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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (20 November) . . Page.. 3877 ..

Truck Parking - Residential Areas

MS HORODNY: My question is directed to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr De Domenico. I draw your attention to subsection 151(1) of the Motor Traffic Act, which states:

A person shall not stop or park a motor vehicle, or park a trailer, on a public street except on the carriageway of the public street.

I also draw your attention to paragraph 158(1)(n), which states:

(1) A person shall not stop or park a motor vehicle or park a trailer -

... ... ...

(n) upon a public street or public place, in such a position, in such a condition, or in such circumstances, as to be likely to cause danger, obstruction or unreasonable inconvenience to other persons using the public street or public place.

In relation to the overnight parking of large trucks in residential streets, mostly including nature strips, has any agreement been made between you and the Transport Workers Union that your department will not take action on trucks which park in residential areas in breach of the Motor Traffic Act, or has any other agreement been made to water down other aspects of your truck parking rules?

MR DE DOMENICO: The answer to both parts of that question is no.

MS HORODNY: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Mr De Domenico, will you continue to allow trucks to flagrantly breach the Motor Traffic Act, by refusing to book those that are parked illegally, or will you give a commitment to phase out all trucks over 12 tonnes from parking in residential areas?

MR DE DOMENICO: The answer to the second question is no. Mr Speaker, can I suggest that Ms Horodny is attempting to pre-empt a debate that is down the track.

Mr Humphries: On the notice paper.

MR DE DOMENICO: On the notice paper.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, I will uphold that.

MR DE DOMENICO: Can I also suggest, Mr Speaker, that Ms Horodny wait until we have that debate on Thursday. I know what her views are. If she had her way, we would be banning anything that has been motorised, on four wheels, from parking anywhere. It has taken over 18 months for people - including the Transport Workers Union, the truck owners and drivers, the Government and the people representing RORE - to come around a table and get so close to unanimous agreement that it does not matter.

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