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The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has partnered with Warrnambool City Council to establish a livestock effluent disposal pit at Warrnambool’s South-West Victoria Livestock Exchange (SWVLX). Preliminary works on the facility commenced in December 2021, with operational testing now underway.
The new effluent disposal facility will compliment similar sites built in cooperation with Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange and Mount Gambier and District Saleyards.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the effluent disposal site will be a welcome addition to the region.
"This latest site is another positive step towards establishing a network of effluent disposal facilities to keep our livestock and transport sectors moving.”
“Livestock transporters will be able to access the site, discharge tanks and continue their trip safely and efficiently.”
Saleyards Manager Paul White said, “The newly installed pit provides an opportunity for transporters to 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,”
“Evidently there are too few locations for transporters to properly dispose of effluent along the road network. The ALRTA offered $50,000 (ex GST) in funding to support planning and construction of an effluent disposal bay. Council will deliver this project to effectively provide an opportunity for livestock transporters to dispose of effluent in southwest Victoria,” he said.
ALRTA President Scott McDonald said, “Managing effluent in transit is a significant challenge for our members. Effluent capture tanks installed on purpose-built livestock trailers do a reasonable job of containment however there is a consequential need for transporters to access suitable facilities for effluent disposal when tanks become full in transit and at ‘end of journey’ facilities.”
“Livestock effluent 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.”
“Our association greatly appreciates the support of the livestock transport industry demonstrated by Warrnambool City Council by building an effluent disposal pit in their saleyards.” he said.
The project is funded by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI), supported by the Federal Government.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said, “It’s great to see work nearing completion to deliver a facility strategically located at one of Australia’s livestock hubs,”
“I congratulate ALRTA on the development of a new site that will support the livestock sector and deliver safety benefits for all road users.”
For media enquiries please contact ALRTA Executive Director, Mathew Munro on 0421 082 489 or mathew@alrta.org.au