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Troncs bears brunt of spiking incidents

Police believe angry locals might be laying nails and screws on a road, and Troncs is bearing brunt of it

By Ruza Zivkusic | September 15, 2011

Truck drivers travelling between Port of Lucinda and Halifax in Queensland are being urged to keep an eye on nails and screws following a series of spiking incidents near Ingham.

Halifax Police Sergeant John Tantalo believes community angst over the increased number of trucks on the route could be the motive behind spiking.

Nails and screws were found on the route that is frequently used by trucks that cart sugar to the Lucinda terminal, Tantalo says.

“The incident goes back about six weeks ago. We have had three incidents where we have discovered nails and screws and two of the incidents they’ve caused damage to truck tyres,” Tantalo says.

Tyres of four trucks have been damaged, with the latest incident occurring two weeks ago where three trucks got spiked in a 24-hour period.
Up to 60 B-double trucks use the route each day.

“There is some unhappiness about the increased heavy movement of trucks moving the sugar between Lucinda and Townsville,” Tantalo says.

“Because of that, there may be people who are targeting these heavy vehicles.

“Certainly those responsible for this are a very small minority and from what I understand generally in the wider community, here it’s quite well accepted that this is a necessity for this season.”

Troncs Transport Solutions is the main carrier of sugar in the area, with four of its trucks affected, Tantalo says.

“We speak quite regularly with the management of Troncs as we do with the management of Queensland Sugar Limited and the Lucinda Port.

“They’re very happy with how it’s going and what’s been done in relations to the spiking – we’re all trying our best and we’re all working together, they have a big business to operate and the priority is meeting the contract for moving the sugar.

“The damaged tyres are expensive and no business at this time should be replacing or repairing tyres as it all adds up as a cost.”

The police are patrolling the area, with both marked and unmarked police cars present.

ATN is awaiting a response from Troncs Transport Solutions.

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