Victorian Government to modernise truck fleets

The Victorian Government will deliver on its election promise made last year to modernise truck fleets and seal local roads to improve air quality.

As part of a $20 million package, $15 million in grants will target truck operators regularly using inner western roads to support a transition to trucks that produce fewer emissions.

A further $5 million will be made available to local councils to seal local roads, reducing dust pollution.

“We promised we’d make air cleaner in Melbourne’s inner west and that’s what we’re doing – replacing emissions-heavy old trucks and sealing roads to reduce dust pollution,” said Minister for Ports and Freight, Melissa Horne.

Melbourne’s inner west reportedly experiences significantly higher volumes of heavy vehicle traffic than other parts of Melbourne due to its high concentration of industrial uses.

The Victorian Government will therefore work with community and industry to reduce the environmental impact of heavy vehicles, while making roads safer by lowering speed limits and banning trucks on some roads.

One of these projects includes the Zero Emissions Vehicle Roadmap, which is supported by a $100 million investment to help the adopting of zero emissions vehicles.

The Government is also continuing its Air Quality Strategy with a $2.8 million investment to establish two air quality improvement precincts in the inner and outer west of Melbourne.

“Through this important package and the implementation of our Air Quality Strategy, we’re taking action to improve air quality and tackle pollution in the west,” said Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt.