WA Bridges' New Limits Threaten Farming, Transport

0:00It's March 23rd, Adelaide News Today starts now. AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. The water corporation in Western Australia has set new vehicle load limits on 26 bridges it owns in the Southwest region. These bridges stretch from Warruna to Bustleton, about 100 to 230 kilometers south of Perth. The changes aim to protect the structures after advice from main roads. The limits started rolling out bridge by bridge last January with the latest ones hitting Bustleton area in May. Many of these bridges cross the utilities drainage ditches and the rules vary by location to reduce stress on aging infrastructure. Farmers in the area are up in arms, saying the restrictions could halt mill calls of 25,000 to 30,000 liters a day, plus. Deliveries of feed, fertilizer and fuel. Some face one to two hour detours while others have no alternate routes out of their properties, threatening local food supplies. Business owners and farming and transport echo the concerns, noting a lack of small enough trucks and poor consultation before the quick rollout.

1:07Local MP Libby Metham calls it a short-sighted decision from Perth that ignores regional needs like agriculture and emergencies. Water corporation says it's teaming up with main roads and locals to ease heavy vehicle impacts, urging everyone to plan alternate routes. For now, the focus stays on safety while sorting out the fallout for Southwest communities.