highway and Great Western Highway.

According to the NHVR, the new site will “deliver a safety boost” along this key freight route.

“The Ballimore Heavy Vehicle Safety Station (HVSS) will require all heavy vehicles travelling along the Golden Highway to enter the HVSS when directed,” said the NHVR.

“The HVSS operating hours and staffing levels will vary to match traffic patterns but can operate up to 24 hours a day, at peak times including weekends and public holidays.

“The HVSS sites are fitted with safety software which can determine a heavy vehicle’s registration status and defect status, while also accessing Safe-T-Cam sightings that along with the driver’s work diary, can assist with monitoring driver fatigue.”

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 Industry News

Don’t miss your chance to nominate for this year’s Woman of the Year Award

Time is ticking to get your nominations in for the 2025 Women in Industry Awards.  

For more than a decade, these awards have celebrated the remarkable women redefining what’s possible – from transport and mining to engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and more. 

 You might know a colleague whose innovation changed the course of a project. A mentor who’s lifted countless others through knowledge and leadership. A young star who’s already made an impact early in their career. This is your chance to say: “You’ve made a difference.” 

There’s an award category for every kind of impact – from energy to advocacy, safety to engineering, and beyond. And at the pinnacle stands the Woman of the Year award, recognising the very best of the best. 

In the transport space, the Excellence in Transport Award recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond to improve and positively impact the Australian transport industry.

Nominations are ongoing until May 9, 2025. To nominate a woman who has inspired you at work, and is doing incredible things in your industry, submit your nomination here.

 

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 Industry News

Volvo Trucks reaches EV milestone with over 5000 electric trucks sold worldwide

Since first being put to market in 2019, Volvo Trucks has sold over 5000 of its battery-electric trucks worldwide, with over 80 now on the road in Australia.

Volvo has sold its electric models to customers in over 50 countries, with these trucks put to the test, collectively driving almost 170 million kilometres in commercial operations.

To date the Australian electric Volvo fleet has collectively covered more than 1 million kilometres. The first Volvo Electric truck, an FL delivered to Linfox, arrived in Australia in 2021 and continues being put through its paces today.

“It’s rewarding to see transport companies continue to embrace the benefits with electric trucks in a variety of applications,” said Roger Alm, President at Volvo Trucks.

“Volvo’s battery-electric trucks are available here and now, providing our customers and transport buyers with a more sustainable alternative that makes business sense, and many of our customers are coming back to us to grow their electric fleets.”

Volvo’s current range of electric trucks is tailored to meet the needs of city and regional distribution as well as the construction and refuse segments. The company’s top five markets for electric trucks are Germany, the Netherlands, United States, Norway and Sweden. In Australia, Volvo is the heavy-duty BEV market leader.

The electric Volvo truck models currently on offer globally are:

Volvo FL Electric
Volvo FE Electric
Volvo FM Electric
Volvo FM Low Entry
Volvo FMX Electric
Volvo FH Electric (International Truck of the Year 2024)
Volvo FH Aero Electric
Volvo VNR Electric 

Volvo Trucks is working towards reaching its net-zero emissions target by 2040 using a three-path technology strategy. This approach is built on battery electric, fuel cell electric and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels like green hydrogen (produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity), biogas (Bio-LNG) or biodiesel and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil).

 

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Peak body calls for $5 billion spend for targeted road upgrades

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) released its full election platform at its Trucking Australia 2025 event in Adelaide this week.

Its plan includes road improvements to support the industry, no blame investigations into truck crashes and training incentive to attract more people into the industry.

“We developed the platform with our member associations and announced our policies during March and April. Our platform document consolidates our initiatives and will be a checklist for our discussions with the incoming government,” Parry said.

The ATA platform calls for a $5 billion, ten year program of targeted road upgrades to support high productivity and zero and low tailpipe emission trucks, as well as making the road network more resilient.

The platform also calls on the next government to fund eight critical road projects to boost the industry’s productivity.

“Government policies to improve the trucking industry’s productivity would save a typical Australian household more than $400 per year, every year, on their day to day purchases,” Parry said.

“Together with our voucher scheme for electric trucks and renewable diesel incentives, these policies would reduce the industry’s emissions by more than 35 million tonnes of CO2 over 25 years.

“In 2035, the trucking industry’s carbon emissions would be nine per cent lower than the current business as usual projection, Deloitte Access Economics modelling shows.”

Parry believes the ATA’s policy initiatives would improve safety, including its plan to resource the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to undertake no-blame safety investigations into crashes involving trucks.

“Independent inquiries have repeatedly said that we need to extend ATSB style investigations to road crashes. We need to start with crashes involving trucks; it needs to happen under the next government,” he said.

Parry added that truck driving was one of the top five occupations with a skill shortage, with over 26,000 positions unfilled.

“The Australian Government provides financial support to apprentices in priority occupations such as electricians and mechanics. But it does not support people who want to work as truck drivers, even though trucking can be an apprenticeship and is one of Australia’s essential industries,” he said.

“The next government should provide financial support to apprentices undertaking driving operations apprenticeships and their employers. There also need to be federal incentives for short driver training courses that go beyond getting a licence to include other skills that drivers need to succeed.

“A number of registered training organisations run these courses, which are supported by state governments, trucking industry associations or major companies.”

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 Industry News

What’s on in the world of trucking

There are plenty of great trucking events coming up. Here’s a list of some dates to add to the diaries.

MAY

South Road Dirt Runners reunion
May 4
Adelaide, SA

Held annually, this event brings together those who drove the old Stuart Highway during the 1960s to the 1980s, before the road being sealed.
The reunion will include a lunch, at 11am at the Parafield Gardens Community Club, located at 65 Shepherdson Road, Parafield Gardens, where attendees can get together and share their stories.

Brisbane Truck Show
May 15-18
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, QLD

Tickets are now on sale for the much-anticipated 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, the southern hemisphere’s largest festival of all things trucking. Building on the success of past shows, all exhibition space is already sold out, guaranteeing attendees over 30,000 square metres of exhibitions of the latest trucks, trailers, technologies, and parts and accessories available on the Australian market.
The 2025 show from May 15-18 will be a critical component of Truck Week, a week-long festival incorporating an array of activations in nearby South Bank Parklands, including the Premier Boxing Series, Australia’s Best Show N Shine, and The Depot careers and entertainment hub – plus the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show at RNA Showgrounds and the Heritage Truck Show at Rocklea.

Camp Quality Convoy Adelaide
May 25
Victoria Park, Adelaide

Camp Quality’s Convoy is a fun way for anyone who drives a truck to show their support for kids facing cancer and their families. Supporters can cheer on our Adelaide Convoy, as we travel a 36km route around Adelaide and Port Adelaide, starting and finishing at Victoria Park.
The event venue will host a free Family Festival packed with entertainment and experiences catering for kids and adults alike.

Scenic Rim Truck Show
May 31
Jimboomba State School, QLD

Get excited for the Scenic Rim Truck Show! Held from 10am to 6pm, the show will feature plenty of trucks along with market stalls, rides, entertainment, raffles and a live auction. All profits will be donated to the KIDS Foundation.

JUNE

Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show
June 7-8
Alexandra, VIC

The Alexandra Truck Show is back on the King’s Birthday weekend in June this year, with a Sunday Show ‘n’ Shine on the town’s main street, as well as live music, a Victorian woodchop tournament, exhibitions, trade displays, kids’ amusements and a raffle. Come down on Saturday for the local markets, a convoy and truck drivers’ memorial. For more details email trucks@alexandratruckshow.com.au.

LRTASA State Conference
June 13-14
Adelaide, SA

The Livestock & Rural Transport Association of SA (LRTASA) will host its annual conference weekend, featuring a conference, exhibition, golf event, Friday night dinner and a Saturday night annual gala dinner and auction.

JULY

Gold Coast Truck Show
July 27
Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, QLD

There will be plenty of trucks, cars and bikes on display, with show awards taking place across all three vehicle categories. The day will have lots to see and do for the whole family, with entertainment provided by cover band Pheonix Rising, who will rock it out on centre stage.

AUGUST

Casino Truck Show
August 2
Casino, NSW 

The date has already been set for this year’s Casino Truck Show, one of the biggest events in Australia’s trucking calendar. Tens of thousands of people and hundreds of trucks are expected to descend on the town as usual – last year, truck entries had to be capped at 600. Attendees can look forward to a great day out with food, trade stalls, kids’ amusements and much more.

LRTAV State Conference
August 8-9
Move Museum, Shepparton, VIC

The Livestock & Rural Transporters Association of Victoria (LRTAV) will host its annual 2025 Conference in Shepparton, featuring all things livestock and rural. Registrations will open soon, with more details to come.

National Historical Machinery Association National Rally
August 23-31
Jondaryan Woolshed, Jondaryan, QLD

Biennial National Historical Machinery Association National Rally is being held this August 23-24 in Jondaryan, Queensland, with the fun continuing in conjunction with Steaming under the Southern Cross.
Transport enthusiasts can look forward to 10 days of heritage displays and activities – expect classic and vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, antique engines, tractors and machinery along with antique earthmoving equipment and heritage steam equipment such as traction engines and road rollers. Check out working displays, ploughing and earth moving demonstrations, a working blacksmithing display, market stalls, live entertainment and much more. Exhibitors from machinery car and truck clubs welcome. Visit the website susci.com.au for more details or contact the Secretary Warren Buckley (email secretary@susci.com.au or call 0414 334 006). www.facebook.com/trucks.trains

Festival of Transport 2025
August 28-31
Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Held at the National Road Transport Museum’s hometown of Alice Springs, the four-day Festival of Transport 2025 will host various events including the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame Induction, Transport Women Dream Maker Award, Truck Drag Racing and a street parade.

SEPTEMBER

NatRoad Connect 25
September 11-12
Shepparton, VIC 

NatRoad’s annual conference gives you the opportunity to connect with industry representatives, operators, NatRoad members and partners to receive practical operational information and advice. Save the date to your calendar and keep an eye on their website for updates closer to the time. 

OCTOBER

Camp Quality Convoy Perth
October 12
Perth Hockey Stadium, Bentley

Camp Quality’s Convoy Perth is a fun way for anyone who drives a truck to show their support for kids facing cancer and their families. Supporters will cheer on our Convoy, as we travel a 53km route around Perth City and Osborne Park, starting and finishing at Perth Hockey Stadium. The event venue will host a free Family Festival packed with entertainment and experiences catering for kids and adults alike.

There will be food vans, kids’ rides, face painting, roving entertainment, live music, fundraising awards ceremonies, and the chance to cheer on the returning Convoy.

Plus, you can check out all the trucks and vehicles at the Show ’n’ Shine after the Convoy returns.

NOVEMBER

Brisbane Convoy for Kids
November 1
Brisbane, QLD  

The Brisbane Convoy for Kids is back on November 1, travelling from Larapinta to the Redcliffe Showgrounds. Once it arrives, a family fun day will take place, with a wide range of activities on offer including live entertainment, auctions, food stalls, free kids’ rides, face painting, animal petting, magic shows, and a night lights display. Convoy participants also compete in a range of categories, with awards handed out on the day.  

Ulverstone Truck Show
November 1
Ulverstone Showgrounds, Tasmania

Held as part of the Thank You Day Show, a fundraising event to raise money for Beyond Blue and New Mornings, this year’s truck show component will feature a Kenworth focused show alongside the usual truck show. There will be prizes for both shows and lots of giveaways. The event starts at 9am.

Mullumbimby Truck Show
November 8
Mullumbimby, NSW

Held in conjunction with the annual Mullumbimby Agricultural Show on the second Saturday of November each year, you won’t want to miss the Mullumbimby Truck Show! This event will feature a truck parade through the town, sideshow alley, kids’ rides, food vans, full bar facilities and live music. Other features include horse and cattle events including trotting. For further truck show info see the registration form at www.mullumbimbyshow.org.au.

Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show
November 15
Bathurst Showgrounds NSW

The Dane Ballinger Memorial Truck Show is back, with plenty to see and do for the whole family. More info to come.

Illawarra Convoy  
November 16
Illawarra, NSW

Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Illawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families affected by potentially life threatening medical conditions, together with charities that work with these people, and local hospitals. 

Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show
November 29-30
Castlemaine, VIC

Held at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve and organised by the Castlemaine Rotary Club, this year’s truck show is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees can expect plenty of well-presented trucks on display, as well as food, a licenced bar, kids’ rides, free health checks and live music.For more information, visit rotarycastlemaine.org.au/page/truck-show.

Have you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to danielle.gullaci@primecreative.com.au

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 Industry News

Night-time closures on Great Western Highway

There will be upcoming changed traffic conditions on the Great Western Highway in Rooty Hill, including full road closures, as roadworks are carried out.

On the nights of Wednesday May 7 and Thursday May 8 (with contingency on Monday May 12 and Tuesday May 13), between 10pm and 4am, the following changes will be in place:

Temporary full road closure on the Great Western Highway westbound between Wallgrove Road and Brabham Drive
Temporary full road closure on the Great Western Highway eastbound between Wallgrove Road and Rudders Street
Closure of M7 Motorway northbound on-ramp at the Great Western Highway
Closure of M7 Motorway southbound off-ramp at the Great Western Highway
Northbound and southbound right lane closures on the M7 Motorway near the work site
Reduced speed limit from 80km/h to 40km/h along the M7 Motorway and Great Western Highway, near the work sites

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has advised that vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

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 Industry News

Martins Stock Haulage acquires Queensland livestock business

Martins Stock Haulage has announced the acquisition of a family owned Queensland livestock business, which will expand its reach in south west Queensland.

Started in 1958, Martins Stock Haulage operates from three depots at Scone, Oakey and Dubbo.

The business revealed it has now taken over Camrandale Transport as part of its expansion.

Camrandale Transport was started in 2004. Image: Martins Stock Haulage

Camrandale Transport was founded by Tim and Theresa Welk in 2004 and operates eight prime movers and triple road trains.

All Camrandale Transport staff will be retained, with Cameron Welk continuing to manage the Quilpie depot.

“We are honoured to now be a part of their 21-year family growth story and to work alongside Tim and Theresa Welk,” Martins said in a statement.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our growth journey, and we are excited about the opportunities it brings.

“This is a company that has earned the trust of its customers through consistent, high-quality service.

“What Tim and Theresa have built is truly impressive, and we see this as a continuation of their outstanding work, and we’re committed to maintaining the high level of service that their customers have grown accustomed to.”

 

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 Industry News

Followmont unveils new Brisbane Lions UD Quon

Followmont Transport has lifted the lid on one of the newest additions to the fleet, a UD Quon supporting the Brisbane Lions AFLW team.

“As the Lions prepare to launch into training for the 2025 season, we’re rolling out our support in true Followmont style – bold, proud, and on the move,” Followmont said in a social media post.

“This truck is more than just a stylish ride. It’s a statement of support for women in both sport and transport, industries where passion, commitment, and grit drive success.

“Here’s to the players, women in transport, and everyone pushing boundaries. The road ahead is wide open.

Last year, Followmont launched its collaboration with the Brisbane Lions at The Gabba in Brisbane, where it handed keys of a Fuso Canter 515 Wide Cab Pantech 4X2 to the Brisbane Lions Academy.

That truck is being used through the footy season, as needed by the club, and then used for Followmont’s Brisbane pick-up and delivery (PUD) fleet outside of the AFL season.

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 Industry News

New road laws to come into effect for South Australia

New South Australian laws requiring motorists to slow down to 25km/h when passing roadside service and recovery vehicles will come into effect on May 19.

These new laws passed State Parliament last year. They expand on the existing 25km/h speed limit for emergency services vehicles, so it also covers RAA and other roadside service and recovery vehicles when their amber lights are flashing.

The change follows The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia’s (RAA) ‘Slow Down for Yellow Too’ campaign, which called for the extension of the laws to protect roadside recovery workers and members of the community at the roadside.

Between 2019 and February 2025, RAA Road Service recorded 23 reportable safety incidents involving vehicles failing to slow down near breakdowns.

Included in that number are eight incidents where patrol vehicles were struck, and five where traffic cones were hit or dragged down the road.

RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said these new laws will improve safety for roadside workers.

“Our patrols and tow truck drivers are often helping members just metres from fast-moving traffic – and they deserve to carry out that work in a safe environment,” he said.

“You can’t choose where you break down – often it’s on a busy main road or near a precarious intersection – and our patrols and tow truck drivers are often helping vulnerable road users.

“By slowing down for yellow, it will ensure we’re all helping to protect the people they are helping.”

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 Industry News

Rigs old and new take part in Anzac Day parade in Townsville

An old fire engine and a modern state of the art rig used by the Defence Forces in Townsville proved popular during an Anzac Day street parade last Friday.

A yellow bush fire brigade Isuzu, a flashy Scania, and the Sallyman vehicle were also in the parade.

They all took part in the street parade from Strand Park to Anzac Park which started at 9am on Anzac Day (Friday April 2025).

Isusu and Scania fire trucks. Image: Alf Wilson

The trucks were near the end of the procession and followed serving and veteran solders, school children and groups who marched.

Townsville is a garrison city which has a huge Lavarack Barracks Army base and a RAAF base in Garbutt suburb.
Up the front of the parade were restored Army Jeeps on which veterans too old to march were able to take part in the parade.

More than 30,000 men, women and children watched the parade from beside the Strand Road near the ocean.

Veterans take part in the parade. Image: Alf Wilson

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