Archive, Industry News

VicRoads delivering drought relief to farmers

Ten-truck convoy to undertake 70km journey transporting hay made from roadside grass

 

While the rain might be coming down in bucketloads in some parts of the country, it doesn’t suddenly undo the effects of the drought throughout the year.

That’s why Gippsland farmers will receive a hay donation in time for Christmas through a joint initiative driven by VicRoads’ country division, Regional Roads Victoria (RRV), to turn suitable roadside grass into stock feed.

While not all types of grass can be baled for feed, RRV identified about six kilometres of road reserve in Gippsland that was able to be turned into hay.

Abound 300 bales of hay will be donated to struggling farmers in the coming weeks, thanks to a partnership with infrastructure company Fulton Hogan, power company Engie and a group of local contractors.


Watch MK Trucking and Frankston Bombers’ drought relief effort, here


“The support of local industry and business during a very busy hay season has been instrumental in getting this idea off the ground,” RRV acting regional director eastern Pas Monacella says.

“People have asked us why this isn’t just standard practice, but unfortunately, there are logistical barriers and quality issues that prevent all roadside grass from being suitable for hay making.

“We identified this section of grass that we knew would be okay for hay, so we jumped at the opportunity to put it to good use.

“Local power company Engie has come on board and helped with the costs of baling the hay, as well as donating grass from their sites as well.

“I would also like to extend a special thanks to Tony Rosato, Fowlers Asphalting, McNeil Contracting, A1 Asphalting and Fulton Hogan who have generously donated trucks and staff to help with this worthy cause.

“A convoy of 10 trucks made up of RRV, Fulton Hogan and other local contractors will start the 70-kilometre journey on Thursday that is required to transport the bales of hay from Hazelwood to a storage facility at Longford.”

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) will then allocate the feed to farmers across the region who are doing it tough.

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend