WITH grain movements undergoing a "major change" on the Eyre Peninsula, the time is right to reassess what the future will look like for the sector, according to Eyre Peninsula Cooperative Bulk Handling spokesperson Bruce Heddle.
He said the move by Viterra away from transporting grain via rail to solely trucks was disappointing but the industry needed to face reality and address the opportunities it offered.
"The pressing problem is that we don't have a systematic strategic review occurring of what our bulk commodity pathways look like going forward," he said.
"We need to completely reassess what (grain freight and export) will look like on the EP going forward."
Mr Heddle said there had been a "plethora" of proposals about new export port options in the region and "clearly they can't all come to fruition".
He said EPCBH believed the Cape Hardy proposal had potential to reduce the pressure on Port Lincoln roads but an independent review was needed to ensure the industry was working together on future plans.
He believes Grain Producers SA and the state government should be leading the charge for the strategic review.
GPSA chief executive officer Caroline Rhodes said the lobby group would also like to see a plan for the sector's future.
"To remain globally competitive, it is essential South Australian growers continue to access the most efficient and cost-effective export supply chain," she said.
"GPSA is leading the call to establish a state-wide infrastructure blueprint for the grains industry to assist long-term planning and target government funding to improve export pathways, and will continue to pursue this in our discussions with government."
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
