Maribyrnong Council is demanding an unprecedented ban on all large trucks on local roads after recent inspections revealing a high proportion of trucks are unsafe.
A report to last night’s council meeting, prompted by last month’s deadly explosion of a Cootes Transport tanker in NSW, stated more than 7000 unsafe truck trips could be occurring on Maribyrnong roads daily.
More than 20,000 truck movements occur in Maribyrnong each day.
A VicRoads inspection of 128 Cootes Transport vehicles based in depots including Spotswood led to 48 trucks – almost 40 per cent of the fleet – being taken off the road.
The report by strategic communications and advocacy manager Morris Bellamy found called for the state government and VicRoads to “explain the systemic failure of their regulatory safety control systems in respect of trucks, particularly tanker trucks”.
“The potential number of unsafe truck movements, through sensitive areas, poses a potentially unacceptable risk for the community of Maribyrnong.”
A high volume of tanker trucks use local roads to access ExxonMobil’s Yarraville Terminal, which supplies about a third of the state’s fuel.
Council would also demand an immediate ban on all large trucks on local roads and ask the Victorian Ombudsman to investigate risks associated with potentially unsafe trucks on local suburban roads.
Maribyrnong Truck Action Group president Samantha McArthur said the group fully supports council’s stance.
“From a safety perspective this just isn’t acceptable. We don’t have higher-end trucks here, we have trucks that are 20 or 30 years old, not up to current standards, belching out diesel and now we are seeing this safety risk being shown.”
Ms McArthur conceded the council’s call for a ban cannot be effective without VicRoads or state government action but said it sends the right message to the community and Roads Minister Terry Mulder that a long-term infrastructure solution must be found.
Mr Mulder was contacted for comment but directed questions to VicRoads.
A VicRoads spokesperson said heavy vehicle safety is taken very seriously and Transport Safety Services officers inspect 40,000 heavy vehicles annually for compliance issues such as weight, log book requirements, licences and registration.
“These inspections give VicRoads the opportunity to identify problems or issues which may require an even more detailed examination of the vehicle and the company operating the vehicle.
“It is the responsibility of each trucking company to ensure their vehicles are operating safely for their drivers and for the Victorian public.”
