Road trains to access North Rockhampton

Type 1 road trains will have access to North Rockhampton abattoirs from next month thanks to approvals and investment by the Palaszczuk Government.

Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey was in Rockhampton today with Minister for Agriculture and Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne to talk about the benefits of the decision.

Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government, as part of our $500 million State Infrastructure Plan, had invested $10 million to upgrade a number of North Rockhampton intersections to provide the infrastructure necessary to accommodate Type 1 road trains.

“Following the completion of majority of these works, Type 1 Road Trains will no longer have to stop and breakdown to a semi-trailer configuration west of Rockhampton,” Mr Bailey said.

“The move is a huge boost for safety and efficiency for the transport industry and Rockhampton community and an example of our Government’s commitment to enhancing road safety for all Queenslanders.”

Mr Byrne said a recent trial undertaken by the Queensland Government through Transport and Main Roads confirmed the route was now suitable for Type 1 road train access.

“This will have significant benefits for industry and the community, including removing the cross-loading process and overall reduction in the number of heavy vehicle movements through Rockhampton,” Mr Byrne said.

“Access will start from 1 July, but transport operators are already able to apply for a permit through the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.”

“This access will reduce the number of heavy vehicles required to carry cattle from Central Queensland Livestock Exchange to north Rockhampton abattoirs.

“As well as reducing travel times it will eliminate the need for freight operators to cross-load cattle.”

The $10 million intersection upgrades in North Rockhampton include:

• Moores Creek Road and Yaamba Road intersection - completed
• Queen Elizabeth Drive and Lakes Creek Road intersection - completed
• Rockhampton-Emu Park Road and St Christopher Chapel Road intersection - due for completion mid-July
• Capricorn Highway and Central Queensland Livestock Exchange intersection (minor safety works - sign installation) - due for completion end August

Access for Type 1 road trains will be under strict permitting conditions administered by Transport and Main Roads.

These conditions will see permits issued by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to operators restricting operating hours to between 7pm and 7am, seven days a week.

To apply for a Type 1 road train permit, transport operators should contact the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Bailey’s office:           Zoe Russell - 0428 079 640

Minister Byrne’s office:          (07) 4994 2100