Grain, hay and oilseed growers in the Campaspe Shire have praised the local authority for seeking their advice on which gravel and dirt roads will need grading, before this year's harvest.
The northern Victorian shire's Infrastructure Services general manager Jason Deller said feedback from growers on the "Roads for Harvest" network would help ensure it was ready for the upcoming season.
"We are asking our large scale, broad-acre producers, carting 25 tonnes or more per load, what gravel or earth roads they are planning to use, how many truck movements and tonnes, and roughly at what periods," Mr Deller said.
"The information will assist in planning road grading works for the coming months, to ensure specific, roads are targeted and ready for heavy use.
"While we have a good understanding of road usage from previous years, this can change from year to year."
Last financial year, producers identified more than 300 kilometres of gravel roads and 72kms of earth roads, with a total cost of about $250,000.
'"The process includes a review what has been previously identified," Mr Deller said.
"All gravel roads in the shire are scheduled for maintenance reviews to balance the community's needs of our significant regional road network.
"Council works closely with local producers every year so the large and heavy vehicles required have safe and efficient passage."
Russell Hocking, a Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Councillor who farms partly in Campaspe Shire, said it would be good if all roads could be done, but he understood there were budget constraints.
"It's an excellent idea," Mr Hocking said.
"If individual farmers can target a road that is particularly important to them, we should be able to get it sorted out.
"There is not enough money to go around, so let's focus on the ones we really need."
As a grain and hay farmer, he said he regularly used B-Doubles and large machinery, during harvest.
"It's important to get places on time, every time - it makes a big difference," Mr Hocking said.
"They have done it with plenty of time, it's not a last-minute decision.
"It will be good, as long as everyone is aware of it."
He said he couldn't recall other councils asking for the same information.
"If the road holds water, after r ain, it can take a week to gain access with trucks," he said.
"If the roads shed water, it can be two days before you get back on them, so it does make a difference."
Rochester's Tim Watson said it was the third time the shire had put out the call for feedback.
"I think it's a great initiative that they are consulting with farmers who use those roads," Mr Watson said.
Mr Watson, who produces grain and hay, said his only criticism was that council had not followed up with farmers, who had previously put in submissions.
None of the roads he suggested needed work had been graded.
Mr Watson said an assessment might have been done, but council could have deemed other routes had a higher priority.
"But we need that feedback, so we are not wasting our time."
He said road maintenance was vital.
"It makes harvest a bit more enjoyable," he said.
Information will be collected through an online feedback form, available on council's website, under the "open for comment" section.
Comments close on Friday, June 12.
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Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
