Over $18 million to improve heavy vehicle safety and productivity

The trucking industry and all Australian road users will benefit from an Australian Government investment of over $18 million across nine new projects under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).

This funding is part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment of at least $65 million per year to state, territory and local governments to increase safety and productivity for heavy vehicle operations in our regions.

This latest investment includes nearly $1.8 million to widen the seal on a 1.7-kilometre section of the Oakey Biddeston Road in Queensland, and $317,760 to upgrade an intersection at Healesville/Kinglake Road in Kinglake, Victoria.

In the October Budget, the Australian Government committed an additional $80 million to support new and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas.

This brings the Government’s total commitment in dedicated funding for heavy vehicle rest areas to $140 million over 10 years. Funding will be available for projects to build and upgrade rest areas so drivers have the facilities they need to rest, recuperate and return safely home.

For more information, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/heavy-vehicle-safety-and-productivity-program.aspx.

Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown:

“I’m thrilled to announce another nine vital freight corridors will see safety and productivity improvements across Australia under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program. These projects will bolster access and improve freight transport through local communities.

“Investment in segments of our roads which are much utilised by heavy vehicles has never been more important, with many of our communities grappling with ongoing flooding and tightening supply chains.

“The program makes a real difference for motorists and industry by shortening transport routes and renewing aging infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the benefits from these latest projects flow.”

Funded projects:

Jurisdiction

Project Name

Project Summary

Australian Government Commitment ($)

Total Project Cost ($)

New South Wales

Goulburn Mulwaree Council

Goulburn Mulwaree Council – West Goulburn Freight Route (Clinton Street) Upgrade Project – Goulburn

Remediate and upgrade a 930-metre section of road where significant pavement failure has occurred. The project will also deliver a roundabout at the intersection of Clinton and Deccan streets, which will facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles and general traffic.

2,386,494

2,983,118

Transport for NSW

Mundoonan Rest Area expansion, Jerrawa

Investigate, design and upgrade the existing rest area at Mundanoon northbound on the Hume Highway near Jerrawa. The project will also reconfigure the parking area to accommodate Higher Productivity Vehicles.

4,196,363

5,245,454

Victoria

Loddon Shire Council

Loddon Shire Council – Widening and reconstruction of 5.28km of Echuca-Serpentine Rd (Ch7.25-Ch12.53) – Pompapiel

Widen and upgrade the sealed pavement on 5.28 kilometres of Echuca-Serpentine Road. The seal will be widened from 3.7 metres to 7 metres.

1,441,972

1,802,466

Murrindindi Shire Council

Murrindindi Shire Council – Spraggs/ Healesville- Kinglake Road Intersection Improvement

Design and reconstruct the unsealed Y-intersection on Spraggs Road to form a sealed conventional T-intersection at Healesville/Kinglake Road.

317,760

397,200

Yarriambiack Shire Council

Yarriambiack Shire Council – Hopetoun Yaapeet Road upgrade – Hopetoun

Widen and renew the sealed pavement and unsealed shoulders on three sections totalling 3.8-kilometres of Hopetoun Yaapeet Road, Hopetoun.

662,200

946,000

Queensland

Toowoomba Regional Council

Toowoomba Regional Council – Bowenville Moola Road upgrade Stage 1a, Bowenville

Widen approximately 2.4 kilometres of the Bowenville Moola Road, upgrading the existing road from an unmarked narrow seal to a seal width of 8.5 metres. This will provide two 3.5-metre trafficable lanes and 0.75-metre shoulders.

2,160,000

2,700,000

Toowoomba Regional Council

Toowoomba Regional Council – Oakey Biddeston Road Widening and Intersection Upgrade, Oakey

Widen the seal of a 1.7-kilometre section of Oakey Biddeston Road to 8 metres, and upgrade the adjacent intersection with Oakey Crosshill Road.

1,796,000

2,245,000

South Australia

SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport

SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport – Naracoorte Road Upgrade (Shoulder Sealing) – Meatworks Road to Stotts Road

Seal the shoulders of approximately 17-kilometres of Naracoorte Road (on both sides of the road), between Bordertown and the regionally-significant Stott Road.

4,320,000

5,400,000

Light Regional Council

Light Regional Council – Roseworthy Road Upgrade – Kingsford

Widen and upgrade the seal and shoulders, as well as drainage improvements, of a 1.8-kilometre section of Roseworthy Road in Kingsford.

734,004

917,505