Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (19:09): (1653) I have an urgent matter for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and the action I seek is for the minister as a matter of priority to make improvements to the intersection of Grant and Downey streets in Alexandra to address the safety issues. Residents in the town have long been concerned with the risks at this busy intersection, where heavy traffic and pedestrians interact. Two weeks ago the long-held fears of residents were realised when a well-known local woman lost her life in tragic circumstances. The loss and the circumstances are felt deeply by the Alexandra community, and I grieve with them and send my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all concerned.

This was an accident waiting to happen. This intersection is widely known to be notorious, with many accidents over the years. It is all the more dangerous as it carries traffic from the Goulburn Valley Highway to and from Eildon and the Maroondah Highway to and from Healesville. These are tourist routes travelling through the town centre. There are vans, boats and trailers. On top of that, Grant Street is the main shopping strip in town. It is busy with locals going about their normal business. Further, Alexandra is a farming community and there are many farm vehicles, utes, trucks and horse floats.

I raised this matter previously because people were worried, and was advised by Minister Donnellan in June 2017 that:

VicRoads advises me that it has commenced working with key stakeholders to determine the appropriate treatment for this intersection and will consult with the local community and industry within the coming months.

Essentially, low-level treatments were implemented, but clearly that was not enough. The issue becomes now: what are the most appropriate treatments? Pedestrians must be safe, and the risk of collisions between vehicles must also be reduced. The intersection is not suitable for a roundabout – that has been determined multiple times – but what are the options? It might be rumble strips. It might be speed humps. It might be a dedicated pedestrian crossing or crossings or other traffic-calming measures. It might be a combination of treatments. There may be options to reduce traffic volumes through the intersection and around the centre of town, particularly for the number of heavier vehicles. Perhaps TAC could chip in with road safety funding. Regardless, something must be done.

There needs to be proper consultation, too, with the community and with Murrindindi Shire Council. Updates need to be provided to the community. This can be done through local newspapers; UGFM, the community radio station; or even Murrindindi Shire Council. People in the town are desperate for this intersection to be improved. Their worst-held fears came true, and I just ask the government to act with haste in this matter.