[Greens-Media] Media Release: Sartor should resist lifting Illawarra coal truck curfew

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon  - 5 September 2007

Sartor should resist lifting coal truck curfew, put community before
coal profits

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on Planning
Minister Frank Sartor to listen to the local community for once and
resist pressure from the federal government and the mining industry to
lift Illawarra’s 25 year long coal truck curfew.

“The coal industry can cry ‘poor me’ about restricted travelling
times but mining companies are making record profits and there is no
justification to relax the curfew", Ms Rhiannon said. 

“In August BHP Billiton recorded a $16.68 billion profit for the last
financial year. 
 
“Minister Frank Sartor should for once put the interests of the local
community first and retain the curfew which promotes safety and peace
for local residents. 

“The Iemma government should be turning its mind to building world
class rail infrastructure. 

“Only this morning a loaded coal truck collided with a car on the M4
on Sydney’s outskirts, reminding us that coal trucks are travelling
death machines. 
 
“Lifting the coal truck curfew, even only in some areas as suggested
by the Federal member for Cunningham Sharon Bird, will be the thin edge
of the wedge. 

 “Coal companies in NSW have enormous lobbying power, far greater
than local residents, and before long they will be asking for open
slather on Illawarra roads.

“Heavily loaded trucks are travelling time bombs. A recent RTA study
showed fatal crash rates for heavy trucks are around five times higher
than for other types of vehicles.  

“The potential for accidents grows at night, when fatigue and poor
visibility rise.

 “Minister Sartor, by lifting the curfew for three months last
December, has already shown himself to be wobbly on maintaining the
curfew. 

“Mr Sartor needs to show some spine and put the interests of
Illawarra residents before the profits of the coal industry,” Ms
Rhiannon said. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au