FARMERS may end up with downgraded crops this harvest because Mildura Rural City Council is “dragging their feet” to approve wheat storage facilities, according to a Millewa grain grower.
James O’Day said farmers were in “dire need” of extra storage due to a large harvest, but council had given no response to an application made by Viterra to build two 15,000 tonne wheat bunkers at Werrimull.
The Wargan grower said farmers now had to send grain to Loxton, which would take much longer and delay the end of harvest.
Mr O’Day said the council had not made objections to the extension of grain storage, and had “missed an opportunity” to keep trucks off the road.
“It’s not in a developed area,” Mr O’Day said. “It’s to the east of Werrimull and there’s a council tip on one side.
“There’s been no objections by the landowner.”
Grain handler Viterra has several storage sites in western Victoria and SA, including Werrimull, Tailem Bend, Pinnaroo and Loxton.
The company received more than 250,000 tonnes of commodities, with barley the largest share, during the 2021-22 harvest, according to its website.
Its eastern receivals sites, which includes Werrimull, received 5483 tonnes.
Mr O’Day said Viterra stated it would extend storage capacity at Werrimull six weeks ago, but as it was still awaiting approval it was too late to complete works this harvest.
He said Viterra had lodged a similar application for two storage bins with the District Council of Loxton Waikerie at the same time.
He said that application had been “approved within a day” and storage bunkers, at Alawoona, would be completed this coming week.
Mr O’Day said this season’s harvest was likely to be a “bumper crop” on par with the 2020 harvest.
He said grain would have to go to Loxton, and that the three-and-a-half hour round-trip to Loxton was double the time needed to transport grain to Werrimull.
But he said he was now concerned the delay could cost farmers.
“If we have a delayed harvest and all this rain continues, we end up with damaged crops because it’s sitting in the paddock because we can’t get it out. How much money will that cost?”
Mr O’Day said the council needed to review why the process had taken so long.
“How has Loxton council ticked it off within a day and they’ve taken months?” Mr O’Day said.
“I would like an answer.”
MRCC was unable to provide comment before deadline.
