Major upgrades worth $14 million will soon begin at 14 priority locations in regional Western Australia.
The heavy vehicle rest area site priorities were determined during extensive consultation with peak industry groups, including the Transport Workers Union (WA Branch), Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA and Western Roads Federation.
Industry priorities comprised major upgrades at Newman, Auski, Karijini and Leonora, and improvements at 10 key heavy vehicles sites in the Pilbara, Mid-West Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance and South-West regions, including waterproofing, better access and facilities.
The 2022-23 program, which has an allocation of $36 million, will also be developed through consultation with industry.
The State and Commonwealth governments have committed $50 million under the Freight Vehicle Productivity Improvements Program for improvements across the State road network.
Pilbara region upgrades
- Marble Bar Road – Minor rest area improvements and construct ablution block ($170,000).
- Great Northern Highway at Karijini Drive – Upgrade rest area, construct ablution block ($1.06 million).
- Great Northern Highway at Bell Street – Minor improvements and construct ablution block ($170,000).
- Great Northern Highway, Whim Creek – Upgrade rest area and construct ablution block ($170,000).
- Great Northern Highway, Newman – Construct new rest area and ablution block ($6.16 million).
- Great Northern Highway, Auski – Construct new rest area and ablution block ($3.2 million).
- Great Northern Highway, Redmont – Minor rest area improvements and construct ablution block ($170,000).
Mid-West region
- Great Northern Highway, Wubin – Minor rest area improvements and construct ablution block ($200,000);
- Great Northern Highway 115 km north of Wubin – Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000);
- North West Coastal Highway, Northampton – Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000);
- Minilya Exmouth Road – Minor rest area improvements, construct shower and ablution block ($400,000);
- Great Eastern Highway, Northam – Minor RTTA improvements, construct ablution block ($100,000).
Goldfields-Esperance region
- Main Reef Road (Goldfields Highway), Leonora – Extend RTTA, construct ablution block ($1.6 million).
South-West region
- Willinge Drive, Bunbury – Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000).
Wheatbelt region
- Great Eastern Highway, Northam – Minor RTTA improvements, construct ablution block ($100,000).
“Freight drivers provide an essential service and it’s important we have the necessary amenities and facilities available in regional WA that these drivers need,” said Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“We’ve worked with the transport industry to finalise 14 high priority locations across regional WA that will receive $14 million of urgent upgrades with works to commence shortly.
“I’d like to thank the Commonwealth for their financial contribution and the transport industry for all their work on the program.”
The Transport Workers Union commends the WA State Government for recognising the importance of truck drivers, by committing to essential and humane infrastructure in the form of safe and appropriate rest stop amenities on the highways of Western Australia.
This comes as the State Government has committed to an initial $14 million dollars’ worth of funding and a further $36 million in the 2022-23 budget, a total of $50 million to upgrade vital infrastructure and build truck bay amenities that will make a significant difference in the lives of long-distance truck drivers.
“This funding would not have been possible if not for the tireless campaigning of union members and all transport workers should be grateful for the hard work of TWU members,” said State Secretary Tim Dawson.
“I want to thank member for Balcatta, David Michael MLA, who has been a tireless advocate for truck drivers and the Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, who should be commended for her ongoing support of transport workers and their union, the TWU. Their recognition of how essential transport workers are and were throughout the pandemic should be commended.
“With this State Government’s willingness to consult with industry and union members, together we can make significant improvements to the lives of truck drivers and ensure the funding is directed to the correct places.”