The Hodgman Government’s Agri-Food Plan is all about growing the agriculture sector to $10 billion by 2050 and cementing its position as the powerhouse of the Tasmanian economy.
One way we can help dairy farmers and improve road safety at the same time is to build more stock underpasses.
Dairy farmers regularly need to move stock across roads as a normal part of herd management. Moving stock across roads creates risks for farmers, cattle and road users and can be particularly dangerous during peak milking times. Stock underpasses improve farm and road safety and increase farm efficiency.
It's a simple step, but it has significant benefits because cattle underpasses help improve farm efficiency and help farmers who want to expand their herds.
I know that this has been a significant issue for many farmers, especially on the North West and we have been working with the TFGA and Dairy Tasmania as well as local farmers and councils to develop a practical approach to address the issue.
The Hodgman Government has allocated $750,000 in the upcoming budget for a pilot dairy stock underpass scheme. While more details will be released as part of the Budget, farmers will be able to access funds from the scheme as a contribution to the overall cost of installing an underpass.
The Government has already developed a set of standard drawings for a modular stock underpass system to eliminate most of the design costs. The modular components can now be bought directly from precast concrete fabricators in Tasmania. The Government already fully funds stock underpasses where a new road alignment splits a property.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water