North Queensland council abandons road train safety restrictions after farmer backlash

Isaac Regional Council in North Queensland has reversed its decision to restrict road trains on five major freight routes, bowing to pressure from local farmers. The council had initially planned to limit the use of these routes by B-double trucks and road trains, citing safety concerns identified through mapping by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

However, farmers in the region, west of Mackay, strongly opposed the proposed changes. They argued that the restrictions, initially put forward in March, would significantly increase their grain delivery times and overall costs. Bradley Mifsud, a grain grower and board member of the farm lobby group AgForce, highlighted the critical timing of the harvest season. "Our main concern is they were going to simply shorten the combination length allowed, and that's not workable," he stated. "In this volatile climate, we need to be able to cart as much grain as we legally can. To lessen that is a real kick in the guts."

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Our main concern is they were going to simply shorten the combination length allowed, and that's not workable. In this volatile climate, we need to be able to cart as much grain as we legally can. To lessen that is a real kick in the guts.

Mifsud explained that forcing larger trucks to use alternative routes would lead to longer trips or require more trucks and drivers, resources that are currently scarce and expensive. "We've got some growers that this could add an extra two to 2.5 hours to their round trip," he said, emphasizing the strain on an already tight labor market and financial pressures within the transport industry.

GrainCorp, a major receival site operator, also weighed in, stating that maintaining access for 53.5-meter road trains is crucial for efficient harvest operations and the region's industry competitiveness. The company had been advocating for the current access arrangements to remain in place. In response to the widespread criticism, the Isaac Regional Council has now commissioned an independent assessment of the affected intersections before deciding on the necessary actions.

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We've got some growers that this could add an extra two to 2.5 hours to their round trip.