Information Bulletin.
16 September 2008

Keep the Pace Down on the Arnhem Highway.

We all know the poor condition of the Arnhem highway continues to cause accidents, but it’s not a problem that’s going to be solved in the immediate future.

Truck drivers should be reducing speed on the bad sections and using extra care with regard to other road users.

Remember the risk of rear trailer sway is dramatically reduced by reducing road speed by as little as 10 kph.

Freightlink Sale

According to the Independent Weekly the FreightLink board is still examining its options.
Bidders are speculated to be a Transfield Services/Macquarie Group partnership, current shareholder Gennessee & Wyoming and a US infrastructure fund.
Freightlink managing director John Fullerton said this week that the confidential sales process was still being worked through and when a decision had been made it would be announced.
According to the Independent Weekly it is understood that of the three bids on the table, all are short of the $476 million required and one option remaining is for the directors to place the company into receivership in a last-ditch sales process. Full story at:
http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/bidders-battling-for-freightlink/1271027.aspx

Peter and Gary Move On

Note with interest the resignation this week of Perkins Chief Peter Hopton.

Peter’s thoughts and input were highly regarded in the NT maritime and T&L sectors and his departure and strong management qualities will be missed by many of us.

Note also that Darwin Port Corporation’s Gary Scanlon has indicated that he is also moving on.

Another quiet achiever who has made a considerable contribution to the development of the Port of Darwin often under difficult circumstances.

We wish them both good luck in future endeavours.

TruckSafe 2008

The new TruckSafe 2008 implementation kit is now available from the ATA.

TruckSafe is the premier accreditation scheme aimed at improving the safety of the Australian Trucking sector.

TruckSafe is a not for profit company owned by the Australian Trucking Association, the new model is an easy to follow and implement system that is designed to give maximum defence for operators under Chain of Responsibility legislation. More information from ATA NT.

Fifty Grand Fine for Overload

A leading livestock and grain exporter has been fined almost $50,000 by the NSW Supreme Court for breaching loading requirements under chain of responsibility laws.
Fletcher International Exports, which exports wool and meat to 14 countries and deals with at least 6,000 trucks carrying sheep throughout Australia, was sentenced this week for 10 grain overloading offences.
The ruling judge recorded a convicted for each offence and handed out $5,000 fines for all but one breach, forcing the company to pay $49,500 plus court costs.

Story : Brad Gardener Australasian Transport News.

Commission Appointments Confirmed

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has confirmed that the Australian Transport Council has appointed Greg Martin as Chairman and Frank Muller as Member of the Commission.
Greg Martin steps into the role of Chairman following the appointment of Michael Deegan as Infrastructure Coordinator of Infrastructure Australia. He was appointed Deputy Chairman in April 2008 and became Acting Chairman in July. Source: http://www.ntc.gov.au/NewsDetail.aspx?page=A0240030550000002000270

Pilot Escort Course

Please note that Richard Kay will be running a Pilot Operators Course next week on the 23/24/25/26th Of September 2008

The course will include the Western Australian Accreditation module.

For further information contact Richard Kay 0408 898105

GBS Gold International Inc.: Appointment of Voluntary Administrators.

GBS Gold Australia Pty Ltd ("GBS Australia"), has appointed Mr. Andrew Saker, Mr. Darren Weaver and Mr. Martin Jones of Ferrier Hodgson as joint Voluntary Administrators of GBS Australia and its Australian subsidiary entities.

The appointment has arisen due to the Company being unable within the time required to secure appropriate financing for recapitalizing its Australian subsidiaries. The appointment constitutes an event of default under the Company's debt financing arrangements.

If the Australian subsidiaries cannot ultimately be restructured or continue as a going concern, they may then be subject to liquidation proceedings.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/gbs-gold-international-inc-appointment/story.aspx?guid=%7BBD40741C-1B34-4925-828C-9FC6F316AF6F%7D&dist=hppr

Note a few grumbles from the people in Gove lately over the high cost of living in the town.

It could be dramatically reduced if the NLC allowed at least double road trains to use the Central Arnhem road instead of singles.

The Land Council may feel its looking after its constituent’s safety by doubling the number of trucks on the road but the economics of transport don’t stack up.

• Disclaimer: The Australian Trucking Association NT ( ATA NT) accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of information provided. Recipients should make their own independent evaluation of statements made by the authors or contributing articles in the ATA NT Bulletin.