The peak body representing trucking operators, the Australian Trucking Association, will hold its annual industry event at the Darwin Convention Centre from 21-23 June.

From 9.00 am-10.30 am on 23 June, the ATA will hold a vital conference session aimed at developing the northern Australia section of its submission to the Australian Government’s national freight and supply chain strategy review.

A million people live in northern Australia, and the region accounts for more than half of Australia’s exports by sea. Its growth prospects are bright, as are the prospects for trucking businesses, but there are critical infrastructure gaps which needs to be addressed.

“This session was created to allow delegates to provide feedback that will form input into the ATA’s submission. I urge members of the freight and transport industry, local governments and other associations to take this opportunity to have their say on the future of our industry in the NT,” ATA CEO, Ben Maguire, said.

David Simon, former ATA Chair and expert panellist for the Australian Government review will chair this session which also features these expert speakers and panellists:

• Paul Schneider, NT Land Development Corporation
• Louise McCormick, NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics
• Cam Dumesny, Executive Officer, Western Australian Road Transport Association and
• Louise Bilato, Executive Officer, Northern Territory Road Transport Association.

“The Land Development Corporation is providing heavy transport and logistic opportunities by developing industrial land at the East Arm Logistics Precinct and the Transport Industry Precinct,” Land Development Corporation, Project Director, Paul Schneider, said.

“These estates are purpose built for heavy vehicle access and provide logistics, servicing and maintenance solutions in close proximity to major transport and logistics nodes, including the Darwin Port, Marine Supply Base, Common User Facility, Rail Freight Terminal and Darwin International Airport,” he said.  

In the open forum, delegates will get to have their say on:

•  the roads and other infrastructure that northern Australia needs to support trucking businesses and the region’s industries
• how we can eliminate capacity restrictions that prevent the road network being used to its full potential and
• how road upgrades should be prioritised and funded.

The session is open to full Trucking Australia delegates. Special registrations are also available for participation in the session, the pre-event delegate survey, and morning tea.

Trucking Australia 2017 is supported by the ATA’s Foundation Sponsors: BP, NTI and Volvo Trucks.

Other sponsors include AEI Transport, Bridgestone, BPW Transpec, CIMC, Cummins, Daimler Truck & Bus, Darwin Port, DECA, Land Development Corporation, MaxiTrans, MTData, PACCAR, TMW Systems and Thermo King.

Register now for Trucking Australia 2017 or call Jade at 02 6253 6900 for enquiries.