Upgrades to the truck wash at the Powranna Livestock Marketing Complex in Tasmania are now complete, with the facility now considered one of the best of its type in Australia.
The Tasmanian government committed $325,000 to the Northern Midlands Business Association for the necessary upgrades which entailed infrastructure works, concreting, electrical works and plumbing.
“Powranna has developed as a major hub for the livestock industry, with the Tasmanian Livestock Exchange and the Tasmania Feedlot adjacent to the facility,” said the state’s Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett
“Truck washes play an important role in the state’s biosecurity and animal welfare, preventing the uncontrolled spread of weeds and pathogens between agricultural properties.
“Spillage of waste from trucks causes not only biosecurity issues but reduces amenity for all road users.
“The upgrades will now allow the facility to better manage waste from these vehicles.”
The Powranna Biosecurity Truck Wash, opened in 2018, was built to provide livestock transport cleaning facilities in the area, helping to reduce the potential spread of pests and diseases.
Gordon Williams, CEO of the Northern Midlands Business Association, said the Powranna truck wash was “state-of-the-art” and among the best in Australia.
“We have equipment now that does the separation,” he said.
“The smell [used to be] quite offensive at times. I think we all agree that we’ve got a really sweet-smelling product at the end of the day here, which is just an indication of how effectively we’re dealing with the livestock waste.”