Effluent pit and electronic loading ramps underscore modernisation
Livestock transport proponents are lauding a new livestock effluent disposal pit opened this week at the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards.
The facility is expected to benefit the local livestock production chain and it’s hoped that similar sites can be rolled out to other locations across the country in the future, NHVR adds.
The pit was a joint initiative of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and the District Council of Grant.
Funding for the initiative was delivered by the federal government and administered via the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI).
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says the HVSI had so far allocated $22.8 million through 89 separate grants over the past five years.
“These grants enable the NHVR, industry and government to deliver innovative solutions for local communities,” Petroccitto says.
Saleyards Manager David Wallis says the newly installed pit means transporters can dispose of accumulated livestock effluent either at the end of their journey to the saleyards, or on their way to deliver a consignment further afield.
Federal assistant minister for freight transport Scott Buchholz adds the new site is a huge win for the region’s livestock industry.
“This practical and sustainable disposal facility here at Mount Gambier will benefit the entire livestock production chain including producers, transporters, processors and of course other road users throughout the community,” Buchholz says.
Federal MP for Barker Tony Pasin says the facility is positioned to help countless heavy vehicle drivers transporting livestock to access the disposal site situated along a major cattle route on the Australian road network.
“The Livestock transporters, the quiet heroes of the Australian Livestock industry, will be able to enter the site, discharge tanks and resume transport in a safe, efficient and productive manner,” Pasin adds.
ALRTA president Scott McDonald notes that managing effluent in transit is a significant challenge for their members.
“Effluent capture tanks installed on purpose-built livestock trailers do a reasonable job of containment however there is a need for transporters to access suitable facilities for disposal when tanks become full in transit and at ‘end of journey’ facilities,” McDonald says.
“Disposal facilities benefit the livestock supply chain and the community.
“They improve safety by ensuring cleaner roads and improved animal welfare outcomes and help to reduce the risk of non-compliance with biosecurity, environment and load restraint laws.
“That’s why the ALRTA is actively engaging with industry stakeholders and governments to develop a national network of effluent disposal points.
“Our association greatly appreciates the support of the livestock transport industry demonstrated by council and saleyards management, by building an effluent disposal pit on their site at Mount Gambier.”
Local ALRTA member Peter Edmonds recently trialled a B-double over the grids and commented that the facility is ideally set up to empty tanks from both crates into the two large grids.
“It’s just off the Princes Highway, not a big detour into the site, and it draws in livestock trucks driving through Mount Gambier from the north as well as trucks from the west heading to Midfield Meats and beyond,” Edmonds says.
“There are four floodlights installed, one on each corner of the facility, so the effluent pit can be used after dark.
“The short hoses have good pressure and are ideal for washing down tyres, mud flaps and plugs, but won’t stretch to clean out crates, so the effluent pits should be relatively quick to use and won’t become just another truck wash queue.”
How HVSI backed Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange’s effluent facility, here
It comes after a recent announcement on the installation of two new electronic loading ramps at the saleyards.
The $964,000 project has been jointly funded by the SA state government’s Regional Growth Fund ($385,000) and Grant council.
The project comprises two adjustable cattle ramps with both rear and side loading options that will cater for both B-doubles and A-doubles, “which will greatly assist stock transportation”.
The new ramps will provide increased efficiencies and productivity when loading and unloading cattle, leading to less downtime with reduced waiting periods and quicker turnarounds, mayor Richard Sage says.
“As part of our Saleyard Masterplan we have secured funding to install new electronic loading ramps which will allow for more efficient and safer loading of cattle at the yards.
“We want our yards to be the go to destination for the sale of cattle and sheep in the region and to do this we need to provide facilities that meet the needs of the users.”