FARM groups have welcomed the introduction of a grain trucking scheme that allows transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.
FARM groups have welcomed the introduction of a grain trucking scheme that allows transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.
FARM groups have welcomed the introduction of a grain trucking scheme that allows transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said the harvest mass management scheme would provide increased flexibility for both grain transporters and grain receival site operators.
Mr O'Brien said the aim of the scheme was to encourage normal levels of grain loading by transport operators, and allow an extra mass concession of up to 10 per cent to cater for the variability of loading.
Traditionally grain growers have not had the ability to weigh loads.
The scheme was based on a system first developed by CBH group in the 2006/07 harvest, and was opposed by the former Labor state government.
After the change of government, the scheme was further advanced by Main Roads and the Ministerial Heavy Vehicle Advisory Panel in consultation with transport and farming groups.
CBH Group operations manager in logistics strategy Owen Davies told WA Business News the company was extremely pleased with the announcement.
"The harvest management scheme has proven over the years to be effective in reducing the incidents of grain overload," Mr Davies said.
"It's a system that we developed at CBH in preparation for the upcoming 'chain of responsibility' model legislation, we acted in advance of that legislation to try and demonstrate the grain industry can act responsibly in terms of overloading.
"We're extremely pleased our efforts have been recognised by the government, we've always known the imperfect conditions that growers face in loading the trucks on farms and we built in a level of flexibility within our scheme to allow growers to manage the process in a practical way before reaching the weighbridge."
The minister said participation by grain receival operators was voluntary, but receivers who wished to offer the scheme needed to register with Main Roads and gain its approval