Wednesday, 28 August 2024

Broadmeadows Road–Johnstone Street, Westmeadows

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (18:01): (1088) My adjournment is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and it concerns a dangerous intersection on the corner of Johnstone Street and Broadmeadows Road in Westmeadows. It is something that many locals raised with me in Westmeadows when I was out doorknocking and listening to people. In Westmeadows many raised with me the narrow and difficult turn on Johnstone Street onto Broadmeadows Road, especially during rush hours. The tight corner does create congestion and puts motorists in unnecessary danger as they merge into a 70-kilometre lane on Broadmeadows Road. The fast-moving traffic exacerbates the already dangerous intersection, which, combined with the congestion, is a car accident waiting to happen.

Residents have long been calling for this intersection to be converted into a traffic-controlled junction, which has not happened due to a lack of funding. Despite the necessity and clear hazards of the intersection, Hume City Council actually missed out on black spot funding for this intersection. This deeply concerns me as it is quite a high-risk intersection. You have got a sharp turn, and it is clear that this high-risk area has been overlooked, just like the electorate of Greenvale has been overlooked time and time again when it comes to both black spot funding and funding in general, when the government is spending $216 billion on a vanity project, the Suburban Rail Loop, in the eastern suburbs.

We see it time and time again – the growth areas miss out. Where there is the most need – where the government is cramming in new housing after new housing in areas – they are not making the capacity and planning for the capacity for growth, particularly when you have got dangerous intersections. I have heard stories about pedestrian near misses at that intersection in Westmeadows and near misses with some incidents involving cars. It is a clear danger for the area. Something needs to be done about it. So I seek the action of the minister to improve the safety of road users at Johnstone Street and Broadmeadows Road, to signalise that intersection. I also seek the action of the minister to come out with me to the intersection so that I can actually show the minister how dangerous it is, particularly at peak hour. Perhaps then we will get some improvement and perhaps then this government will actually look after the needs of growth areas in the northern suburbs.