Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Road safety

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn) (19:16): (1228) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. The action I seek is for the minister to accompany me to the Camberwell Kindergarten and Childcare Centre to investigate the current road safety conditions on Trafalgar Road in Camberwell, particularly the section outside the Camberwell Kindergarten and Childcare Centre, and to work constructively with VicRoads and other relevant stakeholders to explore opportunities to improve safety. This may include reviewing the speed limit and assessing the feasibility of additional physical safety measures. The kindergarten centre, located at 25 Trafalgar Road, sits along a high-traffic corridor. The centre’s outdoor yard and car park are positioned directly next to the roadway, where vehicles often travel at speed along a section where they are often also merging. The physical separation between the road and the areas used daily by young children is minimal. Fencing is modest, and the narrow nature strip offers little in the way of a buffer.

Understandably, in light of recent tragedies across Melbourne, the kindergarten community are eager to see proactive steps taken to ensure the safety of their children, staff and families. After conducting their own internal safety review the centre approached Boroondara council to request the installation of bollards along the verge. Council advised that Trafalgar Road falls under state jurisdiction and that such decisions lie with VicRoads. In turn, VicRoads assessed the request and advised that bollards were unlikely to be effective in the event of a vehicle travelling at 60 kilometres per hour, the current posted limit. The kindergarten subsequently requested the reduction of the speed limit to 40 kilometres per hour during peak times, but unfortunately this request was also declined, with advice that a change was not deemed necessary at this time.

This is a good opportunity to take a fresh look at this section of road and assess whether current arrangements best reflect the needs and safety expectations of the local community. In many parts of the state we have rightly adopted lower speed limits near primary schools, particularly during morning and afternoon pick-up times. There is a clear logic to applying a similar approach to kindergartens, where young children are equally if not more vulnerable, and traffic volumes at peak times can be high. When I visited the centre last week and met with Matt, Lindy and Diksha, I heard firsthand from staff and parents. Their concerns were genuine and expressed in good faith. They are simply asking for reasonable preventative measures to ensure children are as safe as possible in a busy urban environment. I respectfully urge the minister to consider this matter seriously in partnership with the kindergarten centre and with VicRoads. A considered review can identify practical, achievable improvements, whether through speed reduction, upgraded fencing or other safety infrastructure.