The Ormeau Driver Reviver will receive Australian Government funding to invest in high-impact signs to raise awareness of the life-saving rest facility and keep road safety front of drivers' minds.
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz joined Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen to inspect the site due for an upgrade.
Mr Buchholz said Driver Reviver sites promote road safety by providing a much-needed break and refreshing cuppa for drivers, their families and friends.
"One accident, one injury, one death is one too many - the impacts of road crashes are devastating to all and no family should have to endure the loss of a loved one on our roads," Mr Buchholz said.
"That is why we are continuing to invest in critical projects that will improve road safety and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries from road crashes in Australia.
"This is just one of thirty-four Driver Reviver site's across Australia that will be upgraded, thanks to funding from the Australian Governments Driver Reviver Site Upgrades program.
"We're investing $700,000 to support Driver Reviver to ramp up their life-saving work and I encourage all road users to make use of these vital facilities," Mr Buchholz said.
Mr van Manen said driver fatigue had been identified as one of the 'Fatal Five' road safety factors that contribute to road trauma, and he was pleased to see funding for improvements at the Ormeau site.
"This funding is fantastic news and couldn't come at a better time for the only Driver Reviver site on the Gold Coast, with many other sites around the country looking forward to re-opening and once again welcoming drivers and their passengers as COVID-19 restrictions ease."
"The Forde electorate is the gateway to the Gold Coast for many holiday makers from across Queensland, with thousands of visitors coming from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and further north.
"We see increased traffic on the Pacific Motorway every holiday season and many of those road users have travelled from afar.
"That is why this funding is so important, it is keeping our Gold Coast roadways safer and providing motorists with rest areas to stop, revive and survive," Mr van Manen said.
Assistant Minister Buchholz said the Morrison Government was investing in road safety across the country, with $1.2 million already committed through the Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund and a total of $8 million across this and a second round of the Driver Reviver Site Upgrade program.
"The second round will open later this year to make further funding available for broader Driver Reviver upgrades, prioritising bushfire-affected sites and establishing new locations to expand the program to support an even greater number of motorists," Mr Buchholz said.
Ormeau Driver Reviver is run by the Lions Club of Ormeau who welcomed the funding, saying it was a vital time to increase awareness of Driver Reviver site locations.
"Driver Reviver sites are a well-recognised feature during Aussie road trips, operating for 30 years to provide travellers with free beverages, snacks and conversation with a friendly local as they take a break." Ormeau Lions President Michael Coleman said.
"It also recognises the hard work of our many local volunteers, who give up their own time to make the program possible."
A full list of Round 1 grant recipients is available at https://www.grants.gov.au.
