The Tasmanian Transport Association (TTA) has welcomed Tasmanian Labor’s plan for better roads and infrastructure.
Last month, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Australia’s only Liberal leader, announced the state will go to an election on March 23, more than a year earlier than planned.
Speaking at Epping Forest in front of the Tasmanian Truck Driver’s Memorial Wall, Labor leader Bec White’s announcements included an additional $40m for road maintenance, the development of 10-year action plans for the Bass, Tasman and Huon Highways, investment in an industry-led model for heavy vehicle driver development, and support for improved safety at rail level crossings.
Chairman of the TTA, John de Bruyn, welcomed the commitment to better facilities for heavy vehicle drivers, both on and off the road, with an additional $5m committed to heavy vehicle driver rest areas around the state including Epping Forest, toilets at Longford, and investment in the Open Road physical and mental health program.
“Investment in Heavy Vehicle Driver Rest Areas with toilets on Tasmanian freight routes is a key contributor to road safety for our truck drivers, who perform a critical role for Tasmanian businesses, communities, and the Tasmanian economy,” de Bruyn said.
“We also welcome the announcement of ongoing funding for the Open Road program, which we are delivering in partnership with RAW, and the support for TTA’s Workforce Plan including our Drive Your Future campaign.”
“TTA’s industry led program for developing the professional heavy vehicle drivers of the future is an initiative we have been working on for some time and we are pleased to hear from Bec White that a Tasmanian Labor Government will support our efforts in this bringing this, and TTA’s ongoing workforce plans, to fruition” said de Bruyn.
What Labor is promising:
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- $1.5 – $2m for a rest area facility at Epping Forest with dedicated area for drivers, parking for heavy vehicles and a permanent bus stop, planned around the Tasmanian Truck Drivers Memorial Wall.
- $3 – $3.5, in rest areas for heavy vehicle drivers around the state, working with the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas initative, with priority to construct and maintain toilet facilities at Longford rest area.
- $250,000 to develop industry capability for heavy vehicle driver development, training, and assessment and to support the delivery of 300 places in heavy vehicle driver licence programs.
- Ongoing support to the TTA for workforce development for the State’s freight transport industry.
- $320,000 for the Open Road Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing Program.
- $40m additional investment to road maintenance.
- $50m in the first stage of a 10 Year Action Plan for the Bass Highway, and develop 10 Year Action Plans for the Tasman and Huon Highways.
- $2m for rail level crossing safety.
You can read the Libs pledges for trucking here.