A state-of-the-art hygiene facility to clean livestock transports and other rural trucks at Powranna is set to develop the Northern Midlands as a major rural servicing centre. 

Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff inspected the site of the $500,000 facility on Friday, which will be jointly funded by the state and federal governments. 

“Roberts Ltd is showing great community spirit by making land available at a peppercorn rent and facilitating connections to its power and water infrastructure.  Without this generous in-kind support, the project simply would not happen,” Mr Rockliff said. 

“The Northern Midlands Council is supporting the development through assistance with tender documentation. 

“Importantly, this facility is a key part in our strategy for improving Tasmania’s post-border biosecurity infrastructure and promoting good agricultural hygiene generally.” 

The two-bay wash down infrastructure will have the capacity to handle rural vehicles up to the size of B-double twin-decker livestock transports. 

Senator Jonathon Duniam said the facility offered improved biosecurity and animal welfare outcomes as well as better amenity for road-users. 

“The ability to dispose of waste from livestock transports and clean-down decks reduces disease risks and helps control Johne’s disease in cattle and sheep and also footrot,” he said. 

“But it also makes things more pleasant for animals, for the operators and for the safety of other road-users when rigs are cleaned down more regularly.”