Erika Allen
LOCALS have raised traffic safety concerns on Sandy Creek Road, Maffra, citing its growing use as a heavy vehicle detour.
The stretch of road between Maffra-Newry Rd and Maffra-Briagolong Rd/Powerscourt St is an 80 kilometre per hour zone, but residents have expressed concern that truck traffic drives too fast. Residents said sharing the road with vehicles was difficult because there were no footpaths or shoulders to use safely.
They said walkers, cyclists, schoolchildren, and horse riders used the road. Amenities near Sandy Creek Rd include the Maffra Cemetery and Bellbird Riverside Reserve. The area is zoned Rural Residential, with prospective development to come. A local, preferring to raise concerns anonymously, said they recently saw a cyclist with a dog forced off the road onto the council strip as a truck drove past. They told the Gippsland Times that it was only a matter of time before a pedestrian was fatally injured.
The Gippsland Times asked Wellington Shire Council if it believed the road presently poses a danger to people the community.
“Wellington Shire Council acknowledges and takes seriously the community’s concerns about heavy vehicle movements on Sandy Creek Rd in Maffra,” a council spokesperson said.
“Given the low crash history and the rural environment, council has no current plans for a road safety audit on Sandy Creek Rd. The speed limit was previously reduced to 80km/h by council in 2016.”
Residents said that over the past four years, truck traffic had increased.
“While council is limited in its ability to restrict heavy vehicles like semi-trailers from accessing council-managed roads, we have requested the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to monitor compliance for larger vehicles requiring permits,” the council spokesperson said.
The Gippsland Times contacted NHVR asking what this involves.
Paul Simionato, NHVR Director Southern Region (Operations) said the regulator was made aware of complaints regarding heavy vehicles accessing the road.
“If members of the public have specific concerns regarding heavy vehicle safety, they are encouraged to contact the Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting Line (HVCRL) on 1800 931 785,” Mr Simionato said.
When prime movers, semi-trailers (up to 49 tonnes), or rigid trucks drive through the town, the following roads are approved bypasses by National Heavy Vehicle Regulator: Maffra-Newry Rd, Traralgon-Maffra Rd, Johnston St, Gibney St, Powerscourt St, Maffra-Sale Rd, Stratford-Maffra Rd, Powerscourt St, and McLean St.
NHVR has not identified Sandy Creek Rd as a heavy vehicle bypass, but it could become one in the future, according to the Maffra Structure Plan 2022, a document that will shape the township’s future development. The Structure Plan stated redirecting heavy vehicles to Sandy Creek Rd would “improve the amenity and safety of its existing and future neighbourhoods”.
“As part of the Maffra Structure Plan implemented in 2022, council is currently undertaking a Transport and Traffic Impact Assessment to evaluate changes in the road network from new developments. This assessment will determine necessary transport infrastructure improvements, including those potentially needed on Sandy Creek Rd, as development progresses,” the council spokesperson explained.
“We are currently evaluating options, with the outcome affecting timing and delivery. More details will be available once this assessment is complete.”
However, some residents argue it is already being used as a bypass and that it’s dangerous for cyclists, dog walkers and other pedestrians who use the road to get on and off school buses. If Sandy Creek Rd becomes an official bypass, then balancing road use and public safety will be critical.
