New truck wash ramps up saleyards

Roma’s $3 million truck wash is a down-payment on the future of the state’s multi-million dollar agricultural industry, according to the State Development Minister Anthony Lynham.

In Roma officially opening the three-bay truck wash, Dr Lynham said the wash-down would help make the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest cattle yards more efficient and mitigate the estimated $600 million that weed control costs Queensland annually.

“Agriculture is a significant contributor to the Maranoa region’s economy,” Dr Lynham said.

“These bays, coupled with the water recycling system, will vastly improve the turnaround for trucks and road trains and boost weed control.

“Instead of one truck being able to be washed down, the new facility can take three road-trains at once, while the old single wash-down bay has been converted for farm vehicles.

“The new bays are expected to help cut the average waiting period at the saleyards by one hour and increase industry productivity by around $622,200 per annum, based on current use.

“It’s a great boost for the Roma Saleyards and the local industry.”

The Palaszczuk Government has contributed more than $1.5 million towards the upgrade, with the Maranoa Shire Council providing $1 million and Santos GLNG contributing $500,000.

Dr Lynham today joined the Maranoa Regional Council for the opening of the wash-down facility, which employed 30 people during construction.

Maranoa Mayor Cr Robert Loughnan said with the agricultural and resource industries being the largest contributors to the regional economy, the improved wash down facility would benefit many in the Maranoa.

“The new three-bay truck wash is an important feature of the saleyards, catering for approximately four times the previous customer throughput simultaneously,” Cr Loughnan said.

“In addition to general large vehicle cleaning, the wash-down facility is a vital component to environmental management with the agriculture and resource industries using the wash-down to help mitigate the harmful impacts that result from the spread of viral weeds and seeds.

“This efficient, environmentally compliant, and readily accessible facility will see graziers across the region and beyond greatly benefiting from this new feature.”

Santos GLNG’s Maranoa regional manager Andrew Snars said the business took its responsibilities for weed and pest management very seriously.

“As long-term members of regional Queensland communities and landholders ourselves, we’re proud of our contribution to this project as part of our broader weed and pest management programs which total over $1 million,” Mr Snars said.

“This facility will be used by a wide range of industries including the farming and natural gas sectors to help manage an issue that’s vitally important to agricultural communities.”

Dr Lynham said the opening of these important pieces of infrastructure highlighted the government’s commitment to growing and investing in regional areas.

“The Palaszczuk Government‘s new $200 million Building our Regions program will fund critical infrastructure in regional areas of Queensland,” he said.

“Successful projects under the Building our Regions program will be announced by the end of this year.”

For more information on the Building our Regions program visit: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/buildingourregions

 [ENDS]                      21 November 2015

Media contact:           Jan Martin 0439 341 314