Council starts conversation about moving trucks out of Murray Street

Published on 12 February 2019

Colac Otway Shire Council has started preliminary talks with local industry trucking company representatives about finding an alternative route for trucks away from Murray Street in Colac.

Industry leaders have told council they would support an investigation into a causeway across Lake Colac as a long-term plan, which would have minimal impact on travel times and freight costs, along with tourism and other benefits.

An investigation into a short-term option of diverting trucks along Dennis Street was also suggested by industry representatives who met with Shire Mayor Cr Jason Schram, Council Chief Executive Peter Brown and Council’s Infrastructure and Leisure Services Manager Tony McGann on Friday.

Cr Schram said from a community perspective, b-doubles and semitrailers in Murray Street were a problem because of the volume of traffic, noise, smell, pedestrians and the design of the street, and he thanked trucking company representatives for their willingness to revive the conversation about alternate route options.

“Getting trucks out of Murray Street would address pedestrian and traffic safety concerns that the community has voiced for many years and dramatically improve the appeal of Murray Street as a place to shop and enjoy a coffee or food at cafes with outdoor seating,” he said. 

“But we know how important our local industries and freight access is to Colac and the markets they serve in Australia and internationally, so consultation with business and other stakeholders has been our initial priority.

“Council has had initial talks with Regional Roads Victoria Regional Director, South Western Region Mark Koliba and we floated the idea of a truck curfew for the Princes Highway in the Colac urban area.

“Our discussion with VicRoads was looking at a truck route to the north of Colac around the lake but having spoken to our industry leaders and local trucking operators, it’s important for other options to be considered.

“Industry leaders want us to look at a short-term solution like diverting trucks along Dennis Street instead of Murray Street and a long-term solution that will benefit Colac without impacting their freight costs and time schedules.

“An investigation into a causeway across the lake was raised again as a potential long-term solution,” he said.

“Councillors have been briefed on the truck curfew idea and initial alternative truck route options but we will now take the views of the local industries to a council briefing and discuss their support for putting an investigation into a causeway back on the table.”