Up to 17 rest areas at a cost of $14 million have been targeted for improvements in Western Australia.
It’s part of a major focus on enhancing facilities for truck drivers by the State Government.
The program of improvements was determined by a working group involving Main Roads WA and peak industry bodies including the Transport Workers’ Union, the Western Roads Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA.
Works have been scheduled to start in June 2021, subject to approval by the Commonwealth Government.
Key works identified to date include:
Provision of ablution facilities at ten locations on key freight routes, near Bunbury, Northam, Port Hedland, Northampton, Exmouth, Wubin and Marble Bar. These upgrades have been estimated to cost $2 million.
Another $6 million has been allocated to the expansion of the Newman road train assembly area and new ablution facilities.
The sealing of existing gravel parking near Auski roadhouse ($3.2 million), sealing and extension of parking at Leonora and provision of toilet facilities ($1.5 million) and sealing of an existing parking area near Karijini to separate heavy and light vehicles ($950,000) have also been factored into the initial budget.
The group will continue identifying projects on key regional routes that would benefit from the program, which is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments.
“Freight drivers provide an essential service and we need to ensure we have the amenities and facilities available in regional WA these workers deserve,” said WA Transport Minister Rita Safioti.
“I commend the efforts of the working group and the contributions from key industry organisations, and am looking forward to working with the industry group and Commonwealth Government on delivering these upgrades,” she said.
“In addition to identifying further rest area improvements, the working group will continue look at opportunities to involve local government and private companies to help broaden the benefits of this funding initiative as well as better use of technology to assist in the management and utilisation of these rest area facilities.”