In Victoria, a new Victorian Environmental Protection Act and underpinning regulations are coming into force on July 1.
The new act and regulations represent a significant change in environmental management across Victoria, with a move from prosecution to prevention of environmental damage.
Currently, a permit is required for storage of more than 5000 tyres in Victoria. Arrangements for farms that use and store more than 5000 tyres are still being developed and it is not yet clear what the requirement of a licensing system will be.
Dairy Australia has launched a guide into the safe use of tyres on dairy farms.
Waste tyres can be a useful material on-farm, in particular for the production of conserved fodder.
Production of silage is a convenient and cost-effective way to conserve fodder and ensure it’s available as needed year-round.
It’s important all dairy farms follow published guidance to ensure safe practice and compliance.
This advice provides a brief overview of silage production, with links to best-practice resources, as well as links to all jurisdiction’s regulators, so that dairy businesses are adequately considering their risks and can ensure their own practices are meeting requirements.
Use of conserved forage
Conserved forage is required on the vast majority of dairy farms at various stages of the year and is considered standard practice both in Australia and in many regions around the world.
Conserved forage is used in both grazing systems, where there are periods of time when there is insufficient grazed pasture available to meet herd demand, as well as in more intensive systems such as Total and Partial Mixed Ration systems, to ensure sufficient levels of forage in animal diets throughout the year.
Most of the conserved forage used on Australian dairy farms is ensiled, with crops like rye-grass and maize particularly popular as silage options. An anaerobic environment where there is total elimination of air is a critical requirement to conserve fodder as silage.
While some rye-grass silage can be conserved in round bales sealed with plastic wrapping, many farmers also use stacks or pits to conserve fodder under a sealed plastic cover.
Sealing the stack
There are several industry best-practice recommendations around sealing of silage stacks in Australia.
These best management practices are based around significant cross-sector and interstate research collaborations over several years, and are summarised collectively in the Successful Silage manual, which can be found through the Dairy Australia website.
The guidelines consistently emphasise the importance of compaction when sealing a silage pit/stack. For many years in Australia, the use of tyres on top of silage stacks to weigh down the plastic covering has been widespread and common.
It is current industry best practice to minimise the amount of air seeping underneath the plastic to optimise fermentation and prevent deterioration.
Waste tyres are a key component of an efficient fodder conservation system where silage stacks are used. Tyres are normally reused for many years, provided they are stored and handled correctly.
Safe storage of tyres
Tyres need to be stored for a period (usually a few months) while the silage stack is opened and used, and before being reused the next time a silage stack/pit is created on the farm.
It is important to ensure that tyres are stored safely to manage risks. Each state’s fire authorities has guidelines for the safe storage of tyres.
These guidelines generally include the following:
● Tyres should be stored on a level site away from surface watercourses, flood zones and groundwater recharge points.
● Ensure that the fire risk is minimised by removing any vegetation on the storage site via mowing or spraying the site prior to storage and maintain this practice regularly when storing tyres during summer months when the fire risk is greater.
● Maintain a clear distance of at least 5m to 10m around the tyre storage site from all directions to minimise the risk of any potential fire spreading. Avoid storing tyres directly against an area of bush/overgrowth where possible.
● Do not store tyres under electric power lines, or near any other potential sources of ignition that may be present on the farm, such as flammable or combustible liquids or other sources of heat or ignition.
● The tyre storage site should be securely fenced and have access gates wide enough to allow the entry of emergency vehicles.
● Do not stack tyres too high in a storage pile — it can be unstable and create a safety hazard for farm workers and visitors.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Your state regulator will be able to provide more information on local requirements to ensure your tyres are stored safely and in compliance with local regulations. If unsure, contact your local authority directly for advice.
National
Tyre Stewardship Australia: tyrestewardship.org.au
Victoria
EPA Victoria: www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/manage-industrial-waste/waste-tyres
NSW
NSW EPA: www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/industrial-waste/tyres
Fire and Rescue NSW: www.fire.nsw.gov.au/gallery/files/pdf/guidelines/rubber_tyres.pdf
South Australia
EPA SA: www.epa.sa.gov.au/files/4771416_guide_tyres.pdf
South Australia Fire Authorities: www.mfs.sa.gov.au/public/download/?id=71013
Tasmania
EPA Tasmania: epa.tas.gov.au/Documents/Approved%20Management%20Method%20for%20the%20Storage%20and%20Reuse%20of%20Waste%20Tyres.pdf
Western Australia
Waste Authority: www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/publications/view/miscellaneous/tyres-used-and-waste
Queensland
Department of Environment and Science: environment.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/103887/wr-eowc-approved-tyres.pdf
