Vale Bob Hales
The RWTA would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the Hales Family on the passing of Bob Hales. Bob passed away earlier this month, aged 89.
Welcome to TM Insight
The RWTA would like to introduce TM Insight as part of the RWTA Family.
A message from the EO: COVID-19 Update
The RWTA was yesterday invited to participate in a teleconference to be chaired by the Hon. Cameron Dick, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.
The RWTA was yesterday invited to participate in a teleconference to be chaired by the Hon. Cameron Dick, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.
The meeting sought industry input on the supply of essential goods – an opportunity to identify any issues with continuing supply of essential goods as the impacts of COVID-19 evolve and actions that would ease limitations and build certainty of supply.
I provided an update on key supply chain preparations and was given the opportunity to escalate critical supply issues for attention.
Topics covered included
the need for an uninterrupted supply of electricity
ensuring that the distribution and logistics process were facilitated as capacity is limited and perishable food is both safely stored and delivered to outlets providing for the community.
the reliability of internet and NBN for communications
the need for a ramping up of labour force on a casual basis over the next weeks and months
the assurance that the cold chain is given preference for sanitation and industrial cleaning in the instance that emergency arises
I requested that the State Disaster Management Groups and Local Governments are alerted to ensure that the cold chain is added to the priority listing for the uninterrupted supply of electricity to ensure that there is no disruption to the distribution process.
Good news was delivered yesterday that changes to existing laws tackling planning conditions that currently restrict the operating hours of loading docks and distribution centres supplying supermarkets will come into effect within days, allowing 24 hour operation when required. This will positively affect the current unprecedented demand for groceries such as non-perishable food, toilet paper and other essentials.
Today I have also been in conversation with the likes of the Director General of the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, James Purtill and Energy Queensland’s Executive General Manager of Community , Customer and Corporate Affairs, Michael Dart for their support and communication to ensure that all departments are aware of our essential service requirements. They have both assured me of their departments understanding and full support over the next weeks of unprecedented requirement.
I will be sure to update you all with any further outcomes as they arise.
Best Regards,
Welcome to BSA Group Australia
The RWTA would like to introduce Battery Specialties Australia as part of the RWTA Family.
A message from the EO: RWTA Networking Function in Brisbane has been postponed.
Wednesdays RWTA Networking Function in Brisbane has been postponed until otherwise notified.
Our greatest priority at this time is the health and safety of RWTA Members.
In the interests of maintaining good health for all involved, this Wednesdays RWTA Networking Function in Brisbane has been postponed until otherwise notified.
Looking forward to the time when we can all get together and enjoy each other’s company, great speakers and a breakfast together, let’s hope that it’s sooner than later.
Until then, stay safe and well!
Many thanks
79th RWTA Conference & Exhibition - Save The Date!
RACV Cape Schanck Resort Sunday 23rd - Tuesday 25th August 2020. More information coming soon. Save the date!
Frank Vale Award 2020 - Nominations Open
This prestigious award, now in its 27th year, provides a unique opportunity for employers to acknowledge the contributions and talents of outstanding young professionals, our future leaders of the Australian Cold Chain.
Professional Membership from the EO
For those of you who have been toying with the thought of joining the RWTA, now’s your chance!
For those of you who have been toying with the thought of joining the RWTA, now’s your chance!
Last year we changed our constitution for YOU!
Besides changing the Membership to run from January to December, we now have a new membership type; Professional Membership.
This has been created for individuals who demonstrates a genuine interest and involvement in the Cold Chain.
A Professional Member, for instance, will receive notifications to attend and to speak at any general meeting of RWTA. Professional Members also have the right to request and receive information from the company to enable them to form judgement about the overall performance of the company and communicate such judgements to the Board.
They will receive Member Discounts to the Networking Events that the RWTA hold around Australia, the Golf Days and Conference.
Like to know more?
A message from the EO: News about the GCCA
After 14 years at the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Corey Rosenbusch will step down this week to become the next President & CEO of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). Please read the TFI issued press release here.
After 14 years at the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Corey Rosenbusch will step down this week to become the next President & CEO of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). Please read the TFI issued press release here.
TFI is a $12-million revenue association, representing the $155 billion fertiliser manufacturing, distribution, and retail industry. As fertiliser accounts for more than 50% of global food production, Corey will indeed remain linked to the Cold Chain.
As an interim measure, the GCCA COO, Megan Costello, will be appointed CEO after Corey’s departure on the 5th February and will lead the association during this transition. Megan will ensure business continuity and has tremendous respect from staff and membership as the association’s number two executive. Megan has already indicated that she will not be a candidate for the CEO, allowing her to focus on a successful transition.
The strategic vision Corey provided for the association will have an enduring impact on our companies and industry.
The RWTA would like to extend our best wishes to Corey in achieving every success in his new role and thank him for working with the RWTA to enrich the global coverage of our shared passion, the International Cold Chain.
Backing up South Australia's generation capacity
RWTA Member, Enel X, is investing in a program with the South Australian government to unlock the potential for cheaper more reliable electricity, with backup generator upgrades across 40 South Australian businesses.
Enel X and the SA Government will support businesses who want to participate in demand response.
RWTA Member, Enel X, is investing in a program with the South Australian government to unlock the potential for cheaper more reliable electricity, with backup generator upgrades across 40 South Australian businesses.
Enel X is currently looking for more businesses to join theBackup Boost Program, with no upfront costs to business looking to participate.
The $4 million Backup Boost Program will connect businesses’ backup generators to support grid supply and demand management, and is designed to deliver more affordable and reliable electricity to South Australian households and SME’s.
Head of Enel X Asia and Oceania, Jeff Renaud, said there is significant latent demand response capability in South Australia, which can be captured relatively quickly to address system security, reliability and affordability concerns.
This program will contribute to electricity system reliability and provide network benefits by reducing excessive electricity demand during peak periods. This is done by switching from grid power to onsite backup generation.
The project funding will go toward physical and software requirements to connect businesses.
The program will bring approximately 20 megawatts of demand side generation capacity into the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the three-year trial.
The initiative is suited to small to medium sized commercial and industrial businesses across agribusiness, food processing, health, manufacturing, data storage and more.
Once the program is active, Enel X will be able to remotely access a business’ generator with the aim of seamlessly managing use to ensure on-site activity is not disrupted. The generator will only be accessed when wholesale prices spiked or if there were grid security issues.
The trial will cement South Australia as a world leader in addressing the challenges of a changing energy generation mix, and will capture the opportunities associated with a more active demand side.
For more information, get in touch with Enel-X to learn more.
National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot
The Commonwealth Government is currently recruiting heavy vehicle operators for the Large Scale On-Road Trial of the National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot.
The National Pilot is an innovative partnership with industry to test alternative charges to the current fuel excise and State and Territory based registration charges.
For the past 6 months the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development has run a Small Scale On-Road Trial testing an alternative mass distance based charge with 11 participants and more than 200 vehicles.
In 2020 they are launching the next stage of the National Pilot, a Large Scale On-Road Trial that will include 100 businesses and over 1000 vehicles in every state and territory across Australia.
The Large Scale On-Road Trial is planned to run for 18 months and trial participants will receive monthly mock invoices comparing their current PAYGO charges to alternative charges.
There are no costs associated with participating in the trial.
To support trial participants, the Department will also look at options to pay for the installation and ongoing costs of both telematics and hubodometer devices to collect data.
The Department is keen to work with the Refrigerated Transport Sector to understand what the impact of any alternative charges may mean for individual operators and the industry as a whole.
Over the next couple of months, the National Pilot team will be meeting with heavy vehicle operators across the country. They will be in Melbourne from 29th of January to the 31st, and interested operators are encouraged to get in touch with Tom Guan (tom.guan@infrastructure.gov.au), Assistant Director of the National Pilot team.
A Message from the Executive Officer to the Members: Welcome to 2020 and Happy New Year!
Such a productive and successful year was had in 2019 and we are looking to make this year, a new decade, the best one yet!
Such a productive and successful year was had in 2019 and we are looking to make this year, a new decade, the best one yet!
Before moving into the plans that we have for the year ahead, there have been some sobering events happen over the last few months that are worthy of mention.
Australia, over the last months, has been inundated with Mother Nature’s wrath. We have experienced unprecedented bushfires, flooding and dust storms. Few people will have been untouched in some way or another; our hearts goes out to anyone affected by the fires, especially in those places worst hit. It has been heartening to see in so many instances where Australians have pulled together yet again; we are grateful to the volunteer firefighters and emergency service teams who have been risking their lives, in the thick of the bushfires, standing by our communities Australia wide.
Also, it is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Paula Porter, wife of Martin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday the 31st December 2019.
The Porters have been long-time supporters of the RWTA, our social events and particularly encouraging the next generation of Cold Chain Leaders through the Frank Vale Award.
Paula will be remembered for her warmth and capacity to engender a sense of fun, no matter what the situation; her passion for golf, entertaining at home and love of her family.
Paula will be greatly missed.
For the year ahead we have a few things planned for you.
Please keep an eye on our RWTA 2020 Calendar as we have plenty planned for the year! In addition to what we are doing at the RWTA, we add in International events and other functions around the country that we think may be of interest for you. Things change and we update the calendar at times, so please save the link to your desktop and check it regularly! We have much planned and many opportunities to meet and network in 2020; we are looking forward to seeing you there and making you part of the Cold Chain Communication Chain!
We are also introducing an RWTA Interactive Feature on our website for our cold storage facilities to use. This will be a forum for Member Warehouses to discuss varied topics that concern them Nationally. This will include companies requesting space or alternatively needing space in their own state or interstate; advice on shared topics and generally sharing information that is relevant nationally. You will see more information on this in the coming weeks.
You will recall that we had changed the RWTA Constitution back in May 2019. One of the changes that is included in this is that Membership Renewals will now be due on the 1st January every year. Looking to make this as seamless as possible for you, we will be offering options for payment to be flexible for you. There will be more information published soon to get the ball rolling. Keep an eye out!
Insurance has been an ongoing and increasing issue within the Cold Chain Internationally now for a couple of years. The RWTA are looking at options and advocating with Government Departments to find solutions and transparency. You will be contacted in the near future regarding information required to self-insure; requesting your willingness to be involved in the first instance and to give permission to be contacted by a third party to garner intelligence to explore this option and others for our sector.
The RWTA Ammonia Emergency Management Training will be held again during the year; please refer to the calendar for more information and dates. Let us know please if you have any queries pertaining to this in the meantime.
RWTA Sub-Committees have been well supported and attended in 2019 and we are looking to expand on these this year. Keen to promote and gather interested parties to collaborate , you will see more information soon regarding Committees that address Climate Change and Food Wastage. We will be partnering in earnest with Food Bank this year, this will be a synonymous topic and opportunity for the Cold Chain in Australia and Internationally to discuss and find meaningful answers in the future.
Stay tuned and we will be in touch with updates and information to do with these topics and others soon!
Innovative Electricity Contracting with Enel X
RWTA would like to share our member Enel X’s new method for contracting electricity.
National Pilot On-Road Trial
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development is looking for participants to be involved in their National Pilot. Due to start next year.
RWTA (Vic) - Golf Day - Hole in One Competition
Win $30,000 this Friday in the RWTA (Vic) Gold Day 2019
Welcome to Solpod and ERM Power
The RWTA would like to welcome new members Solpod and ERM Power to the RWTA Family!
WFLO Institute, the Australian Chapter, Now and in the Future!
The World Food Logistics Organisation (WFLO), GCCA’s core provider of education, visited Melbourne this week and facilitated training that was delivered by local Industry Professionals.
Executive Coaching Program
This year the training, valued at $5,000, has been proudly sponsored by Retracom and our 2019 Frank Vale Award Winner, Demi Hiriaki from Iceland Cold Storage will be the beneficiary of this great opportunity over the next year.
2019 RWTA (Vic) Golf Day - Sponsorship Opportunities Available
There are still opportunities to be involved and great prizes to be won! Need to get your name out there? There are still opportunities to sponsor the day and get your companies name up in lights. For more information: Contact Craig Matthews 0407 601 935 or Mathew Reiffel 0409 942 826 to discuss.
