The NSW Goulburn branch of NSW Farmers backs the need for a truck wash in Goulburn, particularly since the closure of local saleyards. Members supported Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s bid for $710,000 in State funding under the Fixing Country Truck Washes Program, which they received.
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However, a proposed deal with Southern Meats for in-kind provision of land and management has fallen through, resulting in the council seeking to return the funding. The branch opposes this move and urges council to explore options for other sites and options to reduce the cost of building the facility.
A truck wash facility for the region is important for biosecurity management in the livestock industry and for WHS requirements for transporters and farmers. The truck wash would also be an important asset in new Chain of Responsibility regulations.
On 1 October 2018, the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) was amended to provide that every party in the heavy vehicle transport supply chain has a duty to ensure the safety of their transport activities. In practical terms, this primary duty represents an obligation to eliminate or minimise potential harm or loss (risk) by doing all that is reasonably practicable to ensure safety. A truck wash in our local supply chain will benefit safety management systems for livestock transporters and farmers. An example would be the effective management of wet manure waste on trucks.
We echo concerns of the NSW Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carrying Association that were expressed in a recent article in the Goulburn Post. The council is proposing the sale of some surplus assets and it would be ideal if some proceeds of that could be set aside for a truck wash.
