New Wa Emmissions Laws

[worldwideparts]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but read this thread with interest. I know a guy who is a member of the Performance, Racing and Tuning Council, a division of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and he sent me this below email this morning! Looks likely finally someone is doing something in WA about this crazy system. I'm not against emission testing as such, not it should be done right, not like it is now!

We should all take their advice and write to the Minister. Remember keep it clean and don't get abusive, just remind Minister O'Brien that we all vote, and drive & love our cars and this system is wrong, not to mention a ridiculous monopoly! Please everyone write!

Thanks much!

Rob

Dear Member,

I'm writing to update you all on developments in Western Australia relating to the April announcement of immediate emission testing requirements. In construction of this policy there was no industry consultation, no discussion with the manufacturers or the services that fit aftermarket automotive components to vehicles. Please click on the following link for a copy of the policy:

http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/lic_IB...on_Testing_[/u]Light_Vehicles.pdf.

We sent a detailed letter in late May following a significant response from members which highlighted a range of concerns, a number of which are outlined below.

Firstly we have many practical, commercial and technical concerns about the Bulletin - and that it is not reasonable to issue mandatory requirements that carry ambiguous terms without definition, which do not provide any clear direction to drivers or to the technical staff installing aftermarket parts.

A further concern is that from 1st August 2009 replacing the exhaust system with an OEM equivalent part, rather than the OE supplied part will also require IM240 testing. This is an unnecessary and onerous regulation that will increase the cost to drivers if they do not purchase a part manufactured from the original vehicle parts supplier. This is also in clear breach of guidelines issued by the ACCC in 2005 regarding the use of OE or equivalent parts for vehicle maintenance.

DPI WA have also installed just one testing station their state, causing a multitude of issues. This facility is not run by the government, and the price of the test is now likely to rise due to demand and the monopoly position this company now holds. To introduce a new standard that mandates testing with only one provider is irresponsible, it will result in delays and costs to the consumer for an unnecessary testing procedure.

In our view these are the obvious and likely outcomes of this irresponsible policy:

* Consumers and their service suppliers will be unsure of which modifications will now require a test,

* The cost and wait time for the test will rise due to the monopoly position of the tester,

* The price of an OEM catalytic converter will rise significantly as consumers are no longer allowed to use an OEM equivalent product,

* Australian companies producing import replacement parts will experience a drop in aftermarket sales if they were not the company that originally supplied the vehicle manufacturer.

Following the receipt of our letter, the Minister's office replied with the attached response. We find the response to be both insulting and showing a complete misunderstanding of the size and scope of the industry and this issue.

We now have two forms of response to this letter. This afternoon we have sent a formal response to the Minister's Office which is attached this email. However based on our recent experience in NSW where through active industry and driver advocacy the Minister was compelled to meet with industry and subsequently rescind a departmental regulation until industry consultation could be initiated.

This is where we NEED your help.

We need to show the Minister's Office that this issue is significant not only for the industry but for all vehicle owners. We ask that all correspondence regarding this issue be directed to the Minister's Office and you ask ALL concerned customers to do the same.

The Minister's details are below:

Hon. Simon O'Brien MLC

Minister for Transport; Disability Services

13th Floor, Dumas House

2 Havelock Street

WEST PERTH WA WA 6005

Ph: (08) 9213 6400

Fax: (08) 9213 6401

Email: [email protected]

This form of active lobbying allowed the industry to gain a significant policy shift in NSW, we now need to mobilise our peers within industry, but most importantly your customers, the drivers.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any of the team at the AAAA.

Kind Regards,

Stuart Charity

Executive Director

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association

Suite 5, 622 Ferntree Gully Rd

Mulgrave VIC 3170 Australia

[cool_ridge]

Ive sent mine off. Lets see what he has to say....

-------------------------------------------------

Dear Sir

I am writing in complaint about the recently introduced requirement to have IM240 testing carried out on modified vehicles.

I have recently purchased a licensed vehicle from interstate which has been mildy modified. To get the vehicle licensed in Western Australia, I was required to have the vehicle inspected at a DPI licensing centre. The vehicle was found to be roadworthy, but because it had been modified, the inspector asked that I have an IM240 test carried out. To my amazement, I was told there is only a single testing centre and that each test costs $770, pass or fail.

After consulting with the test centre, Kostecki Engine Centre, I was informed that it may cost as much as $4,000 to get my car passed. From reading online forums, and talking to Kostecki, it sounds like even new factory standard cars have been failing the test. Surprisingly, engines or vehicles modified at Kostecki seem to have no trouble passing?

I am all for helping to reduce emissions, but can you tell me why the Western Australia government is knowingly supporting a monopoly? In NSW and Victoria, these tests are carried out by the government for less than $100 per test.

I understand that there are other testing centres attempting to gain accreditation to carry out IM240 testing, but the process is long and drawn out and there may be as long as a one year wait before these centres are operating. In this time, I am sure that Kostecki's prices will escalate.

I urge you to reconsider the IM240 testing requirements until more testing centres are operating and the cost is on par with interstate centres.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response to this email with 14 days, I shall look into lodging a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Kind regards,

Concerned Motor Enthusiast.

Edited August 1, 2009 by cool_ridge

[urtwhistle]

Ive sent mine off. Lets see what he has to say....

-------------------------------------------------

Dear Sir

I am writing in complaint about the recently introduced requirement to have IM240 testing carried out on modified vehicles.

I have recently purchased a licensed vehicle from interstate which has been mildy modified. To get the vehicle licensed in Western Australia, I was required to have the vehicle inspected at a DPI licensing centre. The vehicle was found to be roadworthy, but because it had been modified, the inspector asked that I have an IM240 test carried out. To my amazement, I was told there is only a single testing centre and that each test costs $770, pass or fail.

After consulting with the test centre, Kostecki Engine Centre, I was informed that it may cost as much as $4,000 to get my car passed. From reading online forums, and talking to Kostecki, it sounds like even new factory standard cars have been failing the test. Surprisingly, engines or vehicles modified at Kostecki seem to have no trouble passing?

I am all for helping to reduce emissions, but can you tell me why the Western Australia government is knowingly supporting a monopoly? In NSW and Victoria, these tests are carried out by the government for less than $100 per test.

I understand that there are other testing centres attempting to gain accreditation to carry out IM240 testing, but the process is long and drawn out and there may be as long as a one year wait before these centres are operating. In this time, I am sure that Kostecki's prices will escalate.

I urge you to reconsider the IM240 testing requirements until more testing centres are operating and the cost is on par with interstate centres.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response to this email with 14 days, I shall look into lodging a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Kind regards,

Concerned Motor Enthusiast.

i just did mine too, it angers me that we have to do this sort of crap

[Guest]

This one is worded quite well, short and sweet.

I have just sent an e-mail to Minister O'Brien.

Will keep you all informed as to the response.

A copy of the e-mail is below:

Quote:

Dear Minister O’Brien,

I'm writing to inform you about a troubling situation currently in place in Western Australia relating to the April announcement of immediate emission testing requirements.

Firstly, as the emissions test is conducted by a third party with no association with the government, a cost is incurred which ranges from $890 up to $1500 per test. This cost is incurred whether or not the vehicle passes the emissions test. The implication of this is that drivers are effectively ‘fined’ heavily for driving a car which is only suspected of not complying with the emission levels outlined by the government.

Furthermore, the vehicle is not impervious to further emissions testing despite successfully passing the IM240 test. Drivers can be subsequently forced to retest their vehicles, at their own personal expense, on the whim of a DPI vehicle examiner at any time after their initial test. As there is no way for a examiner to determine if a vehicle’s emissions are within the required levels, a vehicle which was initially suspected of higher emissions but complies to the emissions standards, will be forced to resit the test.

Drivers should only be forced to pay for the emissions testing procedure if their vehicle fails the test, thus proving the vehicle examiner was justified in requesting an emissions test.

A further concern is that from 1st August 2009 replacing the exhaust system with an OEM equivalent part, rather than the OE supplied part will also require IM240 testing. This is an unnecessary and onerous regulation that will increase the cost to drivers if they do not purchase a part manufactured from the original vehicle parts supplier. This is also in clear breach of guidelines issued by the ACCC in 2005 regarding the use of OE or equivalent parts for vehicle maintenance.

DPI WA have also installed just one privately owned testing station, causing a multitude of issues. This facility is not run by the government, and the price of the test is monitored only by the company which owns the testing facility, Kostecki Engine Centre.

This blatant monopoly appears to be endorsed by the government, which regulates the traffic of customers to this company from the vehicle examination centres.

I am writing on behalf of the 7,874 members of the Antilag Motorsport Group, and hope you can appreciate that this current situation is unacceptable and unethical.

Please respond to my concerns as soon as possible.

Regards,

Paul Brockbank

Director

Antilag Motorsport Group Pty Ltd

[worldwideparts]

That's a great start, let's all get the word out to everyone who cares, the more responses the stronger likelihood of success.

Rob.

[Ehgriez]

Sent mine.

[Topaz]

whats this? we have to send an email to someone, partitioning to get this IM240 bill stopped?

[MLCrisis]

Interesting stuff. What about this little anomoly for an import:

To gain compliance for your stock import, it has to have an Australian ADR compliant cat fitted. So the OEM one is taken off. You cannot actually get your car complied with the OEM cat.

At the pits, inspector says: Oh look. This car has a non-OEM cat.

You have got to go to Kosteki's for a test, which you will fail because you have a non-OEM cat, where they will charge you umpty ump hundred bucks for one of theirs. They then pass you.

You meet a nice policeman who thinks your factory blowoff valve is a sidewinder missile and he issues you with a yellow sticker.

You go to the pits, where the inspector says, Oh look - this car has a non-OEM cat. But it's from Kostecki's, you say. Ah but it is non-OEM, they say, so it needs testing.

Return to step 3 and repeat ad infinitum.

Now I know this does is a nonsensical take on all this - but some of the stuff that appears to be going on is not far off this!

Cheers.

Edited August 2, 2009 by MLCrisis

[Guest]

Movie of a true IM240 Test Lane.

[ecentrix]

That link was broken mate.

[Guest]

That link was broken mate.

Don't know what happened there but this one works.

MOVIE OF IM240 TEST LANE IN STATES LINK.

[gazza750]

90 seconds and it's done

great way to earn $1500+

[Ninja gts25t]

ive heard this b4 they tried to pull this a lil while ago but it neva came into effect. does this mean its actually gna come thru now?

[gazza750]

its been law for years

WA just never had the facilities for the testing.

Now they have facilities they are enforcing the test

[thefunkyjedi]

so anyone with a aftermarket exhaust (most of us skyline drivers at least have a cat back) may need to do this test?!

keep your trusty stock exhaust on standby...

[Pal]

will probably still fail with a 15year old cat anyway

[Nic_A31]

Wonder if Kostecki's could fit a road train prime mover with its giant 12 litre V8 turbo in their joint for testing if one ever got a yellow.

I'll be writing a nasty little letter as well, and I'll bring this up if/when we meet up with any MPs

[urtwhistle]

i never even get on acknowledgement of my letter, that really P*ss's me off.

here is a copy of my letter, please note i failed my lessons in diplomacy lol

Dear Sir,

It has recently come to my attention that you have introduced a new law regarding IM240 emissions testing. Firstly this did not bother me in the slightest, until the following things came to my attention.

THERE IS ONLY 1 TESTING FACILITY IN WA

THE PRICES THAT ARE BEING CHARGED TO PERFORM 1 TEST.

STOCK STANDARD NEW CARS OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR ARE FAILING THIS TEST.

CARS ARE BEING YELLOW STICKERED FOR REASON'S COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO EMISSIONS AND HAVE BEEN SENT TO DO THIS TEST.

I HAVE HEARD RUMURS THROUGH THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING ANY COMPANY WISHING TO JOIN IN ON YOUR “GET RICH QUICK SCHEME” JUMP THROUGH AS MANY HOOPS AS POSSIBLE. NOW HOW IS THIS FAIR?

I believe you and your office have completely missed the whole point with this law and done as little research as possible. The amount of people this will negatively affect is huge. There is very very few people that will be positively affected. Are you 1 of these few people?

Myself and the majority of the public who could be affected would hazard a guess that you or some body else other then Kostecki's MUST be getting some form of payment out of this.

A police officer only needs to suspect that a larger exhaust has been fitted. Joe Public has to spend a MIN of $770.00 alone at Kostecki's to prove his innocence.

Lastly picture this. There is a HQ holden with rust through the doors and burns 1 liter of oil every month. Parked next to it is an immaculate Toyota Supra that the owner cleans, polishes and services the car regularly.

the question i have for you is which car will be sent for testing first? You may say the HQ but in reality since your government has branded any thing Japanese as a hoon car I guarantee 9/10 cops will chase the Supra. Since the person takes such good care of the car, does this mean he has more money to waste on laws like this?

As you can probably tell I am extremely annoyed by this along with a huge amount of other people and we all vote and remember things like this.

Regards

Chris

[N I B]

Most people are getting ripped to the tune of $3500 to pass, Its a ripoff Don't stand for it.

The things that their doing to people now will bite them so make sure you all report your treatment the authority's so they know whats going on.

[ric777]

Has anyone reported this scam to the ACCC and if so what has been the response.

@ Turbo x-trail...you mentioned they charge $450 for the test and $135/hr x 3 hours for a total of $855. What's the $135/hr for and why 3 hours for a 4 minute test?