Trucking dangerous Wind farm driver on Gillies sparks anger
AN investigation is underway into claims a truck driver contracted to the Mt Emerald Wind Farm took an illegal detour between Cairns and the Tablelands.
Footage of the B-double driver travelling on the wrong side of the road down the Gillies Range on Sunday has gone viral on social media.
The motorist who captured the dashcam footage, who did not want to be named, claimed the truckie had no pilot vehicle for the entire journey down the range, which included taking blind corners in the wrong lane.
“It was an accident waiting to happen – it was just so dangerous,” they said.
It is understood the truck driver had been travelling between Cairns and Walkamin to transport equipment to the Mt Emerald Wind Farm.
Truck drivers contracted to the wind farm are only permitted to use the Kennedy and Palmerston highways, due to the immense size of their vehicles and loads. Watch the video online at www.cairnspost.com.au
Wind farm developer Ratch Australia referred the Cairns Post to its subcontractor Vestas Australian Wind Technology for comment.
The company’s Australia and New Zealand project manager Sefa Izzet said he was aware of the footage, but could not comment further until he had carried out a full investigation of the incident.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the Gillies Range Road was not a designated multicombination or B-double route.
“Vehicles longer than 19m or wider than 2.5m are not permitted to use it without special permission from Transport and Main Roads,” he said.
The footage has been referred to police for further investigation.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost