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A compliance blitz in the Goldfields has seen 350 vehicles inspected over five days last month.

The blitz comes after concerns were raised by industry about heavy vehicles being left in roadside parking bays and reports of unsafe driver behaviour on busy Goldfields roads.

The multi-agency operation was led by Main Roads’ Goldfields-Esperance team, as part of a crackdown on heavy vehicle compliance across the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region.

Main Roads partnered with WA Police, DWER, the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and Shire of Coolgardie.

Though the vast majority of operators were found to be doing the right thing, there were 74 heavy vehicle compliance offences detected – with 28 heavy vehicle assets impounded.

There were also a number of environmental offences for issues including roadside littering and dumping.

Main Roads WA has been approached for comment and further information.

The post 350 heavy vehicles inspected in Goldfields blitz as part of non-compliance crackdown appeared first on Big Rigs.

For fleet managers, the pressure is constant. Every decision affects cost, productivity and performance.

One area gaining serious attention is tyre pressure management. Central Tyre Inflation (CTI) is proving to be a practical way to improve efficiency across operations. What was once seen as a specialised solution for off-road work is now delivering clear value in linehaul, regional freight, and mixed-terrain applications.

CTI allows drivers to adjust tyre pressures on the move, delivering lower costs, less downtime, and better asset utilisation.

Controlling costs where it counts

Tyres are one of the biggest ongoing expenses in any fleet. When pressures are not matched to the load or conditions, wear increases and failures become more likely. That means more frequent replacements and a higher risk of roadside breakdowns.

Aussie CTI helps address this by keeping tyres at the correct pressure for the job at all times. The result is longer tyre life and fewer failures, directly reducing total cost of ownership.

Fuel is another major consideration. Tyres running below optimal pressure increase rolling resistance. By maintaining the right pressure on the highway, CTI reduces resistance and improves fuel efficiency across the fleet.

Keeping trucks on the road

Downtime is one of the most expensive problems a fleet can face, often driven by tyre failures and uneven wear. CTI supports a more preventative approach to maintenance. By maintaining consistent pressure, it reduces the stresses that lead to early tyre failure. This helps extend service intervals and improves overall reliability.

Modern systems also provide real-time monitoring. Aussie CTI systems alert drivers to issues such as slow leaks or pressure loss, allowing problems to be addressed before they become major failures.

Designed for Australian work

Australian fleets operate in conditions that can change quickly. A truck might move from smooth bitumen to rough regional roads or soft access tracks within a single run. Aussie CTI systems are built with this in mind. Drivers can switch between preset pressures or fine-tune as needed without stopping the vehicle.

Lower pressures improve traction and reduce vibration on rough surfaces. Higher pressures on sealed roads improve efficiency and reduce wear. Having the ability to adjust on demand means fleets can get the best performance without compromise.

Improving safety and protecting assets

Safety is closely linked to tyre performance. Correct pressure improves stability, handling, and braking, particularly in variable conditions. CTI helps keep tyres within the correct range, improving safety and vehicle control.

Aussie CTI systems also include a Pressure Distribution Safety Valve. This component isolates affected wheel ends if there is a failure, preventing pressure loss across the rest of the axle group. It is a simple but important safeguard that helps protect both the vehicle and the driver.

Proven where it matters

For any fleet investment, reliability is critical. Equipment needs to perform consistently, especially in remote or demanding environments where failures are costly and difficult to manage.

Aussie CTI places a strong focus on both testing and component quality. Key parts of the system, such as the rotators, are individually pressure-tested under rotation using purpose-built equipment before they are fitted to a truck.

That testing is backed by the materials and design of the components themselves. Rotators are built from hardcoat anodised 6061 aluminium for corrosion and wear resistance, with triple-seal protection, high-quality bearings, and durable internal components selected for long service life.

The system is designed not just to last, but to be serviceable, using industry-standard fittings that can be easily sourced and replaced when they are needed.

This combination of proven materials, practical design, and consistent testing reduces the likelihood of failure in the field. For fleet managers, that means fewer surprises, more predictable maintenance, and equipment that performs as expected over the long term.

CTI is one of those solutions. It helps reduce fuel use, extend tyre life, minimise downtime, and improve safety. Because at the end of the day, better performance starts with better control at ground level.

For more info or to see how CTI can work for your fleet, visit aussiecti.com.au or call 0459 222 137 to book a fit-up or learn more.

The post Smarter fleets start at ground level: How Aussie CTI delivers real savings and uptime appeared first on Big Rigs.

For many years numerous truckies Spy has spoken to have criticised the condition of many stretches of the Flinders Highway between the outskirts of Townsville and Cloncurry.

Rough sections, narrow bridges and poor highway shoulders have been some of their gripes.

The 100km section between Hughenden and Richmond is one of the worst parts.

So, while it will be just a start, drivers will welcome funding to improve the busy route around 20km west of Hughenden.

The $25 million cost of fixing this section of the critical transport corridor – works are due to be delivered by June 2028 – will be jointly funded through federal and state government disaster recovery and resilience programs.

The target stretch was directly impacted during extreme weather events and from heavy freight usage.

Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said the investment would improve safety, reliability and long-term resilience along a vital east-west freight route.

“The Flinders Highway is a critical lifeline for our region and the broader North-West, connecting communities, supporting industry and enabling the movement of goods across Queensland,” Peddle said.

“Stretching more than 900 kilometres from Townsville to Mount Isa, it plays a key role in transporting minerals from the North-West Minerals Province to the Port of Townsville, while also supporting our livestock industry and local economies.”

The targeted upgrades are expected to address known issues along the corridor, including pavement deterioration, rutting and deformation, all of which can significantly impact reliability following major weather events.

“Following significant rain, this section of road can deteriorate quickly, with potholes, deformation and ongoing maintenance required due to its limited resilience under heavy freight use,” Peddle said.

The post $25 million fix for battered Flinders Highway stretch appeared first on Big Rigs.

Five generations. In trucking, that kind of longevity is almost unheard of.

But for siblings and new owners Jai and Kayla Canny, it’s business as usual at Wangaratta-based Cannys Carrying Company.

They recently stepped up to take over from their father Rodney to lead a family operation that’s been moving freight in the region for 121 years and are now pushing Cannys into its next phase of growth.

When Big Rigs calls for this interview, the family had just signed on the dotted line to buy the old IBM site in Wangaratta which they have plans to turn into a storage and distribution centre.

The fact that this bold move comes amid a fuel crisis isn’t lost on this level-headed duo, if anything it reflects their understanding that relying on road-based operations is no longer sustainable.

Their legacy, after all, is built on resilience, relationships and knowing when to pivot.

The company’s story dates back to the late 1890s, when great-great grandfather Bill first began moving goods by horse and cart around north-east Victoria.

By 1905, the business had formally taken shape, steadily building a reputation as a reliable regional carrier.

As transport evolved, so did W. Canny & Son, as it was known back then, purchasing their first truck, a Bean, in 1926 and transitioning into motorised freight.

From there, each generation built on the last with Bill passing over the reins to son Len, then on to Rodney’s father Brian who died in 2016, the latter two also being inducted into the Wall of Fame in Alice Springs.

Opportunities came through necessity – including stepping up when rail strike disruptions created demand for road freight. Over time, the business expanded into interstate work and diversified its operations.

Another key milestone came in 2007 with the purchase of a Melbourne depot in the key location of Derrimut, strengthening its footprint in general freight and container transport.

The decisions and generations of hard work have been crucial to positioning the business where it stands in the transport industry today.

Today, the business operates 40-50 trailers, 30 prime movers, mostly K200s, a few SARs and a 120th anniversary K220, and a large number of DAF rigids across 80 per cent general freight and the rest in container work, maintaining a strong link between regional Victoria and major metropolitan hubs.

But despite the growth, the foundation has remained the same – a family business built on relationships and core values.

“We’re a family-owned and operated company and when you ring us, you get to talk to real people who can actually help,” says Kayla.

“You get real people and you get real results. You want a pallet picked up, we’ll do it – straightforward, no fuss.

“It’s just old-fashioned, reliable transport service.”

Learning the ropes the hard way

For Jai and Kayla, stepping into leadership wasn’t something that happened overnight.

“I started from the bottom when I started, answering the phone,” Kayla says.

Jai’s path was similar, working his way through the business in various driving roles before eventually stepping into the General Manager seat late last year when Rodney stepped down.

“We both had to do the hard yards to get here,” says Office Manager Kayla, who came on the scene a little later in her early 20s.

Today, it’s an easy-going dynamic at the top that is clearly working. Both “stay in their lane”, Kayla with her admin skills, and Jai with a hands-on approach in the yard.

Both Kayla and Jai, who between them have five children to one day take over the wheel, also have a deep respect for what they’ve inherited.

Running a business of this standing comes with significant pressure – and they’re acutely aware of what’s at stake.

For Jai, who’s been working at the company since he was 16, it’s still all about the day-to-day challenges and figuring out how he can solve them.

“I like the day-to-day challenge of lining up the right loads, organising drivers, and keeping everything on schedule and meeting the needs of our customers,” added Jai when asked what still drives him after all this time.

Sweet spot through measured growth

Despite pressure to scale up, the Cannys have deliberately kept the business at a manageable size, with a strong customer base, and a loyal workforce – many of whom have been with the company for decades.

“I think we’re at a happy medium; it’s very manageable with the staff we’ve got now,” Jai said.

That approach has seen them walk away from major expansion opportunities in the past.

Instead, the focus has remained on stability and long-term sustainability.

“We want to work with the local businesses here in the North East, and I think Dad and Brian were a big part of building those relationships,” Kayla said.

It’s a philosophy that reflects the company’s long-standing ties to the community.

Kayla said Rodney is especially proud of the Cannys’ sponsorship partnership with Project 365, a local program that helps raise awareness and support to improve mental health outcomes in the region.

Rodney’s close friend Peter Rourke put together a band called U Can Cry with the name 365 denoting the number of days he had to pull it all together and build a show to launch the project.

Rodney, a major sponsor, chipped in by donating two tautliner trailers to act as rolling billboards.

Big plans for the old IBM site

Now, the next phase of the business is taking shape in Wangaratta.

The old IBM site includes an existing warehouse of about 15,000 square metres, with plans to build an additional 4000 square metre shed on a vacant block at the front.

Operations are expected to begin immediately.

The move represents a significant shift into storage and something the business has been working towards for years while Rodney was at the helm.

“He’s tried it a few different ways in the past 10 to 15 years – he’s got this plan in his head to help local businesses with a need for storage that he has seen grow over the years as businesses expand and look to us to provide additional cost-effective solutions,” Kayla said.

“It’s exciting for him that he’s finally seeing the benefits of it all – and for the town as well and how we can help keep our work local.”

The site’s ability to accommodate B-doubles is a major advantage, said Jai.

“A lot of places where you can’t get B-doubles into, so you’ve got to double split all the time,” Jai said.

“This site’s all B-double friendly.”

Kayla expects that a lot of Cannys’ customers will use it as a DC-type set-up, where they would distribute their wine, or goods from there.

“A lot of our customers are importing goods, so they’ve got too many containers coming in and not enough space for them.”

Adds Jai: “Whatever it may be, you name it, as long as it’s on a pallet.”

The post Siblings steer fifth-generation trucking business into new era appeared first on Big Rigs.

Australia’s freight and logistics industry is under growing pressure, not because fuel is unavailable, but because escalating global prices are making it increasingly unaffordable, according to the Victorian Transport Association (VTA).

VTA Chief Executive Officer Peter Anderson said continued fuel price volatility is placing serious strain on transport operators, with unavoidable flow‑on impacts for businesses and consumers.

“There is fuel available in Australia,” Anderson said. “The challenge for freight operators is cost. Rapid increases in diesel prices are putting extraordinary pressure on businesses already operating on thin margins.”

Anderson said the VTA welcomed the federal government’s decision to bring forward $6.15 billion in concessional finance under its Economic Resilience Plan, particularly support directed at fuel and critical supply chains.

“Bringing forward the Economic Resilience Program is a positive and timely step,” he said. “Targeted support for fuel, logistics and supply chain businesses will help stabilise operations during periods of global disruption.”

While a recently announced ceasefire in the Middle East may deliver short‑term relief to global oil markets, Anderson cautioned that Australia remains highly exposed to international price shocks.

“Any easing of global tensions is welcome, but Australia’s reliance on imported refined fuel leaves us vulnerable,” he said.

Rising prices have also led to tighter fuel credit conditions, with some independent service stations unable to afford restocking, creating the appearance of shortages.

“This is not a supply failure — it’s a financial one,” Anderson said.

Fuel is one of the largest operating costs in road transport, and Anderson said it is unrealistic to expect operators to absorb sustained price increases.

“If these costs can’t be fairly recovered, businesses will fail, capacity will leave the market, and supply chain resilience will be compromised,” he said.

Anderson said transparent fuel levies, the topic of a Fair Work Commission hearing this week, remain a necessary commercial mechanism to manage uncontrollable cost increases, while longer‑term fuel sovereignty must remain a priority.

Anderson’s comments come in the same week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a charm-offensive visit to Singapore to ensure Australia isn’t hit with export controls if petrol and diesel shortages worsen in Asia amid the conflict.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen also told media this week that fuel supply into Australia was now guaranteed into the second half of May and contracts were being struck for June.

While Australian wholesalers buy most of their fuel from Asian refineries that have traditionally relied on crude oil from the Middle East, Bowen said there was a growing number of purchases from North America and Mexico.

Before he left for Singapore, the prime minister also revealed the government’s Export Finance Corporation agreed terms with Australia’s two remaining refinery operators about under­writing purchases of new fuel shipments.

The deal allows Ampol and Viva Energy to purchase cargoes of crude oil and fuel at elevated prices on the spot market and be protected from losing money if the international price of oil drops.

Under the agreement, the government will be able to direct Ampol and Viva Energy to send the supply to areas where there are fuel shortages.

“We understand just how critical fuel is to keep motorists, farmers and businesses moving,” said Scott Wyatt, CEO of Viva Energy.

“Our dedicated teams have been working tirelessly to keep our customers supplied from our Geelong refinery production as well as sourcing extra cargoes, managing challenging logistics and responding to rapid market developments.

“We are proud to be able to support the Australian Government in going above and beyond to secure additional fuel supply and see the country successfully navigate these challenging and uncertain times.”

The post Skyrocketing costs, not supply, hurting trucking operators, says VTA appeared first on Big Rigs.