Floodwaters and road damage add to driver woes

in late 2022 and early 2023, I travelled over a fair distance and got to check out the claims.

I would have to agree with them as many of the southern roads are first class compared to some up north including stretches of the Bruce Highway.

Toilet call

Dam solution

A veteran owner-operator, who like many was left stranded by floods in the north, contacted Spy with his long term solution.

“Been in Emerald, waiting to load from January 11 and no load due to rain. Possibly load January 18 but cannot get where we need to unload due to flooding and roads closed. The waterways, floodways and road infrastructure are in such disrepair. It seems every time it rains that there is flooding, roads closed somewhere in Queensland. This ultimately causes drivers of all calibre to be stranded somewhere,” the truckie said.

“Ultimately it gets the brain to thinking, is there no way that we can build a man-made dam or dams to capture this water. After all it is one of the main ingredients of life’s survival. The other factor is during drought affected times there would be ample water supply.”

The driver said it would have other benefits too. “In effect we would be securing our farmers, crop growers, a sustainable future in drought times. Surely there is something we as a country of high esteem can do to rectify and use this to our advantage. After all millions of years ago was there not certain areas of Australia’s inland country that was covered in water,” he added.

South better than north

For decades, truck drivers Spy has yarned to have been outspoken about roads in southern Queensland being better overall than the ones in the north of the banana bender state.

A general comment has been that because the south has a bigger population, it provides more votes come election time.

Of course, Brisbane is by far the biggest centre and is the home of the State Government.

During a trip through southern Queensland for two weeks

Some switched on drivers have told Spy that heavy vehicle inspection stations around this vast country should have public toilets provided. They figure that when truckies are pulled over for a check, it often takes a fair amount of time.

Often drivers feel like a call of nature and at certain locations can walk over to an area out of view for a Jimmy Riddle.

But if they require a number two that is not possible.

“Such toilets could be used by the scalies and traffic cops manning them as well as drivers,” one told Spy.

There are some stations where there are toilets but these are strictly for the use of the enforcement officers.

Our truckie mates figure that it wouldn’t cost much for governments to provide a small portable dunny for use by everybody who needs one.

I know of some rest areas where scalies and cops conduct blitzes that have public toilets.

Sleeper box bonus

It is no fun being stuck beside a highway because rain or floods have cut the route to your destination.

That happened to thousands of motorists in North Queensland during heavy rain and that number included many trucks.

However some truckies have told Spy that despite the inconvenience, they did have some “luxuries” not enjoyed by car occupants.

“At least we had a sleeper box whilst those in cars were much less comfortable snoozing in their seats,” one said.

A Victorian truckie who spent some time in a long queue of traffic beside the Bruce Highway said having a gas cooker and some food also was an advantage.

“I felt sorry for people in cars who walked past me as I was cooking and they smelt the aro- ma,” he said.

Both said having insect repellent was vital as many of the areas where traffic was stuck had swarms of mosquitoes.

200 years

In 1823 construction commenced on the Richmond Bridge in southern Tasmania and almost 200 years later trucks up to 25 tonne travel across it.

Richmond is 25km north of the capital Hobart and the Richmond Bridge is a heritage-listed arch bridge.

It is the oldest stone span bridge in Australia and the foundation stone was laid on December 11 of 1823, although planning and work on the site over the Coal River commenced early that year.

I have been to Tasmania 16 times since 1996 and on each occasion have visited the bridge.

Every year tourists visit, snapping pictures of the bridge and the ducks below.

Like most historical buildings the Richmond Bridge has a “ghost story”.

In 1832, an employee of the Richmond Jail George Grover was murdered at the bridge after being pushed off the edge.

Grover was employed as a jailer whose duties included flogging the prisoners and was unpopular due to his ferocity.

No one was convicted of his murder.

A celebration is planned for the bridge later in the year and another bigger one in 2025 to mark the 200-year anniversary of when it officially opened to horse and drays, and pedestrians

Old trucks popular

Old trucks which are left on properties around the country are proving popular for tourists to photograph.

I saw one at the Kooralbyn Valley area in southern Queensland which stood out like dog’s you know what and was being photographed by visitors when I was there.

Kooralbyn, whose colourful Aboriginal name means ‘The Place of the Copperhead Snake’, is situated 22 kilometres from the town of Beaudesert.

Another on a property called Wattle Vale near Lithgow was also popular.

Spy saw numerous passers-by stop to take pics of the vehicle as I did myself.

Lithgow is on the Great Western Highway, about 150km west of Sydney.

Another was a rusty wreck at Maryvale with a church in the background.

Maryvale is a small community nestled on the edge of the scenic rim close to the eastern edge of the Southern Downs and is the first community encountered when travelling west along the Cunningham Hwy from Cunningham’s Gap.

Some of those old trucks display advertising signs for businesses in their area.

Massage chairs

Two large massage chairs inside the Puma Calcium Roadhouse have proven popular with many truckies.

Spy was there recently and saw several truckies who pulled up to enjoy a relaxing time in the chairs.

Half a dozen truckies had previously told Spy about them and how they provide relief for nagging aches and pains.

Some of the drivers use a chair whilst they wait for a meal. There is also plenty of parking space outside.

Having enjoyed a couple of pieces of battered fish there I can say that it is amongst the best I have ever eaten.

They were big pieces of Spanish Mackerel and were at least equal to any I had devoured at fish shops and roadhouses around the country.

Belly banter

The Bellevue Hotel in Townsville is a popular place for off duty truck drivers, and many attended a farewell party for the publican of the past 17 years, Wayne Hornby.

This watering hole is located in the South Townsville suburb near the Port and the nearby industrial area where many drivers work from.

Some truck drivers who are parked up at the BP Cluden during fatigue breaks even get a lift or a cab to the “Belly” for a soft drink, a reasonably priced meal, a flutter on the TAB, or even have a go on the pokies.

It is particularly popular on Monday nights when more than 100 pack into the eatery for a chicken schnitzel, salad and chips for $8.

They can listen to a live singer and the following night the ukulele club entertains there.

I spoke to transport owner-operator Dean Anderson who is a regular for tea at the Belly.

“The food is good, staff are friendly and the service is quick. You don’t have to wait long to get your meal. It is a good family atmosphere here,” Anderson said.

He added that he enjoyed speaking to other road transport people there too.

Whilst Hornby has sold the pub to a family from Ballina the good news for patrons is that super friendly barman Jesse Ruedin will be staying on there.

Truckies love having a yarn with Ruedin who often comes in early before his shift and helps the bar person on duty if he or she gets busy.

The Belly’s former publican was local rugby league legend Marshall Colwell who still pops in from time to time.

Real horse power

As trucks of various sizes cruised past the Little Hartley Roadhouse on the Great Western Highway in NSW they were surprised to see horse power of a different type.

A man on a horse boldly rode up to the Little Hartley Roadhouse, tied up his trusty animal outside and entered to make a purchase.

Spy saw a couple of the drivers a bit further on when they stopped at a pull off area and they expressed their amazement.

“The motor of my truck is 600hp and I wonder what his is?” one driver quipped.

Another joked that the horse would require less maintenance than his vehicle.

It shows that lots of our truckie mates possess a great sense of humour.