By Garry Howe and Mitchell Clarke
Monash MP Russell Broadbent says traffic lights are the quickest and best solution to prevent more carnage on the stretch of Princes Highway outside Gumbuya World, but not every political figure is sold on the idea.
Increasing concern about the safety of that stretch – and also the heavy traffic intersection of Tynong North Road – intensified after a fatal collision outside the theme park on Monday 25 January.
Mr Broadbent said there was the potential for 8000 vehicle movements a day on that stretch.
“People using Gumbuya World are not necessarily used to high speed highway conditions,” he said. “A lot of them come from built-up urban areas.
“There is talk of changing the way people access it, but the busier Gumbuya World gets the bigger the problem becomes.”
Mr Broadbent said he had met with state Narracan MP Gary Blackwood and Cardinia Shire mayor Brett Owen and CEO Carol Jeffs to discuss the situation.
“There are solutions to the problem and none better than installing traffic lights,” he said
“They say you can’t put traffic lights on a national highway, but they have at Grantville.
“If you can stop all the traffic going to Phillip Island you can stop traffic going to Gippsland for the sake of safety.
“That’s the quickest and easiest solution. Putting in an overpass would cost $100 million and take about five years. You could have traffic lights there in six months.”
But Bunyip Ward councillor Graeme Moore argued other measures were more appropriate.
“Traffic lights are not the answer, I can tell you that,” Cr Moore said.
“It’s not Traralgon. This is a 100km/h zone. You’re going to pull every vehicle up? It doesn’t work like that. It will just stop all traffic. Okay there might be a gap in the road but you’re going to get bumper to bumper traffic for bloody ages.
“The most stupid thing I think I’ve seen is the Snell Road speed reduction technology. It actually makes the problem worse. I don’t understand the logic behind slowing the traffic down.”
Cr Moore believes added slip lanes at Tynong North Road and Gumbuya or roundabouts at each intersection were the most “realistic and financially viable options”.
“I love merge lanes. I think they’re worth every cent. They’d cost about $50,000 and some asphalt and line markings but the difference to the road would be everything,” he said.
Despite his strong views on the issue, Cr Moore said council had little say in fixing the “disastrous” road, but would advocate to VicRoads.
“Every time there is an accident there, I get 20 calls from people. I’ve got children and grandchildren that live in Bunyip and travel on that road. If I could do something to fix the road, I would,” he said.
State Liberal MP Gary Blackwood said he’d also continue to advocate for an upgrade for “as long as it takes”.
“There are a range of solutions that can be proposed for this dangerous intersection and I am firmly behind the community in their call for urgent safety improvements,” he said.
“Whether the solution be slip lanes, a flyover, major roundabout or controlled traffic lights it must address the safety needs while maintaining traffic flow and safety.
“I support the community in their call for urgent action to be taken, even if initial works are only temporary to improve safety now as we work on a long term solution.”
Ripplebrook resident David Young, who works in Pakenham and drives the stretch daily, was first on scene to the Australia Day eve fatality.
He witnessed the horrific incident and is hopeful the tragedy will lead to immediate action.
“I think we’re all pretty shaken up by it. Losing a loved one like that is just tragic and it highlights the major risk to our community,” Mr Young said.
“The volume of people they’re trying to move onto a dual carriageway freeway is just an absolute tragedy waiting to happen. What happened was inevitable.
“I’ve relived the accident many, many times. I was pretty amazed there were survivors.”
Mr Young said Gumbuya World had a responsibility to ensure entry and exit points were safe.
“They have to alert their visitors to the risks of leaving the place,” he said.
“This little girl has probably had a fantastic day at the park, and then this happens. You just can’t begin to image it.
“I think we need some advice from the traffic engineers who would have a better understanding of the problem, but all options need to be considered to prevent future accidents and fatalities.”
Mr Broadbent said the deadly road was essentially a State Government issue but the Federal Government could help with funding if requested.
