Barnaby Joyce is calling on truckies to nominate where they’d like new rest areas or improvements to existing rest areas on highways throughout the New England.
The Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) is an ongoing Australian Government initiative, with up to $65 million per year provided to fund infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia. Under the HVSPP, there is an opportunity to improve Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas over the next 10 years.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, is calling all truck drivers that use highways in the New England to provide direct feedback to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts in regard to:
- Any section of highway requiring a new rest area: or
- Any existing rest area that needs improvements.
“I encourage all heavy vehicle users to provide feedback through a survey to support our local Councils applications to improve our rest areas,” Mr Joyce said.
“I also encourage Councils across the New England to be aware of new guidelines for the HVSPP by visiting the website of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts.”
Examples of eligible projects for Councils to apply for could include (not exclusive):
- Reconstruction of sections of road.
- Road widening and shoulder sealing.
- Installing of culverts.
- Intersection improvements and realignments to accommodate heavy vehicles.
- Safety barriers.
More information about the program is available at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/heavy-vehicle-safety-and-productivity-program
While this is an ongoing program, the current tranche of applications is expected to close at the end of the month.
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