Truck-trial results a crucial factor in cane-industry deal
Mossman farming
Mossman cane growers are anxiously awaiting the release of the results of a Captain Cook Highway B-double truck trial, saying sorting out the haulage issues to Mulgrave Sugar Mill in Gordonvale as soon as possible is the key to making the local industry viable in the longer-term.
But the State Government Transport and Main Roads Department (TMR) would not say last week when the trial results will be released.
Mossman CANEGROWERS chairman Matt Watson said the ability to transport larger quantities of cane in each truck was one of the ways to make haulage affordable in the wake of the closure of Mossman Mill last year.
“We’re working through something with the mill, but we’re getting held up with signing off on what trucks we are allowed to use,” Mr Watson said.
“We don’t know if we can have a 40-tonne truck or a 20-tonne truck, or something in between.
“Until we know what trailer we’re allowed to use, we can’t actually do the costing properly,” he said.
“That’s pretty much the main hold-up at the moment.”
Mr Watson said he hoped TMR would release the results soon.
“If we can go to a bigger volume without impacting the road we’ll see the cost come down,” he said.
“At the moment it’s quite expensive because we’re only carting with small trucks.
“If we can get that volume up a little bit, the economies of scale will make it more profitable.”
He said growers needed to know about the trial results so new crops could be planted.
“The window’s closing very fast, we really should be at the end of our planting schedule by now.”
“If we could plant enough this year, that gives us a decent chunk to be able to expand that out for next year.”
When contacted by Newsport last week, a TMR spokesperson would only say the department was working with the Primary Industries Department and mill owner MSF Sugar to “identify a safe option for heavy vehicles to transport sugar cane on the Captain Cook Highway”.
“To assist with this, TMR carried out trials with various heavy vehicle configurations on the Captain Cook Highway in July,” they said.
“The trial results, together with other data such as crash history and expected cane volumes, will inform TMR’s advice on how cane can safely be hauled on the Captain Cook Highway in the future.”
Cook MP David Kempton said the State Government’s offer of about $6m to buy new purpose-built truck trailers remained on the table, but it was not directly involved in negotiations.
“I am fully aware that growers and MSF need to reach agreement to enable the growers to plant for next season and I am in constant contact with all parties to ensure this eventuates as soon as practicable,” Mr Kempton said.
“These trailers will be a substantial contribution to the transportation cost and will replace the subsidy that has applied for the last two seasons,” he said.
The issue has been further complicated by a cane-truck rollover the weekend before last, which caused five-hour delays for some commuters on the busy highway.
Newsport reader Neil Jabs said this following the crash: “Wow - where are the outcomes and final analysis of the survey for these now bigger, larger, longer cane trucks?”
“This road in its current state is more dangerous and fragile than most locals can imagine.
“The road cannot cope with these trucks and it won’t be fixed fully until 2027.”
Billy King: “The cane growers need to realise... They are putting more pressure on our roads, and they can't keep expecting this to be subsidised.”
Kate Jessaca: “I really hope this highlights just how inappropriate it is to be funding the cane trucks to transport cane using a vulnerable, damaged road packed with tourists who don’t know the road.”
But Aaron Crimmins had a different view: “It’s perfectly acceptable. The road is barely damaged and tourists should learn to drive properly.”
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