Truck ban trial a win for Acacia Ridge community
An around the clock heavy vehicle ban on a suburban road on Brisbane’s southside will be trialled from next month.
Southeast
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A 24/7 truck ban on a suburban road in Brisbane’s south will be trialled from July 1.
It extends the existing ban on Watson Rd in Acacia Ridge imposed in 2015, which stops trucks using the road from 8pm to 6am daily.
Brisbane City Council statistics show up to 800 trips are made along the road each day with 50 per cent of them frequenting the BMI Resource Recovery Facility and the other half going to other businesses in the Acacia Ridge and Archerfield industrial areas.
Truck drivers will now be directed by signs to access the areas via Learoyd Rd, which feeds into Beaudesert Rd.
ALP Brisbane City Councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka ward) said the 12-month trial was a “win for the community” which he’d “campaigned alongside” of since 2008 when it became part of his electorate.
The changed route for truck drivers will add about two minutes per trip.
It is not clear yet if the BMI Resource Recovery Facility will be part of the ban.
BMI Group general manager Mark Dekker said he hoped that if his business was to be impacted “appropriate consultation and notice would be provided”.
“This is a major win for residents who have endured traffic, noise, fumes, dust pollution, and safety concerns near their homes, schools, parks and community facilities, while watching the volume of heavy vehicles using Watson Road continue to grow,” Cr Griffiths told the Southern Star.
“Their concerns have been intensified by the fact that alternatives are available for such vehicles and policing hasn’t proved a particularly effective deterrent.
“This 24-hour ban trial is intended to establish what the impact in for local residents, businesses and road users.”
A review of the trial will be undertaken in February 2020, part-way through the trial, to allow for heavy vehicle drivers to adjust to changed driving patterns and to identify if those changes have impacted on traffic volumes using the Watson Road.
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon said: “Our people pay to be able to use the network.
“Everyone operates as safely as they can – the more they ban the use of certain roads the more you will increase the cost (of products on consumers).”
Council is arranging for appropriate signage to be installed and is contacting major stakeholders including the BMI Resource Recovery Facility, Archerfield and Acacia Ridge industrial businesses and residents located between Beatty, Beaudesert, Mortimer and Learoyd Rds.
The Queensland Police Service will also be contacted to inform them of this impending change, according to Cr Griffiths.
Acacia Ridge residents have been extremely vocal about the impact of heavy vehicles on their community.
“Impact from the increased number and size of trucks can also be seen in the poor condition of Watson Rd,” Monica Mead wrote to council.
“The road surface is being torn apart by these trucks making the road very dangerous to drive on especially on the northern side of Watson Road State School.
According to James and Catherine Bennett, heavy vehicles using this route “show no respect for cars in the area, pushing their way out in front of oncoming traffic”.
Another Acacia Ridge resident said he had seen trucks roll over on the Learoyd Rd roundabout and lose concrete and rocks on local roads.
“(Parked trucks) block our vision of oncoming traffic on Learoyd Rd making it very dangerous to leave our driveway,” the man wrote to council.
OPINION: RESIDENTS’ VOICES NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
Being a journalist can land you in a lot of interesting and sometimes dicey situations.
But I never imagined standing on the footpath at Watson Rd in Acacia Ridge, while interviewing a group of upset residents, would be one of them.
That was until a large rock was flung from a b-double truck and catapaulted towards me and the locals.
It landed with a huge thud close to me and it gave me quite the scare.
It was further proof that huge trucks carrying big loads should not be permitted to drive at any pace along suburban roads, especially near school zones.
Residents are not asking for a lot, just a bit of peace and quiet, and safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
And all levels of government need unite to ensure that residents’ wishes are at the forefront of deciding whether this “truck ban” is made permanent in 2020.
—KRISTY MUIR
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