The Tasmanian Government is investing $2 million over four years to partner farmers, agribusinesses and local government to improve the network of washdown stations for livestock trucks and agricultural machinery.
The program which aims to improve biosecurity and farm hygiene by disposing of waste. Livestock truck washdown facilities reduce the potential spread of diseases and weeds and improve road safety and amenity.
This program further implements the recommendations of a strategic review which the Tasmanian Government commissioned in 2016 into the provision in Tasmania of livestock truck washdown facilities from a biosecurity and hygiene perspective.
This resulted in a report based on the experiences and viewpoints of a wide cross-section of people and organisations from the Tasmanian transport, production, biosecurity, rural trading, local government, and processing sectors among others.
Livestock Truck Washdown Review Final Report (PDF 2Mb)
Outcomes
The first washdown facility arising from the review has already been opened at Powranna in the northern midlands. Powranna was identified in the review as a high priority site as it is rapidly developing as a livestock hub. The facility has proved so popular that further upgrades of the infrastructure have been required.
The Powranna facility's development and subsequent operation is supported by a strong partnership with the private sector and local government. The Tasmanian Government will use the partnership model for construction and operation of the Powranna facility as a pilot to guide the development of similar facilities elsewhere.
The second major development under the program is a new multi-bay washdown facility at Smithton. This is being built in a partnership with the site owner, the Cradle Coast Authority (supported by the Australian Government) and TasWater. It is expected to open during 2024-25.