NSW Farmers meets quarterly with RMS and better road access for oversize and overmass vehicles is one of our key priorities on the agenda for 2017.

The time it takes to get permit approval to move equipment is one of the greatest obstructions to productivity for our members.  

NSW Farmers are calling for the establishment of a fund that will allow local councils (as road managers) to proactively assess the capability of roads within their shire.

We believe this would allow pre-approved access for agricultural vehicles and trucks and streamline the process for farmers.

There is still a lot of confusion around RMS issues, with many farmers unsure of whether they are compliant or not.

The aim of the Field Day, which is being hosted by NSW Farmers’ Junee and Illabo branches, is to put all of the RMS issues on the table, and inform those who attend what is right and wrong in terms of moving heavy machinery.

NSW Farmers will continue to work closely with RMS to be proactive to farmers’ needs.

Last year the Hay Branch requested road train access over Carrathool Bridge for cotton harvest.

RMS was able to deploy both sensors and people in a timely manner to monitor the bridge and in turn grant pre-emptive access.

This is an example of what can be done if we continue to be on the front foot with RMS issues.

The Pre-Sowing Field Day will be held from 8am to lunch time.

Please contact me if you wish to attend. 

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MY SOUTH West region stretches to Hay and Griffith in the west, down to the Victorian border (including Leeton, Narrandera, Coleambally, Jerilderie, Berrigan, Bunnaloo and Deniliquin) and I now also cover Wagga Wagga up to Gundagai and down to Albury (including Tumut, Lockhart, Urana and everywhere in between).

Simone Norrie is the South West Regional Services Manager for NSW Farmers.