Gascoyne Pastoralists get much needed help with transport for fodder and stock, Duncan

Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 22-March-2010

Pastoralists and transport operators in the Gascoyne region can now apply for permits for road trains to truck fodder and livestock into and out of the region.

Member for Mining and Pastoral Region, Hon Wendy Duncan MLC today welcomed the advice from Main Roads that it will allow long road trains to service the Gascoyne area because of the exceptional seasonal circumstances.

“The Gascoyne region, particularly around Gascoyne Junction, is experiencing an exceptionally dry period and pastoralists need to be able to move fodder in and stock out as quickly as possible,” Ms Duncan said.

Ms Duncan said that pastoralists in the region had requested permission for the long combinations to travel further south than Carnarvon, which is not normally allowed.

“I am grateful to the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien and Minister for Agriculture, Hon Terry Redman, for their prompt response to my request to allow these long combinations so that pastoralists can more efficiently deal with the adverse conditions they are experiencing. Given the rain overnight – I hope they will not be needed for long!”

Under the Exceptional Circumstances arrangement the combinations will now be able to travel as far south as Regans Ford by using North West Coastal Highway to Geraldton and then Brand Highway to Regans Ford for the cartage of stock feed.

Due to the vehicles extra length they must travel during daylight hours only and at a 80 km/h maximum speed limit. These are the same conditions used for previous drought declared requests and travel as far south as Regans Ford has also previously occurred.

“Pastoralists and transport operators should contact Main Roads to obtain the necessary permits.”