Media coverage

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Victoria has once again issued a warning to tyre retailers and mechanics, urging them to ensure that used tyres are disposed of correctly. This follows investigations conducted on a property south of Bendigo, where an illegal stockpile was discovered containing approximately 10,000 waste tyres, with one pile measuring 40 metres wide, 30 metres long, and up to four meters high.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Tyre Dealer Association will be held  on Wednesday, 29 November 2023 at 6pm.  You can attend in person or via zoom.  Please register your attendance by clicking on one of the links below.

Members of the VACC Victorian Automobile Dealers Association, Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers Association (FIMDA), Motorcycle Industry Division (MID), Commercial Vehicle Industry Association (CVIA) and service and repair businesses that are working under a franchisee-franchisor arrangement were advised of VACC’s national body, the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), submission to the Australian Government’s 2023 Franchising Code Review (the review).

VACC has recently received numerous enquiries detailing the difficulty in gaining access to, and purchase of, OEM parts.  These parts have either been extremely difficult to obtain, rejected, or offered for purchase as a complete unit (i.e. complete differential assembly rather than individual internal components such as a bearing unique to the unit and not available from the aftermarket). To ascertain the severity of this issue, I am seeking your assistance.

 

The fund supports projects that will improve recycling in Victoria by:

• upgrading infrastructure
• upgrading technology
• increasing processing capacity
• increasing the amount of recycled materials being made into new products.

Grants of between $50,000 and $1 million are available, with a total of $8 million to be awarded. 

Please be advised that the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria (EPAV) is undertaking snap inspections on businesses who are suspected of illegally transporting or storing waste tyres throughout May and June 2023.

The Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA) congratulates Chris Hummer on his appointment as VACC's New President!

Some of you may be interested to know, the Victorian government through Sustainability Victoria recently announced the opening of the Victorian Circular Economy Recycling Modernisation Fund (Round 3). This is aimed at supporting businesses through the national export ban on waste materials such as tyres and increasing the quality of materials for manufacturing purposes.

The first half of 2022 has seen an increase in tyre retailers and mechanical workshops experiencing significant delays and huge price increases from waste tyre collectors. Many businesses are reporting stockpiling above the legal limits as a result.

Members are advised of two circular economy funding programs released by Sustainability Victoria and the Victorian Government that are aimed at the business, non-profit and research communities.

VACC is excited to advise members that enrolments will commence shortly in accredited Electric Vehicle (EV) training for June 2022 initially based at Chisholm Institute.

Sustainability Victoria has launched a $5 million Recycling Victoria Markets Acceleration Fund targeted at Victorian businesses, research institutes and industry to develop and commercialise new uses for recycled materials such as end of life tyres.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently reiterated that consumers can choose to have their vehicle serviced by the repairer of their choice without voiding a new car warranty, provided the service is completed in accordance with the manufacturer service schedule and specifications, and is performed with due care and skill and genuine or appropriate quality parts are used.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently reiterated that consumers can choose to have their vehicle serviced by the repairer of their choice without voiding a new car warranty, provided the service is completed in accordance with the manufacturer service schedule and specifications, and is performed with due care and skill and genuine or appropriate quality parts are used.

An important milestone has been reached as we draw closer to the implementation of the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme) Act 2021.

Members were advised in a previous bulletin issued in January 2022 that the Australian Government had released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) that was aimed at improving the effectiveness of the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Members were advised in a previous bulletin issued in January 2022 that the Australian Government had released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) that was aimed at improving the effectiveness of the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

The Federal Government’s waste tyre export ban of whole tyres including baled tyres came into effect on 1 December 2021 and is regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020.

If your business receives, stores, or reprocesses any statutory write-off (SWO) vehicles or repairable write-off (RWO) vehicles (also known as industrial waste) then please continue to read below. You must be authorised to do so – that is, your business premises must be a ‘lawful place’.

If your business receives, stores, or reprocesses any statutory write-off (SWO) vehicles or repairable write-off (RWO) vehicles (also known as industrial waste) then please continue to read below. You must be authorised to do so – that is, your business premises must be a ‘lawful place’.

You are invited to attend the 2021 Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA) Annual General meeting on Tuesday, 14 December 2021 at 7pm.

The Australian Government has published the Recycling and Waste Reduction (Export-Waste Tyres) Rules 2021.

Following an extensive industry stakeholder consultation period, the Australian Government has today published the Competition and Consumer (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme) Rules 2021 on the Federal Register of Legislation.  You can access the Scheme Rules via the link here or the Act via this link here.

TSA is hosting a Recyclers Forum to help you prepare for the impending waste export ban which takes effect 1^st December 2021.

TSA is hosting a Recyclers Forum to help you prepare for the impending waste export ban which takes effect 1^st December 2021.

Members will be aware that changes to the Environmental Protection laws came into effect on 1 July 2021.  To assist industry, VACC’s OHS&E Unit will be delivering a free webinar to help Tyre Dealers to adapt to the changes.

Chamber ambassador Shane Jacobson blogs because you should have “choice of repairer” on your vehicle insurance policy.

Due to an increase in exposure sites relating tyre businesses in metropolitan Melbourne, the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association Executive Committee reminds its members to remain vigilant and to ensure you have an adequate COVID Safe plan implemented.

VACC members are advise that from 1 July, that vehicle recalls will no longer be published by the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC).

Please be advised that VACC has finalised and submitted a response to the Draft Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 and the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) released by the Department of Transport.

VACC surveyed members in July 2020 to identify on how the COVID-19 pandemic had created supply issues for its Franchise Dealer members.  Those results were quite concerning and reflected that much stock was being diverted away from Victorian dealers and that delays for consumer delivery were ranging from 2-6 months.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has handed down its decision to allow Mitsubishi’s conditional 10 year or 200,000 km warranty to stand. The warranty is conditional on the vehicle being serviced only by authorised Mitsubishi Dealers and service centres.

 

Your representatives on the VACC Victorian Tyre Dealer Association (VTDA) Executive Committee, recently caught up with Lina Goodman, CEO of Tyre Stewardship Australia to discuss how best to deal with tyre disposal.

Your representatives on the VACC Victorian Tyre Dealer Association (VTDA) Executive Committee, recently caught up with Lina Goodman, CEO of Tyre Stewardship Australia to discuss how best to deal with tyre disposal.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA) will be held virtually on Wednesday, 2 December at 6pm.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA) will be held virtually on Wednesday, 2 December at 6pm.

Further advice in response to frequently asked question on Automotive Industry reopening
Melbourne will move from “stay home” to “stay safe”, with no more restrictions on the reasons to leave home.

VACC has requested a sensible, partial and very managed opening process to be granted well before October 26 or other landmark date.  This is an opening process that includes new and used car, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, tyre, car rental and farm machinery dealerships.

VACC members have been calling to seek advice on the 5km travel restriction zone announced by the Victorian State Government on 2 August 2020.
It is a confusing restriction and one that is difficult to apply to every instance. However, VACC will provide our interpretation for our members.

Ian Whitehall, Leading Senior Constable from the Victorian Police Major Collision Investigation Unit is interested in speaking to a tyre dealer who fitted new tyres on a vehicle on the morning of 2 June 2020 specifically in the Sunshine area.

Following the recent sunsetting of the Road Safety (Vehicle) Regulations 2009, the VACC made several recommendations on behalf of members that are licensed vehicle testers and those belonging to the Victorian Tyre Dealers Division (VTDA).  Ultimately, we held the position that testing standards should be aligned to the relevant Australian Design Rule (ADR).

VACC are receiving many calls from members regarding the outbreak of the Coronavirus and the impact it is having on the community at large as well as the likely flow on impact to VACC member businesses.

The Federal Government has announced a $17.6 billion economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic.  As part of this package, a portion has been dedicated to small business tax relief and apprenticeship payments.

This bulletin has been devised for members of the Victorian Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) in response to ongoing consumer issue with regards to the activation and use of dashcams or other recording devices.  VADA thanks the VACC IR Department for provision of this bulletin.

VADA members are encouraged to seek the views of their franchisor or own legal team before implementing any new policy within the dealership or dealership workshop. 

This bulletin examines implications with respect to use of on-board vehicle cameras or dashboard cameras (Dash Cams) by customers of VACC members.  For this purpose, it is relevant to examine surveillance and privacy legislation.

This is to advise you of the upcoming annual general meeting for the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA).

It has come to our attention that some members are experiencing difficulties locating manufacturers’ specifications for wheel nut torque.

VACC encourages its franchisee members to participate in an ACCC Business Stakeholder Survey that will run from April to mid-May 2019.

The final report of the Hayne royal commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, was released on 4 February 2019. The final report includes 76 recommendations, many of which relate to the operations of the retail automotive industry.

VACC members are advised that the Senate Select Committee Inquiry, (the Inquiry) report into Electric Vehicles was released today.  You can view the report by taking this link.  VACC supports the release of the report and looks forward to ongoing dialogue with the Government in the development of sensible policy regarding Electric Vehicles.  

VACC Licensed Motor Car Trader (LMCT) members are advised of an important change in approach and outcomes from Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV ) with regards to CAV Compliance Inspection visits.

Specialty Vehicles Australia (SVA), is a special interest group within the General Division of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC).  Essentially, SVA represents vehicle builders, suppliers, enthusiast groups and engineering support businesses in Victoria.  The focus of the group is to advance, promote, protect and support this niche industry in Australia and to preserve the interests of members.

With the Victorian State election behind us, the focus is now on the upcoming Federal election where VACC on behalf of the automotive industry is calling on the Federal Government to commit to serious policy reforms across a range of areas including automotive skills shortages.

 

Those who attended the VACC Industry Awards in 2018 will never forget it.  More than 1,000 people attended the black tie gala event where 41 elite automotive businesses from across Victoria were announced as category winners in the country’s most important automotive industry award program.  The best of the best in the business were honoured in VACC’s 100th year – so will you be one of the best in 2019?

This is to advise you of the upcoming annual general meeting for the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA).

Members were advised on 22 March 2018 that a Parliamentary Inquiry into the operation and effectiveness of the Franchising and Oil Code of Conduct had been established and that VACC would be entering a submission on behalf of its members.
It is the view of VACC that the Parliamentary Inquiry represents a significant opportunity to present the best case for change.

The VACC Industry Awards showcase the fantastic talent within the automotive industry, recognising their hard work and achievements. If ever there was a time to win an award, it's in our centennial year.

 

Please be advised that today the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, The Hon. Michael Sukkar MP, issued a compulsory recall for all vehicles fitted with defective Takata airbags. The ACCC advises that there are approximately 2.3 million vehicles in Australia presently equipped with the Affected Takata Airbag Inflators.

Victoria Police has informed VACC of an increase in burglaries and theft of motor vehicles across the whole of Monash police service area. In particular from car dealerships as well as more recently auto mechanic workshops. The offenders are breaking in and ransacking premises until they find the keys of the vehicles and are then stealing the vehicles along with the hard drives from CCTV cameras.

If you are experiencing franchising issues, VACC is here to help with a new online tool for dealer members.

A VACC member business was fined $40,000 with an additional $3,500 related court costs for failure to provide a safe system of work.

Recently the legislated amendments to the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 (Victoria) (OHS Act) were introduced under the WorkSafe Legislation Amendment Act 2017. 

The Victorian Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC) provides for the indexation of weekly payments, weekly pensions for dependants and certain other amounts stipulated under that Act on 1 July each year.

An apprentice technician was conducting a service on a vehicle that was located on the ground, parked in a hoist bay. When the apprentice started the vehicle, he unknowingly bumped the gear lever into drive.  The technician then revved the vehicle and the vehicle moved forward quickly.  At the time of the vehicle moving forward unintentionally, another apprentice technician was reviewing a repair order at the workbench in front of the uncontrolled vehicle.  The apprentice was struck by the vehicle and pinned against the workbench. 

Over the last year there have been three incidents where trade Utes have fallen off vehicle hoists.  With this style of vehicle being heavier, longer and fitted with heavy metal tool boxes containing plant and tools, the risk of falling from the hoist has increased. 

The Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA) has received notification from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science regarding the continuation of the Anti-Dumping Commissions Inquiry (the Inquiry) into whether the continuation of anti-dumping measures in respect of aluminum wheels exported to Australia from China is justified.

Members of the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA) are advised that your national body, the Australian Tyre Dealers & Retreaders Association (ATDRA), held its Annual General Meeting on 29 January 2016.