The Andrews Labor Government is teaming up with community and industry groups to introduce tough new curfews for trucks, encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles to deliver safer conditions for drivers and residents.
Minister for Roads, Road Safety and TAC Jaala Pulford and Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne today announced the Smart Freight Partnership – Inner West, an Australian-first package of cleaner freight and road safety actions that will see an Environment Freight Zone established in Melbourne’s inner west.
The zone will cover Somerville Road and Moore, Francis and Buckley streets, and encourage the use of cleaner freight vehicles while delivering road safety upgrades.
It will also reduce speed limits to 50km/h along parts of Williamstown Road (north of Francis Street), Francis Street (west of Hyde Street), Buckley Street (between Princes Highway and Nicholson Street) and Moore Street.
Access times to roads within the zone will be cut for older trucks that don’t meet strict emission control standards – compared to current access hours, this means a reduction of two hours per day for the first two years, followed by a further two-hour reduction per day in subsequent years.
School crossing curfews will continue to be applied on school days only. Truck operators caught ignoring curfew times can be fined $165 on the spot.
The curfew changes aim to strike a balance for the local community and transport operators by addressing concerns about safety, noise and air quality, while keeping freight moving effectively. The measures also deliver driver awareness training and encourage transport companies to use state-of-the-art cleaner and quieter trucks.
Trucks manufactured on or after 1 January 2010 that meet stricter emission control standards (Australian Design Rule 80/03 or EURO V equivalent) will have three hours more access on weekdays than the older trucks and two hours more time on Saturdays.
The project is a collaboration between the Labor Government, VicRoads, the Victorian Transport Association, Maribyrnong Truck Action Group and the Maribyrnong City Council.
The Government is also investigating ways to make the footpaths and roads safer for children in the area. For more information visit transport.vic.gov.au.
Quote attributable to Minister for Roads, Road Safety and TAC Jaala Pulford
“By working closely with key community and industry groups to create this partnership, we will be able to deliver quieter, safer and cleaner streets for everyone who uses them.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne
“We’re closely working with the transport industry to further encourage the use of state-of-the-art, cleaner and quieter trucks, that will benefit both industry and residents in local streets around our ports.”
Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“These measures will mean fewer noisy trucks on local streets and a safer, cleaner community for residents.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020