Media Statement – The group who kept WA’s Freight Industry Moving

As COVID-19 entered WA, The Freight and Logistics Council of WA promptly mobilised the WA Supply Chain Covid Response Group.

Lead by Nicole Lockwood, The Group took the lead in overseeing all aspects of the supply chain including shipping, road, rail, air and workforce to ensure the safety of workers in the freight network and secure the supply of essential goods to communities across WA.

Since forming in early March, the group has been critical in;

• Working collaboratively with government in creating protocol documents and approved templates to ensure essential freight workers were able to cross intrastate and interstate borders including:
  • A sector-wide COVID-19 protocol framework for companies and a personal declaration for employees which in turn was recognised as a general industry standard.
  • Developed and had approved an ‘Entry Into Designated Biosecurity Area COVID-19 Risk Management Plan’ on behalf of the Freight and Logistics industry to streamline the approval process for individual companies traveling into the biosecurity regions.
  • Worked with DPIRD to create an easy to follow process map outlining the border exemptions process.
  • Created an online and PDF Road-house map showing truck stops that remain open throughout the pandemic, incorporating standardised icons of facilities for drivers to use on-the-go.
  • Developed transport specific FAQs for Industry and shared these with the COVID Call Centre.
  • Provided a 7 day a week road transport industry information and assistance service for interstate and intrastate operators facing specific issues or problems.
• Identified a shortage of drivers in some industries and a demand in others which led to the creation of the “Driver Exchange Program” – Proudly supported by Main Roads Western Australia.
• Commenced development of an industry specific driver COVID-19 hygiene awareness course created for drivers and employees working on the front line delivering essential goods and supplies into the community during this pandemic.
• In partnership with Fremantle Port, developed a Data Hub which brings together information from across all modes and sectors tom provide real time data about trends and impacts on the movement of freight.
• Helped form the food security working group which is now run by DPIRD after swiftly identifying towns and regions experiencing food supply issues.
• Coordinating exporters, freight forwarders and consigners to work together to ensure we get access to the Federal Air Freight fund if required in support of DPIRD’s air freight working group.
• Managed the procurement of PPE for frontline freight workers to ensure their safety and the safety of the wider community while delivering essential supplies.
• The group has also worked to uncover three priority risk areas, identified as 1) Reduced Workforce Availability 2) Disrupted Access to a Critical Route and 3) Commercial Distress. Scenario planning working groups have been formed for each area and have been meeting weekly to address and mitigate these issues.

We’d like to acknowledge Western Roads Federation, PWC, WSP, Department of Transport, Public Transport Authority and Main Roads Western Australia for contributing resources which ensured the groups day to day response was possible. We’d also like to acknowledge the following members and stakeholders, below, who have played a role in helping us to achieve the outcomes listed above.

Comments from Nicole Lockwood, Chair – FLCWA.

“I’d like to thank Western Roads Federation, PWC, WSP, Department of Transport and Main Roads who have provided resources to The Group and made it possible to achieve the amount we have done to date”

“With State borders expected to stay closed for the foreseeable future, we continue to work collaboratively with government and industry to ensure freight keeps moving”.

“Our focus is now on recovery planning to support businesses through the process of reactivating the economy, to maintain employment and supplies across the State”.

Media enquiries:

Nicole Lockwood – Chair FLCWA | 0401 655 686

Cam Dumesny – CEO Western Roads Federation | 0481 064 371