Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Kororoit electorate road safety

Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (19:12): (1006) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. The action I seek is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to explore and implement all potential temporary measures to improve traffic flow and safety, particularly at the northbound and southbound exits off the Western Freeway at Leakes Road. The rapid population growth in Kororoit and across the Melton region has led to significant pressures on our local infrastructure, especially in relation to the roads and intersections that service key access points for daily commuters. As we know, the Victorian government has already shown its strong commitment to enhancing road infrastructure by allocating $10 million for the business case to upgrade this section of the Western Freeway. This of course is a positive step forward, and I commend the government for that. Additionally, the accelerated removal of dangerous level crossings along the Melton line, such as the Hopkins Road crossing, is a clear indication of this government’s drive to improve safety and efficiency for the tens of thousands of daily commuters who rely on these critical roads.

However, despite these significant investments, the rapid population growth in Kororoit and the broader Melton LGA is placing enormous strain on our road network. Areas like Rockbank, Truganina, Aintree, Mount Atkinson, Grandview and Bridgefield are among some of the fastest growing suburbs in Australia, with 72 families moving into the region every single week. The population explosion has resulted in heavy traffic congestion, particularly at the Leakes Road exits, both northbound and southbound, from the Western Freeway. These intersections have become notorious for bottlenecking traffic, leading to unsafe driving behaviour, including dangerous manoeuvres by frustrated drivers who are simply trying to avoid delays. This poses a serious risk to road safety, endangering both commuters and residents.

While I strongly commend the Labor government’s ongoing investment in road infrastructure, I believe that more immediate action is required to ensure the safety of my constituents in Kororoit. I ask that the minister consider temporary measures to alleviate these traffic bottlenecks and improve safety until the comprehensive upgrades outlined in the business cases are completed. These temporary measures could include improved traffic management during peak hours, such as traffic lights being installed, clearer lane markings or enhanced signage to help guide drivers through these intersections more safely and efficiently.

With the rapid population growth and the increasing demand on our roadways, it is clear that now is the time to act. The residents of Kororoit and surrounding areas deserve safer, more efficient access to the Western Freeway. I ask that the minister urgently investigate and implement these temporary solutions to improve both the flow of traffic and the safety of all road users in this crucial part of Melbourne’s west.