Refrigerated transport faces freeze

A major courier company serving the region will stop offering one of its specialised services this month, leaving farmers and their produce hot and bothered.

Toll Ipec, a subsidiary of the Toll Group, will close its Kimberley refrigerated transport service as of next month, but will continue offering other freight and domestic delivery.

A Toll Group spokesperson said a review of its operating model showed this service was no longer sustainable.

“Like every business, we regularly review our operating model to ensure we are set up in the right way to support our community while delivering a sustainable business model,” they said.

“We have decided to discontinue our service relating to refrigerated transport, with a number of alternative transport providers available to provide this service.

“Toll is working closely with our customers and employees through this transition. We will continue to provide our extensive transport services to the Kimberly community across parcel delivery, general freight services, fuel transport, and supply base services.”

Toll has been servicing the Kimberley for 20 years, with its refrigerated service utilised by growers in the Ord Valley to transport produce down south, with the seasonal harvest falling around the time of the wet season build up.

Kununurra mango grower Lesley James said she was concerned Toll was leaving town completely and had not been contacted by the company to discuss her options.

But she said she was pleased that it would continue its other services in the Kimberley and was confident she would be able to find another provider to contract this season.