The state government is exploring a possible truck curfew on Williamstown Road to prevent a spike in heavy vehicle use once bans and tolls are enforced nearby.
Last week, Footscray MP Katie Hall joined a growing chorus of local residents, community and industry groups concerned that even more trucks could end up on Williamstown Road once no-truck zones are enforced on nearby Francis Street and Somerville Road and heavy vehicles are charged for using the new West Gate Tunnel and West Gate Bridge.
Speaking in state parliament on September 9, Ms Hall called on Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne to consider overnight and weekend truck curfews on Williamstown and Millers roads to prevent them being used by trucks drivers as alternative routes.
“While these roads remain important freight arterials, a curfew would help to address residents’ concerns around safety, as well as noise and other pollutants,” Ms Hall said.
In a social media post on Monday, September 15, Ms Hall said she’d had positive discussions with the minister on the matter.
“Minister Horne has confirmed she is seeking urgent advice and modelling from her department on how a curfew could work and be enforced.
“I’m encouraged by this and grateful to Melissa for listening and acting.”
Ms Horne is the MP for the neighbouring electorate of Williamstown which both roads run through.
The prospect that measures designed to remove trucks from inner-west roads could actually lead to an increase has been a source of frustration for residents and campaigners like Graeme Hammond who criticised the government’s handling of the matter.
“It’s diesel smoke and mirrors,” said Mr Hammond, a spokesperson for the Save Willy Road campaign.
“The government keeps claiming it is taking 9000 trucks off inner-west streets, but our street will end up with more than 2000 extra trucks every day.”
Mr Hammond was particularly critical of plans to toll trucks using the West Gate Bridge, arguing drivers will easily be able to avoid them by using Williamstown Road.
“The tolling points create a financial incentive for truck drivers to exit the freeway and drive past our homes instead.”
The potential increase in trucks on Williamstown Road is of particular concern to Yarraville resident Fay Salem who is worried about the effect of even more air pollution on her family.
“We’ve got an 18-year-old son with asthma and it bothers him,” Ms Salem said.
“He was in hospital only two months ago as a result of his asthma.”
Ms Salem lives on Chirnside Street, about 150 metres away from Williamstown Road and near the notorious intersection with Somerville Road.
“Even when they’re (trucks) on Williamstown Road and they’re turning onto Somerville Road, you’ve got to stand right back because they come onto the footpath.”
National Bulk Tanker Association chairman Justin Keast said while his organisation sympathised with residents living near Williamstown Road, banning trucks from even more roads in the inner-west would just shift the problem from one community to another.
“Tankers accessing the long-established fuel and chemical terminals need multiple safe road options, not fewer,” said Mr Keast, who was also critical of the planned tolling system.
“Unless changes are made, Victorians face higher costs, less safe roads and a problem that’s only been moved, not solved.”
