Attention: Transport Operators & Drivers - Narrabri Truck Parking & Changeover facility

Posted in: NEWCASTLE, TWU NEWS
By Mick Forbes
Newcastle and Northern Sub-branch Secretary
Transport Workers Union
22 Jun, 2010
Fatigue is a killer in our industry. There has been tightening of driver fatigue legislation designed to enhance road safety, yet the lack of high-quality truck stop and change-over facilities in strategic locations still remains.
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Click on the icon to complete the online survey.
There are approximately 2,800 heavy-vehicle movements through Narrabri each day.
 
Drivers of these vehicles are travelling via the Newell highway from Queensland to the southern states and vice versa. Due to the requirement to comply with fatigue-management laws, Narrabri is in the ideal location for heavy-vehicle drivers to take a fatigue-management break.

The vehicles that travel this route range from light rigid to road trains. Most drivers have been stopping at the southern side of town, which is close to fuel, mechanical services, food, and a toilet and shower.

However, the current facilities are privately owned and cannot cater for the large number of drivers.

Some examples of the infrastructure required to suit the varying needs of drivers are:

• Sealed truck / trailer change-over area
• Sealed parking areas that would cater for B-double and road trains
• Ramp for loading empty ‘B’ trailer
• Sealed areas set aside for vehicles that generate noise (such as refrigerated and livestock vehicles)
• Washout area
• Cafeteria
• Cooking facilities
• Toilet and shower facilities
• Lighting
• Garbage bins
A working group, made up of the TWU, RTA, Narrabri Shire Council, NatRoad and a local representative, has been created.
 
Discussions have been positive and constructive, but the most obvious obstruction to the success of the project is funding.

We have canvassed the following combination of organisations as the primary funding sources:

• Federal Government
• State Government.
• RTA
• Narrabri Shire Council
• Industry
The committee has agreed to develop a business plan and would seek the assistance of federal government, state government, the RTA, Narrabri Shire Council and industry prior to approaching the government for any funding.

If successful we believe that a similar model could be used to improve many other sites across NSW and possibly nationally.

The survey can also be completed online HERE.

The survey can also be completed by downloading the flier below and emailing it to: Michael.forbes@nsw.twu.com.au or Robyn Faber, mayor@narrabri.nsw.gov.au

Why not send copies to any other transport operator / owner-driver you know who uses the Newell Highway route and would stop at Narrabri?





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