November 21, 2022
The State Government has announced it will close its 23 State-owned Driver Reviver sites next year, but the privately owned sites at Wondai and Yarraman won’t be affected.
The Driver Reviver program is a national volunteer-led initiative targeted at reducing driver fatigue, and has operated for more than 30 years.
It provides a network of sites that allow drivers to pull over for a free cup of coffee or tea, a biscuit and a friendly chat to recharge themselves during long drives
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) said maintaining its own sites was no longer viable due to ageing infrastructure and rising costs.
It also confirmed the decision to close its sites was made after safety assessment carried out last year, but said closure dates have yet to be finalised.
The Yarraman Driver Reviver site is run by the Yarraman Over 50s club and volunteers, and operates from a caravan near the junction of the New England and D’Aguilar Highways.
In 2021, the Yarraman Over 50s club received a $62,053 grant from the Federal Government’s Driver Reviver Site Upgrade Program to purchase a new Driver Reviver van.
The Wondai Driver Reviver site operates from a shed at the Dingo Creek Bicentennial Park on the Bunya Highway, and is run by the Wondai Lions Club and volunteers from other Wondai community groups.
Both sites usually operate during peak holiday periods and major long weekends.
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