Environment Freight Zone to impose curfews on trucks in Melbourne

Tough new curfews aimed at older trucks by the Labor Government in Melbourne are one of the consequences of an Environment Freight Zone announced this week in the city's inner-west.

Jaala Pulford, Minister for Roads, Road Safety and TAC together with Melissa Horne, Minister for Ports and Freight unveiled plans for Smart Freight Partnership – Inner West.

The Australian-first package includes cleaner freight and road safety actions incorporating the use of cleaner vehicles to deliver safer conditions for drivers and residents.

The zone will cover Somerville Road and Moore, Francis and Buckley streets, and reportedly deliver road safety upgrades.

Speed limits will be reduced, according to the Government, 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.

Older trucks that fail strict emission control standards will have access denied to the zone, a reduction of up to two hours per day for the first two years with further access reductions expected to follow.

Truck operators caught ignoring curfew times can be fined $165 on the spot.

The project is a collaboration between the State Government, VicRoads, the Victorian Transport Association, Maribyrnong Truck Action Group and the Maribyrnong City Council.

These new measures said the Government in a statement "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."

Under the Smart Freight Partnership driver awareness training will be promoted and transport companies are encouraged to use cleaner, quieter and newer 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.

“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,” said Pulford.

“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,” said Horne.