LIVESTOCK transporters are one step closer to driving type 2 road trains (three trailers) through to the Roma Saleyards from western routes following a public meeting in Roma late last week.
Representatives from the Department of Transport and Main Roads outlined a plan to allow type 2 vehicles carrying livestock through Roma from Mitchell from 7pm to 5.30am.
The proposal does not extend to type 2 vehicles carrying general freight.
Currently, type 2 vehicles must breakdown at Butchers Hill, six kilometres west of Roma.
A 43-year-old Injune father Joe Taylor was killed while decoupling a livestock vehicle at Butchers Hill last month.
The Queensland Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (QLRTA) has been pushing for access through Roma for type 2 vehicles for many years but some people were concerned about allowing large vehicles through town and past the Roma State College Junior Campus.
Representatives from the Roma State College P&C attended the public meeting and said they supported the proposal to bring the trucks through after school hours.
Roma Saleyards operations manager Terry Hyland said he hoped the hours of access would be extended over time to better align with the sale curfew of 8pm.
“We have an 8pm curfew on Monday and Wednesday night but a lot of the western cattle will probably come in a day or two before the sales because the cattle present a lot better when they’ve had time on feed and water,” he said.
“Hopefully, once people in town get used to the triples, we might be able to adjust the timing but for now it looks like a great start.”
The Department is now preparing a business case to obtain funding needed to complete some minor works to enable type 2 access.