Something Old, Something New: The Policing of Ordinances 30C and 30D of the NSW Local Government Act (1919) on a Group Council Basis

As far back as 1969 Boomi Shire experienced damage to structures and roads by the movement of wheat by road generally with vehicles over-loaded by between 30 and 60%. Following the good wheat harvest of 1978/79 Council again critically appraised the damage to timber bridges, of which it had some 41 on Main and Council roads. In view of an additional $40,000 damage caused to bridges alone, it was decided to seriously review the situation of vehicle overloading generally. Such a review was influenced by the following factors: • A dramatic land use change in the Gwydir Valley as a result of Copeton Dam water distribution and to a lesser extent the MacIntyre-Barwon Valley and resultant increase in grain and cotton production, • The then Grain Elevators Board (GEB) (subsequently the Grain Handling Authority, GHA) as a policy decision, installed 60 tonne weighbridges for wheat and other grain receivals at each of some 12 silos in the area, and • The fact that a two month wheat cartage season had extended to about a 10 month cartage season (of various commodities), coupled with increased livestock numbers at the large Moree Saleyards.