Lobbying for rest areas

ATA NSW will lobby for the construction of a new truck rest area near the intersection of the M4 and the M7 on Sydney’s outskirts. ATA NSW Manager, Jill Lewis said there are currently no truck rest areas in the Blacktown City region, even though the Blacktown Local Government Area is home to the biggest distribution centre in NSW.

“Blacktown is a hub of heavy vehicle activity, there are truck dealerships, repairers and B-double routes located around the area and with an abundance of land available for expansion, the region will only grow,” Lewis said.

“It concerns me that dozens of trucks are currently forced to park in side streets to ensure that they abide by the law and rest up before continuing on their journey. These drivers need a suitable area with bathroom and eating facilities to take mandatory rest breaks,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the new truck rest area needed to be located near the junction of the M4 and M7 freeways; a position that is just out of the heavy urban region, but still in reach of Port Botany.

“Seventy five percent of all domestic freight originates, terminates or passes through NSW; therefore we all have a responsibility to ensure that our truck drivers arrive home to their families safely.

“Drivers can deliver or collect from Port Botany or from one of the hundreds of the distribution centres, rest up and be fresh to complete their journey back down the Hume,” she said.

Lewis said the lack of a rest areas first came to the attention of ATA NSW following discussions with Blacktown City Council, who are one of the few council’s who list heavy road transport in their strategic plan.

“ATA NSW has now designated the construction of a rest area in Blacktown City as one of the industry’s highest rest area priorities. The rest area is on the list of 18 new or expanded rest areas that the ATA has submitted to the Australian Government for funding under its Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Package.

“ATA NSW plans to work with Blacktown City Council and other councils in NSW to make sure we secure the funding or attract potential investors for this vital rest area,” Lewis said. “The freight task is expected to double by 2020. The actions of Blacktown City Council and other councils will ensure all rest areas will be ready for this increase and the impact that it will have.”