Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has approved a harvest management scheme that allows grain transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has approved a harvest management scheme that allows grain transporters an extra 10 per cent load when transporting grain at harvest.
The Minister said the Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS) would provide increased flexibility for both grain transporters and grain receival site operators.
Mr O'Brien said the aim of the scheme was to encourage normal levels of grain loading by transport operators, but would allow an extra mass concession of up to 10 per cent to cater for the variability of loading.
Traditionally grain growers have not had the ability to weigh loads at the paddock during harvest.
The scheme has been based on a system first developed by CBH group in the 2006/2007 harvest, which was opposed by the former Labor state government.
After the Liberal government took power last year the scheme was further advanced by Main Roads and the Ministerial Heavy Vehicle Advisory Panel in consultation with transport and farming industry representative groups.
CBH Group operations manager in logistics strategy Owen Davies told WA Business News the company was extremely pleased with the announcement.
"The harvest management scheme has proven over the years to be effective in reducing the incidence of grain overload," Mr Davies said.
"It's a system that we developed at CBH in preparation for the upcoming 'chain of responsibility' model legislation, we acted in advance of that legislation to try and demonstrate that the grain industry can act responsibly in terms of overloading.
"We're extremely pleased our efforts have been recognised by the government, we've always known the imperfect conditions that growers face in loading the trucks on farms and we built in a level of flexibility within our scheme to allow growers to manage the process in a practical way before reaching the weighbridge."
The Minister said participation by grain receival operators was voluntary, but receivers who wished to offer the HMMS needed to register with Main Roads and gain its approval.
"Main Roads will monitor compliance with the requirements of the scheme by establishing an audit and on-road enforcement regime," Mr O'Brien said.
"The scheme will be reviewed in early 2010 with a view to introducing further enhancements for future harvests."
The Minister's announcement is pasted below:
Government approves mass management scheme for 2009-10 harvest
Portfolio: Transport
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien has approved a Harvest Mass Management Scheme (HMMS) to be offered to all grain receival site operators for the 2009-10 harvest season.
"The scheme will provide a level of flexibility when transporting grain at harvest from paddock to bin," Mr O'Brien said.
"It is based on the scheme developed by CBH for the 2007 and 2008 harvests that wasn't supported by the previous government."
"However, in response to industry pleas, I have agreed to a scheme that encourages transport operators to load grain to normal levels but will allow an extra mass concession of up to 10 per cent to cater for the variability of loading. The scheme will be available for vehicles that are suitably rated to safely carry the additional load."
The scheme has been developed by Main Roads and the Ministerial Heavy Vehicle Advisory Panel in consultation with transport and farming industry representative groups. A document providing details of the scheme, titled 'Harvest Mass Management Scheme 2009/10 Business Rules', will be sent to potential industry participants shortly.
"Participation by grain receival operators is voluntary. However, non-participating operations will not be able to offer the generous extra mass allowance to the transport operators delivering grain to their receival depots," the Minister said.
All grain receivers wishing to offer the scheme to transport operators are required to be approved by and registered with Main Roads. The grain receiver is required to implement measures as described by the HMMS Business Rules to register, monitor and record compliant and non-compliant transport operators delivering grain to its facility.
The scheme will be formalised by a notice placed in the Government Gazette so operators will not need to obtain additional permits. Transporters wishing to participate in the scheme will be required to register with the grain receiver.
"Main Roads will monitor compliance with the requirements of the scheme by establishing an audit and on-road enforcement regime. The scheme will be reviewed in early 2010 with a view to introducing further enhancements for future harvests," he said.
