Full inspection for Cootes' tankers

The NSW Minister for Roads has ordered a full audit of all Cootes Transport petrol and gas tankers that operate in the state

he scrutiny on Cootes Transport has increased yet again, with Duncan Gay, the NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, ordering a thorough inspection of all of the firm’s fuel tankers that operate within the state’s borders.

The move comes after more spot checks of the transport company’s fleet, conducted last week in the Sydney suburbs of Wetherill Park and Port Botany, found a further 17 vehicles to have major defects.

Gay said the company still needed to lift its game.

“These random inspections uncovered significant failures,” he said.

“This was in addition to two incidents involving Cootes vehicles late last week which presented major defects.

“While we acknowledge there have been some improvements in the fleet, it is simply not good enough that in some cases we have seen repairs that don’t meet our standards during a second or third check.

“Despite four months of ongoing work with Cootes and the parent company McAleese, I have ordered all their NSW tankers to be subject to Roads and Maritime compliance checks yet again – just as we did immediately after the Mona Vale tragedy,” he said.

Gay said the order extended to all Cootes tankers that operate in NSW, and not just the ones registered there.

“RMS inspectors have carried out more than 450 checks of the Cootes fleet at inspection stations and on roadsides across the state to ensure compliance with roadworthiness standards,” he said.

“As the toughest inspection and enforcement regime in the country, we have taken every possible action including putting the head of the company and the Board of Directors on notice that they are responsible for the safety and roadworthiness of this fleet.”

Full inspection for Cootes' tankers

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