Jacob steps down with pride in achievements

WA’s peak rural road transport group will appoint a new president tomorrow, with incumbent Andy Jacob relocating to Victoria in the fallout of the live-sheep trade debacle.

Mr Jacob became president of the Livestock and Rural Transport Association, replacing Stephen Marley, last July after the live sheep export drama threatened to overflow into the livestock trucking realm.

The Jacob Transport principal was among owner-operators on the live sheep trade’s supply chain dependent on the industry, moving sheep to feedlots and then the Fremantle Port.

Mr Jacob said the current three-month standstill was not the primary reason for moving to the regional Victorian town of Echuca, with family factors also playing a role, but it “was the final straw”.

“A strong part of the decision is family orientated, however the reality of what has happened from a work perspective is still very real,” he said.

“The (live sheep trade’s) three-month suspension was the final straw because the core of what I did was transport out of feedlotting into Fremantle Port.

“The impact it has had along the supply chain is real.”

His successor will be named at LRTA’s annual conference in Busselton tomorrow.

Mr Jacob said he was proud of the organisation’s achievements in the last year.

“There is a lot more that we’ve done in the last 12 months other than work with live exports — live exports has just been a drop in the ocean,” Mr Jacob said.

“I’m happy with what we’ve achieved, but from an individual perspective, I would have liked to have stayed around for longer because a year is way too quick.”

LRTA’s two-day conference has Australian Rules legend Kevin Sheedy as the keynote speaker.

Elders’ Dean Hubbard will discuss the future of WA’s meat and livestock sector, while The Sheep Collective’s Holly Ludeman will speak about the lobby group’s work.

Victorian industry consultant Alan Pincott will run a workshop aimed at improving drivers’ understanding of factors involved in heavy vehicle rollovers and how to avoid accidents.