The Federal Government has finalised the membership of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee as part of its $140 million initiative.
During December last year, the Federal Government announced that it would be establishing a steering committee which would give truckies a voice in shaping projects funded under the heavy vehicle rest area initiative.
The Labor Government’s first Budget delivered an additional $80 million for new and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas, bringing dedicated heavy vehicle rest area funding up to $140 million over 10 years.
The Government has since announced that the committee – chaired by former truck driver, Senator Glenn Sterle – will be joined by representatives of the following organisations:
- Tasmanian Transport Association Executive Director, Michelle Harwood, who will represent the Australian Transport Association;
- National Road Freighters Association President, Rod Hannifey, who is also a long-term truck driver and road safety advocate;
- Former President of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, John Beer, who is also a veteran long-distance truck driver; and
- Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds Board Member, Paul Ryan.
The organisational representatives will be joined by five truck drivers, all of whom were selected through an expression of interest process:
- Kellie Boland: From Victoria, Boland has held a heavy vehicle license for 30 years and her family has been owner-drivers for three generations;
- Bruce Skelton: From Queensland, Skelton has been involved in advocating for the correct use of heavy vehicle rest areas and has driven long haul trucks for 40 years;
- Frank Black (Arcidiaco): From South Australia, Black has been the owner driver representative on the Australian Trucking Association general council for the last 20 years and has driven long haul trucks for 35 years;
- Heather Jones: From Western Australia, Jones sits on the WA Road Freight Industry Council, is the Co-Founder of the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls and has driven long haul trucks for more than 30 years; and
- Craig Forsyth: From New South Wales, Forsyth is a Board Member of the National Road Freighters Association and has driven heavy vehicles for 26 years.
The steering committee will meet for the first time in February.
Senator Glenn Sterle said he was thrilled to be named Chair of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee.
“The announcement of the membership of the steering committee means that we can now get to work to deliver meaningful outcomes for truck drivers,” he said.
“Key to that success is utilising the experience, insight and knowledge of the truck drivers and road safety advocates on the committee and I can’t wait to get to work.
“I’d like to thank every driver who took time out of their busy schedule to complete an expression of interest to be a part of this process and offer my congratulations to those who have been selected.”
In other news, Transport for NSW has released the preferred option for a major safety and efficiency upgrade of the Princes Highway.
