A HAUL-OUT driver shortage is threatening the productivity of the upcoming sugarcane harvest in North Queensland, with licence testing on hold due to the coronavirus crisis.
With the harvest due to start in late May, there are rising concerns there won't be enough drivers to assist with getting cane to the mills.
Canegrowers CEO Dan Galligan said while representatives had worked hard to ensure the industry would meet government health requirements, several significant operational issues remained.
Mr Galligan said driver licensing for harvest crews remained an issue, with at least 60 HR drivers needed on the Burdekin alone.
"With fewer drivers coming from interstate and New Zealand this year because of coronavirus border controls, the industry needs more local potential truck drivers assessed for an HR licence - but the Queensland government suspension of in-vehicle assessments is a road-block," Mr Galligan said.
"The Burdekin alone needs around 60 people to go through this process as soon as possible and because of the size of the vehicles involved, we believe we should be able to see an approach that allows for social distancing measures to be put in place and licences issued safely."
Mr Galligan said Canegrowers had raised the issue with government and were hopeful for a speedy resolution.
Burdekin MP Dale Last said he believed there was a simple solution to licensing. "Local farmers are desperately trying to get workers licensed for the upcoming crush as well as day to day operations and, as of right now, we are at a complete standstill, but there is a simple solution," Mr Last said.
"All we need to do is apply the same procedures that apply when someone takes a practical driving test for a motorcycle license.
"I can't see any reason why an assessor can't follow the person taking the test in another vehicle and complete the assessment that way."
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said all practical driver training tests were suspended following advice from federal and state health experts.
Mr Bailey said his department was working with industry to resolve the licensing issue.
"To support the freight industry, my department is now looking at options to potentially resume heavy vehicle driver training, where it's safe to do so for everyone involved and consistent with the directions of health authorities," Mr Bailey said.
"This would include looking at things like new PPE requirements to protect the examiners and drivers-in-training."
