ALISTER Clarke spent 13 years working with stock transport giants Frasers, finishing as Rockhampton depot operations manager, before deciding to branch out on his own in 2018.

Joining forces with his father Graham, the pair launched Gracemere Livestock Transport near Rockhampton in Central Queensland. Graham, now approaching retirement age, has carted cattle all his working life.

Alister, his wife Prue and Graham bought an existing Central Queensland transport business from local contractor Russell Weick, who was operating a single truck.

Effectively the new Gracemere Livestock business started with two trucks, with the inclusion of the unit already owned and operated by Graham.

Since then, operations have grown significantly, to the point where seven years later, Gracemere Livestock operates 12 prime movers (11 Kenworths and a Western Star) with capacity for up to 60 decks of cattle.

Part of that expansion included the purchase two years ago of Willoughby Livestock Transport, operated by Gary Willoughby out of Eton, near Mackay, who was looking to retire. That purchase included another six trucks.

Today the fleet operates out of two depots at Gracemere and Eton.

Most of the clientele is made up of larger Central Queensland family-owned cattle operations, together with a bunch of smaller cattle producers, some with multiple properties in different areas.

Operations are varied, including shifts from breeding properties to a backgrounding property for the same owner, or for cattle that are transacted; backgrounding properties to feedlots; and feedlots or grass finishing properties to meatworks or saleyards.

The main footprint extends from Charters Towers in the north, to meatworks in Mackay, Rockhampton and Biloela, and others in Queensland’s southeast corner, plus feedlots on the nearby Darling Downs. The odd load also finds its way onto live export boats in Townsville.

Economies of scale

Alister Clarke said part of the business’s expansion from 5-6 trucks to 12 was brought about because of the need for economies of scale.

“Originally we (the drivers) did a lot of our own mechanical and maintenance work, washing-down and office work. At that scale we could not afford a full-time mechanic, wash-boy or tyre-fitter.

“But our long-term plan was to get to a scale where we could justify a dedicated mechanic and other support. To do that we needed ten-plus trucks on the road,” Alister said.

“Now, drivers come in after a job, hand in a repair request, and go home. They’re not in the shed helping change tyres after they finish a shift.”

“Despite changes like that, accessing good drivers is hard – as it is right across the industry. We’ve got a good crew, but like many others, we could do with another driver or two.”

Coordinating ‘back loads’ to minimise trucks travelling out or back empty was also a little easier with a larger fleet, Alister said. Sometimes, two trucks within the fleet will swap cattle on longer hauls north-to south, making operations more efficient.

Booking inquiries: 0407 032 530   email: alister@gracemerelivestocktransport.com

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