Trafalgar businesses oppose new truck stop

Trafalgar businesses are concerned about the impact a proposed new truck stop on the western fringe of Moe will have on Trafalgar.

Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent announced ahead of the federal election that a re-elected Coalition Government would establish a new heavy vehicle rest area at Moe.

Mr Broadbent said the new rest area, to be established adjacent to McDonald’s at the entry to Moe, would help to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety.

“More than 11,200 heavy vehicles travel the freight route each day including 140 B doubles and there has been 24 heavy vehicle crashes in the eastbound direction over a five year period,” Mr Broadbent said.

But the Trafalgar Chamber of Commerce and Industry has raised concerns about the impact that a truck park would have on the town’s economic future.

Chamber spokesman Brian Leaf said Trafalgar and Yarragon had been set up to service highway traffic and had done an exceptional job.

The Trafalgar Chamber has contacted state and federal government representatives to gain further information in relation to this proposed truck stop.

“The Chamber has been well supported in their concerns from their Baw Baw Shire councillors but even they cannot get further information,” he said.

Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood said Trafalgar chamber members had raised the matter with him.

“I can understand where the chamber is coming from and the impact it could have on Trafalgar visitors, but on the other hand Moe has the chance to build up its visitors,” he said.

Mr Blackwood said it was about getting the most appropriate location and Moe had been considered more appropriate because of the 24-hour services with an adjoining food outlet. In response to queries, Mr Leaf said Vic Roads told chamber members the project was to address driver safety.

“We all agree that this is important but with these vehicles travelling east bound out of Dandenong we fail to see the need to have another stop.

“There is a full serviced truck stop at Pakenham, then around 30km further on at Sand Rd, Longwarry.

“There is also a number of well utilised areas that are suitable rest stops between these locations. So the argument to stop driver fatigue is unjustified with at least five suitable stops within 100 kilometres,” he said.

Mr Leaf said building another truck stop would take business away from small towns like Trafalgar and Yarragon and place them at the doorstep of McDonalds Moe who has been trying for years to have the native trees removed.

“It will also change the main entrance to Moe into a truck stop and sell an undesirable image of the town.

“Vic Roads and the federal government have done a great job of convincing Moe residents that this will bring economic activity into the town.

“This is a misconception as these truck will not progress through Moe. They will eat at McDonalds and rest in the park until they then resume their trip.

Mr Leaf said the chamber was disappointed that neither the Trafalgar nor Yarragon business communities were involved in consultation, given such decisions “can have such a detrimental effect on our already struggling local communities.”