By BRIDGET COOK
A BATTLE described as ‘Tooradin’s East West Link issue’ came to a head this week with the announcement that the speed limit will be reduced through the town’s centre.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder and Hastings MP Neale Burgess visited Tooradin on Monday to announce the current 80km/h speed limit through the Tooradin township, along the South Gippsland Highway, will be reduced to 60km/h.
The $317,000 project will see electronic signs installed, which will lower the speed limit for 12 hours of the day when the town centre is busier with pedestrians, school children and visitors.
The electronic signs mean that outside of those peak pedestrian times, the speed limit will be increased back to 80km/h.
Mr Mulder said this had been a battle royal for local residents, council and MPs to try and get a resolution to the issue, which has been going on for almost 10 years.
“This issue has been Tooradin’s East West Link,” he said.
“Neale Burgess has been relentless in pursuing this to get a positive outcome for the community.
“There will now be a community consultation process, to get the best outcome of when the best 12 hours of the day are for the speed limit to be lowered.”
Mr Burgess said the change would enhance pedestrians’ safety when they are shopping, going to and from schools or going about their daily business in Tooradin.
“The South Gippsland Highway carries over 14,000 vehicles a day and I want to ensure that Tooradin residents are safe as traffic moves through their town,” he said.
“This investment will provide better road safety for the area and a welcoming atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.”
Tooradin Primary School principal Marj Scarce welcomed the announcement.
“This is very positive for the township,” she said.
“I’m very happy to see this is happening, as it will make it a lot safer for the children particularly.”
Local resident and member of the Tooradin Commerce Committee Bill Friend said he was glad they had made progress, but wished more would be done.
“I don’t see why the speed reduction isn’t put in place permanently, rather than just 12 hours,” he said.
“The trucking industry has too much influence over these decisions.
“I’m just glad something is finally happening and it’s better than nothing.
“But it is disappointing it’s taken so long, given it’s been a problem for over 10 years.”
Work on the project is expected to start in mid-2014 and be finished by the end of the year.
