Monster trucks allowed on inner-west streets

‘MONSTER’ trucks the state government promised would only use the state’s freeway network may soon be  travelling down inner-west streets in residential areas, including in Footscray.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy last week revealed in Parliament the local roads the 36.5-metre-long B-double and B-triple freight vehicles could be allowed to use as part of a “last-mile” loophole in regulations. 

Footscray’s Whitehall Street, Yarraville’s Francis Street and Williamstown Road, Laverton North’s Pipe Road and Altona North’s Grieve Parade are all subject to last-mile access applications.

Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the lack of a West Gate ramp truck bypass from the port to the freeway meant there were few other options for truck drivers.

“Families already tormented by truck noise, pollution and congestion outside their homes and schools will now be faced with trucks 10 metres longer than before,” she said.

“More than ever we need a West Gate ramp truck bypass to get these massive 36.5-metre freight trucks off local roads to ensure the health and safety of the community and to ease traffic congestion.”

In debating the Heavy Vehicle National Law Application Bill 2013 in Parliament last week, western suburbs Liberal MP Andrew Elsbury said the changes would cut compliance costs and regulatory burdens.

“Improvements will be made to safety, productivity and efficiency. We will be voting in favour of this bill.”

But Ms Hartland said the bill made it less likely freight would be moved off roads and onto rail.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said he understood residents would have legitimate concerns.

“It is important to note that these vehicles will not be able to operate on narrow, suburban local roads. From time to time there are some necessary points that need to be accessed from a depot or wherever the point of contact is back to the freeway network.”

Mr Guy said local councils would be “verbally spoken to” to ascertain their views on any application.

Maribyrnong mayor Catherine Cumming said the move to larger trucks on residential streets highlighted the need for a long-term solution to the expected doubling of freight on the state’s roads in the next 20 years.

“Council wants trucks to have appropriate routes that don’t go through residential streets in the area,” she said.

Cr Cumming is calling for work to be fast-tracked on the western end of the east-west road link to help remove freight from inner-west streets.