Published on Friday, 19 June 2020 at 1:27:20 PM
Ribbon cut on Coolgardie Road Train Assembly Area
The Shire of Coolgardie is pleased to announce the official opening of the new ‘Lady Loch Truck Bay’ Road Train Assembly Area with an official ribbon cutting ceremony by the Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, Minister for Transport; Planning and Shire of Coolgardie President Malcolm Cullen.
The $1.3million project was jointly funded by the Shire with contributions received from the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program of $521,000 and State Government Main Roads funding of $260,000.
The official opening commenced with a Welcome to Country by Ricky Dimer, and address by Shire of Coolgardie President Malcolm Cullen who welcomed the investment in the region, noting the importance of improving transport productivity as a key driver to continue the growth in exploration and mining operations.
“The strategic location of this road train assembly area, at a junction point between the Coolgardie-Esperance-Eyre and Great Eastern Highways is significant to the trucking industry with over 650 heavy vehicles driving through the town daily” said Mr Cullen.
“During the 2019 bushfires we saw an overnight arrival of over 120 heavy vehicles. These lined up on Bayley Street and stayed for 6 days. This occurred again during this year’s bushfires.”
“The assembly area will improve transport productivity by facilitating better route planning and safety. It will also reduce overnight stays on Bayley Street and improve safety of our residents and limit noise pollution for the town,” said Mr Cullen.
Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson said the Morrison Government’s highly successful Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program has funded a range of projects to increase productivity and improve safety.
“I worked closely with Mal Cullen and his team at the Coolgardie Shire to secure this integral funding, so I’m thrilled to see the new assembly area is officially complete and ready for use.
“Not only will the new assembly bay improve safety for heavy vehicle drivers but drive further investment into the Goldfields region,” Mr Wilson said.
The Morrison Government will provide $508 million to the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program from the 2013-2014 financial year to the 2022-2023 financial year, with an on-going commitment of $65 million each year following.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she was pleased to be in Coolgardie to attend the official opening of the Lady Loch Truck Bay.
“Lady Loch Road is the access route into the Coolgardie industrial area and is used by a significant number of heavy vehicles transporting bulk mineral product to and from mines and processing,” she said.
“The rest facilities will be well received by truckers as well as provide additional parking area for vehicles impacted by road closures from natural disaster events such as fires and floods.
“Thank you to the Shire of Coolgardie for inviting me to this very important event.”
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