NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey has announced more recipients to receive truck-wash funding under the NSW Fixing Country Roads Program.
During an address at the NSW Nationals Conference in Broken Hill over the weekend, Pavey announced further successful recipients to share $10 million in joint government funding to build new or upgrade existing truck wash-out facilities across NSW.
The Minister confirmed that a total of 38 applications were received, with 26 getting the final ‘tick of approval’.
Cobar, Barellan Road at Narrandera, Cootamundra and Cowra Saleyards, Walcha, Gunnedah, Upper Hunter, Singleton, Liverpool Plains and Broken Hill join Tenterfield in receiving a slice of funding to address bio-security hotspots across NSW.
“It is encouraging that the government has finally taken notice of the lack of available and adequate wash out facilities on key freight routes across NSW”, Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (LBRCA) President Lynley Miners said.
“As an Association, we have stressed time-and-time again that as a State we must be on the front foot and ensure consistent measures are in place to deliver against bio-security, community health and animal welfare requirements, not to mention ensure driver safety and minimise environmental issues.
“In 2017, we are set to see some positive steps forward in ensuring accessibility to an adequate wash out network along key meat and livestock freight routes in NSW – and that news is, although overdue, very welcome.”
Pavey acknowledged that the program had been a long time coming but it will now deliver productivity and environmental gains.
“It will help to build a strong, reliable freight transport network by focusing on hotspots where truck washing facilities and effluent disposal don’t currently meet the needs of truck operators, especially livestock carriers,” Pavey said.
The LBRCA has publically applauded the government for their $10 million one-off cash injection to build new or upgrade existing truck wash facilities across NSW, an incentive that will greatly benefit members.
“It is extremely pleasing to hear today that Minister Pavey has extended the eligibility requirements of the NSW Fixing Country Roads Program to incorporate applications to build new or upgrade existing truck wash facilities”, Miners says.
“With Round Three of the NSW Fixing Country Roads program set to be announced in the coming weeks, this is an opportune time for councils who were not successful under the NSW Fixing Country Truck Washes program to reapply for funding”.
The LBRCA looks forward to the announcement of further successful recipients in the coming weeks.