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Sterle and King plea for rest-stop stimulus portion

Joint statement says recent roads funding must factor in truck driver amenity

 

No specific focus on truck rest stop funding allocation in New South Wales’ recent roads and infrastructure spend announcement has raised the eyebrows of federal Opposition’s transport advocates.

A joint statement from Shadow Assistant Minister for Road Safety senator Glenn Sterle and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King details perceived shortfalls in truck-driver amenity investment and calls for increased industry participation in the decision-making process.

This follows Sterle’s vocal campaigning for truck driver health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic freight task.


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“The Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement last week of $398 million in state and federal funding for road safety fails when it comes to Australia’s truck drivers,” Sterle and King write.                                                                           

“Talk to a truck driver, and they will tell you again and again that what they need are adequate, well planned and well-designed heavy vehicle rest areas along our major freight routes.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically highlighted the need and importance of Australia’s essential truck drivers, and they should have a seat at the table when it comes to allocating federal government funds towards road projects that will undoubtedly have an impact on them.”

When it comes to regional road safety infrastructure projects, funding for fit-for-purpose heavy vehicle rest areas must be included, Sterle and King add.

“Any infrastructure project that looks to improve road conditions and road safety in regional communities must include the consideration of rest areas for heavy vehicles.

“Consultation with truck drivers on the design of these rest areas as well as where they should be located would be a perfect place for the Deputy Prime Minister [Michael McCormack] to start.”

In a short response McCormack’s office tells ATN the funding package is still yet to be assigned to specific projects.

 

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