Wednesday, 29 October 2025

 Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (21:01): (1374) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. The action I seek is for the minister to update me on any work to address serious concerns raised by residents, commuters, parents, emergency service personnel and students regarding the closure of the southbound lanes of Peninsula Link between Bungower Road and Moorooduc Highway over the last few weeks until today. I previously wrote to the minister outlining the impacts on the state roads Nepean Highway and Mornington-Tyabb Road plus the council road Derril Road and surrounding areas. While these works may be necessary upgrades, the duration and management of the closure have created unsafe and unreasonable conditions, particularly around Moorooduc Primary School.

The community supports infrastructure improvements, but the current arrangements have caused significant and unnecessary hardship. Residents have reported delays of 30 to 45 minutes or more on major southbound roads, including Frankston-Flinders Road, Nepean Highway, Moorooduc Highway, Bungower Road and Mornington-Tyabb Road. There have been increased accidents and near misses, particularly around detour merge points, intersections, the primary school and more. More concerningly, emergency vehicle access has been severely compromised, with paramedics, police and fire services all affected. Residents with medical conditions have missed appointments or have been unable to reach essential health services on time.

Particularly at intersections, such as that of Derril and Mornington-Tyabb roads, there have been major issues. For example, knowing these works were happening, the state government could have put in temporary traffic lights or traffic controls at that location, but instead they did simultaneous works on Nepean Highway, Mornington-Tyabb Road and elsewhere, including during peak school, work and commuter hours. These could have actually been done at a different time. I would urge the minister and her department to consider how and when they do such works in the future and consequential impacts as well for my residents. Mornington Peninsula residents do deserve better planning going forward.