Queensland truckie's quest for restrooms at Gatton hiccups

2022-08-13 04:07:30 By : Ms. Angela Huto

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A lengthy and hard-fought campaign for privacy when nature calls at a crowded truck stop has taken an unexpected turn.

Wes Walker, a truck driver advocate, has spent the past 14 months advocating for the installation of bathroom facilities at the Gatton Heavy Vehicle Decoupling Facility west of Brisbane.

As part of a theatrical protest that drew broad support, he brought his own porcelain throne and sat on it in full view of passing vehicles on the Warrego Highway.

When two portable toilets inexplicably appeared at the $18 million facility, Mr Walker felt he’d finally won the long dispute, only for Queensland’s Department of Main Roads and Transport to demand the illegal toilets be removed and threaten to penalize the firm responsible.

The government has recently reversed course and permitted the portaloos to stay temporary, much to the satisfaction of hundreds of trucks who use the facility to unload large cargoes before continuing their travels.

Mr Walker has pledged to clean the toilets himself every day at his own cost in the hope that they will stay a permanent feature.

‘Having restroom or toilet facilities here should be a human right,’ the disabled pensioner told Seven News.

‘When mother nature calls, particularly with the elderly, you must go to the toilet.’

‘I’ll clean the toilets every morning because these folks deserve it.’ I’m only repeating what they say.’

Other drivers are relieved as well.

‘It’s better than doing it on the grass or in the paddock,’ remarked one guy.

Walker denied being in charge of the portaloos that appeared earlier this month.

‘What must we do to get permission?’ Before the government backflip, he told Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper, “It was costing them (TMR) nothing.”

‘What should I do?’ I’ve tried and tried. Whoever did that, may God bless their hearts.

‘People carrying this nation are considered as second-class citizens. It must come to an end.’

At its grand opening last May, the Queensland government praised the Gatton Heavy Truck Decoupling facility as a boon to the freight and heavy vehicle sectors.

The facility was created to make it simpler and more effective for truckers to break down and reconfigure their trucks before going on to Brisbane or the Toowoomba Range.

However, the state administration received a torrent of abuse from drivers for failing to provide bathrooms at the location.

The agency contended that the facility should not be utilized as a rest stop, and that cars may use the restrooms at the BP service station down the road.

It also deployed CCTV to punish drivers who were caught discarding rubbish or urinating themselves on the road.

‘Well, can I just say that gives me the s***s,’ Mr Walker said a year ago on A Current Affair.

‘I’ll be honest, I’ve been crying a little… This is incorrect since I am an emotional guy. They [truck drivers] are the country’s lifeblood.’

Queensland highways minister Mark Bailey announced the portable toilets would be reinstated in a statement to the Daily Mail Australia.

‘We understand how critical it is to the freight business that heavy truck rest zones and decoupling pads be safe and functional,’ he added.

I talked with Senator Glenn Sterle and got an update on the situation at the Gatton decoupling area, emphasizing the necessity for on-site bathroom facilities.

‘I am dedicated to working with Senator Sterle, Transport and Main Roads, and the heavy truck sector to find a long-term solution at the site, and have begun negotiations with my department on how to do so.’

‘Portable toilets will be restored to the area in the meanwhile.’

Mr Walker was acclaimed as a trucking industry icon by the National Road Freighters Association Inc.

‘On behalf of the NRFA, and the transport sector as a whole, we would like to thank Wes Walker for all of his efforts in publicizing the absence of bathroom facilities at the Gatton Pad,’ the organization said on Facebook.

Your enthusiasm and “never say die” attitude drew the attention of the proper individuals, and common reason eventually won out.

‘Thank you very much, Wes. You’re a living legend.’

However, the tale is far from done, so there might be another twist.

On adjoining property owned by the University of Queensland, agricultural programs and a research station are operated.

It is concerned about the biosecurity danger caused by human waste and toilet litter.

‘Designs for any future bathroom facilities at the site will need to take into account a variety of variables, including the area’s closeness to the University of Queensland Agricultural Research Station,’ highways minister Mr Bailey noted.

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