Latest news with #DepartmentOfTransportAndMainRoads
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies warned over impending caravan rule change amid national trend: 'Don't wait'
Caravan owners are being reminded to make a potentially life-saving change ahead of new rules coming into effect in one Aussie state. If they don't already have one, all caravans and motorhomes in Queensland and Victoria will soon be mandated to have a working photoelectric smoke alarm installed in them, brining the state into line with other major jurisdictions. With more than 900,000 caravans and motorhomes registered across the country, more Australians are relying on mobile homes for holidays and full-time accomodation during an ongoing housing shortage in parts of the nation. And a number of devastating caravan fires have made headline in recent months, bringing the issue into focus. From 2027, all caravans and motorhomes must be fitted with a photoelectric smoke alarm on the ceiling. It comes after the rule was already imposed on newly registered caravans in the state last year. Jason Plant, the CEO of Caravan Trade and Industry Association Queensland, told Yahoo News the broader mandate is "a welcome and responsible move". The long lead time on making the alarms mandatory in all existing vehicles is about "allowing owners, manufacturers, and retailers sufficient time to adapt, retrofit, and educate consumers," Jason said. "It also ensures supply chains can meet demand, particularly for alarms designed to withstand the unique conditions of on-the-road conditions, such as vibration and temperature fluctuations." Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads as well as the state's Housing Department has been reminding residents of the change on social media in recent weeks, urging owners to get ahead of the change. "Don't wait for the law – or a fire – to catch up," they warned. Related: Family 'lucky to be alive' after caravan home erupts in flames Different rules across states but caravan 'trend is clear' Caravan owners in NSW must have a smoke alarm installed in their vehicles, in any section where occupants will sleep. "NSW legislation stipulates that you must have at least one working smoke alarm inside the van where the bed is, and one in the annex if people are sleeping there," NSW Fire and Rescue says. "Caravans and campervans have limited escape options in the event of a fire. You have just a few seconds to get out of a burning caravan, as they are constructed of lightweight and highly combustible fittings. A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death." A majority of domestic caravan manufacturing takes place in Victoria, which has also had a similar mandate on the books from July last year. As a result, modern smoke alarms have increasingly become a standard inclusion for most new caravan builds. Elderly Aussies face eviction as caravan park crisis sparks calls for reform Caravanner's $600 mistake prompts simple Starlink reminder Grey nomads warned as deadly threat prompts new campaign Western Australia and Tasmania have not mandated smoke alarms in mobile homes, but in general, "the national trend toward stronger safety standards is clear," Jason told Yahoo. "It's likely that smoke alarms will become a default feature in caravans across Australia. Over time, consumer expectations and manufacturer practices will help close the gap, even in states without formal mandates," he said Caravan and campervan owners will need to retrofit devices Those will older models of RVs and caravans, retrofitting photoelectric smoke alarms is generally straightforward, Jason said. Typically the devices don't require any hardwiring and can be found at specialist caravan retailers and even some hardware stores. Alternatively, owners can have them installed at caravan service centres, "which offer retrofitting as part of broader safety upgrade services". "The industry has also seen strong uptake of caravan-specific alarms featuring hush buttons and 10-year non-removable batteries, products that meet both regulatory requirements and the practical needs of mobile living," he said. While the smoke alarm might not save the caravan, it could save lives. In March, a new $175,000 caravan was completely destroyed in a fire in South Australia after lithium-ion batteries inside caught fire. SA's Country Fire Service said the occupants spotted smoke "coming out of the batteries" before the fire had started. They were able to exit the vehicle safely but it was too late for the caravan. In the same month, a young couple lost their caravan after hearing the smoke alarm go off while driving. Last year, one young family told Yahoo News they were lucky to be alive after their caravan went up in flames in Victoria, believed to be started by a diesel heater inside. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Public servant who nicknamed German colleague 'Helga' is reprimanded after workplace clash
A Queensland public servant has been reprimanded after clashing with her German colleague and secretly nicknaming her 'Helga'. Nikki Hornberg took the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Warwick to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) after being pulled up on her behaviour on March 11. She argued the reprimand and extra training she was given after 'mocking' her 'abrupt' German colleague and using the phrase 'Nein, Nein' was unfair. But QIRC Commissioner John Dwyer disagreed with Ms Hornberg and ruled the reprimand was fair in a decision handed down on July 17. He stated Ms Hornberg, who worked as a 'project costing officer', had been racially stereotyping her German co-worker. The colleague in question reportedly spoke with a strong German accent, but was not named Helga. 'The use of the name 'Helga' when referring to the co-worker in question is enough, of itself, to justify the sanction imposed,' he concluded, as reported by the Courier Mail. Ms Hornberg did not deny that she referred to her German colleague as Helga behind her back. The colleague has not officially complained about the nickname or was unaware of it. TMR managers who knew about the nickname were said to be 'inept', Mr Dwyer stated. He also said the claim Ms Hornberg used the phrase 'Nein, Nein' was not 'particularly strong'. However, the allegation would stand as Ms Hornberg had not appealed that finding. 'Taking into account a permissive attitude or management ineptitude, it is plain from the evidence (including Ms Hornberg's own concessions) that she was using the name 'Helga' discourteously and disrespectfully,' he wrote. Mr Dwyer said Ms Hornberg should have been aware of the negative connotations of the nickname and should not have needed a manager to tell her to refrain from using it. 'There can be no doubt the choice of the name 'Helga' is a form of racial stereotyping,' Mr Dwyer added. The judge ruled that the simple reason Ms Hornberg chose not to address her colleague with the nickname proves that her intention was one of 'mocking'. Witnesses interviewed during the investigation alleged Ms Hornberg clashed with her German co-worker over a particular entry in a time sheet. Ms Hornberg's behaviour towards her colleague changed following this disagreement. The judge noted witnesses agreed the German colleague was also 'abrupt in her communication style'. Several witnesses, including a manager, did not think Ms Hornberg's use of the name 'Helga' was offensive, which Mr Dwyer described as 'concerning'. Ms Hornberg argued the conduct issue should have been dealt with by TMR as a 'performance issue' at a local level and should not have been escalated to a disciplinary issue. Mr Dwyer stated this proved Ms Hornberg's 'troubling lack of insight … into the objective seriousness of her conduct'. It also showed she was oblivious to the potential legal consequences for TMR as her name-calling created a risk her colleague could sue TMR for discrimination.
