Work will soon begin on $14 million of major upgrades to 14 heavy vehicle rest areas across regional Western Australia.
The locations were determined during extensive consultation with peak industry groups, including the Transport Workers Union (WA Branch), Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA and Western Roads Federation.
Industry priorities comprised of major upgrades at Newman, Auski, Karijini and Leonora, and improvements at 10 key heavy vehicles sites in the Pilbara, Mid-West Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance and South-West regions, including waterproofing, better access and facilities.
The 2022-23 program, which has an allocation of $36 million, will also be developed through consultation with industry.
The State and Commonwealth governments have committed $50 million under the Freight Vehicle Productivity Improvements Program for improvements across the State road network.
Pilbara region upgrades
- Marble Bar Road - Minor rest area improvements and construct ablution block ($170,000);
- Great Northern Highway at Karijini Drive - Upgrade rest area, construct ablution block ($1.06 million);
- Great Northern Highway at Bell Street - Minor improvements and construct ablution block ($170,000);
- Great Northern Highway, Whim Creek - Upgrade rest area and construct ablution block ($170,000);
- Great Northern Highway, Newman - Construct new rest area and ablution block ($6.16 million);
- Great Northern Highway, Auski - Construct new rest area and ablution block ($3.2 million); and
- Great Northern Highway, Redmont - Minor rest area improvements and construct ablution block ($170,000).
Mid-West region
- Great Northern Highway, Wubin - Minor rest area improvements and construct ablution block ($200,000);
- Great Northern Highway 115 km north of Wubin - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000);
- North West Coastal Highway, Northampton - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000);
- Minilya Exmouth Road - Minor rest area improvements, construct shower and ablution block ($400,000);
- Great Eastern Highway, Northam - Minor RTTA improvements, construct ablution block ($100,000).
Goldfields-Esperance region
- Main Reef Road (Goldfields Highway), Leonora - Extend RTTA, construct ablution block ($1.6 million).
South-West region
- Willinge Drive, Bunbury - Minor rest area improvements, construct ablution block ($200,000).
Wheatbelt region
- Great Eastern Highway, Northam - Minor RTTA improvements, construct ablution block ($100,000).
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Freight drivers provide an essential service and it's important we have the necessary amenities and facilities available in regional WA that these drivers need.
"We've worked with the transport industry to finalise 14 high priority locations across regional WA that will receive $14 million of urgent upgrades with works to commence shortly.
"I'd like to thank the Commonwealth for their financial contribution and the transport industry for all their work on the program."
