August 12, 2016
The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) – the umbrella organisation that includes the South and North Burnett councils and Cherbourg Aboriginal Council – organised a heavy transport demonstration day in Bundaberg on Friday.
The day allowed Council representatives from all over the Wide Bay region to see heavy vehicles in action, and learn more about modern transporters, which industry claims are safer, smarter and more manoeuvrable than in the past.
The “Performance Based Standards” day featured vehicles in action from more than 10 operators.
South Burnett Deputy Mayor Cr Kathy Duff, who has been advocating for improved vehicle access to the Smithfield Feedlot at Proston, said representatives from Main Roads and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator joined councillors and industry representatives at the demonstration.
Topics covered included A-Triples, B-Triples, B-Doubles and the road permit system.
The onlookers watched as the trucks negotiated roundabouts and other hazards.
Cr Duff said there was a push now to cover “the first and last mile”, ie to cut farming costs by allowing heavy vehicles to travel all the way to the farmgate or feedlot.
She said the current system where trucks have to de-couple trailers, breaking down into smaller units, was costing industry money and productivity.
At the moment, for example, B-Doubles are allowed to Carters Corner (the corner of Mundubbera-Durong Road, and Proston-Boondooma Road) but not along Proston-Boondooma Road. Yet they are allowed on Mundubbera-Durong Road.
Road trains are allowed to Durong, and into Biloela, but there is a gap between the South and North Burnett regions.
Cr Duff said the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, the State Government and local councils were now looking at ways they could partner to improve productivity along highways and Council roads.
