The State Government is working with the transport industry to identify and prioritise upgrades to rest area facilities in regional Western Australia, as well as minor roads upgrades.
The industry working group has identified 17 initial locations for improvements, costing $14 million with works to start in June 2021, subject to approval by the Commonwealth Government.
The program of improvements was determined by a working group involving Main Roads WA and peak industry bodies including the Transport Workers' Union, the Western Roads Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA.
Key works identified include:
- Provision of ablution facilities at ten locations on key freight routes, near Bunbury, Northam, Port Hedland, Northampton, Exmouth, Wubin and Marble Bar (more than $2 million);
- Expansion of the Newman road train assembly area and new ablution facilities ($6 million);
- Sealing of existing gravel parking near Auski roadhouse ($3.2 million);
- Sealing and extension of parking at Leonora and provision of toilet facilities ($1.5 million); and
- Sealing of an existing parking area near Karijini to separate heavy and light vehicles ($950,000).
The group will continue identifying projects on key regional routes that would benefit from the program, which is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Freight drivers provide an essential service and we need to ensure we have the amenities and facilities available in regional WA these workers deserve.
"I commend the efforts of the working group and the contributions from key industry organisations, and am looking forward to working with the industry group and Commonwealth Government on delivering these upgrades.
"In addition to identifying further rest area improvements, the working group will continue look at opportunities to involve local government and private companies to help broaden the benefits of this funding initiative as well as better use of technology to assist in the management and utilisation of these rest area facilities."
