Commercial vehicles and their drivers in the Northern Territory will be made safer by the opening of the new Truck Central redevelopment in Berrimah following its recent launch.
The $52 million estate will comprise a Road Train Assembly Area and Heavy Vehicle Inspection Facilities and includes a new BP Truck Stop and fuel station with modern and clean driver rest amenities such as a dining area, shower facilities and lounge.
Incorporating 55 large vehicle parking bays, the recently completed Road Train Assembly Area sits on three hectares of concrete and accommodates B-triples, B-doubles and semi-trailers and features a concrete loading ramp to provide a safe environment for the short-term parking and reconfiguration of heavy loads.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Truck Central, as it has been named, would provide essential tools to reduce driver fatigue as government and industry renewed its focus on increased safety in the Australian road transport sector.
“Truck Central will also significantly improve supply chain efficiencies as well as heavy transport safety and productivity, as the development allows for the clustering of businesses and services to support these heavy transport industries, delivering a one-stop transport industry hub,” he said.
Truck Central is a master-planned industrial estate located at the crossroads of the region’s major heavy vehicle transport routes of Tiger Brennan Drive and Wishart Road, as well as East Arm Port.
NT Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler said the new development was a boon for the Territory’s road freight transport industry.
“Roadtrains are synonymous with the NT and the industry is a significant contributor to economic growth and jobs in the Territory,” she said.
“The Truck Central development required extensive collaboration between the private and public sectors, and I congratulate all those involved on delivering this hallmark facility for the Top End,” said Lawler.
Senator for the Northern Territory Nigel Scullion said the Truck Central development demonstrated the benefits of the private sector, governments and industry working closely together.
“Truck Central is a welcome development for the road transport industry in the Territory, establishing a key transport hub at the cross roads of Darwin’s major heavy vehicle routes,” he said.
The Federal Government committed $9.65 million to the $19.3 million development of the Road Train Assembly Area and Heavy Vehicle Inspection Facilities through its Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
In its aim to improve Top End road transport safety and productivity the Northern Territory Government saw fit to match the contribution of the Federal Government.
Construction of the next stage of Truck Central, the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Facility scheduled to be completed in late 2019, weather permitting, is now underway.
The facility is considered well suited for transport, logistic and general industry activities with exposure to over 30 000 vehicle movements per day.
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