Spending on road-side stops and livestock saleyard facilities in Victoria and Queensland highlighted
March 1, 2013
The Federal and Victorian governments have detailed investment for current and new roadside facilities in the state.
Some $11 million will be spent on constructing four new rest areas on the Sturt Highway at Cullulleraine, the Princes Highway East at Club Terrace in Gippsland and the Princes Highway West between Heywood and the South Australian border.
Approved under the $220 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, the projects were selected following consultation with the trucking industry.
The program is the first ever dedicated Federal response to the lack of rest stops, Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.
“Fewer fatigued truck drivers behind the wheel will help make our roads safer for everyone,” Albanese says.
“For the first time, Commonwealth funding has also been set aside to improve safety at livestock saleyards and to upgrade other facilities used by the livestock transport industry.
“This money, in addition to a contribution from councils and industry, will be used to construct truck wash bays and upgrade ramps, lighting and security features, making the livestock transport industry safer for truck drivers and their families.”
Funding will also go towards a new right-turn lane on Bayside Road in Geelong, a reconfigured intersection at Murray Valley Highway and Airport Road in Kerang and bathroom facilities at rest areas on the Calder Highway at Dumosa.
Other projects included are:
- A truck rest area vacancy information system on the Hume Freeway between Wodonga and Benalla
- Expansion of electronic loading ramps at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange
Meanwhile, the Federal and Queensland governments have also set aside $8 million to build better roadside facilities.
There will be new rest areas at Cunningham’s Gap and on the Barkly Highway north of Mount Isa, as well as upgrade of existing rest areas at Cemetery Road east of Chinchilla and the Barkly Highway south of Mount Isa.
Around $2.3 million will be used for new rest areas at Tambo, the sealing of hard surfaces in the truck park area at the Blackall Saleyards, new loading facilities at the Warwick Saleyards and barrier fencing and lighting in Longreach.
