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New rest areas boost truck driver safety

By Contributed

Aug 14, 2026

Australian truck drivers will benefit from eight new heavy vehicle rest area projects across the country.

The Federal Government has approved eight heavy vehicle rest area projects across four states.

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NSW will receive two new rest areas on Ivanhoe Rd in the Balranald Shire. There will also be one on the Dowling track at Yantabulla in the Bourke Shire and a relocation of a truck stop on Albury Rd in Lockhart Shire.

In Queensland, the rest area at Burra Range on the Flinders Hwy between Charters Towers and Hugenden will be upgraded. There will also be upgrades at multiple rest stops on the Gore Hwy and the Leichardt Hwy.

South Australia will see the construction of two heavy vehicle rest areas on the Stuart Hwy — one at Gosse Range and the other at Five Mile.

Meanwhile, in Western Australia, there will be eight new informal rest areas across four major corridors in the Meekatharra Shire.

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

“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,” Regional Development Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm said.