Business Economics & Trade

With approximately two thirds of Australian farm produce destined for overseas markets, economic and trade issues have a major impact on the profitability of the farming sector. These are among the issues dealt with by the Business, Economics and Trade (BEAT) Committee of the NSW Farmers' Association, an eight-member Advisory Committee elected annually by the Associations Executive Council.

Latest Issues

• Road Freight Productivity - Media Release
• RTA Harvest Issues - Briefing Note
• Trans-Pacific Partnership - Briefing Note

1. Livestock Loading Scheme

The NSW Livestock Welfare Mass Management Accreditation Scheme (LWMMAS) was established in March 2011.

The LWMMAS allows livestock carriers with effective mass management systems to access increased mass limits equivalent to Concessional Mass Limits (CML). Unlike the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme mass management accreditation, LWMMAS does not require vehicle mass to be measured for every trip, by using weighbridges, mobile scales or on-board gauges.

The LWMMAS allows vehicle mass to be assessed using a loading calculator. The RTA has developed a Livestock Loading Calculator which assesses both vehicle mass and animal welfare loading densities. For further information about the LWMMAS, please visit the Livestock Transport pages of RTA’s website: www.rta.nsw.gov.au/heavyvehicles/ltpp/index.html.

Currently, the increased mass limits for LWMMAS operators are only available for:

• combinations with tri-axle groups on all trailers
• the transport of cattle, sheep and pigs

NSW Farmers and the Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association have proposed the LWMMAS be expanded to include:

• a wider range of heavy trucks, including rigid trucks, and trailers with single or tandem axles
• the transport of goats

Expanding the eligibility for the LWMMAS will require enhancing the Livestock Loading Calculator to cover additional vehicle and livestock types. 

Survey Form

To determine if there is sufficient demand for the proposed changes to LWMMAS eligibility, the RTA is seeking feedback from livestock carriers and farmers.

• PDF Version: click here to download the survey form (print out a copy, fill it out and fax it back to NSW Farmers)
• WORD Version: click here to download the survey form (fill out the form online, save a copy and email it back to NSW Farmers)

Email: emailus@nswfarmers.org.au
Fax: (02) 8251 1750

2. Meeting with Roads Minister 18 May 2011

The Association met with Minister for Roads and Ports the Hon Duncan Gay MLC on Wednesday 18 May 2011 and presented the following briefing notes:

• Road Transport Policy
• Road Funding
• Blue Mountains Expressway
• Interconnectivity of Higher Mass Limits