Harvesting Machinery Inspections

PEOPLE bringing harvesting machinery into New South Wales from Queensland are legally required to ensure their equipment is free of parthenium weeds and seeds, with inspections now occurring at the NSW border crossing sites.

To minimise delays, the NSW of Primary Industries (DPI) are instructing those crossing the border to submit a Record of Movement form and contact an authorised NSW DPI officer prior to arrival.

All offices require 48 hours notice of intention to present machinery for inspection, which must occur in daylight hours.

Philip Blackmore, NSW DPI State Priority Weeds coordinator said while headers are high-risk, all machinery and vehicles which have been in parthenium weed areas of Queensland should be properly cleaned before entering the state.

“The person in charge of a header, including the comb and comb trailer, must submit a completed Record of Movement form to an authorised NSW DPI officer at or near the NSW and Queensland border,” Mr Blackmore said.

People bringing high-risk harvesting equipment into NSW from Queensland are required by law to ensure equipment crossing the border is free of the devastating parthenium weed. Equipment should be presented for inspection at border crossing sites. Photo by NSW DPI.

“The form includes a declaration that the header and comb have been cleaned in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Biosecurity Order (Permitted Activities) 2019,” he said.

“Operators of all machinery, not just harvesters, have a legal duty to prevent their machines from spreading parthenium weed into NSW, which is covered by the General Biosecurity Duty under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015,” he said.

Machinery which must be cleaned and treated with sterilant include:

• Harvest field bins;
• Augers and any grain movers;
• Trucks and  low loaders carrying a header;
• Harvest support and escort vehicles;
• Mineral exploration drill rigs and
• Vehicles transporting the rigs.

For more information and contact details for crossing sites and offices, visit the NSW DPI website. 

Related Story: Upper Hunter Parthenium Weed: Preparing For Spring – August 6, 2020.