Funding announced for heavy vehicle safety

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss launched round four of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme at the 2014 National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra recently.

Local, territory and state governments will soon be able to put forward proposals to the Australian Government for the program from 1 July this year, with funding available from the 2014-15 financial year. The Budget is providing $200 million to continue this program through to 2019.

“Round Four will deliver $40 million each financial year and cover up to 50% of the cost of projects that increase productivity for heavy vehicles and improve the safety environment for heavy vehicle drivers,” said Truss.

Round Four will focus on projects that are well developed, with planning and approvals well advanced so construction can begin in the 2014-15 financial year. Eligible projects include:

• upgrades to existing road infrastructure;
• upgraded and new de-coupling areas;
• technology enhancements;
• developing new rest areas and upgrades to existing rest areas; and
• demonstration projects.

Applications close on 28 August 2014 with announcement of successful projects in the second half of 2014.

For further details on the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, visit: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/Heavyvehicles/Index.aspx.