Another eight essential Heavy Vehicle Rest Area (HVRA) projects across four states have been approved for funding by the Albanese Government as part of ongoing investment in our truckies’ safety.

This commitment of more than $9 million through the HVRA initiative ensures more truckies and heavy vehicle drivers can have safe and comfortable facilities for their well-earned breaks while travelling Australia’s long regional freight routes.

In New South Wales, the funding will deliver two new rest areas on Ivanhoe Road in the Balranald Shire, one on the Dowling Track at Yantabulla in the Bourke Shire and a relocation of a truck stop on Albury Road in the Lockhart Shire.

In Queensland, there will be an upgrade to the rest area at Burra Range on the Flinders Highway between Charters Towers and Hughenden, as well as upgrades at multiple rest stops on the Gore Highway between Toowoomba and Goondiwindi and on Leichhardt Highway between Miles and Goondiwindi.

Two new projects in South Australia will see the construction of two heavy vehicle rest areas on the Stuart Highway – one at Gosse Range and the other at Five Mile.

The heavy vehicle rest area project in Western Australia will provide truckies with eight new informal rest areas across four major corridors in the Meekatharra Shire. 

There will be two new rest areas on each of the Ashburton Downs-Meekatharra Road, Wiluna Road North, Landor-Meekatharra Road and Sandstone Road.

For more information on the HVRA, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/safer-local-roads-and-infrastructure-program.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“The Albanese Government backs our transport workers, and this latest round of funding is delivering more of the infrastructure our truckies need.

“With the forecast growth of truck freight across Australia over the next few decades, the HVRA initiative improves long-term safety for heavy vehicle drivers through funding new and upgraded rest areas in key locations.

“This ensures our truckies have access to facilities to rest when needed to keep them and other road users safe on our roads.”

Quotes attributable to New South Wales Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison:

“Well placed, safe rest stops for our state's freight operators is paramount, and this $810,190 investment from the Albanese Government in NSW is a big win for truckies, freight operators and road safety as a whole.

"The road is their workplace, and it's our job to make sure they've got the facilities to do that job well - and above all, to keep them safe.

"It's a very welcome boost for our hardworking truckie community, particularly those driving through Balranald Shire, Yantabulla and Lockhart Shire."

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg:

"The Flinders, Gore and Leichhardt highways are critical freight corridors for Queensland, and these upgrades will help improve safety for truck drivers and all road users.

"The Crisafulli Government is backing regional Queensland by investing in practical infrastructure that supports freight productivity and keeps goods moving.

"These upgrades will improve safety and support the freight operators who help drive Queensland's economy."

Quotes attributable to South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Joe Szakacs:

“The Stuart Highway is the major connector between South Australia and the Northern Territory.

"Making sure our truck drivers have safe places to stop and rest is essential for keeping both our supply chains moving and our roads safe.

“Every new rest area is an investment in road safety. 

“Reducing driver fatigue helps protect truck drivers, other road users and the communities that rely on freight reaching its destination safely."

Quotes attributable to Western Australian Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti:

“A safe and efficient road freight network is critical to a strong Western Australian economy.

“That’s why we’re partnering with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver better facilities so our truckies can stop and rest comfortably while travelling through our regions. 

“Helping truckies manage fatigue along our key freight corridors not only keeps our state’s supply chains resilient but helps improve safety for everyone on our regional roads.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Western Australia, Glenn Sterle:

“I am very proud of the Albanese Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative and the impact that it is having on driver safety. 

“Our essential drivers deserve adequate rest areas across our road networks and this program is helping deliver that.

“This latest announcement is a welcome one for the road transport industry and our trucks, especially the investment in heavy vehicle rest areas across 4 key freight corridors in Western Australia.”