Who is the YRTG?A group of residents came together in 1997 because of concerns about the ever increasing number of trucks using our suburban streets.
What are our concerns?
The main concerns of the YRTG are the impacts on the health, safety and amenity of our community. There are up to 12,000 trucks using our streets every day and night. We are concerned about the health effects of diesel emissions from these trucks. The World Health Organisation has declared soot from diesel exhaust to be a human carcinogen. We are also concerned about the effects of noise pollution and transportation of dangerous goods through residential streets.
What are our aims?
We want all through trucks banned from residential streets and forced back onto freeways. We believe this will remove 80% of trucks form our roads.
Is the YRTG anti-trucking?
No! The YRTG seeks a win-win solution that will benefit truck drivers and the local transport industry but not at the expense of the health of our community
How does the group work?
The YRTG meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. We plan, discuss and vote on actions to achieve our aims based on our goals, consultation with Government bodies, industry and the community.
What is the Government doing?
The Government has set up a number of committees and reports over the past 5 years but the only tangible result to come out of the thousands of dollars spent on reports and consultants is the Sommerville Road and Francis Street curfews. Last years damning EPA air and noise report and the recent protest by residents forced the Government to reluctantly announce the Francis Street curfew, which is very short on detail and confusing. Now the government is conducting another 12 month transport study - the communities patience has run out!
What is the YRTG planning to do?
We are planning a series of actions similar to our recent protest march, to force the government to come up with real solutions to the truck problem on our streets.
What are the solutions?
The immediate solution is for all container and tanker traffic to use Westgate freeway and City Link. Vic Roads has proven these measures would save truck operators time and money (even with the tolls) and get trucks off our suburban streets. In addition the YRTG has suggested many ideas for a dedicated truck route but the government always says this is unworkable, but has failed to come up with any alternatives.
What can I do?
Come along to our meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. The only way to get solutions is to stand together as a community. Lets show them that our community spirit is alive and well.