The Federal government is still to release the feasibility study for the Maldon Dombarton rail link whilst the State Budget released 6 September could have done more for Wollongong rail and roads.
And now the State Government has given approval for more grain trucks this year.
Something for our newly elected Council to look at ?
The runaway truck on Wednesday 21 September 2011 on Mount Ousley follows three heavy truck accidents in the Illawarra Region, one fatal, one putting the Kiama Bomaderry line out of action and a bulk truck and trailer running off the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail
See Illawarra Mercury:
http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&kw=Truck+smash+reignites+lower+speed+limit+call&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=1month&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=adv&clsPage=1&docID=ILL1109099A5IH6BBQU8
See Illawarra Mercury article on 20 September and Editorial for "Export boost puts pressure on our roads":
http://aap.newscentre.com.au/cpsunat/110921/library/private_&_public_partnerships/26711584.html
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Letter Illawarra Mercury, p21, Friday September 9 2011
The report “Fatal Picton Rd Crash” (Mercury, August 27 and August 29) notes the sad loss of life following a collision between a car-carrying truck and a car on the Picton Road on Friday.
Whatever the cause of the fatal crash, the probability of it occurring had increased due to more trucks on the road.
So far this year, there have three extra generators of truck numbers on the Mt Ousley and in some cases Picton Road.
Firstly, it was caused by the failure of the NSW government to ensure compliance with a commitment by December 2010 to have 20 per cent of all car imports through Port Kembla moved from the port by rail.
Secondly, there has been a record number of heavy trucks moving grain to Port Kembla, with all indications that the long standing limit of 200,000 tonnes per year will be increased. An application to increase this limit is currently before the NSW Department of Planning. The environmental assessment and response to submissions does not even address the risk factors of increased fatal accidents.
Thirdly, quarry products moving from Bass Point to Glebe that used to go by coastal shipping are now going by heavy trucks.
All this on top very high levels of road haulage of coal on public roads.
Increased road crash risk is bad enough. Although no amount of money can replace a person, the federal government estimates the economic loss of a person killed in a road crash as approximately $2.4 million.
On top of increased road crash risk, additional numbers of heavy trucks bring extra noise and air pollution.
Wollongong Transport Coalition supports more use of rail and coastal shipping to move bulk products, and for the Federal and NSW governments to expedite completion of the Maldon-Dombarton link.
Irene Tognetti, Keiraville, spokesperson
for Wollongong Transport Coalition
Whatever the cause of the fatal crash, the probability of it occurring had increased due to more trucks on the road.
So far this year, there have three extra generators of truck numbers on the Mt Ousley and in some cases Picton Road.
Firstly, it was caused by the failure of the NSW government to ensure compliance with a commitment by December 2010 to have 20 per cent of all car imports through Port Kembla moved from the port by rail.
Secondly, there has been a record number of heavy trucks moving grain to Port Kembla, with all indications that the long standing limit of 200,000 tonnes per year will be increased. An application to increase this limit is currently before the NSW Department of Planning. The environmental assessment and response to submissions does not even address the risk factors of increased fatal accidents.
Thirdly, quarry products moving from Bass Point to Glebe that used to go by coastal shipping are now going by heavy trucks.
All this on top very high levels of road haulage of coal on public roads.
Increased road crash risk is bad enough. Although no amount of money can replace a person, the federal government estimates the economic loss of a person killed in a road crash as approximately $2.4 million.
On top of increased road crash risk, additional numbers of heavy trucks bring extra noise and air pollution.
Wollongong Transport Coalition supports more use of rail and coastal shipping to move bulk products, and for the Federal and NSW governments to expedite completion of the Maldon-Dombarton link.
Irene Tognetti, Keiraville, spokesperson
for Wollongong Transport Coalition
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