Who are we

where did we come from

Established in 2017

While Safe Freight Networks Australia is new in the national scene we evolved from the Gippsland Safe Freight Network.  This was established in six locations across Gippsland between 2010 and 2016 and comprised of a range of people associated with the heavy vehicle freight industry.  It includes Vic Roads TSS, Vic Roads Engineering, Local Governments, Police and Freight operators from across the various freight tasks.   Six individual chapters of the networks are in various stages of formation with the South Gippsland Chapter being the longest running and most established of these.  All chapters come under the banner of Gippsland Safe Freight.  During 2016 through numerous requests from other states to assist in setting up of similar networks and after winning many awards for the network's work it was decided to seek support to investigate the model of operation so it could be duplicated in other areas.  Vic Roads provided funding through their initiatives grants and the aarb group through the Road Safety Partnerships program provide research assistance.  The outcome has be a comprehensive model for the implementation of similar networks in other areas.  With these resources now available through aarb it was decided to apply to the NHVR for funding assistance in order to employ a National facilitator.  The project commenced as the Safe Freight Networks Australia on the 1st of November 2017 and will run for three years initially.   

Our Goal

Our Goal is to have a Australia wide interconnected set of Safe Freight Networks to address local road safety issues while sharing their knowledge with other like minded individuals in order that all road users may complete each journey safely.

Our Team

John Ernst
Project Manager

​John Ernst is the executive officer of the South Gippsland Safe Freight Network and project manager for Safe Freight Networks Australia. John’s background is in community development work and has had a keen interest in road safety since the beginning of his professional career in rural Victoria 1987.
John has extensive experience in developing community-based programs to address specific issues. He also managed one of the first L2P learner driver mentor programs. John has a degree from RMIT and is also an adult trainer specialising in remote area first aid and developing safe systems on large cattle stations.

Allan Pincott
Industry Consultant

Alan Pincott has had many years of experience in a variety of roles in the heavy transport industry and is a qualified heavy vehicle mechanic. He has been a VicRoads heavy vehicle licence tester and has 18 years’ experience as an on-road Regulatory & Compliance Officer in country Victoria with extensive experience in crash investigation.
Alan has a passion for road safety and stakeholder engagement and education. He has been instrumental in developing successful programs such as the VicRoads Heavy Vehicle Rollover Program that has seen considerable road safety benefits. He now runs Australian Trucking Safety Services & Solutions (ATSSS) specialising in developing and implementing heavy vehicle crash reduction programs.