More big plans for Powranna truck wash

Powranna is shaping up to be one of the most important agricultural hubs in the state with the upgrade to its truck washing facility and plans for a fuel stop and amenities that until now truck drivers could only dream about.

Northern Midlands Business Association representatives met with Primary Industries and Water minister Jane Howlett at Powranna yesterday to discuss future needs for the Tasmanian livestock transport industry.

On site to officially open the recently upgraded truck wash at the Powranna Livestock Marketing Complex, Minister Howlett was briefed on the next stage of potential improvements and walked through the facility.

She was able to see how the site not only provides a double truck wash area with both manual and overhead spray units but also takes the dirty water, treats it and processes the solid matter into a safe and sweet-smelling mulch that can be returned to the earth.

The State Government committed $325,000 to the Northern Midlands Business Association for the necessary upgrades to the truck wash to address effluent management when it was on the brink of closure two years ago.

Going forward the NMBA would like to see further support to install a diesel and hydrogen refilling station plus toilets, showers and food vending machines for the truck drivers.

NMBA CEO Gordon Williams said the truck wash might be the less glamorous end of the livestock industry, but the facility helps the competitiveness of the agriculture industry and the amenity of the truck drivers themselves. 

“This is the state-of-the-art facility for biosecurity truck washes in the state, and probably one of the best in Australia,” he said.

“When it was first built six years ago it was somewhat primitive and the smell was quite offensive – but that is not the case now because of how effective we’re dealing with the livestock waste.

Northern Midlands mayor Mary Knowles said that having the truck wash adjoining the Powranna saleyards and open 24 hours a day means it is providing up to 3000 washes per year.

“Over 95 cent of the Northern Midlands is agricultural and we’ve got all manner of trucks coming and going all the time and its important they can be kept clean when they need to be clean so that all bio-security risks are mitigated,” she said.
Minister Howlett said that Powranna has developed as a major hub for the livestock industry," she said.
“Truck washes play an important role in the State’s biosecurity and animal welfare, preventing the uncontrolled spread of weeds and pathogens between agricultural properties.
“Spillage of waste from trucks causes not only biosecurity issues but reduces amenity for all road users.
“The upgrades, which entailed infrastructure works, concreting, electrical works and plumbing, will now allow the facility to better manage waste from these vehicles.”