Work will soon begin on $14 million of major upgrades to heavy vehicle rest areas at 15 priority locations across regional WA.
The WA Government says it selected the sites for these upgrades following consultation with industry groups such as the Transport Workers Union (WA Branch), Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA and Western Roads Federation.
Industry priorities comprised of 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.
“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.”
The Transport Workers Union says it 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 WA.
“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 TWU state secretary Tim Dawson.
“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.”
The 2022-23 program, which has an allocation of $36 million, will also be developed through consultation with industry.
The state and federal 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); and
- 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).