The bulk tanker industry is making a last ditch effort to restore access to some soon-to-be-barred roads in Melbourne’s inner-west, warning that consumers will otherwise pay the price – literally.
The long-overdue completion of the new West Gate Tunnel early next year is projected to remove more than 9000 trucks a day from local roads, while a 24-7 truck ban is soon to be enforced on Francis Street, Somerville Road, Buckley Street, Moore Street, Hudsons Road and Blackshaws Road.
But the National Bulk Tanker Association (NBTA) said this is inefficient given the network’s close proximity to Melbourne’s ports and that tolls and fees trucking companies will have to pay to use both the new tunnel and the existing West Gate Bridge, will hurt both the industry and consumers.
“This is the one of the most baffling things I have seen in my professional career,” NBTA chairman Justin Keast said.
“To build a new toll road, then close all existing routes for heavy vehicles to access these port and bulk facilities – routes that have been in existence since the days of the horse and cart – just beggars belief.
“As a result, from the day the new toll road opens, nearly every item you buy will increase in price given the industry now has no alternative routes other than tolled ones.
“That is not what anyone needs in the current cost-of-living crisis.”
The NBTA has written to Freight Victoria asking for alternative dangerous good routes and toll exemptions.
However, their complaints drew little sympathy from the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group (MTAG), which has been campaigning for the removal of trucks from inner-west streets for years.
“Massive tankers carrying flammable loads do not belong on narrow residential streets running past our schools and community facilities and homes,” said MTAG president Martin Wurt, adding that the new tunnel was built for this reason.
“I have never heard the tanker industry advocating for support for community health costs caused by truck exhaust, the cost of doing their business is theirs to meet, not for us to pay with our health and loss of amenity.”
