Funding announced for livestock transport facility upgrades

The federal government has announced it will partner with South Australian livestock transport companies on improvements to livestock facilities used by truck drivers.

The projects - worth almost $80,000 - will include upgrades of the loading and unloading ramps at the Normanville Meatworks and the Strathalbyn Abattoir.

Funding is being provided as part of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, and in its media release on March 1, the federal government noted that not only was the initiative important for truck industry worker safety, it was also unprecedented.

"This is the first time funding has been set aside to improve safety at livestock saleyards and to upgrade other facilities used by the livestock transport industry," said the release.

The government said that many Australian truck drivers were at "serious risk of death or injury" due to the out-dated facilities they worked in.

It is hoped that by upgrading these facilities, not only will the risk to truck drivers be reduced, but also the consequences for their employers.

Businesses will likely welcome the government funding, as injuries sustained on the job can be costly in terms of liability claims and compensation costs.

Business and farm liability insurance can help to minimise the financial risk to businesses and farms when a driver or other employee is injured while working.

Business vehicle insurance is just as important for the companies that transport livestock.

The government has also announced funding to improve facilities for the livestock transport industry in NSW.

"Around $5.7 million will be used to upgrade 33 ramps, 27 loading pens as well as lighting in 9 facilities, protecting drivers involved in transporting livestock," said federal minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry Joe Ludwig in a statement on March 1.

"As a grazier myself, it's particularly pleasing to see funding for a range of livestock transport projects."