Petition Truck Bans in Melbourne's North-East

Issue:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly that residents of Melbourne’s north‑east have endured decades of heavy truck traffic on Rosanna Road, Greensborough Road and surrounding arterial roads due to the absence of a direct freeway connection between the M80 Ring Road and the Eastern Freeway. This has caused significant impacts on local communities, including road safety risks, noise, air pollution, vibration, congestion and reduced amenity. The North East Link, due to open in 2028, will finally provide a continuous freeway connection that enables through‑freight traffic to bypass local roads in Banyule. The petitioners note that the Victorian Government, through the Minister for Planning’s 2019 Assessment of the North East Link project, recognised the need for further truck‑management measures on local roads once the project is complete. The Government has also acknowledged the importance of protecting communities from heavy‑vehicle impacts by implementing legislated No‑Truck Zones and automated enforcement technology in Melbourne’s inner west following the opening of the West Gate Tunnel. North East Link was promised as a project that would remove thousands of trucks from local roads. That commitment must be delivered through permanent, enforceable truck bans from day one of opening.

Action:

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly 1. Implement permanent 24 hour, 7 day 'No Truck Zones' on Rosanna Road, Greensborough Road and key arterial truck routes in Melbourne’s north-east, except where trucks have a genuine local destination or are prohibited from using North East Link tunnels 2. Introduce automated camera enforcement and monitoring technology to ensure compliance 3. Apply truck management and enforcement consistent with that adopted for Melbourne’s inner west, ensuring a consistent approach to truck management and community protection across Victoria; and 4. Implement these measures from the day the North East Link project opens. Petitioners call for permanent, enforceable truck bans to ensure arterial roads are safer, quieter, and not used as freight bypass routes.