Speaking in Parliament yesterday, State Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell called on the Premier to provide funding to establish lighting for the full length of the Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway.
Mrs Powell raised the matter with the Premier following the horrific accident two weeks ago involving three cars which closed the causeway until the next morning, causing huge disruptions to traffic.
“Six people were injured; one woman and four children in one car, and the driver of another car,” Mrs Powell said.
“Tragically, four-year-old Jason Hanley died of his injuries the next day, and I would like to pass on my sympathy to Jason’s family and friends.
“I would also like to congratulate the people who assisted at the accident as well as our wonderful emergency services and congratulate Lisa Cardillo, who looked after three of the children until the ambulance arrived.
“Lisa also contacted Neil Mitchell’s radio program to tell him about the accident and the dangerous condition of the road. Neil Mitchell said he would tell the Premier, who was on the show later.
“When told of the accident, the Premier responded by saying: “Obviously it’s a tragic terrible accident that’s occurred and if we can do something with the lighting we will.”
“I urged the Premier in Parliament to honour that commitment.”
Mrs Powell said the Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway is very dangerous at any time, given the mix of large vehicles and smaller vehicles and narrow lanes and this accident again highlights the need for lighting and road separation.
“In 2000 I called on the government to undertake a safety audit after there was a spate of accidents on the causeway.
That was completed in 2001, and it found the road did not even meet VicRoads’ minimum safety standards,” Mrs Powell said.
“In 2003 I presented petitions containing 6500 signatures calling for an upgrade to this dangerous road.
“After years of lobbying the State Government the funding was finally allocated in 2004.
“Sadly, the second cheapest option was chosen, and unfortunately the request for lighting the full length of the causeway was rejected.
“Without the lighting on this causeway emergency crews are put at huge risk, as are people whose vehicles break down at night on this dangerous road.
“People who travel the road have told me how vulnerable they feel, particularly because of the mix of traffic with B-doubles, ambulances, school buses, family cars and people on motorbikes.
“This road which has higher than normal commercial vehicles needs to be made safer for the people travelling along it.
“I will continue to raise this issue with the government and will write to the Minister for Roads urging him to review the safety of the causeway and honour the Premier’s commitment,” Mrs Powell said.
Media contact: Jeanette Powell (03) 5831 6944
