| You now stand to receive even more efficient service the next time your car breaks down, with the installation of new technical knowledge databases in NRMA patrol vans.
The databases have been fitted to most NRMA patrol vans in NSW and the ACT, and contain comprehensive mechanical and breakdown information on most vehicles sold in Australia in the last 40 years. Having this information readily at hand means that patrol officers are able to diagnose the cause of a vehicle breakdown more quickly, getting you back on the road sooner. |
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The initiative represents a substantial investment by NRMA Motoring & Services in new technology. Patrol officers previously had to rely on a series of nine large books to help diagnose some faults. Now they can simply conduct a search on the model of the vehicle in the new database for a list of known faults to immediately appear on their in-built screen.
According to NRMA Deputy CEO Peter Steele, the databases should also be a boon to those Members who like to ask patrol officers about the performance of new vehicles on the market.
“The technical knowledge database holds all of NRMA’s road tests, which means our patrols can access this information for Members at the touch of a button,” says Peter.
NRMA Motoring & Services is happy to announce the recent launch of NRMA Car Loans, a range of car loan products which offer you low interest rates, flexible terms of up to seven years and affordable repayments on used cars purchased privately.
You can apply for a Used Car Loan over the phone, with pre-approval within four hours. For more details on how to get your dream car sooner, see Money matters.
*NRMA trademark used under licence from IAG, owner of the trademark for financial services.
Stuart Long of Arcadia was the winner of the Free2go Toyota Yaris giveaway. Stuart pre-registered for the Free2go program online at NRMA Free2go and was drawn as the lucky winner courtesy of Sydney City Toyota. Full comprehensive insurance was provided by NRMA Insurance to get him on the road in his new wheels.
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You will soon be able to enjoy even more holiday and travel benefits after NRMA Motoring & Services’ recent purchase of Treasure Island Tourist Park on the Gold Coast.
“Our Members have told us that they want to be able to organise their whole holiday with us … [with the purchase of Treasure Island Tourist Park] NRMA can be with you from the moment the family car pulls out of the garage to the moment you check into your holiday resort,” says NRMA CEO, Tony Stuart. |
“Treasure Island is probably Australia’s best caravan and tourist park destination. Holidays with Kids magazine recently voted it ‘Best Family-Friendly Holiday Park in Australia’.”
Treasure Island Tourist Park has a number of accommodation options perfect for everyone, including villas, holiday units and cabins; an 18-room studio apartment complex; and 90 caravan and camping sites. There’s also an 18-hole mini golf course, three pools and spas, a tennis court and a restaurant/bistro with bar and internet cafe.
“Treasure Island is a popular year-round holiday destination, which maintains an 80% occupancy level,” says Tony.
“It makes sense for NRMA to invest in an asset which will help secure NRMA’s long-term financial security.”
“NRMA’s recent purchase of Treasure Island is welcome news for the Gold Coast region and indeed our tourism industry,” says Pavan Bhatia, CEO Gold Coast Tourism. “It provides reassurance that one of the Gold Coast’s many treasures will continue to thrive and provide fun and entertainment for holiday makers, traits for which the Gold Coast has become renowned.”
NRMA is now planning a series of benefits we can offer you so you can make the most of the Treasure Island Tourist Park during your family holidays.
Treasure Island is only minutes away from some of the Gold Coast’s most popular tourist attractions, such as Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, Wet’n’Wild and Australian Outback Spectacular. NRMA offers 10% off these attractions if you pre-book. Call 13 11 22.
For a complete list of Treasure Island’s accommodation and entertainment options, visit Treasure Island or call 1800 339 966.
NRMA Motoring & Services now holds a 75% stake in Thrifty Australia. The acquisition has been made as part of NRMA’s strategy to diversify its investment portfolio in areas that are relevant to its Member base, says NRMA CEO, Tony Stuart.
Thrifty Managing Director, John Walker, who owns a 25% stake, believes the acquisition will allow for significant growth opportunities for Thrifty Australia.
Under its new ownership structure, Thrifty Australia will have the resources to substantially expand the size and range of its fleet, all of which will have a minimum ANCAP four-star rating.
Currently, the fleet of Thrifty Australia comprises around 10,000 vehicles. Under its new ownership, Thrifty Australia will be able to purchase about 5000 vehicles a year.
You can still expect to receive car discounts through Hertz until April 2007.
The latest developments for Sydney’s tunnels and motorways.
| Earlier this year, NRMA successfully persuaded the NSW Roads Minister to remove some of the restrictions imposed on surface (above ground) traffic on the roads surrounding the Cross City Tunnel. We have now requested the State Government remove the difficult and dangerous merge between surface traffic and traffic from the Cross City Tunnel that occurs prior to the Domain Tunnel and reintroduce the merge that previously existed with the Eastern Distributor. We’ll keep you posted. |  |
NRMA continues to lobby the RTA and the operators of the M2 and M7 motorways to improve toll signposting. Progress has been made and we have been advised that new signs will be installed shortly. In addition, the operator of the M2 has also agreed to introduce an ombudsman to adjudicate on tolling complaints from motorists.
We discussed your concerns with the RTA relating to the lack of signposting and linemarking delineation to safely guide motorists around many of the Lane Cove Tunnel construction areas. NRMA has pushed for improved safety auditing and advance warning to motorists of any traffic changes.
We are also focusing on the operational aspects of the Lane Cove Tunnel and the traffic restrictions proposed for Epping Road that will dramatically reduce its capacity by changing it to one bus lane, one bicycle lane and a single lane for general traffic.
This has the potential to create another Cross City Tunnel situation: forcing traffic into the Tunnel. The resulting congestion on Epping Road will impact on both through and local traffic and will not provide an efficient alternative route for traffic in the event the tunnel is closed during an incident such as a crash. NRMA has proposed an alternative solution for Epping Road and are lobbying the Roads Minister and the Lane Cove Tunnel Company to address our concerns.
Don’t forget to claim back the value of tolls (excl. GST) you pay on the M4 and M5. Only applies to privately registered vehicles in NSW with an electronic tolling account and tolls paid via an electronic tag. To claim call 1300 133 310.
The NSW Audit Office has released its 2006 report on the condition of State roads. Visit The Audit Office of New South Wales for more details.
Amid growing concern about skyrocketing petrol prices and the future of Australia’s fuel industry, NRMA will host a major industry summit, Alternative Fuels: It’s time to Address Australia’s Petrol Crisis, to look at ways of developing a long-term sustainable fuel industry in Australia.
The summit, to be held in Sydney on October 4, will address ways to develop an alternative fuel industry and market the benefits of alternative fuels in Australia. International experts, representatives from government, consumer groups and industry stakeholders are all expected to attend.
NRMA President Alan Evans says that Australia must wean itself off the highly volatile supply of international oil.
“We must act now to address alternative fuels because our nation faces a fuel crisis. Australia’s energy supply is being held to ransom – it is motorists that bear the brunt of this and we must accept that something can be done about it now.”
Alan expects that the issue of ethanol as an alternative fuel source will feature strongly at the summit, but that a range of other options such as biofuels, liquid petroleum gas, natural gas and renewable options must also be considered. “Australia is falling behind much of the world in securing alternative fuels for the future – it’s time to catch up.”
To find the cheapest petrol in your area, visit NRMA's Petrol Watch.
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Going above and beyond the call of duty comes naturally to NRMA Patrolman of the Year, Jace Wild. In April, he took his trusty patrol van off the beaten track as part of a month-long Australian Caravan Safari Trail from Sydney to Cairns through Outback Queensland. The Safari was one of three that have been organised this year by the Caravan, RV and Accommodation Industry of Australia (CRVA). |
Jace signed on as a participant but was also on hand to attend to the 40 or so vehicles taking part in the Safari. Nearly every day, Jace had to offer some sort of roadside assistance – flat tyres, flat batteries, even keys locked in vehicles.
There were plenty of fun times, too. Jace recalls a black tie event being organised in Longreach for the Safari members, with the catch that all clothes for the evening’s event had to be purchased from op-shops enroute to Longreach from Cessnock.
“Can you imagine the looks on the faces of the op-shop owners when 40 caravans descended on their stores and with all of us madly buying suits and ball gowns?” says Jace.
The final Australian Caravan Safari Trail for 2006 is the 28-day Murray & Wine Trail, which travels through Victoria and South Australia, November 10–December 9.
For details visit Caravan Safari Trails or call 1800 228 517.
After more than a year on the road, NRMA’s Mobile Member Centre (MMC) has undergone a steady transformation to further increase its value to Members.
In the past 12 months, the MMC has travelled over 30,000km, attended 42 events and welcomed more than 41,000 visitors. Its main objective has been to increase community awareness on road safety education and issues, and while this invaluable service continues, the MMC now offers you even more.
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As part of its fresh new look, you can now rely on the MMC as a one-stop shop where you can purchase NRMA products; find out about the extensive benefits you receive as an NRMA Member; call road service; and keep up to date with NRMA news. The MMC is also a great way for regional and rural Members to keep actively involved in what NRMA is up to. With its partners in road safety, Volvo Trucks and Subaru, the MMC will be coming to a town near you soon. Its next dates include: |
For more details visit Mobile Member Centre.
Twenty years ago, NRMA CareFlight ran its first emergency airlift. Since then it has helped save over 15,000 people from road crashes, bushfires and other emergency situations. It even helped out in Banda Aceh after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
NRMA CareFlight began as a medically focused version of the former surf rescue helicopter system, operating from a tin shed behind Westmead Hospital. Today, it has grown into an organisation of 70 staff, three helicopters at two bases and a reputation around the world as a pioneer of medical aviation.
| NRMA Motoring & Services has been an NRMA CareFlight sponsor since 1990, and wishes to congratulate the medical and aviation teams as well as the administration employees and volunteers who have contributed to NRMA CareFlight’s fantastic success over the past 20 years.
NRMA CareFlight is a registered charity and donations of $2 and over are tax deductible. Send your donation to PO Box 159, Westmead, NSW 2145 or call 1800 858 505. |
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We are delighted to announce the launch of our Gold Member Shop.
The shop features special products designed exclusively for our Gold and Gold Life Members, including the NRMA Windscreen Shades (see our exclusive Gold Member offer on page 54), and great discounts on NRMA’s Special Publications, including our Explore Australia range and our fishing and golfing guides.
To find out more visit NRMA’s Gold Member Shop, call 8222 2226 or drop into the NRMA Mobile Member Centre (MMC).
A Gold Member Discount now applies to NRMA’s Safer Driving DVD. The DVD has 26 segments and runs for approximately 90 minutes. Ideal for novice drivers, it is also relevant to all drivers, regardless of their age or experience. Safety techniques, car technology and road rules change over time and no driver can pretend to know everything.
The DVD is now $25 for NRMA Gold Members, a saving of $4.95 on the already discounted Member price. To take advantage of this special Gold and Gold Life Member discount visit NRMA’s Gold Member Shop, call 1300 696 762 or drop into NRMA’s MMC.
