By Charlene Gatt
THE State Government is in talks with the Federal Government, as it continues to review the Truck Action Plan.
Star sent requests to the offices of Premier Ted Baillieu and Roads Minister Terry Mulder earlier this month, asking what the State Government’s plans were to get truck traffic off residential streets in the West.
Mr Mulder told Star the State Government was talking with the Federal Government over the funding of the $380 million Truck Action Plan, which was a key feature of the Victorian Transport Plan.
“We have also used this time to start work on reviewing this project in light of the other projects that have been spoken about for the western suburbs, such as the proposal for the WestLink road,” he said.
“The previous Labor Government only funded one tenth of what was required for the full Truck Action Plan.
“The northern section works funded under the previous Labor Government’s proposal would have actually increased truck traffic in residential areas, which Labor conveniently failed to mention to the people in the western suburbs.
“The Coalition Government understands the concerns of the people of the western suburbs, following 11 years of Labor not listening to them.
“We are working towards a solution that will not only be affordable for the Victorian taxpayer, but also achieve the outcomes expected of it in the short and long term.”
Mr Mulder did not answer why the State Government provided no funding for the Truck Action Plan in the 2011-12 budget.
Mr Baillieu’s office would not give a separate response.
Opposition MPs – particularly Jacinta Allan, Wade Noonan and Marsha Thomson – have been running a campaign in recent months to get the State Government to commit to the Truck Action Plan or an alternative solution.
Greens MLC Colleen Hartland has also questioned the State Government’s motives.
“We don’t need to another review or another strategy. We need action,” she said.
“Freight moving through our suburbs is set to double within 10 years. That will mean double the number of trucks on our streets unless drastic action is taken.
“The Liberal Party must put their money where their mouth is, stop ignoring the growing truck problem, build the West Gate ramps and put freight on rail.”
