Published on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 10:31:48 AM
We've got a cracker harvest shaping up across the district, and it's not just the farmers getting ready for a hectic few months. The Shire's rural road crews are also gearing up for plenty of action across our local road network.
A bumper season means more grain on the move, which is great news for local growers and the economy. It also means more road trains, farm machinery, maintenance crews, farmers and advisors all sharing the same roads. And, in the Esperance region harvest always coincides with the start of the busy tourist season, so the annual influx of tourists also gets added to the mix. Everyone will need a bit of patience and common sense to help keep things moving safely.
Regional roads can be unforgiving; 61 per cent of road fatalities in Western Australia during 2024 were on regional roads, and speed continues to be a major factor in serious regional crashes. These are not just statistics. These are real people, gone - and families devastated. A vital reminder for all of us to slow down, drive to the conditions and look out for one another.
Looking after the safety of road users and our road crews across over 3,000km of unsealed roads is a top priority for the Shire. Here are some simple things you can do to help keep the roads safe.
If you come across a grader or roadworks, back off the throttle and take it easy:
- Driving past a grader at speed can kick up enough dust to hide half a paddock, let alone traffic coming from either direction.
- If our crews feel conditions are unsafe - nobody wants a road train suddenly coming out of the dust - they'll have no choice but to pack up and move on until it's safe to continue. Slowing down around graders and road works means the teams can keep maintaining roads throughout harvest.
Stick to the speed limit:
- Did you know road trains have an 80km/h speed limit on unsealed roads within the Shire of Esperance?
- Sticking to the speed limit doesn't just improve safety, it also helps preserve your road surfaces. Put simply, the slower we drive on gravel roads, the longer they'll stay in good nick.
Report road issues:
- Maintenance of key haulage routes will be prioritised throughout harvest. If you spot potholes, corrugations or other road issues, send the details to roads@esperance.wa.gov.au, or call 9071 0666 and press 7. The more information you can provide about the location, the easier it will be for crews to investigate.
We're wishing everyone a safe and successful harvest. Whether you're behind the wheel of a road train, header, ute, caravan or family sedan, please take your time, be patient, follow traffic management directions and keep an eye out for road workers. Slow down and enjoy the ride.
At the end of the day, the grain can wait a few extra minutes - what matters most is that everyone gets home alive. So slow down, be considerate of other road users and road maintenance teams, and let's all look after each other on our roads this harvest season.
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