Growers seek clarity on bin plans

Chief executive officer Andy Crane said growers' concerns were being allayed as its plans for 202 bin sites were revealed.

But the full picture of the 100 sites CBH will use into the future will not be outlined until after the 22 grower meetings conclude in mid-April.

Dr Crane said CBH was committed to giving growers clarity.

"The overwhelming sentiment from the grower meetings has been 'bring us clarity, bring us certainty now' and that that's far more important to them," he said.

"That helps them in understanding how they can plan for their business and how shires can plan."

CBH's $750 million plan is focused on improving rapid receival and out-loading to port facilities at the targeted 100 sites as it concentrates efforts to get grain to international markets in the first six months of the year.

The other 102 sites, some with concrete silos dating back to the 1960s, will be phased out over three, five and 10-year periods.

The meetings, which will be in Miling, Wongan Hills, Koorda, Mukinbudin, Merredin, Cunderdin, Ravensthorpe and Esperance this week, are also providing an opportunity to discuss CBH's rejection of the Australian Grains Champion's proposal to corporatise the organisation.

Dr Crane said growers wanted a clear understanding of the reasons for the rejection.

They are also keen to participate in the consultation process CBH has underway, he said.

The six-month consultation process was announced by CBH to look at the future of the co-operative's structure and strategy for its network.

CBH hopes to produce an interim report on the structure options, including a corporatised option, by September 30, about the time AGC had hoped to be finalising its GrainCorp-backed proposal for listing CBH as a public company.

A decision by the CBH board on the future structure of the organisation is not expected until next year.

"Growers are wanting to understand the reasons for the rejection and understand that if they wish to change the structure of CBH, it's something that they can do," he said.

"But, there's time for them to consider that properly and to make a considered decision that's in their interests.

"We've been getting questions about different structures that could be adopted as well as other ways of governing the business."

Meetings have already been held at a range of locations across the Geraldton district and Dr Crane said they were well-attended with many growers taking the opportunity to speak to their local director, himself and CBH general manager of operations David Capper.