General News
11 July, 2024
High Street roundabout set for nearly $900,000 safety works following 2020 fatality
More than four years after an elderly man was killed by a vehicle at a busy Maryborough intersection, safety measures are finally being implemented at the “dangerous” roundabout. In January 2020, a man in his 80s was struck by a car while...
More than four years after an elderly man was killed by a vehicle at a busy Maryborough intersection, safety measures are finally being implemented at the “dangerous” roundabout.
In January 2020, a man in his 80s was struck by a car while crossing the road at the Inkerman and High streets roundabout.
Now, to ensure the well-being of pedestrians and motorists, this section will undergo an essential $868,000 upgrade.
Funded by the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program 2024-25, the proposed treatment could see raised safety platforms installed on all legs of the roundabout as well as wombat crossings on the western and eastern leg of the Pyrenees Highway (High Street).
Annually, the program weighs up potentially unsafe roads — put up for consideration by state and local governments, community groups, road user groups, industry or individuals.
To be eligible for the federal scheme, nominated sites need to have a “proven history of crashes” or should be recognised as locations where an accident is imminent.
Locally, the relevant roundabout was suggested as an option by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
Project nominations were assessed and prioritised by DTP, before they were considered by a consultative panel of road safety experts and recommended for approval.
“This project aims to reduce the risk of crashes at [High Street–Inkerman Street],” a spokesperson from the Federal Department of Infrastructure said.
“Improving road safety, including on regional and remote roads, is a priority of the Australian Government, and we’re delivering significant funding increases across our programs to achieve this.”
While changes to the roundabout are well-received, they follow concerns raised years ago.
In 2021, almost 18 months after the fatal crash, a virtual YourGround map was released — showing spots deemed unsafe by locals.
Two pins were dropped on the Inkerman and High streets intersection, with one calling it a “very poor intersection” where “cars drive too fast”.
According to Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster, the Black Spot initiative will now address those issues, but there’s more to be done.
“I welcome that funding,” she said.
“Maryborough is a gorgeous regional city and as more people move to the area, more safety measures will be needed in town to prevent vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
“Across the Central Goldfields Shire, the roads need upgrades and to be built back better to withstand future flood damage — [like] the Maryborough-Dunolly Road, which has had unacceptably large potholes.”
Recently, Dr Webster met with council representatives from Mallee, including Central Goldfields Shire Council’s mayor Liesbeth Long.
“[The] dire challenge of maintaining local roads and making them safer was one of the major topics they raised with me,” Dr Webster said.
Ms Long, following on from that gathering said — while no specifics around locals roads were discussed at the meeting — it was one of the biggest issues in the community.
“Roads are the number one concern my constituents raise with me time and time again,” she said.
“As a primary producer, I know first-hand how vital safe roads are for people to get around, but also within our towns to support industry and maintain road safety.
“To receive Black Spot funding for the High/Inkerman streets corner is important for us because it means there is one less location that is dangerous and unsafe.”
Upkeep of roads in and around the region, Ms Long said, was a collaborative undertaking.
“I think as a council we need to work closely with both state and federal governments to ensure that adequate funding is made available so that the roads in our shire are safe,” she said.
“Continued advocacy not only from council but also residents, who can write to our local members of parliament voicing their concerns, is in my opinion the best way to go about this.”