Grain Harvest Management Scheme boon for VIC freight operators

The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has welcomed the establishment of the state’s first Grain Harvest Management Scheme, which is expected to provide a productivity and safety boon for farmers and grain transport workers.
The scheme will allow heavy vehicles to increase their load by five per cent during the grain harvest season from 1 October to 30 April 2018, when delivering grain to receivers who are also participating in the scheme.
Peter Anderson, CEO, VTA, said the extra five per cent tolerance during the grain harvest season would give operators flexibility to be able to safely transport more grain.
“As an industry group, we welcome the scheme and the positive outcomes it will inevitably create for operator safety and productivity,” said Anderson.
“Provisions made for bigger loads mean fewer trips for operators, which will improve their profit and safety margins.”
VicRoads Director of Heavy Vehicle Services Eric Henderson said that the focus of the scheme was twofold – supporting farmers to be more productive during the grain harvest and boosting heavy-vehicle safety.
“This is the busiest time of year for farmers and this scheme will ensure they spend less time on the road and can get back to business sooner. Time savings also increase the focus on safe driving,” said Henderson.
To participate in the scheme, vehicles must comply with the uniform national standards for vehicles built after 1 January, 2002. Vehicles must also not exceed their manufacturer ratings.
VicRoads will evaluate the Grain Harvest Management Scheme after the first year.