NSW Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen has welcomed upgrades to the truck wash at Scone’s Regional Livestock Selling Centre, which will allow waste to be recycled on site, reducing environmental impacts and keeping livestock loads on the move.
The Fixing Country Truck Washes program plays an important role in ensuring the safety and productivity of truck operators, especially livestock carriers.
“The upgrade includes the construction of a livestock truck effluent disposal facility and a solids separator to process manure, which means that waste products can be processed on site using less water and labour, as well as turning it into dry waste to be used as fertiliser,” Mr Johnsen said.
“We know that the freight industry contributes more than $60 billion to the NSW economy each year, so we’re powering ahead with projects like this because truck washing facilities deliver biosecurity measures through disease control and weed management.
“Trucks will be able to empty their effluent tanks more efficiently and it encourages more livestock transporters to install effluent tanks in their trucks, which will reduce the amount of manure on local roads.”
Upper Hunter Shire mayor Maurice Collison said the upgrade would reduce wash times saving money and water, while also making it easier to recycle the manure, creating environmental benefits for the local community.
“Improved facilities will benefit not only those dropping off and delivering cattle to the saleyards, but long-haul freight travelling through Scone and people transporting horses,” Mr Collison said.
The Fixing Country Truck Washes program is a joint initiative between the NSW and Federal Nationals in Government to build and upgrade truck wash-out facilities. The program is designed to build an efficient freight transport network across regional NSW by focusing on hotspots where truck washing facilities and effluent disposal do not currently meet the needs of truck operators.
The Federal and NSW Nationals in Government co-funded the $320,000 upgrade through the Fixing Country Truck Washes program, while Upper Hunter Shire Council contributed an additional $100,000 and carried out the works.
