More than $300,000 of taxpayer funds will be spent on two new b-double truck washes at the Grafton saleyards. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and State Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis announced the new truck wash for the saleyards last week. The Casino saleyards are also to get a new truck wash. “This is a great joint initiative of the Federal and State Governments which will help improve the efficiency of both saleyards that employ many thousands of local people in our community,” Mr Hogan said. “The meat and livestock industry is vital to our local community and is a driving force of our national economy.” Mr Gulaptis said the Fixing Country Truck Washes program is designed to enhance the safety and productivity of truck wash-out facilities, as well as providing environmental benefits across regional NSW. “We are building an efficient freight transport network across regional NSW by focusing on hotspots where truck washing facilities and effluent disposal doesn’t currently meet the needs of truck operators,” he said. “This is an essential industry to the local, state and national economy and I’m delighted with the local government projects that have been successful, they will greatly contribute to a strong freight transport network.”