$125,000 will be provided to improve safety and increase productivity in the heavy vehicle industry in Cobar under a re-elected Coalition Government.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton said the upgrades would increase the efficiency of heavy vehicle operations, supporting jobs and growth in other local industries.
“The Coalition is committed to working with the heavy vehicle industry and getting on with the job of providing a productive freight network,” Mr Coulton said.
“A strong freight industry supports jobs and growth in our industries which rely on heavy vehicle transport and upgrades also provide flow-on safety benefits for all road users.
“In the 12 months to the end of March this year, 204 people died nationally in fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles. This figure that is far too high and highlights how much more work needs to be done to increase safety for heavy vehicle operators on our road network.
“The Coalition has committed to extended funding for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, ensuring that the current annual funding of $40 million continues to flow and deliver projects past 2019/20.”
Mr Coulton also committed to opposing any attempt by Labor to re-establish its failed Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal.
“Labor’s road safety tribunal was deliberately designed to increase union membership and union power by putting owner-drivers out of business,” Mr Coulton said.
“Funding that was set aside for the tribunal is now being re-directed to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and I look forward to engaging with local operators on what practical safety initiatives they would like rolled out.”
The heavy vehicle safety project to be carried out in Cobar will see construction of a truck wash at Fort Bourke to reduce heavy vehicle operating costs, improve load carrying capacity (HV productivity) and reduce travel distance or travel times.
ENDS
Media Contact: Amy Welham Ph 0448 477 830
