By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
MORE than 6000 people have signed an online petition for a roundabout to be built at a notorious intersection in Pearcedale.
The Robinsons Road and Western Port Highway intersection has claimed the lives of two people in the past five years including the recent death of 19-year-old Olivia Steadman-Meconi.
Local residents say they have had enough.
Malcolm Robinson has lived on the corner of the intersection for 13 years and says cars have crashed through his fence.
“I’ve seen multiple accidents here there’s been quite a few fatalities and there’s always accidents, I want to see the speed limit reduced and a roundabout built, I think a roundabout will be the only thing to stop the accidents and fatalities,” Mr Robinson said.
The safety concerns surrounding the intersection were promised to be fixed by VicRoads in 2012 under the Liberal Government when a $1.64m upgrade was built which included turning lanes, rumble strips, lighting and extra signage.
Local resident Maureen Smollen lives three doors down from the deadly intersection and said the upgrade promised a lot but didn’t deliver.
“When work was started on the intersection everyone thought it was going to be a roundabout, but in their wisdom they decided to just put in turning lanes – this has not stopped the accidents,” Ms Smollen said.
Hastings Liberal MP Neale Burgess started the petition on Friday 12 June and said the amount of support has been incredible.
“We need an urgent roundabout and I will campaign until something happens,” Mr Burgess said.
A spokesperson for Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said: “The Andrews Labor Government understands this intersection carries a lot of community concern.
“Neal Burgess had four years to fix this intersection properly but did nothing,” they said.
Mr Burgess argued he lobbied for a roundabout to be built in 2011 and 2012 when he was in office.
“I was told the upgrade would render it safe, we were only a step away from the Port of Hasting being built which would have duplicated that road and put in roundabouts but Labor pulled that when they got in,” Mr Burgess said.
The Roads Minister spokesperson said Mr Donnellan had asked Vic Roads to investigate options to improve safety at the intersection.
“VicRoads will consult with Victoria Police, Casey City Council and Frankston City Council as part of this process. These investigations will also consider the broader access needs of residents and businesses in the area,” the spokesperson said.
In four days the online petition reached 4000 supporters and Mr Burgess said he will continue to put pressure on the Roads Minister until something happened.
“We won’t stop talking to the community about what our next action is,” Mr Burgess said.
Shadow Roads Minister Ryan Smith visited locals in Pearcedale on Tuesday 16 June to hear their concerns in person.
Mr Burgess said the State Government should have plenty of funds available in the budget for road works after scrapping the Port of Hastings.
“They have taken back $80m into consolidated revenue which they can use to build the roundabout,” he said.
“They’ve got the money why not spend that to help the community and make it safer for everyone,” he said.
The Roads Minister spokesperson said the Andrews Labor Government was committed to improving road safety across Victoria and was developing a five-year Road Safety Action Plan.
For more information on the petition visit change.org
