The RTA sought community comment on a review of environmental factors (REF) for a rest area at Yelgun, six kilometres north of the Brunswick River Bridge, in November 2004. The project was approved for construction on 3 February 2005.

The review of environmental factors assessed impacts that the rest area’s design, construction and operation may have on the natural and social environment. The studies also identified measures to protect the environment during the construction and operation of the rest area. These documents are available below.

The rest area has been built as part of the RTA’s Truck Rest Area Strategy. A rest area on the northern end of the highway will assist in managing driver fatigue.

Yelgun was proposed as the location for the rest area because it would provide a good opportunity for motorists and heavy vehicle operators to stop and take a break. In the recommendations made by the Northern Pacific Highway Noise Taskforce, this site was identified as having the least noise impacts because it would be located some distance away from nearby residences and was in an ideally shielded location.

In response to community feedback on the review of environmental factors for the Yelgun rest area and as part of its decision to proceed with the rest area, the RTA committed to examining alternative access arrangements that would separate local traffic using the service road from highway traffic accessing the rest area. An alternative access arrangement which achieved this objective was developed. This design was considered for environmental impacts and was approved on 18 July 2005.

A copy of the plan of the Yelgun rest area and the environmental assessment and approval for the modifications to the Yelgun Rest Area access is attached below.

Description

The Yelgun rest area provides:

• Separate parking areas for:
  • 21 heavy vehicles with suitable provision for semi-trailers / B-doubles (including a designated separate area for refrigerated vans and stock floats).
  • 15 cars.
  • 5 light trucks.
  • 4 cars with caravans.
• A range of rest area facilities (including tables and play equipment).
• An emergency (help) telephone with disabled access.
• Facilities for the Brunswick Valley Driver Reviver operations.
• Unisex toilets (with provision for disabled access) (mains power, flushing toilets, fresh water, and an aerated wastewater treatment system).
• Vandal resistant and low level security illumination.
• Garbage bins, landscaped mounds, signposting and security fencing.

An artist’s impression of the Yelgun rest area and facilities which was prepared for the Yelgun rest area review of environmental factors is shown below:

 

The Yelgun rest area opened on Friday 28 September 2007. The Brunswick Heads to Yelgun Pacific Highway opened to traffic on 11 July 2007.