Tuesday, 10 September 2019

 Mr ERDOGAN (Southern Metropolitan) (17:52): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads. In February this year the minister announced and implemented a 24/7 restriction on the use of trucks on Beach Road in my electorate, designed to ease congestion for motorists as well as providing a safer commute for drivers and cyclists alike. Beach Road is used by cyclists of all ages both for recreation and to attend work or school. Commuters rely on this major arterial road to move throughout Southern Metropolitan Region. The truck ban has handed the road back to commuters and moved freight off our commuter infrastructure and onto freight routes. This action was taken after extensive consultation with the trucking industry as well as local communities in Bayside and Port Phillip. It has successfully balanced the needs of freight traffic with those of other commuters while providing sensible flexibility for buses, caravans, cranes and trucks making local deliveries with no other route available to them.

The local community called repeatedly for this action and supported the various trial curfews used to gauge the effect of this decision. This government listened to the community and took action to make our beautiful beachside suburbs safer and more accessible. The action I am seeking is an update from the minister in regard to the community-backed truck restriction on Beach Road, including how this decision has eased congestion and improved public safety and the overall ease of the commute and quality of living for those in Southern Metropolitan Region. I also seek information on how the government has balanced the needs of freight and other commuters on Beach Road.