A new livestock effluent disposal pit at the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards is now available to all livestock transporters.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the new site was a huge win for the region’s livestock industry.
“This practical and sustainable disposal facility here at Mount Gambier will benefit the entire livestock production chain including producers, transporters, processors and of course other road users throughout the community,” Mr Buchholz said.
Mr Buchholz said this new effluent disposal site demonstrated that there is the opportunity for further sites to be developed around the country.
“Hopefully this new site at Mount Gambier will be a prototype for future rollouts of similar effluent disposal facilities, to help complete a map of facilities across the national road network, supporting our livestock and transport sectors.”
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP said the Mount Gambier disposal pit was funded by the Australian Government through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative.
“The facility is positioned to help countless heavy vehicle drivers transporting livestock to access the disposal site situated along a major cattle route on the Australian road network.”
“The Livestock transporters, the quiet heroes of the Australian Livestock industry, will be able to enter the site, discharge tanks and resume transport in a safe, efficient and productive manner,” Mr Pasin said.
Saleyards Manager David Wallis said the project was a joint initiative of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) and the District Council of Grant (Council).
“Together, we agreed to deliver this project to effectively provide an opportunity for livestock transporters to dispose of effluent in eastern South Australia and we thank ALRTA for the opportunity.”
“The newly installed pit means transporters can dispose of accumulated livestock effluent either at the end of their journey to the saleyards, or on their way to deliver a consignment further afield,” Mr Wallis said.
ALRTA President Scott McDonald, said that managing effluent in transit is a significant challenge for their members.
“Effluent capture tanks installed on purpose-built livestock trailers do a reasonable job of containment however there is a need for transporters to access suitable facilities for disposal when tanks become full in transit and at ‘end of journey’ facilities,” Mr McDonald said.
“Disposal facilities benefit the livestock supply chain and the community. They improve safety by ensuring cleaner roads and improved animal welfare outcomes and help to reduce the risk of non-compliance with biosecurity, environment and load restraint laws.
“That’s why the ALRTA is actively engaging with industry stakeholders and governments to develop a national network of effluent disposal points.