Focus
Fitzroy Crossing's reputation at rock bottom
T
he issue of rocks being aimed at trucks passing through Fitzroy Crossing has been on the increase with the town’s business leaders saying it has put the Kimberley town’s reputation at rock bottom. Worse still, it is causing scheduling nightmares for freight companies who are trying to keep their drivers safe and urgent action has been called from politicians and the Police to fix this situation which is slowing down the supply of goods and services throughout the region. This serious issue is ‘nothing new’ for the transport industry who has been
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WATM • Septembert 2021
dealing with this for longer than most want to remember. Everyone, from the Police, transport companies, industry associations, individuals and even this magazine has tried to find ways to help alleviate the problem over the years – all obviously to no avail. In fact, from latest reports the problem is getting worse. The Police have readily made escort through the town available to truck drivers. The Police along with Transport companies have worked together to engage the children introducing them face to face to trucks and their drivers and
giving them gifts… Presently, in a long line of people before who have tried to sort this problem, a CEO of an Australia-wide transport company is said to be working with Police and regional leaders in the Kimberley to look at ways of improving the safety of their drivers. However, until the real issues are addressed, namely the lack of deterrence through the Juvenile Justice System and the responsibility of parents and communities to properly address the problem at its ‘roots’ the reality is this situation is unlikely to change.