A garbage truck lost control on a Cockatoo street last week, prompting residents to appeal for the road to be fixed before someone gets hurt. By Nicole Williams and Casey Neill
RESIDENTS on a Cockatoo Street say their road is a death trap after a garbage truck crashed through a fence last week – an incident they say would not have occurred if Cardinia Shire Council had sealed the road.
The shire has vowed to inspect the road and arrange any works deemed necessary.
The truck lost control on the narrow and slippery road, and it was only due to the driver’s quick thinking that disaster was averted.
Isobel Blackthorn and Alex Legg were asleep in their Maurice Street home early on Thursday 27 September when “a mighty thud” woke them.
“I looked out the kitchen window and there was the truck,” Ms Blackthorn said.
“I checked to see if the driver was hurt, but he’d already left the cab and was phoning for help.
“The truck driver steered a course up our driveway, avoiding crashing into Alex’s workshop and the house next door.
“This incident could have been so much worse.”
Neighbour, Kathy Brown, said the driver made a smart decision to avoid a more serious accident.
“Whether it be slow or fast, it wouldn’t have made any difference, we don’t believe it was driver error,” she said.
“The driver said he just had to stop the truck anyway he could. He was so lucky.”
Maurice Street residents are calling on Cardinia Shire Council to seal their road before someone gets hurt.
“What’s it gonna take for Cardinia Council, instead of spending ratepayers’ money every six weeks on a re-grading operation, to make one large investment and resurface the street with tarmac?” Mr Legg said.
“No bad consequences this time, but there is a very real potential for a fatality on these roads.”
Ms Brown said her kids were playing in street when the truck lost control.
“My kids were out the front playing on pushbikes, I shudder to think what could have happened if he came our way,” she said.
“I really believe someone is going to die, and it’s too late once it happens.”
Cardinia Shire Council spokesman Paul Dunlop said its waste collection contractor advised the shire it was undertaking its normal insurance process and was in contact with the property owner.
“Council inspects Maurice Street on regular basis as part of its Road Management Plan obligations,” he said.
“We have arranged an inspection of this road and its drainage based on the concerns raised.
“If we find the road’s condition to be of an unacceptable standard, further works will be arranged.”
Mr Dunlop urged residents or road users with any concerns about a council-owned road or drain to phone 1300 787 624 or email mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au to ensure an inspection occurred.
