Innovative agreement helps cotton harvest

The Newman Government is working with industry to improve access for bigger and better cotton picker vehicles ahead of the cotton picking season.

The Transport and Main Roads Department has worked closely with Cotton Australia to develop new access arrangements for the season, due to start this month in central Queensland.

Transport and Mains Roads Minister Scott Emerson said it was another great example of the government working closely with industry to create innovative solutions.

“The new access arrangements allow farmers and picking contractors to ‘walk’ their pickers between paddocks under a class permit issued by my department,” Mr Emerson said

“This type of permit does away with farmers and contractors having to apply for a permit each time they want to travel between paddocks.”

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said the arrangements took new agricultural technology into consideration.

“In recent years the cotton industry has been innovative with the introduction of a John Deere picker that picks and bales the cotton into a large plastic wrapped 2.5m diameter round bale,” Mr McVeigh said.

“However, the new pickers were so large and heavy they fell outside of existing dimension and vehicle mass concession schemes for agricultural vehicles.

“As part of this permit, Transport and Main Roads have undertaken extensive bridge assessments on designated routes in cotton growing regions.

“Maps have been produced for the cotton industry that specifies which routes and bridges may or may not be crossed by the John Deere picker.

“This is a big step forward compared to the 2012 season whereby the harvesters could not cross any bridge.”

Mr Emerson said Transport and Main Roads also worked with the cotton industry in developing another class permit for the transportation of the round bales from farm to cotton gin.

“After extensive engineering evaluation, we have allowed the small extension of trailers that will allow six of the round bales to be transported in a single trailer,” he said.

“This will assist the cotton industry and other road users by reducing the number of truck trips from farm to gin.”

Michael Murray, from Cotton Australia, has been working closely with Transport and Main Roads on these initiatives.

"Cotton Australia, cotton growers and picking contractors have welcomed the new access arrangements for pickers and cotton bale transportation for the 2013 season,” Mr Murray said.

"Transport and Main Roads have been working with our industry in developing these improved access arrangements, which in turn helps the cotton industry to be more efficient and competitive internationally.

"Our industry generates about $1 billion annually to the Queensland economy – so it’s a win for everyone that these arrangements have been made.”

For more information or to view the maps go to the Transport and Main Roads website at www.tmr.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 14 March 2013

Media contact: Lachlan Millar – 0407 394 580