A number of south-west Victorian councils have lifted restrictions on road access for farm machinery and heavy vehicle access.
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the organisation had worked with local primary producers, the Department of Transport and local shires to secure improved road access.
"These changes will help drive farming efficiencies and reduce red-tape, enabling farmers to focus on producing the world-class food and fibre now and into the future," Mr Jochinke said.
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The amendments include:
- Permissible agricultural machinery dimensions in grain growing areas of the Colac Otway and Surf Coast regions have increased from 3.7 metres to up to 6.5 metres wide;
- Agricultural machinery access on the Princes Highway between Corio and Colac has been reinstated after it was withdrawn following highway duplication roadworks;
- Access to 30 local roads has been granted for agricultural machinery by the Golden Plains Shire;
- B-double heavy vehicles will have improved access to farms across the Corangamite Shire's northern region and
- The VicRoads Road Design Note has been amended to ensure access for agricultural machinery must be considered before altering roads in rural zones;
Mr Jochinke said the amended road access and regulations were welcome news, after months of lobbying from the VFF.
"The VFF and our members have been calling out for measures to make it easier to move agricultural machinery and heavy vehicles on the road," he said.
The DoT and local shires should be congratulated for listening and acting.
"These amendments are a great result for farmers in the south-west," he said.
"We look forward to continuing to work the DoT and local shires to ensure the efficient movement of food and fibre," Mr Jochinke said.
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Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
