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Fix fatal road By ANEEKA SIMONIS URGENT calls have been made to upgrade a dangerous Pakenham South road following a second fatality in less than four months. A 27-year-old Wantirna South man lost his life in a two-car collision on HealesvilleKooweerup Road last week, not long after a similar smash tragically cut short the life of a 22-year-old Mount Evelyn woman in January. The recent fatality has sent shock waves through the community. Kooweerup’s Gary King believes enough is enough. He has called for immediate action to prevent the further loss of innocent lives - a plea backed by State Bass MP Brian Paynter who has vowed to campaign Cardinia Shire Council and VicRoads to accelerate planned improvement works for the problem road. “When having conversations (about road conditions) with VicRoads, I was informed that the road was classified as safe and will be annually reviewed. I strongly suggest that the review time has ended, and it’s now time to act,” he said, additionally calling for a review to permitted overtaking on problem bends. VicRoads Metro South East regional director Aidan McGann said Healesville-Kooweerup Road was flagged for future duplication works between Pakenham Bypass and South Gippsland Highway. However, no such works have been committed to due to a funding shortfall. “A future upgrade and duplication of Healesville-Kooweerup Road is subject to future state-wide priorities and funding,” he said. Mr King’s funding plea came the same day a $5 million Black Spot investment was committed to dangerous roads in the McMillan region. Healesville-Kooweerup Road was not flagged for funding in the federal injection announced by McMillan MP Russell Broadbent and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester. However, Mr Broadbent said the road was a “priority” and called on Cardinia Shire Council to submit a funding request. “This road certainly is a priority and we look forward to council coming forward with a proposal for funding,” he said. Mr Paynter has also vowed to hold talks with Cardinia Shire Council CEO Gary McQuillian in the next week to push the road safety project along. “With accidents happening on this road on a regular basis, we really need to progress this upgrade,” he said. “This is a high priority for the area. This road is now carrying an enormous amount of
Police are investigating the circumstances behind the second fatal crash to haunt the road this year. 154179 traffic including trucks. “It definitely needs two lanes each way. It is no longer suitable as a single lane country road. It’s a major thoroughfare being used by people in the area and tourists travelling down to Phillip Island. “We know the Kooweerup Bypass was one stage and there are additional stages. What we need to do now is progress those plans so they
are done sooner rather than later. “I am going to speak to Gary McQuillan this week and see what his plans are for the upgrade and then we will both pursue VicRoads.” Over the last three years, minor safety works have been carried out by VicRoads along the concerned stretch of road. They include the installation of guard fenc-
Picture: JASON BECK
ing, wire rope safety barriers, street lighting and fresh line marking in addition to regular road rehabilitation projects. Mr McGann said VicRoads would continue to monitor the safety and operation of the road as they awaited a funding commitment. Turn to page 8 for Mr King’s full plea to improve Healesville-Kooweerup Road.
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