Community & Business
9 February, 2022
Clifton calls for urgent report into truck use
A REPORT into the use of the Malanda Showgrounds by B-Doubles transporting cattle to market and their use of nearby streets to access the facility will be considered by Tablelands Regional Council at its next meeting.
Calling for an urgent report, Cr David Clifton said it came to his attention that landowners, particularly in the Peeramon area, could not get trucks into their properties due to the roads not being up to standard for such vehicles and had been using the showgrounds as the only alternative.
It is understood trucks are using the showgrounds on a monthly basis. However, Cr Clifton said he understood that the activity was not permitted under the current lease arrangements.
Nor was it legal for B-Doubles to use Mary Street or Thomas Street as there was no permits in place for heavy vehicles to use those roads.
“I think this could be a potentially dangerous situation particularly with council improving Jack May Park – there will be lots of kids around so we should treat this with some priority,” he said.
“I want a report to see what we can do – I see this very much as a first step – if officers can identify that these matters can be dealt with from a legal perspective, then it will probably include a revision of the lease, and that will require a fair of community consultation and then discussion.”
Cr Dave Bilney agreed the matter should be investigated, noting that trucks were also using Williams Street, behind the service station, and Churchill Street, to exit onto James Street.
“The intent would not be to stop the practice, rather to formalise it so trucks can access these areas without fear of breaking the rules,” he said.
“With the emergence of Jack May Park as a family friendly precinct, that will also put more pressure on B-Double movements there and this (report) may start the story on how we manage B-Double movements in Malanda.”
CEO Gary Rinehart said the report for the February meeting would not provide a “definitive solution” to the issue but would map out the process, set out a timeframe and outline the steps that would have to be followed.
