Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Northern Metropolitan Region

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (13:06): (550) My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, regarding lighting on roads in my electorate. Mickleham Road and Somerton Road are crucial state arterial roads that service thousands of commuters daily. My community have voiced serious concern about the lack of street lighting along both roads, which leads to poor visibility at night, increasing risks of accidents – of which there have been many. Without proper lighting, motorists have less time to react to threats on the road. On several stretches of road, like Alanbrae Terrace to Greenvale Drive on Mickleham Road, it is completely dark at night. In these dangerously dark sections drivers feel the need to use high beams at night, blinding oncoming traffic and putting motorists at higher risk of collisions. The lack of lighting on Somerton Road and Mickleham Road is a crucial safety issue posing an unnecessary risk to drivers. I ask the minister to advise if there are any plans to improve street lighting on Mickleham Road and Somerton Road, and if not, why not?