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January 2015

 

 
A truckie's view of caravans and other RVs overnighting in the truck parking area at Yelgun rest area. Photo: Facebook

A truckie's view of caravans and other RVs overnighting in the truck parking area at Yelgun rest area. Photo: Facebook

'Many have total disregard for us'

Truckies on warpath over rest area parking

By Dennis Amor
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TRUCKIES are on the warpath after accusing caravanners and other RVers of commandeering truck rest areas and turning them into overnight campsites.

The NSW branch of Australian Trucking Association has now complained to Roads Minister Duncan Gay.

He told Caravanning News: "Truckies don’t have the luxury of being able to pull off a highway and set up camp, highway rest stops are often all they have."

The Minister believed caravanners needed to use caravan parks when setting up for the night "and let truckies have a rest".

"The NSW Government is looking at existing rest areas which can be upgraded to major heavy vehicle rest areas," he said.

"Currently, 101 qualify. Most are under the control of local councils and we will be working with them to increase this number.

"I have directed the Roads and Maritime Services to look at what else we can do to address this issue and ultimately save lives."

Weary truckies claim they are being squeezed out of rest areas and forced to drive longer than legally allowed by thoughtless overnighting RVers.

"The problem has been caused by the increasing number caravans and motorhomes hitting the road these days," disgruntled truckie Archie Simpkins told Caravanning News.

Overseas tourists enjoy free drinks and biscuits at Yelgun.
Travellers attend to early morning ablutions outside their car in Yelgun's truck parking area.
Photos: Dennis Amor

TOP: Overseas tourists enjoy free drinks and biscuits at Yelgun.

BOTTOM: Travellers attend to early morning ablutions outside their car in Yelgun's designated truck parking area.

"Come afternoon, these travellers in their $100,000-plus rigs flood into rest areas, irrespective of whether they are for trucks or not, to save forking out on caravan park fees," he said.

"Far too many have have a total disregard for us ... they just think about themselves.

"Many blatantly set up camp in areas clearly marked for trucks."

The issue was brought to a head when a truck driver discovered that most sites set aside for trucks at the Yelgun rest area alongside the Pacific Highway in northern NSW were filled with caravans and motorhomes.

Other sites were packed to overflowing with campervans, mainly being driven by overseas tourists.

The Yelgun facility was the first in Australia designed with separate marked-out areas for caravans, cars and heavy transport vehicles, including refrigerated and livestock trucks.

When Caravanning News stopped there recently, the Driver Reviver mobile canteen was doing a roaring trade providing free early-morning hot drinks and biscuits for young tourists in campervans.

Most ignored the prominent tin meant for donations to help finance the service provided by the local Lions Club.

A small area specially provided for caravans was full and about a dozen other caravans were parked in areas set aside for trucks.

The trucking association's NSW manager, Jodie Broadbent, told Australian Transport News that far too many rest areas were being used by travellers hoping to avoid caravan park fees.

Truck drivers needed 24-hour access to rest stops, particularly those set aside for them.

She thought new signage at rest areas along the state's main freight routes might provide a short-term solution.

"It's important to remember that truck drivers are required by law to take rest breaks at certain times," Ms Broadbent said.

"If you must stop in a parking bay, please don't do so over extended periods."

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