A COONABARABRAN pastoral company employee has allegedly been slugged a hefty fine by New South Wales police while crossing the road with a load of cottonseed to feed cattle.
Speaking out on social media this week, the company’s owner said a staff member had been “whacked with a $448 fine for an unsecured load” along with three demerit points.
It comes just a few months after hay carriers were targeted for minor infringements on the Newell Highway while trying to bring relief to drought-hit farms.
According to NSW police, “loads must be covered to secure and contain all materials” and towing an unstable, overhanging or unsecured load will cop such a fine.
Even failing to remove anything that has fallen onto the road could result in a three demerit point offence.
The incident sparked outrage online with independent agronomy consultant Wayne Smith questioning police’s intentions during the dry times.
“Um, did they expect you to cover it while travelling 50 metres across a road?” he said.
John Simpson described it as revenue raising while Adam Coffey said police needed to get their priorities straight.
“...and stop penalising people just trying to do their job,” he said.
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
