Fed-up truck drivers have started a petition calling for tougher sentencing on juveniles caught throwing rocks in an attempt to stop the constant rock throwing happening in towns across Australia, including Moree.
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The petition, created by Brisbane-based truck driver Sonja White, names Moree as the worst town for rock throwing, followed by Boggabilla, Brewarrina, Walgett, Bourke, Wilcannia, Peak Hill, and Shepparton.
“With the continuous threats on our roads, we, the truck drivers have had enough of being targeted,” the petition states.
“As we would all like to live longer but with what's been happening lately in some small country towns, it’s becoming increasingly dangerous, especially for us, the truck drivers.
“We, the public, call on the Minister for Justice to implement tougher sentencing on juveniles.”
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Ms White said she started the petition in an effort to prevent another life from being taken as a result of rock throwing.
“Years ago we lost a good mate from a rock being hurled over on the Hume Highway,” she said.
“We don’t need to lose another life due to stupidity, so I’m doing what I can. I started a petition to try to bring in something for people to be punished for what they’re doing. A slap on the wrist is not going to cut it.”
Ms White experienced rock throwing first hand in Brewarrina last year when her truck was rocked.
It was this incident which sparked Ms White to create the ‘Report the Rock Throwing’ closed Facebook group, giving truck drivers from all over the country a platform to warn others when they see, or hear of, rocks being thrown in a particular area.
“When we were rocked I decided to open a group so anyone that’s coming through can read the posts and know to be careful,” she said.
The Facebook group has been going for more than a year now and has more than 1,200 members.
Moree is regularly mentioned as a hot-spot.
Just recently, there have been a number of reports of rocks again being thrown along the Moree bypass.
On April 25, a truck driver posted a photo of a rock which was thrown at his truck at approximately 6.30pm.
“It didn't come through the windscreen but did hit the stone guard in front of me and dinged it up a bit. I found the rock sitting on top of the main bar of the bullbar,” the truck driver posted in the comments section.
Ms White shared an email she sent to Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, Moree Plains Shire Council general manager Lester Rodgers and mayor Katrina Humphries on April 30.
“I do believe that over the weekend rocks were thrown and windscreens were smashed,” the email said.
“When will something be done about this? They were hiding near the bridge north side from the traffic lights on the bypass. Thankfully no-one was hurt but how long before someone is? This has to stop, something needs to be done now before it happens again. Police were called and the response was appalling. Once again the railway ballast were used, why hasn’t this been fixed?”
On May 1, Ms White posted again saying, “once again, rocks were thrown at midnight near the bridge on the bypass of Moree. Please drive carefully through there at night as it seems to be continuous again”.
She also posted in Moree Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Facebook group on May 2.
“A big thumbs down to the young youths that have nothing better to do than throw rocks at trucks on the bypass,” the post said.
“Over the past week windscreens were smashed and dents the size of golf balls. Enough is enough, stop before you kill an innocent driver.”
Ms White said the rock throwing in Moree is “constant”; she believes it’s happening on average between seven and 10 times a week.
“It just started again and is getting beyond a joke,” she said.
“It’s a never-ending story. We’ve all had enough. People are putting safety helmets and goggles on when they drive through Moree.”
Not only are truck drivers fearful when driving through Moree, but many are too scared to stop in town.
Ms White said she has heard of trucks being broken into while stopped at the new service station on the highway.
“Trucks are being broken into when they go in to have a shower or have a meal,” she said.
Ms White has been campaigning for something to be done in Moree for sometime – she’s been in contact with police, politicians, the Australian Rail Track Corporation and Moree Plains Shire Council, but has only been left disappointed but what she feels is a lack of action.
“Lighting and CCTV is not going to stop it,” she said.
Ms White believes police need to patrol the area more regularly, but when she contacted police she was told they need more funding to do that.
“It’s a poor, weak excuse on their behalf,” she said.
“They know where the main targets are, why aren’t they patrolling the area more?”
Moree Police Station officer-in-charge, Inspector Martin Burke, said police are aware of recent incidents of rock throwing along the bypass and on Edward Street which have been followed up.
“Following the recent incidents we’ve had targeted patrols in those areas and will not rule out a targeted operation,” he said.
“Over time we’ve run a range of different operations and enforcement in those areas.
“Young people have been arrested and dealt with. Along the rail corridor we’ve issued $15,000 worth of infringement notices in relation to trespassing.”
Inspector Burke encourages people to report all incidents of rock throwing to police, not to social media.
“Call police and we will investigate; we’ve had success in the past.”
Backed by her fellow truck drivers, Ms White would like to see some sort of legislative change that would enable tougher penalties for those caught, as well as making the rock throwers pay for the damages.
“I’d like to see it stopped,” she said.
“We’ve got to work - that’s our job and our livelihood. What about the damages to trucks? Some of the rocks are going through and hitting the actual driver. We’re out of pocket. And if we drive up the road with a cracked windscreen, who’s going to cop a fine? We are.
“I reckon they should pay for the damages they have caused.
“Maybe also think of putting a bypass somewhere else where it’s safer for us to go.”
Ms White is hoping to get 50,000 signatures on the petition but in the meantime she encourages everyone to report any incident of rock throwing to the police.
If you are a victim of rock throwing or have any information about rock throwing, contact Moree Police Station on 6757 0799 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/