Goongerah resident, Sharon Small, is concerned for the safety of users of the Bonang Road.
With a truck going over the edge on July 17 Ms Small was unable to attend her place of employment in Orbost. This is not an unusual occurrence along the road she says.
“The driver and passenger of the truck carrying road fill for futile road works were shaken and had feared the front of the truck was going to go over the side while they were in the cabin,” Ms Small said.
“The driver stated that he had several occasions where he had struggled to pass log trucks.
“Driving daily on the road to and from work often results in ‘near misses’ with large logging trucks.”
Ms Small said the Bonang Road, which she travels everyday, has deteriorated significantly in the last year or so.
“I regularly drive from Goongerah to Orbost (twice daily). There are many areas along this 60-kilometre stretch that are too narrow, have soft edges and are cracking, crumbling areas.
“We are a small population unable to gather a substantial, effective petition. There is also a history of logging/forest protestors conflicting with logging contractors this does not help.
“Our main concern is for the safety of our small local population and truck drivers, not to mention the huge loss of wildlife killed during the night when the trucks begin on the roads at approximately 3am.
“There is also a growing number of recreational vehicles using this road. Tourism is slowly but surely growing.
“I have sent emails concerning the safety of the Bonang Road to VicRoads, Regional Roads Victoria, Tim Bull and Darren Chester in the past few months requesting an answer to the question, ‘who is responsible for signing the piece of paper that declares the Bonang Road safe for its current usage of heavy vehicles?’ ” she said.
“I proposed that large vehicles cease to travel on this road until the road was deemed safe. I also proposed that the truck drivers continue to be paid as it is not their fault that the road is hazardous. I asked if this could be addressed before someone dies.
Ms Small received a response from RRV, which she said she found “condescending”.
She was told by RRV stakeholder and communication manager, Gerard Engel, that “Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) manages approximately 3500 kilometres of arterial roads throughout Gippsland. To do this effectively, comprehensive procedures are in place to ensure that regular inspections are undertaken of the road network to identify defects, treat any hazards and prioritise maintenance activities to ensure arterial roads are safe and in acceptable condition”.
“RRV’s highest priority for managing roads is to ensure that safety and access is maintained, and this is achieved by adherence to strict inspection and response standards outlined in RRV’s Road Management Plan,” Mr Engel explained.
“The use of arterial roads, such as Bonang Road, by trucks is essential in driving regional economies, providing access to goods for industry and generating local employment opportunities.
“RRV is aware that the current logging operations are having an impact on conditions along Bonang Road and have recently graded the unsealed section of the road. RRV officers have also met with members of the local community to discuss their concerns and have reached out to the logging operator to review its arrangements to manage the impacts of the logging activity on the community.”
RRV Regional Director (Eastern), Sara Rhodes-Ward, added, “Timber production is an important industry in Gippsland and we’re asking drivers to be mindful of this busy period for industry as well as their own safety while sharing the road with logging vehicles”.
“To ensure the road remains safe for all road users, we’ve doubled the frequency of routine inspections and will continue to carry out critical repair works as required,” she said.
RRV also advises RRV undertakes regular inspections Bonang Road to identify defects, treat any hazards and prioritise maintenance to ensure it is safe and in acceptable condition.
“During the busy logging season we undertake extra monitoring of Bonang Road, with fortnightly inspections over the winter months when logging activity increases,” they said.
“In addition, the community can report hazards at any time to RRV’s dedicated hotline on 133 778.
“Motorists are always urged to drive to the conditions to ensure the safety of all road users. This includes ensuring it’s safe to overtake large vehicles, remaining patient and being aware of the blind spots associated with larger vehicles like logging trucks.”
None of this response from RRV alleviates Ms Small’s concerns.
“I am grateful that there were not any injuries this morning for me just a loss of a day’s work. I’ll go to work on Saturday instead,” she said.
“But these young drivers were truly scared and have been fearful on many of their drives.
“It’s not fair for them, they are not going to say no to work.”
PICTURED: Bonang Road’s condition has seen plenty of ‘near misses’, this truck going over the edge last week. (PS)
