The proposed load limiting changes are on Railway Street, Station Street, and Alice Street. 

The changes come almost a year after Andrew Daniels Way, the heavy vehicle bypass, was officially opened. 

Mayor Greg Campbell said one of the aims of the bypass was to reduce the need for heavy vehicle travel through residential and commercial areas of the town. 

”The intentions of the proposed changes are to improve public safety and prevent damage on infrastructure,” Councillor Campbell said. 

“Council understands that there are heavy vehicles that may need to use these roads and are seeking feedback from the community.” 

Detailed load limiting includes Railway Street from McIlwraith Street to the end of the Residential Zoned land, to all heavy vehicle combinations that are class 6 and above – with a gross vehicle mass of 20 tonnes. 

Station Street between Ramsay and Alice Streets, and the Alice Street section between Sir Hudson Fysh Drive and Isley Street, are proposed to be closed to heavy vehicles greater than semi-trailers, with a gross vehicle mass greater than 30 tonnes. 

The inner bypass route remains accessible during flooding for all classes of heavy vehicles.

The shire council’s chief executive David Neeves advised in the council meeting last week that the council would not need an open forum to discuss the issue. 

But he recommended word of mouth, social media, supplying information on the council website and a media release – which eventually provided the bulk of this report. 

“It shows a willingness to listen to the community. I imagine most people in Railway Street were stoked when the bypass opened,” Mr Neeves said. 

Feedback forms can be found on the council’s website. The feedback must be filled before 5pm, June 13. The report is to be brought before council on June 21.