New South Wales' Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, this week announced the introduction of a new livestock loading scheme aimed at increasing freight productivity in the NSW meat and livestock industry.
The new scheme will allow more productive weights for livestock trucks, but will “cap” truck loads to Higher Mass Limits (HML). A B-double carrying livestock will be able to operate at up to 68 tonnes (or HML), as opposed 62.5 tonnes for General Mass Limits (GML) or 64.5 tonnes for Concessional Mass Limits (CML).
In NSW, a B-double truck can currently carry 56 to 60 head of cattle (depending on average animal weight) while in neighbouring states the same truck has been able to carry between 66 to 72 cattle. Industry estimates the current NSW rules add an extra 15 per cent to freight costs (or about $8 for each animal) and results in extra truck movements on NSW roads.
“Under the new scheme, NSW carriers will now be able to transport livestock at comparable weights and numbers to their interstate competitors.
Furthermore, on average, for every B-double truck operating at a higher mass limit you can reduce the number of semi-trailer movements on the road by nearly 40 per cent,” said Mr Gay.
Bathurst MP, Paul Toole, said eligible vehicles fitted with certified road-friendly suspension can now operate at higher mass limits when carrying livestock in NSW.
“For example, a B-double operating at HML will have access to other approved B-double routes, except if restricted by a sign-post. Put simply, the same truck; just carrying a few more head of livestock. As a former Mayor myself, I understand the need for councils to retain their authority to restrict access of heavy vehicles to roads and bridges that are assessed as incapable of bearing increased truck weights,” said Mr Toole.
The new scheme has been developed in conjunction with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), NSW Local Government and Shires Association, the Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association of NSW and the NSW Farmers Association.
Philip Halton, CEO of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, welcomed the decision and paid tribute to industry people – especially Jim Savage – who had lobbied long and hard to achieve the result.
Mr Gay said the new scheme also aims to improve driver safety by requiring livestock carriers to participate in a specialised driver training course, to reduce the risk and incidence of roll-over crashes for 4.6 metre high livestock vehicles. “The new arrangements also limit the amount of paperwork a livestock carrier must have on hand with operators enrolled in the scheme only required to carry the driver’s training certificate.
“The new scheme will commence on approved HML routes later this year, and will extend to other roads in early 2013 as council sign-posting is rolled-out with the support of RMS,” he concluded. Interstate registered vehicles are also eligible to enrol in the NSW scheme.
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