Back To The Future

• General News
• 15th March 2012

With state and federal governments doing virtually bugger all about amenities for WA long distance truckies it was great to read what former Mitchell Corp boss Craig Mitchell is up to.

Mitchell is currently in the process of implementing his vision of truck stops in remote locations offering fuel, food, and rest and accommodation facilities for truckies, tourists and local residents.

The first two of them are already underway at Carnarvon and Newman.

Plans have also been drawn up fo Karratha and Port Hedland. Land for these sites is earmarked and construction will hopefully commence later this year

Craig Mitchell is a form owner of Mitchell Corp which was sold for big bucks to Toll Holdings last year.

The TWU had its occasional run-ins with Craig but there is certainly no retained animosity.

We have had several discussion with the bloke about his plans. He has our full support and we admire his determination to bring his vision to fruition.

After starting out at 19 driving road trains for three years across the northwest of WA and the Northern Territory and then building one of Australia's largest private trucking fleets, Mr Mitchell has now turned to serving the trucking industry, including many of the drivers he once employed.

It was during overseas trips that the idea for his latest venture came about.

With business partner Jon Italiano, a former accountant with international executive experience, Outback Travel Centres has been launched. "Frankly, there are some roadhouses in Western Australia where you wouldn't be game to use the toilets, let alone buy a meal for yourself or your family, " said Mr Mitchell.

As a former driver, and as someone who employed more than 500 drivers, he has a fair idea of what will work in those locations.

"Oil companies have invested very little in full service trucks stops in Western Australia in the past 25 years", Craig said.

"They seem to be investing more in unmanned remote filling stations, which take revenue from and put additional pressure on the existing full service facilities and do nothing to improve services for long distance truck drivers or the travelling public, " he said.

And of course Craig is 100% right.

The first two Outback Travel Centres are existing properties being redeveloped in Newman and Carnarvon, and will eventually offer full refuelling facilities, restaurants, convenience stores, Wi-Fi access and quality rest rooms and shower facilities.

The first in Newman is a total refurbishment of the Capricorn Roadhouse.

The centres will also operate motel style accommodation, with 150 rooms being built at the Newman OTC.

The company is finalising negotiations to acquire land for two more OTC's in Karratha and Port Hedland. OTC is spending more than $36-million on the first two sites.

The facilities and services offered by Outback Travel centres have been influenced by the operation of the Pilot Flying J Service stations across the United States. The company operates more than 550 travel centres or truck stops in North America, catering for professional truckers and other drivers.

"Those guys have refined their offering over 30 years. They do a great job at catering for long distance drivers with quality, clean facilities and a broad food offering,, " said Craig.

"What Western Australia drivers have been putting up with is unacceptable. In major towns in the north-west drivers can't even have a sit-down meal or a shower after driving for many hours or even days. The food offering is also sub-standard; at best it's a pie and sauce.

Craig Mitchell is certainly undertaking an exciting venture and on behalf of WA's long neglected long distance truckies, we wish him every success.