NSW RTA blamed for widespread delays to supply chains

The NSW Road & Traffic Authority’s (RTA) approach to container weights is being blamed by Shipping Australia (SAL) for disrupting supply chains.

Shipping Australia CEO, Llew Russell said in a statement: “The RTA is strongly indicating to our stevedores that the only acceptable solution to comply with the Chain of Responsibility legislation is to build static weighbridges at their Port Botany terminals which is not in conformity with the Act.

“This costly, labour intensive solution will lead to severe supply chain disruption and not necessarily safer roads. Whilst all stakeholders want to work towards safer roads as a matter of urgency, this solution will not necessarily lead to better safety outcomes,” he said.

The RTA has reportedly been conducting closed door discussion on the issue with the two major stevedores since mid 2009. SAL and its members only became aware of the issue in July last year.

“There is a reasonable steps defence in the legislation that is being ignored by the RTA,” said Russell.

“The legislation is based on an assessed risk based approach with a degree of proportionality being applied in its application.

“SAL has proposed as a preferable solution and one more in conformity with legislative intent: the building of less costly and less labour intensive,  weigh-in-motion systems at terminal gates with access to a static weighbridge in the port area if trucks exceeded the gross or axle weight limits” he said.

Russell added that since mid 2009, SAL along with stevedores and other industry stakeholders entered into what they thought were genuine discussions to find a solution that would not cause unwarranted disruption to container supply chains.

Regrettably, he says, parties involved have now been advised that the promised extra time to find such a solution without the imposition of the improvement notices has not eventuated, despite initial assurances from the RTA that extra time would be granted.

“Working together we have a much better chance of reducing the threat of overweight containers” he said.

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