High level of compliance for trucking under grain harvest scheme

Majority of grain loads fell within the allowable mass limits, report shows

A scheme allowing trucking operators to haul more grain per load in New South Wales continues to grow in strength, with compliance and participation rates on the rise.

A recently released review of the Grain Harvest Management Scheme (GHMS) from the October to December 2014 harvest period found only 1.5 per cent of deliveries to silos under the scheme exceeded allowable mass limits and were in the minor breach range.

Conversely, the review found that trucks enrolled in other schemes – such as concessional mass limits – had a higher non-compliance rate. The report says non-GHMS deliveries exceeded allowable mass limits by 12.8 per cent.

Introduced in 2012, the GHMS allows eligible trucking operators to carry up to 5 per cent over general mass limits to GHMS-accredited receivers. The grain industry must gain the consent of local governments to haul grain at GHMS mass limits.

“Overall, the data shows that the GHMS experienced a high level of compliance – more so than grain delivered under other concessional schemes with longer standing. The Concessional Mass Limits scheme, for example, represented a relatively high number of overloaded vehicles reported to Roads and Maritime [Services],” the review says.

“The data also shows the continued commitment by industry to loading within the GHMS masses, with very low levels of overloading behaviour above GHMS concessions.”

The report says the high level of compliance is an important outcome for the scheme and shows accurate loading practices are occurring alongside a good understanding of the intent of the GHMS.

“Both the data and industry consultation suggests that growers and operators understand the intent of the GHMS, to allow flexibility when loading grain on the farm, and therefore do not abuse the concession by consistently exceeding mass limits,” it says.

The review found a 14 per cent rise in GHMS participation rates from 2013 and 2014 harvests. As many as 56 local government authorities approved GHMS mass limit trips, while 13 grain receivers participated in the scheme.

“Survey responses from local councils indicate a generally positive response to the GHMS, with almost 60 per cent of survey respondents suggesting the GHMS was achieving a balance between road wear concerns and a productivity benefit,” the report says.

“Overall the data and survey responses show that the majority of respondents reported that the 2014-16 GHMS was as good as or better than the GHMS operation for 2013-14, which likely reflected a growing level of familiarity with the GHMS.”

The report says 67 per cent of reported grain deliveries during the October to December 2014 harvest were under the GHMS, helping prevent 5,600 vehicle trips.

The GHMS has been extended to run until at least June 30, 2016.