By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has applauded a $350,000 commitment from the state government to install traffic management measures and signage notifying A and B-double drivers of truck bans.
The investment would contribute to cameras to monitor truck movements and identify problem areas, including where legislated truck bans are in place on certain roads.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said council has been pushing for the investment for some time and said the installation of surveillance cameras would be “a good start” in improving air quality.
“The emissions from the around 34,000 trucks passing through our municipality daily is impacting the quality of the air our residents breathe which is in turn contributing to poor health outcomes, especially in relation to heart and lung complaints, which are among the worst in the inner west,” he said.
“Anything that will reduce the air pollution levels for our residents is to be celebrated, but more is needed.”
The 24-hour truck bans to prevent an additional 5000 trucks trying to avoid the freeway will apply to:
* Francis Street between Roberts Street and Hyde Street;
* Somerville Road between Geelong Road and Whitehall Street;
* Buckley Street and part of Napier Street between Geelong Road and Whitehall Street;
* Moore Street between Ballarat Road and Hopkins Street;
* Hudsons Road between Melbourne Road and Booker Street; and
* Blackshaws Road between Grieve Parade and Melbourne Road.
Council has also started work on the development of an updated guide to educate truck drivers on which roads they can use, which was developed in collaboration with the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group, the Victorian Transport Association and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
Cr Tran said council ultimately wanted to see the state government mandating cleaner trucks on Maribyrnong’s roads, which produce fewer emissions, as outlined in the draft Air Quality Improvement Plan.
“My comments are not anti-truckies but pro-residents’ health and wellbeing,” he said.
Council has also advocated for a ban on all diesel and petrol vehicle sales by 2030, legislation to reduce emissions from diesel trains by replacing them with electro-diesel trains and fast-tracking an electric bus fleet for the inner west.
Public comment on the draft Air Quality Improvement Plan is open until Sunday, May 29.
Details: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/AirQuality
