Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions Answers to Questions Rest Stops REST STOPS The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD Legislative Council REST STOPS In reply to the Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (24 September 2008). The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy REST STOPS The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Transport has advised: 1.	South Australia already has a substantial number of opportunities available for rest stops on the state's main heavy vehicle freight routes. These include Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) rest areas and other locations such as those attached to service stations in or near towns where heavy vehicle drivers can take rest breaks. DTEI's recently completed rest area strategy was developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including the South Australian Road Transport Association. This strategy, together with proposed improvements to existing rest areas, will ensure the rest area provision in South Australia is adequate for future needs. The South Australian Government commenced a $10 million rest area improvement program in 2007-08. This has already resulted in reducing the shortfall in rest areas identified in DTEI's rest area strategy, with nine new rest areas now opened, including two on the Adelaide—Port Augusta road, one on the Sturt Highway at Yamba, four on the mid-north freight route between Peterborough and Warnertown, and two on the Riddoch Highway. A further eight new rest areas are proposed to be constructed in 2008-09 as part of this program, including two on the Barrier Highway, one on the Mallee Highway, four on the Lincoln Highway and one on the Flinders Highway. A significant number of existing rest areas are also being upgraded as part of the program. At the same time, Australian Government funding is resulting in improvements to rest area provision on key inter-state routes. These include one major new rest area on the Sturt Highway at Waikerie and another planned for later this year as part of the Sturt Highway duplication project, between Gawler and Nuriootpa. 2.	DTEI's rest area strategy for the development of rest areas in South Australia is particularly aimed at routes frequently used by heavy vehicles, including providing for rest stops approximately one hour out of Adelaide. 3.	Additional rest area capacity is proposed to be provided this financial year on the Barrier Highway, as part of the South Australian Government's $10 million rest area improvement program.