Grain growers need reliable transport infrastructure in order to conduct their business, but the state of Victorian freight infrastructure is far from satisfactory. Our crumbling infrastructure is such a hot issue right now that you can expect it to dominate the VFF Grains Conference next Monday.
Growers will have the opportunity to vent their frustration over the state government’s lacklustre approach to rural infrastructure in the wake of last year’s V/Line debacle, where major freight rail lines were shut once temperatures reached 33C.
The Grains Group has been swamped with complaints over the fiasco and will be using the conference to urge government to take a more proactive stand in upgrading rural transport infrastructure. Heat restrictions are a significant loss to productivity and revenue which is passed along the supply chain. A resolution will be moved calling on V/Line officials to provide supply chain continuity solutions for rail movement in high heat periods so this situation doesn’t happen again.
Growers in the Mallee will also spearhead issues around the inspection of grain trucks after incidents where VicRoads inspectors hauled some vehicles off the road for minor defects during the season’s record harvest.
We have no problem with VicRoads inspecting genuine safety concerns, but some of the so-called defects were just pedantic and it was clearly a case of anti-business behaviour.
So, we’re proposing a policy urging VicRoads inspectors to conduct truck inspections and testing sessions at major grain delivery centres before harvest starts, rather than at the busiest time. With that in mind, expect the Grains Conference to be jam-packed, because we’re also hosting four panel sessions on improving farm management, including finance risks and grain storage.
This will be my final conference as Grains Group president, and I’d like to thank all the growers who’ve worked closely with me and supported me over the last four years.
I wish incoming president Ross Johns, vice-president Ashley Fraser, and the new Grains Group Council all the best for the future. Our members can rest assured that they are in capable hands with the new leadership team.
The VFF Grains Conference is at the Horsham Town Hall from 9am on Monday, February 27.
Brett Hosking, VFF vice-president