Truckies will soon have access to Sydney’s first dedicated heavy vehicle rest area, as announced by the federal government today.

The Eastern Creek site, located five minutes from the M7 and 10 minutes from the M4 will give a much-needed rest stop in Western Sydney for truckies travelling along the east coast.

$40 million has been committed by both the federal and NSW governments to start the first steps on the rest area, which they say will feature showers and other important facilities.

“The safety of our truckies is a priority of our government and improving the number and quality of heavy vehicle rest areas is critical for that,” says federal transport minister Catherine King.

“We’ve listened to our truck drivers, and will deliver what they’ve asked for – shelter, toilets, hot showers, drinking water, shade and bays to sleep.

“These are things that we often take for granted at our own workplace but are not easily accessible for our truckies while they are working on the road.

“Availability of adequate rest areas helps truckies to better manage fatigue and avoid incidents on the road, ultimately saving lives.”

A survey of 800 truckies – overwhelmingly long-haul drivers of B-doubles and semi-trailers – found safety and security was their highest priority for a rest area, as well as the provision of separate toilet and shower facilities for female drivers.

Based on driver feedback and industry consultation, the rest area will provide flushing toilets, clean drinking water, hot showers, ample available parking including secluded bays for sleeping, and shaded areas for time outside the truck cabin.

The new rest stop will provide space for a range of heavy vehicles, including oversize overmass, and it will give truckies a safe and accessible area to rest and manage fatigue as part of their journey.

“The federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative aims to increase heavy vehicle user safety and productivity through vital new and upgraded rest areas across their journey,” says Senator Glenn Sterle.

“We want to keep our truck drivers and communities safe and these new and upgraded rest stops will help drivers reduce their fatigue as they keep goods moving across the country.”