NOVEMBER 15, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Cops bust truckies By Benjamin Millar
It’s your party
(Damjan Janevski)
Cowboy truck drivers and rogue transport companies are on notice after a blitz found the majority of trucks on inner-west roads pose a safety risk. A recent joint Victoria Police and VicRoads operation focusing on heavy vehicles randomly intercepted 161 trucks at a site in Millers Road, Brooklyn. Of these, 85 per cent failed their inspection – 63 were detected as unroadworthy, two were unregistered and a further 47 infringement notices were issued for load restraint and other offences. Operation Aerodyne identified five companies that will be monitored by Transport Safety Services via further investigations. Westgate highway patrol unit commander Jason Templar said the four-day operation showed too many operators are taking risky decisions that could lead to tragedy. “When we mix heavy vehicles and vulnerable road users, we need to know people are doing the right thing,” he said. “We know they are under pressure to be on the road and delivering with smaller and smaller time frames, but there is still a responsibility to include safety and obey the road rules.” Mr Templar said the operation was spurred by a recent series of fatalities in the inner-west involving trucks. Further blitzes will be rolled out in various locations over coming months. Victorian Transport Association chief executive Peter Anderson said it was “totally unacceptable” for any driver to be operating a heavy vehicle that isn’t 100 per cent safe and roadworthy. “When a driver becomes aware of a potential safety or roadworthy issue with their vehicle, they need to attend to it immediately,” he said. “As an industry group, the VTA encourages every member to make safety its main priority, starting with the roadworthiness of their fleet.” Mr Anderson said the vast majority of operators do the right thing and regularly maintain their vehicles. Maribyrnong Truck Action Group secretary Martin Wurt said the blitz was well overdue given the volume of freight traffic coming through Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay. “It’s incredibly alarming to think this many unroadworthy trucks are travelling down our residential streets, past schools and past people on bikes,” he said. “We have a bunch of cowboys running through the area and we would like to see a crackdown,” he said.
The banks of the Maribyrnong will be the picturesque backdrop for celebrations to round out 2017 when New Year’s Eve lights up Footscray Park on December 31. NYE Fireworks in Footscray Park is expected to draw thousands of revellers as triple j unearthed 2013 winner Ali Barter, seven-piece reggae and soul outfit Sol Nation and local act Footscray-Three-0Double-1 take to the stage, along with Immaculate Madonna – The Genuine Live Concert Experience, which will pay tribute to the queen of pop. Rusty Berther, of musical comedy duo The Scared Weird Little Guys, will MC the evening, which will kick off at 6.30pm ahead of a firework display at the family-friendly time of 9.30pm. Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said the annual event had quickly captured a large following and become the second biggest New Year’s Eve firework event in Victoria, behind only the CBD celebration. “This year is shaping up to be an unforgettable night, with an impressive line-up of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy,” she said. “Everyone from the City of Maribyrnong and across Melbourne’s west and metro Melbourne is welcome to join in the fun.” Details: www.festivalcity.com.au LEONIE LEE AS IMMACULATE MADONNA
Benjamin Millar