ALRTA Weekly Update: Oct 10

Servicing your transport Industry

Welcome everyone to the weekly news,

Dubbo leading the way - Backing innovation at the Heart of Our Industry

Saleyards are a major and vital link in our supply chain - they are the heartbeat of our industry. Every day they connect producers, buyers, and transporters, keeping the movement of livestock and regional trade alive. Innovation and upgrades for the future are something we must be part of, and right now Dubbo is leading the way.

The Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets (DRLM) are one of Australia’s top three livestock selling centres, and a cornerstone of regional logistics. As the industry evolves - with the rise of direct-to-processor sales, digital trading, and the closure of smaller
yards - modernising how livestock is bought, sold, and transported is essential.

Dubbo Regional Council’s proposed Hybrid Hub vision combines physical yards with digital trading, real-time data, and integrated logistics - creating a more efficient, connected, and future-ready saleyard. Livestock can be sold in-yard or online, with
instant settlement and smoother logistics for all users. It’s a model that truly represents where our industry is heading.

Crucially for ALRTA members, the first phase includes a Dubbo Heavy Vehicle
Wellbeing Centre - a project that directly responds to long-standing issues around fatigue management, rest facilities, and driver welfare.

This new centre will provide:

• Clean, separate amenities (showers, toilets, kitchen, laundry, and lounge)
• Sealed and marked parking for up to 80 B-triples
• Office space, mental health support, and integration with truck wash and biosecurity infrastructure

Between 400–900 livestock truck trips move through or around Dubbo each day, making it a natural anchor point for improved driver facilities and animal welfare compliance.

In our discussions with Council, ALRTA has strongly reinforced that livestock centres must consider rural transport as a whole. Facilities need to cater for livestock carriers, bulk tippers, and mixed-freight operators alike. That means truck wash and treatment systems should be designed to handle multiple product types safely and efficiently.

Livestock and grain sectors share the same roads, drivers, and regional infrastructure - and it’s time our facilities reflect that integration. We have also asked them to consider vehicles will get longer.
Some features they are considering for the operation of the yards and how they will modernise selling systems to present livestock for transport faster is impressive.

This discussion is really about the future of saleyards in Australia in general, not just Dubbo, and we are thankful they have included us in the discussion and put our industry at the forefront of its operations. The recent Saleyards Australia conference in Wagga Wagga was evident of how well the saleyard industry respect carriers, and it is vital we have constructive input and support the project Dubbo is launching.

Digital Integration - The next frontier
As these facilities modernise, digital integration will inevitably play a greater role in how we operate — not just at Dubbo, but across every part of the rural transport network.
We’re already seeing electronic work diaries taken up at a rate few expected, and it’s clear that electronic consignment notes, geofencing, and automated site check-ins at saleyards, feedlots, or grain depots may not be far away.

These systems can deliver genuine benefits - faster compliance, improved traceability, less paperwork, and safer, more accountable operations. But they must be designed to work in the real world. A system that looks great on paper but doesn’t suit conditions in Bourke or Bordertown won’t help anyone.

It’s time for a pragmatic industry conversation about what comes next - not just what technology can do, but how it will fit into daily business:

• How and where will digital systems fit within our current operations?
• How do we introduce these tools in ways that support small and family-run businesses?
• How do we bring drivers - especially our experienced older drivers - along on the journey rather than leaving them behind?
• This isn’t just a technology issue - it’s about people, practicality, and participation. 

Technology is moving fast, and if we’re not in the room, others will design systems for us - and they may not work for how we operate.
We need to start this conversation, or at the very least start listening. Our goal should be to help shape practical solutions that improve our industry, not hinder it.

Have your say - Don’t sit back
Dubbo Regional Council is actively seeking feedback from industry right now - and this is our chance to make sure transport’s voice is heard.

We’re urging all ALRTA members who use Dubbo or operate through the region to complete the online survey this week. The more carriers who respond, the stronger our influence will be on how this project takes shape.
Don’t sit back and say “they didn’t ask us” - they’re asking now.
Let’s show how essential transport is to the future of regional saleyards and get behind a project that sets a new benchmark for the industry. 

Can ALRTA members complete the online survey in the next few days. 

On the road
Meanwhile, LBRCA are off on their first-ever study tour of New Zealand. The photos look fantastic, and it’s great to see members connecting across borders to share ideas and experiences.
A special mention to ALRTA Rising Star Award winners Kyle Nicholas and Isaac Davis, who are part of the tour as part of their prize. We can’t wait to hear what they learn and how the experience inspires their careers.

If you’re not already following the journey, jump onto Facebook and follow their adventure - it’s a great insight into how our next generation of drivers are engaging with the future of our industry.

Until next week - stay safe.

Anthony

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