Livestock, News

Livestock industry calls for improved road train access to Rockhampton abattoirs

This Friday, the Queensland livestock industry will come together to discuss solutions to improve Type 1 road train access to Rockhampton abattoirs – without the red tape.

Currently, Type 1 road train operators require a National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) permit to travel directly to Rockhampton abattoirs.

Though there are conditions, including operating hours and route restrictions, all established by Transport and Main Roads Queensland (TMR).

To add, permits are only valid for 12 months, resulting in significant compliance costs to transport operators using the route.

The Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Queensland (LRTAQ) is hosting a roundtable discussion about this issue, this Friday August 16, at the CQLX Saleyards in Gracemere.

LRTAQ, the state’s peak livestock body, wants to see a sensible extension of operating hours to ensure the safe and efficient transport of livestock throughout the route to the two Rockhampton processing facilities.

“We are seeking an extension to the existing operational times for first and last mile access from the CQLX breakdown pads to the two meat processing facilities of North Rockhampton, with consideration given to school zone hours,” said Gerard Johnson, president of the LRTAQ.

“Support for the increased use of high productivity vehicles carrying more freight per trip would halve the heavy vehicle movements through the city of Rockhampton, fewer trips would produce lower carbon emissions and lessen the wear on road infrastructure.”

Queensland is currently home to 10.7 million head of cattle which equates to 44 per cent of the national herd – with Central Queensland’s Fitzroy basin area being the most heavily populated.

The LRTAQ revealed that cattle and calves were once again Queensland’s highest-valued agriculture commodity in 2023-24, contributing $5.71 billion to the state’s economy.

But despite that, livestock operators face more red tape than those on other industries.

LRTAQ says that while Type 1 road train access to Rockhampton’s abattoirs commenced in 2017, since then there have been significant road upgrades to better facilitate road train access along the approved heavy vehicle route through Rockhampton.

The road train route through Rockhampton, from the Capricorn Highway. Image: LRTAQ

As Johnson explained: “We as a livestock transport industry feel quite proud that we have operated safely and effectively along this route with no known incident for the past 7 years (2017 – 2024) operating under multiple annual access permits for different Type 1 configurations. We will soon be reapplying for our ninth iteration. However, we see disruptors to this with current access conditions placed upon the road network.”

In the last three financial years, 103 companies have obtained approved consent for Road Train access to the Rockhampton abattoirs.

At the same time, PBS Vehicles including A-doubles and quad quad B-doubles are able to travel through Rockhampton through the Bruce Highway corridor without the same restrictions.

PBS vehicles are currently able to deliver coal along the abattoir route during daylight hours, while livestock operators with Type 1 road trains deal with restrictions around their movements, including curfews.

Road trains travelling to the abattoirs throughout the day need to be broken down into two movements, doubling the number of trucks having to travel through Rockhampton’s CBD.

LRTAQ says extending access hours for Type 1 road train configurations will allow operators to travel directly to the respective Rockhampton processing facility, eliminating the need for an extra round trip.

“From a safety perspective the risk to people has increased by forcing drivers to drive and work at night and unload animals in the dark,” the association said.

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