Farmers say a decision by Western Australia’s state-owned water utility to cut load limits on a string of bridges it controls throughout the state’s South West could disrupt food transport and put pressure on already-strained regional fuel supplies.
The Water Corporation controls a number of bridges in the south of the state, chiefly where roads cross other infrastructure like drainage ditches owned by the utility.
In a notice posted to its website, the utility said the limits were the result of Main Roads advice to “limit stress” on 26 bridges between Waroona and Busselton, 100 to 230 kilometres south of Perth.
The new weight limits will be enforced on 26 bridges between Waroona and Busselton owned by the Water Corporation. (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)
“These measures will protect the bridge structures and ensure the ongoing safety of all bridge users,” the notice stated.
“It is essential that all road users adhere to the load limits.”
The changes, which began in January last year, are not uniform, with the Water Corporation imposing the limits bridge by bridge when requested by Main Roads.
The latest round of changes, impacting Busselton farmers, are due to take effect in May.
Farmers shocked by changes
Farmers and business owners in Busselton, where two of the affected bridges are on high-traffic arterial roads, say the move threatens significant disruption to food and fuel supplies.
Dairy farmer Oscar Negus said he had only been informed of the change by neighbours, with one of the impacted bridges on the only direct access route to his farm.
Oscar Negus says the weight limit could prevent him transporting tens of thousands of litres of milk for sale each day. (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)
“We happen to live on a road that’s a dead end and we send in 25,000-30,000 litres of milk each day, which has to find its way to the city on people’s tables,” he said.
“That’s not counting fertiliser that has to come in, the hay that has to come — we feed our cows every day.
“The trucks that come to pick up our milk, we’d be stuffed if they stopped coming. There’s no alternative, there’s not other roads we can use, so we’re very shocked.”
Fellow Busselton business owner Darren Power works across farming and transport and said the impact would be significant, particularly with fuel prices already under strain.
“We don’t actually have any trucks that would be small enough to use the bridges,” Mr Power said.
“The connectivity between our farming blocks is going to be affected, [there are] a lot of detours that we’re going to have to make.”
Darren Power works in transport and farming near Busselton and says the new limits will have a significant impact. (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)
The detours required would have added up to two hours to the three loads of cattle he moved from one of his properties on Sunday, he said.
“I think it’s a bit disappointing that they’ve implemented these changes so quickly without offering a solution,” Mr Power said.
“Or without any consultation with the people that are going to be affected.”
A Main Roads spokesperson told the ABC that no bridges would need to be closed.
“Following inspections by Main Roads, a small number of Water Corporation bridges on local roads in the South West Region require a revised load limit to be applied, ranging from 10 tonnes to 16 tonnes,” the spokesperson said.Â
“Main Roads has been working with Water Corporation to discuss the requirements and process for their bridges requiring load restrictions.”
Utility to work with locals
A Water Corporation spokesperson said it would continue to work with impacted locals, but it was up to individuals and businesses to make alternative transport arrangements.
The Water Corporation controls bridges which cross its infrastructure, such as this drainage ditch near Busselton. (ABC South West WA: Gabrielle Becerra Mellet)
“Water Corporation is working with Main Roads to minimise any impacts on heavy vehicles,” the spokesperson said.
Vasse MP Libby Mettam said the change was a Perth-centric “desktop decision” made without any thought to the impact it would have.
“A fundamental responsibility of any government is to manage their assets,” the Liberal frontbencher said.
“Because the Cook government have not done their job we’re seeming these vital bridges limited for agriculture, for freight … emergency services as well. It is simply not good enough.”
Asked about the issue on Monday, Mr Cook said he had not been briefed on key details.
“We obviously want those dairy farmers to be able to get their products to market,” he said.
“So that’s something we’ll look at.”