Tara Murray
Maribyrnong council has reinforced its position that trucks should be banned on Williamstown Road in a fiery debate on the council’s submission to an updated Victorian Freight Plan.
The submission, which was tabled at last week’s council meeting, welcomed the banning of large freight trucks on six key roads when the West Gate Tunnel opens, while advocating for enforcement cameras to be installed and operating immediately after the opening. The submission also noted that it is important that the freight industry is educated on the changed arrangements and compliance is monitored and reported.
It said that local roads that support industry are at times narrow with unsealed shoulders, deteriorated due to heavy truck traffic, and built to historic road standards that are not always fit for purpose.
The submission also highlighted concerns with the higher levels of air pollution and that the council had declared a state of climate emergency in 2019.
The drama started when councillor Simon Crawford attempted to raise an amended motion wanting the submission to also call for speed limits to be reduced on state roads, the improvement of safety for all road users and major intersections, and the banning of trucks on Williamstown Road.
Cr Crawford said the additional points were based on community feedback, but admitted he had crafted the wording just before he raised it.
Councillor Sarah Carter said the motion had been sprung on councillors without any previous clarification and said it was very general.
Cr Crawford said he was open to making the amended motion more specific, with the main road on which he wanted to see a reduced speed limit being Geelong Road, while intersections along Geelong, Somerville and Williamstown roads and Barclay Street were of concern.
Councillor Jorge Jorquera said he would support the amended motion if it was more specific.
There was also confusion over whether there had been a previously adopted stance on banning trucks on Williamstown Road, which was found to have been to be adopted in 2019.
Cr Crawford said the ban on trucks on Williamstown Road was something the community desperately wants.
Councillor Michael Clarke said “he had never seen such a terrific opportunity absolutely turned into a train wreck“ and it “was the greatest example of amateur hour he has seen in this term of council“.
“One hundred per cent there needs to be a ban on trucks on Williamstown Road,” he said.
“I absolutely agree there needs to be a reductions in speed of traffic not just on state roads but a number of local roads.
“If we’re going to do this, for goodness sake can we have a degree of credibility. A considered proposition I think would have gotten through.”
Cr Carter and Cr Anthony Tran also raised concerns with how the amended motion was raised, with Cr Tran saying it was an ‘undercooked’ amendment.
Councillors finally voted to add just the ban of trucks on Williamstown Road to the submission.
