A $1.75 million upgrade to a rest area between Walgett and Brewarrina in north-west New South Wales is set to begin next year.
The works at the Yambie Lagoon Rest Area will involve transforming the existing informal rest stop on the eastbound shoulder of the Kamilaroi Highway, heading towards Walgett.
Toilet and shelter facilities will be built, as well as picnic tables and extended parking for heavy and light vehicles.
The project will also provide similar facilities in a new heavy vehicle rest area on the westbound shoulder of the highway, ensuring there are facilities for traffic in both directions.
The Yambie Lagoon Rest Area is about 60 kilometres east of Brewarrina on the Kamilaroi Highway, a key rural freight route.
Currently there are no toilet or rest facilities for more than 120 kilometres, or 75 minutes of travel time, in this remote location.
The renovations are intended to encourage rest breaks for heavy vehicle drivers on long trips, but will also be accessible to other motorists.
Heavy vehicle industry representatives were consulted in early 2020 to provide input into the proposed locations of future rest stop opportunities on the Kamilaroi Highway between Walgett and Bourke.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government, under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, and the NSW Government.
In a statement, federal assistant minister for infrastructure and transport, Carol Brown, said: “Driver fatigue is one of the top three factors leading to fatal crashes on NSW roads, contributing to at least 21 per cent of heavy vehicle fatal crashes in regional NSW in the five years since December 2019.
“The Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program supported projects that aim to improve access to rest areas for drivers of larger vehicles, providing more opportunities to manage fatigue and their regulatory requirements.
“We have now established the new Safer Local Road and Infrastructure Program – which merges the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and Bridges Renewal Program with funding increased from $150 million to $200 million per year.”