Signage telling truckies the Nass Road breakdown pad in Charton can be used for long-term storage of trailers and dollies is causing chaos for other drivers, said watchdog Wes Walker.
Walker recently watched one frustrated truckie nab the last park on the busy Queensland site near Toowoomba that he said has rapidly degenerated into a free-for-all depot.
“I’m getting the feedback now that you can’t get a park there at all – a lot of drivers are pulling their hair out it’s got so bad” Walker said.
“The state government is allowing corporate transport companies free storage for any of their equipment for as long as they like at the taxpayer’s expense.”
The sign at Charlton has now covered over the two-hour time limit at Gatton. Image: Wes WalkerAfter the recent closure for maintenance and repairs, Walker says the site is all “beautifully hot-mixed”, apart from where you’re supposed to park dollies.
“But there’s no dollies there; just a shit load of trailers and storage because of what new sign says.”
Walker said a simple time limit would solve the problem, along with the addition of much-needed lines on the pavement so more trailers could fit.
“They would easily get four more trailers in there if they had lines.”
Wes Walker believes a time limit and lines would solve the issues at both breakdown sites. Image: James GrahamWalker said truckies face similar issues with the lack of signs and lines at the nearby Gatton breakdown pad.
“You’re allowed to leave your gear here as long as you like now. It’s a free storage yard provided by the taxpayer of Queensland.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Main Roads told Big Rigs that it monitors the operation of the Charlton site, and self-regulated parking at the facility is operating as expected, with no need for additional line marking.
“As expected, there are normal peaks and troughs with usage. TMR encourages users to show courtesy to others when using the facility which includes not using the location as a long-term trailer/dolly parking area.
“TMR doesn’t generally limit the timings on the use of decoupling facilities. These facilities are constructed for the benefit of the heavy vehicle industry to enable them to get more freight efficient combinations closer to their destination.
“The need to enforce time limits is not seen as a priority as most of the heavy vehicle industry use the facilities as they are intended to be used.”
TMR undertook pavement repairs and resealing at the Nass Road Heavy Vehicle Decoupling Facility in June when the site was temporarily closed to truckies.
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