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APRIL 12th PROTEST BECOMES A CELEBRATION
MTAG hails the Eddington Report as a major step forward for the inner West
Hi there, welcome to the MTAG news,
Maribyrnong Truck Action Group is celebrating the release of the Eddington Report, which recognises the need for urgent action on the issue of excessive truck traffic in the inner West. “The report includes all of the recommendations we made in our submission to the study, it is a major victory for common sense” said spokesman Peter Knight. In particular the group is positive about Sir Rod’s recommendation for an off-ramp from the Westgate Freeway to Hyde St, the link from Sunshine Rd to the Westgate Freeway, and the bans for trucks on residential streets. “We would add, however, that the bans on trucks without a local origin and destination be implemented before the off ramp is built” said spokesman, Peter Knight.
This measure would force trucks to use the Bolte Bridge and pay tolls. “Drivers and companies don’t want to pay tolls so we are recommending the government fund a toll waiver on the Bolte Bridge as an interim measure to get trucks off the streets now without impacting on transport workers livelihoods.”
Despite its positive reaction to Sir Rod’s announcements MTAG will continue with its planned march and family picnic on April 12th (starting at 11am corner Williamstown Rd and Francis St Yarraville). The action has been in planning for months now and, according to Peter Knight will, be, “a great chance for families to get out and express their concern while at the same time celebrating a major step forward.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic vindication of everything we’ve been saying for years but we also have to remember that a recommendation in a report does not equal action,” warned Mr Knight. “What MTAG will be saying on April the 12th is, ‘now the government has a blueprint for change, let’s get on with it’.”
The march will move along Francis St Yarraville to nearby Beaton Reserve for a family picnic with live music provided by Footscray’s own Leo Dale of Oxo Cubans saxophone fame, along with Dave Evans accordian (The Band Who Knew Too Much), Howard Cairns bass (Way Out West) and drummer Hugh Harvey. The picnic will also feature high profile speakers: Cr Michael Clarke, Colleen Hartland MLC (Greens), and Bernie Finn MLC (Liberal).
“Our calls for change are reasonable, that’s why people like Sir Rod Eddington, Michael Clarke, Colleen Hartland, and Bernie Finn are willing to get behind us”, said Mr Knight. “We’re not calling for all trucks to be banned from our streets – we don’t want to interfere with local businesses and we understand that this is a shared residential and industrial area. It’s the trucks that don’t have a local origin or destination that we want off our streets.”
MTAG is also calling for the transport industry to work with them to lobby for solutions. “We have had some positive feedback from industry figures and truck drivers about MTAG’s ideas for change in particular the idea for a funded toll waiver. Surprisingly, a lot of truckies seem to agree that this is not a sustainable situation and that something does have to change. They may not be the most outspoken in the newspapers but I think there is a growing concern in the industry.”
This will be a peaceful protest held with the cooperation of Victoria Police and Vic Roads.
EDDINGTON EAST WEST NEEDS ASSESSMENT Report
Press articles
Numerous articles have been written about the Eddington Report. Here are a few links:
The Age's editorial mentioned Francis Street (which carries 7000 trucks a day).
The Herald Sun had a page devoted to Eddington and Freight Transport, Sir Rod mentions the experience of visiting Francis St. Also includes an interview with a long time Francis Street resident - scan above.
Online articles:
Chapter 6 - Moving Goods-the growing freight task. Section 6.3 in particular mentions MTAG and has the MTAG quote and map.
Truck Action Plan recomendation 5 This summarises what needs to be done to get trucks off residential streets.
The Age article.
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