Cr Michael Clarke
As a local government, we deliver a lot for our community, but there are some areas beyond our responsibility or budget.
This is where we can advocate on behalf of our community and seek support from other levels of government to get buy-in for improved infrastructure and services our community needs.
This brings me to our 2024 citizen of the year recipient, Martin Wurt, who was recognised for his dedication to removing trucks from our residential streets.
As president of a local group, Maribyrnong Truck Action Group (MTAG), Martin’s leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change.
Through a collaborative effort by council and MTAG, we’ve been able to change historical truck routes, implement a truck curfew and bans in the Footscray CBD, and reduce speed limits in our residential areas.
These changes have created a safer and healthier city.
Many know the importance of road safety in the busy inner-west, where tens of thousands of trucks pass through our municipality daily.
However, we need to advocate for a reduction of trucks on Williamstown Road. Once complete, the West Gate Tunnel Project will be a real game changer in this space for the community.
Similarly, our residents have been asking for action around road safety for the Joseph Road Precinct.
Council is working closely with the local community to deliver improvements for the precinct, and we are asking the state government to help us do it. We are advocating for a reduction in the speed limit on Hopkins Street from 60km/h to 40km/h to improve safety conditions for all road users.
We will also start the first stage of work on Joseph Road, between Hopkins Street and the Heavenly Queen Temple, this month, weather dependent.
You can stay up to date on the project at maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/josephroad
With a collaborative approach and joint funding, we can pool resources to achieve more for our community.
