Truckies now have until March 13 to have a say on where they think new rest areas in the state should be, or how existing sites could be improved.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) quietly extended the original deadline of February 28 on the dedicated project website, without alerting industry media.
TfNSW has also not responded to a Big Rigs request for the reasons why and what can be gleaned from the submissions so far.
According to the website the Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Improvement Program aims to plan and prepare for new heavy vehicle rest stop opportunities and potential improvements to existing rest stops.
The program includes a comprehensive audit of the state road network and the existing and potential provision of heavy vehicle rest stops against the Austroads Guidelines.
“Heavy vehicle drivers and operators are invited to share their perspective to ensure the work meets the current and future needs of heavy vehicle drivers and the growing freight task by identifying any gaps in the network, said TfNSW.
“In seeking feedback, we would like industry to prioritise feedback on the Barton Highway, Princes Highway and Great Western Highway in the first instance and then consider the broader state road network.”
Truckies can provide feedback via a short eight-point survey or interactive map.
“Your feedback will be used to identify priority areas, inform future improvements to the quality and quantity of heavy vehicle rest areas.”
High-profile truckie Rod Hannifey urges other drivers to have a say before the March 13 deadline.
“If we don’t, they’ll turn around and say, ‘Well no one raised anything, how are we supposed to know?’,” he said.
In northern NSW at Clybucca, outdoor fitness equipment has already been installed for use by truck drivers.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the initiative was important because it would help the government address gaps in the rest stop network and ensure facilities meet the needs of drivers.