THE WEST Australian state government is to ease restrictions on road trains carrying diesel, petrol and fertiliser to the regions.
From Monday, 27.5m and 36.5m road trains were permitted to transport up to an additional 10 tonnes per load if they are carrying petrol, diesel and/or fertiliser to certain priority regions.
A state government media release said the decision was made by the government's Fuel Industry Operations Group, formed in response to concerns raised about fuel security amid conflict in the Middle East.
Under the plan, road trains will be able to bring more petrol, diesel, and fertiliser to key regions such as the Goldfields, the South West, Great Southern and the Wheatbelt.
The release said that to help with distribution, industry will work with the government and fuel companies to triage priority areas for more stock.
Industry will provide the location of these depots to Main Roads who will adjust existing permits on a case-by-case basis to allow for the new temporary conditions.
These new permit conditions will be rolled out progressively from Monday as required travel routes are identified.
“Road safety will remain a priority as the new measures are implemented,” the release said.
“The adjustment to road train loads and introduction of a triaging process will support the Federal Government's decision earlier this week to relax minimum stock obligations for fuel companies that prioritise sending fuel to regional customers, ensuring regional Western Australians can more quickly access petrol and diesel.”
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) WA has urged the government not to sacrifice driver safety in the move.
It issued a media release on Monday [16 March] saying it understood fuel panic buying had caused concerns with fuel supply disruption across WA, particularly in regional areas.
“If the Government is to allow longer vehicles and heavier vehicles on our roads, then the standards must be kept,” the release said.
“These drivers transport dangerous goods including petrol, diesel and/or fertiliser, and increasing the loads must come with strict regulations and skills training.
The TWU has raised concerns previously about the training of heavy vehicle truck drivers and the standards that continue to allow some of these new truck drivers to enter the industry under.”
TWU WA state secretary Tim Dawson said that drivers must have at least five years of experience in the job or have completed 100 hours with an experienced driver assessing their skills.
“We need a guarantee that the trucks and trailers are operating under an accredited system at the highest standards and that the companies have a clean record,” Mr Dawson said.
“These decisions need to be made in conjunction with transport industry regulations. If decisions are made under pressure, people’s lives are put at risk.
“If there is any breach, then the permits must be removed from those vehicles and the companies held responsible.
“Transport is the most dangerous industry in Australia. We cannot afford to make it more dangerous just because there’s been a surge in the use of fuel and diesel,” Mr Dawson said.
“This should be about safety, and safety needs to be the number one priority of the government, Main Roads, and these companies.”
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said that in times of global uncertainty, it's more important than ever for government to work with industry and the community on practical solutions.
"This is a significant decision, which will enable the delivery of more petrol, diesel, and fertiliser to regional Western Australians,” Ms Saffioti said.