Farmers and transport operators in rural New South Wales will benefit from extended load width concessions for the transport of bales of wool, hay, straw and cotton.
NSW Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay confirmed that the one-year concession provided for the 2011-12 period has now been extended for another five years up until mid-2017.
“As every wool, hay, straw and cotton producer and carrier knows, when placed and restrained tightly on a truck trailer, these bale loads deform or bulge out beyond 2.5 metres in width,” Mr Gay said.
The new Class 3 Baled Agricultural Commodities Load Exemption Notice consolidates a number of existing notices and allows semi-trailers and B-doubles to transport wool, hay, straw and cotton bale loads up to 2.7 metres in width.
Loads up to 2.6 metres in width are not subject to any additional access restrictions or conditions, while loads between 2.6 metres and 2.7 metres are subject to some conditions such as the need for a flashing light.
Previously, Type 1 road trains could only transport cotton bales, but the new Notice now allows them to carry loads of baled wool, hay and straw up to 2.6 metres in width.
The new concessions also permit truck and dog, and truck and pig trailer combinations to carry the baled products up to 2.6 metres in width. Previously dog and pig trailer combinations were not allowed to transport any of these agricultural products.
“Without compromising safety, we’re injecting much needed common sense back into the farm freight productivity equation,” said Minister Gay who prior to his political career managed his family grazing property and also owned a small trucking company.
Minister Gay reminded industry members and stakeholders of the development of Heavy Vehicle National Laws, scheduled for implementation in 2013, which may impact future width concessions for agricultural products.
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