Industry working group has identified areas for $14 million works
With an election looming and in the wake of union and Coalition promises of cash for truckstops, the Western Australian government has made its own pledge.
Echoing a Western Roads Federation (WRF) statement that the government is working with the industry to identify and prioritise regional rest areas, state transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
An industry working group has identified 17 initial locations for improvements, costing $14 million with works to start in June, subject to approval of the allocation of the funds by the federal government.
A working group involving Main Roads WA and industry bodies including the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), the WRF and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA (LRTAWA) determined the improvements program.
The WRF welcomes the move, saying that, although subject to federal government support, the recognition of the priority need for state truck drivers to have proper rest areas with facilities is “extremely welcomed”.
It notes that the WA road transport industry, especially its truck drivers are working at capacity to keep the state re-supplied following Sunday’s pandemic-lockdown rush on the shops.
“This announcement is timely and provides recognition to the critical work our drivers and industry do in supporting our state’s economy and community,” WRF chair Craig Smith-Gander says.
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The WRF sees the outcome as proof of what the industry can achieve when it works in unison.
“The collaboration between the Transport Workers Union, Livestock and Rural Transporters WA and Western Roads Federation has been outstanding on this issue,” the organisation says.
“We don’t always have to agree with each other, but where we have common concerns we are more effective when we all together.”
The minister also acknowledged industry involvement in the project.
“Freight drivers provide an essential service and we need to ensure we have the amenities and facilities available in regional WA these workers deserve,” Saffioti says.
“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.
“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.”
Key works identified include:
- Provision of ablution facilities at 10 locations, near Bunbury, Northam, Port Hedland, Northampton, Exmouth, Wubin and Marble Bar (more than $2 million)
- Expansion of the Newman road train assembly area and new ablution facilities ($6 million)
- 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)
- Sealing of an existing parking area near Karijini to separate heavy and light vehicles ($950,000).
The state government says 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.