A move to allow Type 1 road train access to Rockhampton abattoirs is expected to be confirmed by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey tomorrow (Friday).
The news was leaked to media late last week, when it was revealed road train access to processors on the northern banks of the Fitzroy in Rockhampton would be restricted to night time, between 7pm and 7am.
Access is expected to begin from July 1.
The change will allow Type 1 road train configuration to travel through Rockhampton on a designated heavy vehicle route on the Capricorn Highway, Bruce Highway (Gladstone Road, George Street, Albert Street, Neville Hewitt Bridge, Moores Creek Road), Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road (Musgrave Street, Queen Elizabeth Drive) and turn left onto Lakes Creek Road (Rockhampton-Emu Park Road).
The Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland has been lobbying to allow B-Triple access through Rockhampton following the tragic death of Bryson Mayne.
Mr Mayne was killed when de-coupling a road train at Gracemere, in August 2104.
One state-wide livestock transport operator who welcomes the news is Frasers Transport.
Spokesperson, Warwick Fraser, said they (the Livestock and Rural Transporters) had lobbied hard for the access for many years.
“It really is a breakthrough for both human and animal welfare,” Mr Fraser said.
“Arguably, cross loading of cattle is one of the most dangerous activities in the whole of the beef supply chain.
“This gives so many benefits to make the cattle supply chain more efficient.”
Mr Fraser said the key to the success of the proposed access would be the co-operation from both the producers and the processors.
“We hope the processors will revise their curfew hours to accommodate the unloading of the B-Triples, while producers may need to adjust their loading times.”
Outside of these restricted operating hours, the maximum size heavy vehicle which can travel between CQLX, Gracemere and North Rockhampton abattoirs, without a permit, will remain a B-double truck.
A Type 1 road train arriving at CQLX prior to 7pm will continue to have the option of decoupling and/or crossloading cattle to access the abattoirs in a B-double or smaller heavy vehicle.
When changes are introduced, operators of Type 1 road trains will require a permit from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to travel directly to Rockhampton abattoirs.
The conditions of the permit, including operating hours and restrictions will be administered by TMR.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
