Wes Walker had no sooner given the newly completed permanent toilet block at Gatton the thumbs up than he was already turning his attention to his next target for truckies.
The disability pensioner told Big Rigs that finally winning the three-year fight for basic facilities at the Queensland breakdown pads has only fuelled his resolve to do more for drivers.
“This is the start of more campaigns, and I’m inviting any retired truck drivers to campaign with me in various locations,” Walker promised.
“We can use this as an example for all hook-up zones, and we’ve shown it can be done with patience and perseverance.”
He’s already set his sights on convincing authorities to build a toilet block at the heavy vehicle interception site on the Bruce Highway at Federal that is not a designated rest area, but it is being used as one.
Scott Miles, who is now semi-retired, told Big Rigs a few weeks ago that the site – located just south of Gympie – is being used as an open-air toilet at present.
Walker also plans to fight for a similar set-up for truckies at Nanango.
As for the Gatton facilities, Walker said he’s pleased to see them finally open, and the addition of sensor lights at night, but was disappointed there wasn’t a shower included.
He felt there would have been ample room in the section now reserved for a unisex disabled toilet.
“It’s bigger than the male and female toilets put together so they could have put a shower in there as well.”
Walker is hoping they’ll be cleaned three times a week, much like the portable toilets that there were before them, and will be keeping a close eye on the standards of cleanliness over coming weeks.