PRESS PLAY: Relive the RWTA 2026 Conference!

It’s finally here!

Our official RWTA 2026 Conference Wrap-Up Video has landed, capturing the people, conversations, energy and moments that made this event such a memorable few days.

From thought-provoking sessions and industry insights to the connections, celebrations and plenty of fun in between, this is our chance to look back at a conference that brought Australia’s cold chain together.

If you were there, press play and relive it.

If you couldn’t make it, this is your chance to see why you should be there next year!

More than a highlights reel, it’s a snapshot of the people and industry that make the RWTA community what it is, and a taste of why you’ll want to be there with us in 2027.

Turn up the sound, go full screen and enjoy!

IMPORTANT- Battery Storage Now Eligible Under NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme

Cold storage operators across New South Wales have a new opportunity to reduce energy costs and improve site resilience following recent enhancements to the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS).

The expanded scheme now includes behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems ranging from 200 kWh up to 30 MWh, with eligible projects able to receive an upfront rebate that can significantly reduce capital expenditure costs. Depending on the project and site characteristics, the PDRS incentive may offset 20% to 40% of the battery system investment, improving project economics and accelerating payback periods.

Battery energy storage is particularly well suited to refrigerated and cold storage facilities, where large electrical loads and peak demand charges can represent a substantial portion of operating costs. In addition to reducing peak demand, battery storage can help businesses:

Lower electricity network charges

Maximise the value of on-site solar generation

Improve power factor and power quality at the point of connection

Provide backup power during grid interruptions

Enhance energy resilience and operational continuity

Support participation in future grid and flexibility services

RWTA Member ABB's Battery Energy Storage System as a Service (BESSaaS) model provides a fully turnkey solution for businesses looking to take advantage of these opportunities.

ABB designs, finances, constructs, operates and maintains the battery system, enabling customers to access the benefits of energy storage without the burden of major upfront capital investment or ongoing asset management.

With energy costs continuing to rise and refrigeration facilities facing increasing pressure to improve efficiency and resilience, the enhanced PDRS presents a compelling opportunity for NSW cold storage operators to explore the value of battery storage.

For more information on battery storage opportunities and PDRS eligibility, contact the ABB Energy & Carbon team

Stace Tzamtzidis
Energy & Carbon, Senior Solutions Specialist 
Electrification Service
ABB Australia Pty Limited
1 Bapaume Road
Moorebank, NSW 2170

P: +61 (0) 428 936 578

E: stace.tzamtzidis@au.abb.com

New Member Westpac

In this edition of Chilled Out Chronicles, we welcome our newest member Westpac, to discuss the financial opportunities and challenges facing Australia's cold chain industry.

From rising energy costs to business growth, discover how one of Australia's leading financial institutions is supporting refrigerated warehousing, transport operators and suppliers beyond traditional banking.

In this video Westpac Business Development Manager Karthic Nathan shares why Westpac joined the RWTA and how they are helping strengthen the future of the cold chain.

RWTA’s 84th Conference and Exhibition, Tuesday in Noosa: Big Ideas, Leadership and a Fitting Finale

Tuesday brought the 2026 RWTA Conference & Exhibition to a close, but there was certainly no easing off the pace.

The final day delivered another strong mix of thought-provoking presentations, practical industry insight and conversations that challenged us to think differently about leadership, technology and the future of the cold chain. The energy of the conference carried right through to the final session.

Brett Wiskar’s fast paced opening of the programme challenged us to move from reactive to transformative, looking at how organisations can turn change into genuine advantage. Technology remained firmly on the agenda with Diamond Sponsor Scantec’s Stefan Jensen presenting on new and proven refrigeration results and Grant Turner from Protran Solutions talking on transitioning transport refrigeration to low-emission solutions, while Sam Bloom's Heartache and Birdsong brought a very different, and deeply personal perspective to the stage. Sara Goodman-Stickler then gave delegates an update on the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the broader issues and opportunities shaping our industry internationally.

The afternoon belonged to Peter Berry of PBC, who took delegates beyond simply talking about leadership and into an interactive workshop focused on building leadership capability. It was a fitting way to finish the formal conference programme, with people participating, reflecting and taking something practical back into their own businesses.

And then it was time to celebrate. Our final evening began with cocktails before moving into the Gala Dinner and Frank Vale Award Ceremony, always one of the highlights of the RWTA calendar and a wonderful opportunity to recognise emerging talent while enjoying one last night together as an industry. Congratulations to the FVA Winner, Stacey Randles of Primary Connect!

The conference may be over, but the memories certainly aren't.

Our Tuesday photo gallery is now live, along with hundreds of images capturing the people, conversations and moments that made Noosa 2026 such a success.

Click here for more photos

Peregrine Expands its Cold Chain Footprint into Indonesia

A significant move is underway in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing cold chain markets.

Peregrine Cold Logistics has announced its entry into Indonesia through a new joint venture with Sinar Primera, combining an existing cold storage operation with a major new development to deliver approximately 35,000 sqm of temperature-controlled capacity across Greater Jakarta.

For the cold chain industry, the story goes well beyond another new facility. It reflects the rapidly growing demand for sophisticated, global-standard cold storage infrastructure across Indonesia and Peregrine’s broader ambition to build an integrated network connecting markets across ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Read all the details here

When the Temperature Says Everything is Fine…But It Isn’t

For cold-chain operators, cybersecurity may traditionally have been associated with emails, data breaches and ransomware. New research into commercial refrigeration systems demonstrates why that thinking needs to change.

Cybersecurity researchers at Claroty have identified vulnerabilities in two widely deployed refrigeration supervisory controller platforms, the Danfoss AK-SM 800A and Copeland XWEB Pro, systems used to monitor and manage refrigeration equipment in environments including cold-storage facilities, warehouses and supermarkets. Both manufacturers have subsequently released firmware addressing the identified vulnerabilities.

What makes the findings particularly relevant to the cold chain is what researchers demonstrated could happen after a system was compromised.

In a live test environment, researchers were able to manipulate the refrigeration equipment while making the displayed temperature continue to appear normal. They demonstrated that cooling components could be disabled as the refrigerator gradually warmed, while the temperature displayed to an operator gave no indication that the cooling system had been interfered with.

That changes the cybersecurity conversation considerably.

For a cold-storage operator, a cyberattack no longer necessarily means someone stealing company information or locking employees out of a computer system. It could potentially mean interfering with the physical equipment responsible for protecting millions of dollars of temperature-sensitive product.

The research identified 23 vulnerabilities in the Copeland XWEB Pro platform, 21 classified as high severity, while three vulnerabilities were identified in the Danfoss AK-SM 800A management platform. The manufacturers have responded with firmware updates: Copeland version 1.13 for affected XWEB Pro devices and Danfoss R4.3.1 for affected AK-SM 800A controllers.

The issue also highlights a broader challenge as cold-chain facilities become increasingly automated and connected. Remote monitoring, sophisticated refrigeration controls, automation and data provide enormous operational benefits, but every connected system potentially creates another point that needs to be protected.

For warehouse and cold-chain operators, the message isn't to retreat from technology. It is to ensure that operational technology receives the same cybersecurity attention as traditional IT systems.

Operators using connected refrigeration control systems should know what equipment is installed across their facilities, ensure relevant firmware and security updates are current, review whether management interfaces are unnecessarily exposed to the internet, and consider how operational technology is separated from other business networks. These are among the measures recommended following the discovery of the vulnerabilities.

There is an important question here for every cold-chain business:

If someone interfered with your refrigeration system today, would you know because the product temperature changed, or would you simply trust what the screen was telling you?

As Australia's cold chain becomes smarter, more automated and more connected, cybersecurity is becoming much more than an IT issue.

It is becoming a cold-chain integrity issue.

Vale Ray Barry OAM – RWTA Life Member

The RWTA is saddened to acknowledge the passing of Ray Barry OAM, a highly respected South Australian Life Member of the Association and a man whose contribution extended well beyond the cold-storage industry.

Ray began his working life as an apprentice fitter and turner before building a successful career with Coca-Cola and later becoming a significant figure within South Australia’s refrigerated cold-storage industry. He went on to serve as Managing Director of South Australian Cold Stores, continuing in the position when the company was purchased by Swire in 1996, and later served as General Manager of the Swire Group. Ray also served as a Director of the RWTA for several years and was closely involved in an important period of change for South Australia’s food distribution sector, including chairing a special committee reviewing the relocation of Adelaide’s historic East End Markets from the city to Pooraka.

Ray’s contribution to the industry was recognised through Life Membership of the RWTA, an honour reserved for those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the Association and the Australian cold chain.

His contribution, however, reached much further. Ray devoted more than six decades to Lions, having joined the then Woodville Lions Club as a young businessman in 1964. He served as President, became a Melvin Jones Fellow – Lions International’s highest form of recognition – and remained deeply committed to community service throughout his life.

In 2015, Ray was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), recognising his extensive service to the community through Lions and his contribution to the cold-storage industry.

Ray belonged to a generation of industry leaders who helped establish and develop the cold-storage sector we know today. His Life Membership ensures his contribution remains part of the history of the RWTA, and we acknowledge with gratitude his many years of service to both our industry and his community.

The RWTA extends its sincere condolences to Ray’s family, friends and colleagues.

Monday at Noosa – Big Conversations, Big Ideas and Plenty of Cold Chain Connection

Monday morning saw the 84th RWTA Conference and Exhibition move into full swing at Peppers Noosa, with a packed day of speakers, industry discussion, technology and, importantly, plenty of opportunities to reconnect. For those who couldn't join us this year, we have hundreds of photos now available on the RWTA website, capturing the people, conversations and atmosphere across the Conference.

Following Chairman Graham Harvey's opening address, Mathew Munro from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) kicked off the speaker programme with Trucking into the Future: Evolution vs Revolution. Christel Cherryadi then took us Beyond Automation, exploring the human capability needed for an increasingly technology-driven future, before Naomi Frauenfelder from Healthy Heads Trucks & Sheds brought the focus firmly back to the people behind the cold chain and the importance of protecting the mental health of the workforce that helps protect Australia's food security.

The morning conversations came together in our panel, The Weakest Link: What's Really Putting Australia's Food Supply at Risk? Bringing different perspectives from transport, workforce, technology and food distribution to the same table created exactly the sort of discussion we wanted from this year's theme. Richard Forbes then continued the food-security conversation before the afternoon turned towards technology and innovation, including our Tech Talks and the stunning 2026 Frank Vale Award State Nominee presentations.

Of course, an RWTA Conference is about far more than what happens on stage. The Exhibitors Hall was busy throughout the day, conversations continued over breakfast, morning tea and lunch, and there was a wonderful energy as members and industry colleagues from across Australia and overseas caught up, exchanged ideas and made new connections. The RWTA website photo galleries capture the opening day and both conference days, giving everyone who couldn't be in Noosa a chance to see what we got up to.

And after a very full day of thinking and talking cold chain, it was time to enjoy Noosa. Monday finished with our Cocktail Dinner at Locale on Hastings Street, the perfect opportunity to put the notebooks away, continue the conversations and enjoy a great evening together.

There are far too many moments to fit into one edition of Chilled Out Chronicles, so head across to the Conference page, have a look through the photos and spot some familiar faces!

Click here for more photos

2026 RWTA National Conference & Exhibition

The 2026 RWTA National Conference could not have started in better fashion. With Noosa turning on picture-perfect weather, delegates gathered on Sunday afternoon at Bistro C for our opening lunch, right on the beachfront at Noosa Heads. The relaxed setting, spectacular outlook and plenty of familiar and new faces made it the perfect way to reconnect, catch up and ease into what was ahead.

That evening, the energy moved up the hill to Peppers Noosa Resort, where close to 200 delegates joined us for our Welcome Reception amongst the exhibition. Rather than a traditional sit-down function, guests could wander between different food stations – from Greek and tacos to ice cream – while exploring the exhibition, meeting our exhibitors and catching up over a drink. It created exactly the atmosphere we were hoping for: relaxed, lively and social, with plenty of movement and conversation throughout the room.

And nobody seemed in a hurry to leave! The evening continued well beyond the scheduled finish, with delegates making the most of the opportunity to reconnect and enjoy themselves before the conference officially got underway on Monday morning. Sunshine, great food, a packed room and plenty of laughter – Noosa certainly gave us a conference opening to remember.

Click here for more photos

Tim Wedlock Funeral Service

Following the sudden and tragic passing of Tim Wedlock, Executive Chairman of AEI Insurance Brokers, we would like to share the details of Tim’s funeral service for those who wish to pay their respects and celebrate his remarkable life and legacy.

Funeral Service

Date: Sunday, 30 August 2026

Time: 12.00 pm

Location: Great Hall, Knox Grammar School, Sydney NSW

The service will be held in the Great Hall at Knox Grammar School.

For those unable to attend in person, the service will also be live streamed via Gregory & Carr Funerals:

Live stream: https://lnkd.in/gN66jJdq

Light refreshments, tea and coffee will be served following the service.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, the wake will be a small and private gathering for family and close friends and will be by invitation only. We respectfully ask that the family’s wishes for privacy are observed.

Tim was a highly respected and much-loved member of our industry and a friend and colleague to many. His loss has been deeply felt across our community.

The funeral service will provide an opportunity for all who knew Tim to come together, pay their respects and celebrate the extraordinary contribution he made to our industry and to so many lives.

Vale Tim Wedlock.

New Member Spotlight, Interview with Edan Shelley from Zembl

We're delighted to welcome Zembl as the newest Member of the RWTA! In our latest Chilled Out Chronicles, Marianne sits down with Edan Shelley to discuss how smarter energy procurement, market intelligence and long-term energy strategies can help cold chain businesses manage one of their biggest operating costs.

2026 Workforce Planning Updates and Transport Supply Chain Workforce Outlook released

Industry Skills Australia has released the 2026 Workforce Planning Updates and the Transport Supply Chain Workforce Outlook, both accepted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

The two publications reflect close collaboration between industry, unions and government to strengthen workforce capability and lift productivity across Australia's transport supply chain.

The Updates build on the 2025 Workforce Plans, setting out priorities for the Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Transport and Logistics industries. They report on industry-led progress and outline future action to build a more skilled, agile and resilient workforce.

The Outlook looks at the sector's national significance and the pressures it shares across industries, including an ageing workforce, rapid technological change, rising infrastructure demand and increasing fuel costs, all of which affect productivity, resilience and the sector's ability to support economic growth.

Read The Full Report Here

Important HVNL Reforms

A review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), led by the National Transport Commission (NTC), commenced in 2019 and aimed to update the existing law to improve safety and productivity for Australia’s heavy vehicle sector.

The review identified a series of reform options to enhance the effectiveness of the HVNL for governments, industry and the broader community.

This process resulted in the development of the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Bill 2025 and the Heavy Vehicle National Amendment Regulations 2025 (together, the 2025 Amendment Package), which was passed without amendment by Queensland Parliament on 18 November 2025.

The amended HVNL will commence on 1 August 2026.

Download the full pack here

Can Renewable Energy Reduce Your Cold Store's Power Bill Without Spending Millions Up Front?

Electricity is one of the largest costs facing every cold store.

In this week's RWTA Chilled Out Series, Marianne speaks with Hamed Fararoui from Green Peak Energy about practical ways businesses are reducing energy costs, improving sustainability and accessing renewable energy without the traditional upfront investment. It is a timely discussion for every cold chain operator looking ahead to the future.

VALE TIM WEDLOCK

The Refrigerated Warehouse & Transport Association (RWTA) is greatly saddened by the passing of Tim Wedlock, Executive Chairman of AEI Insurance Broking Group, former President and Fellow of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), and a long-standing supporter of Australia's refrigerated warehouse and transport industry.

Tim dedicated 39 years to AEI Insurance Broking Group and more than two decades of service to the National Insurance Brokers Association, where he made an enduring contribution to the professionalism, integrity and standing of Australia's insurance broking profession. Throughout his career, he earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike through his unwavering commitment to helping businesses navigate risk and protect what mattered most.

For the Australian cold chain, Tim was far more than a highly respected insurance professional. He was a trusted adviser, an advocate for the industry and, to many, a genuine friend. He understood the unique challenges facing the cold chain in Australia, and an enduring interest in refrigerated warehousing and transport companies, and was always willing to lend his knowledge, support and practical advice whenever it was needed.

His commitment to the transport sector was recognised nationally when he received the Australian Trucking Association's Don Watson Memorial Award in 2014. In 2021, he was awarded the NIBA Lex McKeown Trophy, recognising his outstanding contribution to Australia's insurance broking industry, among many other professional honours.

RWTA’s Executive Officer Marianne Kintzel said “Tim’s friendliness, helpful nature and real interest in getting the best outcome for the industry was well known. Moreso, it was his sincerity when dealing with people. He earned the trust of people, was interested in lasting relationships and serving through sincerity.’ 

On behalf of the RWTA Board, its Members and the broader Australian cold chain, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Tim's wife, Prue, their son Matt and daughter Ash, his colleagues at AEI Insurance Broking Group and his many friends throughout the industry.

Tim's contribution to Australia's insurance, refrigerated warehousing and transport industries will be remembered for many years to come. He will not be forgotten.

RWTA Insurance Update, Key Outcomes

Over the past three years, RWTA has been working closely with Benjamin & Benjamin and Steadfast to investigate ways of reducing the ever-increasing cost of insurance for refrigerated warehouse and transport operators across Australia and New Zealand.

The original objective was to establish an industry Discretionary Mutual Fund (DMF), which required the collection and analysis of detailed insurance and claims data from businesses who volunteered their information. This lengthy process helped to create an industry's risk profile.

Following that analysis, it became clear that while insurance premiums remain a significant challenge for the industry, the frequency and size of claims across participating businesses are relatively low compared to the number of sites across Australia & New Zealand.

The frequency and severity of claims simply do not justify the complexity and cost of establishing a Discretionary Mutual Fund.

What is the Solution?

It was concluded that the better alternative would be to create a Master Industrial Special Risks (ISR) Insurance Policy, which can be established much more quickly, while providing a far more effective and commercially attractive solution for the cold chain sector.

The proposed Master ISR Policy will bring together refrigerated warehouse and transport businesses under a single industry insurance programme, allowing members to benefit from collective buying power rather than struggling to purchase insurance individually. By bringing the industry together into a unified portfolio, Steadfast can negotiate directly with leading global insurers to secure broader policy coverage, more favourable terms and conditions, specialist claims management and, importantly, lower insurance premiums. Current expectations are that participating businesses could achieve premium savings of at least 10% more than they will get buying a policy in currently, together with access to enhanced policy benefits that are often unavailable under standard standalone insurance arrangements.

RISK Management

Beyond the potential financial savings, one of the most significant advantages of the proposed programme is its focus on proactive risk management. Rather than simply responding when something goes wrong, participating businesses will have access to specialist risk engineers who understand refrigerated warehousing and transport operations. These experts will work alongside members to identify potential risks such as refrigeration plant failure, electrical faults, fire protection, stock deterioration, sprinkler performance and other operational vulnerabilities before they become costly claims. This not only assists businesses in reducing disruption but also helps strengthen the industry's long-term insurance position by lowering overall risk exposure.

Added Bonuses!

The meeting also highlighted several important areas where the Master ISR Policy is expected to offer broader protection than the existing ISR policies. These include improved options for refrigeration plant failure, deterioration of refrigerated stock, ammonia refrigeration risks, business interruption, power failures and more comprehensive consideration of the true time required for a business to recover following a major event. The emphasis is not simply on rebuilding a facility after an incident, but on ensuring businesses have sufficient protection until operations and customer revenue return to normal.

When will this be Operational?

Negotiations with insurers are already well advanced, with Steadfast currently working with a lead global underwriter to establish the programme framework. Subject to final negotiations, the Master ISR Policy will be offered through Benjamin & Benjamin Insurance Group Pty and is expected to be operational by the end of August 2026. Members will have the opportunity to join the programme as their existing insurance policies fall due for renewal. Approximately two months prior to your ISR renewal date, businesses who want to be insured under the Master ISR Programme will need to contact Benjamin & Benjamin Insurance Group Pty Ltd so that they can gather all the required information to ensure the most competitive terms can be negotiated on your behalf.

Importantly, this is only the beginning. While the initial focus is on property insurance, the intention is to develop a similar collective solution for liability insurance once the Master Property Programme is established, providing even greater long-term value to RWTA members.

This initiative represents one of the most significant member benefit projects undertaken by the RWTA in recent years. It demonstrates what can be achieved when the industry works collaboratively to address common challenges. We will continue to keep members informed as negotiations progress and will provide further updates as the programme moves towards implementation.

For those who would like to hear the discussion in full, the meeting recording is attached here

New Member Kardex, The Future of Cold Store Automation

In this edition of Chilled Out Chronicles, we welcome Grant from Kardex, RWTA's newest member, to discuss how automation is reshaping Australia's refrigerated warehousing sector. We explore where the biggest opportunities lie to improve efficiency over the next five years and the common pitfalls businesses should avoid when introducing automation into cold storage environments. If you're interested in the future of intralogistics and warehouse performance, this is an interview not to miss, and be sure to meet the Kardex staff at the RWTA National Conference & Exhibition in Noosa this August.

Building Smarter Cold Stores with New RWTA Member, Element Logic.

Warehouse design has a significant impact on the safety, efficiency and profitability of Australia's cold chain. In this edition of the RWTA Chilled Out Series, Marianne speaks with Glen Wilson from Element Logic about the unique challenges of operating in refrigerated and frozen environments.

The discussion explores how businesses can maximise storage capacity within existing facilities, avoid common design pitfalls, and ensure their warehouse infrastructure supports safe, efficient and future-ready operations. Whether you're planning a new facility or looking to get more from your current site, this interview offers valuable insights for every cold chain operator.

Watch the full interview here!

Introducing ABB - the RWTA's newest member!

The cold chain is entering a new era of AI, smart energy management and grid-connected operations.

In our latest Chilled-Out Series, ABB’s Stace Tzamtzidis explains the technologies that will shape refrigerated warehousing and transport over the next decade.

Watch now to learn how leading operators can stay efficient, resilient and competitive.

Introducing Midfield Group - the RWTA's newest member!

RWTA’s Marianne Kintzel recently caught up with Steve Zweck, Cold Store Manager of Midfield Group, to discuss the company’s impressive multi-temperature cold storage operations and its locations across Australia.

As a new RWTA Member, Midfield Group showcased its state-of-the-art refrigeration and freezer facilities, highlighting its commitment to innovation and service within the Australian cold chain sector.

Steve also shares insights into current storage capacity availability and gives viewers a valuable look into the evolving operations of Midfield Group.

 For more information, please contact: 

Steve Zweck

P: (08) 8262 88888

E: szweck@midtrading.com.au

W:midfieldcoldstorage.com.au