Group wants truck ban on road to protect trees

A group of Brisbane residents is trying to stop large trucks accessing a major through road because of damage to an historically significant arbour of trees.

Peter Schneider and Kim Van-Look near the arbour of trees along Northgate Rd. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

A GROUP of northside residents is trying to stop large trucks accessing a major through road because of damage to a historically significant 83-year-old arbour of trees.

The Northgate group said it had been corresponding with the local councillor since 2107 about damage being caused to the arbour on Northgate Rd by oversized trucks.

Spokeswoman Kim Van-Look said the trees were historically significant as they were planted by Girl Guides on May 15, 1937 to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.

Northgate residents are trying to stop trucks causing damage to an arbour of trees along Northgate Rd. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

“Northgate Rd without these trees would just be an ordinary road,” Ms Van-Look said.

“We need to preserve them and maintain them, not just for ourselves but for future generations. That’s why I’m passionate about it.

“On March 2, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner unveiled a $9.1 million pledge to plant tens of thousands of trees and plants over the next four years if his team is re-elected on March 28.

“I feel the words are a contradiction to their (council) actions. A pledge of $9.1 million is fantastic to green Brisbane, it’s very positive. But if you do something to green Brisbane make sure you look after what you already have.”

Damage to a Weeping Fig tree on Northgate Rd.

Damage to a Weeping Fig tree on Northgate Rd.

Ms Van-Look said the group understood the need for trucks to use the road, but was concerned about large oversized semis and B Doubles.

“Some go through there because signage is inadequate. There are a lot coming from Toombul Rd, they get on the roundabout and get stuck.

“A large semi got stuck loaded 10 high with pallets, it came through the roundabout and took two or three turns to turn into Ridge St which is a neighbourhood road.

“This is unsafe as it’s near a childcare centre.”

The group has requested more appropriate signage to indicate Northgate Rd is not appropriate for large vehicles; enforcement of a penalty for heavy vehicles that continue to use the road, with the exception of necessary usage by delivery trucks, rubbish collection and service vehicles; and a reduction in speed limit, in particular 40km outside the child care centre.

These photos show a B Double travelling uphill on Northgate Rd towards Sandgate Rd. It couldn’t get up the hill so the driver unhitched the second trailer, left it and came back later to pick it up.

Cr Schrinner advised the group, in a letter, that Council had no plans to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles at this time.

“Northgate Rd is the primary road link between Toombul Rd and Sandgate Rd, and the large residential catchment, Northgate station and the general industry land uses located between the railway line and Toombul Rd,” he wrote.

“This is consistent with the function of a district road … particularly to provide for through traffic including local freight and public transport.”

Cr Shrinner wrote that traffic calming was not being considered as it would impact the road’s through-traffic function, and council had no plans to conduct a speed limit review as the current 60 km/h limit “is appropriate when considering factors such as crash history, roadside land usage and road geometry”.

However he did state 44 trees would be pruned by the end of April, targeting damaged limbs, dead branches and poor regrowth, after which they would continue to be monitored and maintained when required.

A semi approaching the Gympie St roundabout on Northgate Rd, Northgate, and hitting a tree.

Cr Adam Allan (Northgate) said Council also planned to install safety signs (stating ‘Unsuitable for Large Vehicles’) within Northgate to deter heavy vehicles from using suburban side streets adjoining Northgate Rd.

“Council is investigating locations for the signage, including Gympie St, Ridge St, Peary St and Cook St,” Cr Allan said.

“Once the locations are determined, the signage will be installed this financial year.”

Ms Van-Look said their group was not happy with council’s response.

“We feel we have received bureaucratic responses, and Council has failed to address the environmental impacts of the current usage of Northgate Rd, as well as addressing safety risks with heavy vehicles using Northgate Rd at 60 km/h speeds.

“I think council thinks we’ll go away but we won’t. They have to listen.”