THIS week, I met the shadow minister for transport and infrastructure and fellow National Senator Bridget McKenzie in Canberra concerning the future of large truck movements through Mildura.
Sunraysia Daily reported on my letters to federal and state Labor ministers about the situation in late January. I have not had a response from ministers Melissa Horne or Catherine King, but I met Mildura Rural City Council last month about the situation.
The deaths on Deakin Avenue in truck-related accidents have reinforced the need to activate decades-old planning to deliver an alternative route for B-doubles, B-triples or even B-quad trucks rolling along Deakin Avenue.
There are six schools along Deakin Avenue. Heavy vehicles and schoolchildren would never be allowed to mix in Melbourne or other cities, yet somehow state and federal governments consider it acceptable in Mildura.
I take a strong interest in this situation, with many Mildura residents raising their concerns with me as the Member for Mallee.
The Sturt Highway-Deakin Avenue alignment is the present national highway route.
I personally think all options should be on the table to result in a long-term strategic benefit for Mildura, including a full bypass with a new bridge over the Murray and upgraded rail freight arrangements, but I am concerned to ensure we have appropriate short and medium-term safety solutions as well.
I have been very pleased to hear from truckies about the appropriateness of the current “Benetook option”. The key to unlocking funding will be an updated business case for governments, and that alone will cost millions of dollars.
The cost savings that come with preventing the loss of lives or serious injuries, plus the national efficiency of faster freight movement through the region, ought to bolster the cost-benefit arguments.
With the cost for a proper heavy vehicle bypass likely to exceed $100 million, I need to demonstrate the community support to attract the federal funding that Mildura needs and deserves.
I encourage readers to work with me and, I hope, Sunraysia Daily, to grow support for this vital safety initiative.
