Federal Government for the first time will fund upgrades to livestock saleyards and other facilities used by livestock transporters
March 4, 2013
Federal funds for the first time will be injected into projects to improve the safety and efficiency of livestock transport operators.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Joe Ludwig says about $5.7 million will go to New South Wales saleyards to improve safety and upgrade other facilities used by the livestock transport industry.
Money will be spent on installing loading ramps, replacing outdated loading facilities, improving lighting and truck exit areas, providing truck parking facilities and upgrading access roads across the states.
Areas to receive funding include Narrabri, Inverell, Gunnedah, Singleton, the Upper Hunter, Cootamundra, Gundagai and Dubbo.
“Around $5.7 million will be used to upgrade 33 ramps, 27 loading pens as well as lighting in 9 facilities, protecting drivers involved in transporting livestock,” Ludwig says.
The Federal Government has also announced $80,000 for South Australia to improve livestock facilities.
Funding comes from the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and will go towards upgrading loading and unloading ramps at the Normanville Meatworks and the Strathalbyn Abattoir.
“This is the first time funding has been set aside to improve safety at livestock saleyards and to upgrade other facilities used by the livestock transport industry,” federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.
“Trucks carrying loads of livestock are a common sight on our roads with millions of animals transported all over Australia every year.
Many of these truck drivers are based in regional and rural communities and work in outdated facilities that can put them at risk of serious risk of death or injury.”
