Tim Tam production could be impacted by one muddy NSW Riverina road

For the last 20 years Grain Link (NSW) has been supplying Arnott's Biscuits with a specialty wheat grown in Benerembah near Griffith.

That wheat is used to help make Tim Tams.

However, this year's substantial rainfall had made Barber Road, a dirt road which provides access to the Benerembah grain storage site, impossible for heavy vehicles to use at times.

Grain Link managing director Paul Pearsall said in a year with average rainfall might see the road inaccessible to heavy vehicles for a total of two weeks.

He estimated so far this year Barber Road had been inaccessible to trucks for almost two months.

"It's such a nuisance for our logistics, we have to co-ordinate deliveries year round," Mr Pearsall said.

Mr Pearsall said he'd fielded questions from the business's clients which include Arnott's, Baida and Manilda Group about why they weren't receiving grain after it had rained.

"With Arnott's, specialty wheats are used to make Tim Tams and they need it supplied 52 weeks of the year," he said.

The drought meant there was less pressure on the road, however the La Nina event was making it a major obstacle which could lead to the loss of contracts.

"It's not just grains, there's cotton, sheep, cattle, grapes, rice and other bulk products," he said.

"This would be a perfect example of what should be funded to help get the COVID recovery going."

Mr Pearsall said it wasn't only economics which was a major issue for the users of Barber Road.

"Most importantly our wives and our children drive on the road every day, the school bus uses the road."

In July, Griffith councillors voted to move Barber Road up council's priority list for upgrades and had engaged consultants to design upgrades before costs are considered.

Without all-weather access, an alternative for Grain Link is to send trucks through the city to reach their Wumbulgal storage site around 42 kilometres away.

"We use the Benerembah site so farmers and trucks don't drive through Griffith, if they have to drive through the city it adds safety risks, but also adds to the costs."

However, Mr Pearsall said the people who used the road weren't waiting for a helping hand and were preparing a war chest.

He said a co-contribution fund based on the amount of wheat and grains being transported on the road was being built.