About 190 kilometres south of Cobar on the Kidman Highway, you will find the Gilgunnia Goldfields Rest Area.

It's an important truck stop on the major freight route for transporting livestock and other produce interstate.

A$255,000 upgrade will improve the facilities and make it a more inviting place for truck drivers and other long distance travellers to stop for a rest.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said she had visited this area in 2022 and again in January this year. She said the Far West is a special place for her as her grandmother was born and grew up in Lake Cargelligo and lived in Hillston during the early years of her marriage.

"I know the value of good quality roadside stops to local communities, tourism and freight operators," Ms Aitchison said. “Good amenities in remote rest stops can be the difference between life and death in helping long distance drivers to better manage their fatigue."

According to the National Institute of Health, fatigued driving is one of the leading factors contributing to road crashes in the trucking industry.

The nature of trucking, prolonged working time, and irregular sleep patterns can negatively impact drivers’ health and wellbeing.

The weight of commercial trucks also slows acceleration times, increasing the time it takes drivers to reach their destinations and contributing to fatigue. Regular rest stops are recommended.

The upgrade will bring the Gilgunnia Goldfields Rest Area up to modern standards and see the toilet upgraded from the waterless composting facility currently in place.

IMAGE: Phillip Hoseason-Smith, GoogleMaps

Work to improve drainage and the surface of the truck parking bay will also be carried out, while a fresh coat of paint will be applied to the water tank. A non-working barbecue, cage and a disused water tank will also be removed as part of efforts to improve the amenity of the rest area, which will remain open throughout the upgrade period.

Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler also welcomed news of the upgrade.

"This is something that the community has wanted for some time," he said. "In its previous state, the rest stop left a lot to be desired.

“Truck drivers in that part of the world have long distances to cover and anything that makes a rest stop more usable and comfortable will encourage drivers to take more breaks from behind the wheel. That can make a big difference on a long trip.

“Anything that helps improve safety along the main roads of Barwon is a great thing. It will also be good for tourists who travel the highway.”

Mr Butler also said that rest stops that allow women to use a toilet, and give rest to transport drivers and people travelling are so important.

"Having an area with a proper toilet plus tables and chairs makes it easier for people to stop and take a break," he said.

Upgrade work will start on June 17 and is expected to take up to six weeks to complete.