Tireless truckies’ advocate Wes Walker was thrilled to hear that drivers would finally be getting the permanent toilet facilities at the busy Gatton decoupling facility that he’d fought so hard to get.
Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) announced today that it would “progress with their installation”, almost four years after Walker began his campaigning, which included an appearance on A Current Affair.
“I’m ecstatic,” Walker said. “Persistency pays off, and for all those people who said it would never happen, who’s laughing now – we’ve won.”
Details of when construction would begin and exactly how big the facilities will be are still to come, but TMR confirmed the permanent facility will replace the two portable toilets currently on site.
“The toilets will be for the use of heavy vehicle drivers who visit the facility to reconfigure their combinations to conform to national regulations before continuing their journey,” TMR said in a media release.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said this is a great outcome for the heavy vehicle industry.
“The Gatton Heavy Vehicle Decoupling Facility provides an opportunity for heavy vehicle operators to benefit from the efficiencies provided by the Toowoomba Bypass, which allows them access as far east as Gatton as a Type 1 road train,” Mellish said.
“We have identified a suitable area at the Gatton Heavy Vehicle Decoupling Facility to install permanent toilets.
“Our truck drivers keep Queensland moving and it is important to provide adequate facilities for our drivers.”
More to come.