NSW truck drivers encouraged to get fit with ‘health first’ highway rest stops planned

One of Australia’s unhealthiest vocations could be getting a health kick in the shape of outdoor gyms on highway rest stops.

Truck-driving veteran, of 29 years, Tony Hutchison welcomed the announcement. Mr Hutchinson works as a MC driver and truck-driving assesor at Johnstons Transportation in Marrickville. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Major plans have been revealed to help long haul truckers shed the kilos by rolling out new gyms and fitness stations at rest stops across NSW.

The State Government is set to upgrade highway rest stops with new ‘health-first’ facilities in a move partly aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the truck drivers who help keep the nation moving.

A major study by Monash University revealed truck drivers ranked among the nation’s unhealthiest workforces.

The study, released in November, showed truckies were at a greater risk of disease relative to other industries, often due to a combination of poor diet and the amount of time spent behind the wheel.

One rest stop in Clybucca, in the state’s north, has already been upgraded and fitted with a new outdoor gym and others across the state are set to follow following a period of consultation with truck drivers.

Long hours, isolation, lack of facilities all contribute to poor health and wellbeing in the industry.

Long-serving truck driver Tony Hutchinson. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Truck driver, and Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association president Wade Lewis said the upgrades to rest stops were overdue.

“Rest areas are vital for the industry, particularly on key routes, because it helps us manage fatigue,” he said.

“Especially with the demise of road houses, these areas are so important because it’s the only opportunity we have to pull up.”

“There’s a critical shortage of drivers, and part of attracting more is ensuring basic, good facilities you’d expect in any workplace.”

Truck veteran of 29 years Tony Hutchinson, a MC driver and assessor for Marrickville-based Johnstons Transport, also welcomed the news but said he’d like to see more rest areas in the city.

The new outdoor gym at a rest stop in Clybucca, in the state's north. Picture: Supplied

“There’s been good improvement over the years on the regional and rural roads, and hopefully these new upgrades get rolled out,” he said.

“But for drivers in and coming to the Sydney metro, there’s no spots or places to pull up and have a break – it’s difficult to find an area to rest.

“So it would be good to see more areas, too.”

Dr Elizabeth Pritchard of Monash University’s Driving Health team said a multitude of factors contributed to truck driving being an unhealthy industry including isolation, lack of healthy food options on the road.

She said improving rest spots was an “important piece of the puzzle”.

“Some facilities are just not available, some have been vandalised or are filthy,” she said.

Truck veteran Ron Finemore (left) in the cabin with Regional Roads Minister Sam Farraway (right). Picture: Supplied

“So anything that we can do to say: ‘drivers, you are amazing, what can we do to support you’, is really important.

Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O’Hara supported the announcement, but said more rest stops were needed across greater Sydney.

“It’s great to see the upgrades and work in regional NSW, but we’ve also underlined there’s none in Greater Sydney, especially for those drivers who come in from rural areas and have nowhere to rest,” he said.

He welcomed that the government was working with industry, however.

“They’ve got industry in the room, and that’s a real positive, you don’t see that happen a lot,” Mr O’Hara said.

NSW Regional Transport Minister Sam Farraway encouraged truckies to lend their voice to how best improve rest spots on vital freight arteries with health and the forefront.

The government will work in industry on the program and rest stops. Picture: AAP

“The road freight industry is critical to our state’s economy, from big business and farmers to retailers and consumers,” he said.

“We have several projects underway ... and industry feedback is guiding this work to ensure it meets the current and future needs of heavy vehicle drivers.”

Truckies who spoke to NewsLocal said other problems at rest stops include lack of bathroom facilities, unclean facilities, not enough truck spaces, minimal cooking or washing equipment to prepare their own food, and no fitness items.

The transport and logistics industry contributes to a considerable proportion of the Australian economy with approximately 380,000 workers employed within the industry in 2020.

The consultation process closes on February 28.

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