Tuesday, 6 February 2024

Western Metropolitan Region

David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (13:04): (628) My constituency question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. My constituent cycles along Hopkins Street in Footscray, one of the few railway crossings between Footscray and the CBD. My constituent describes the entire area as treacherous for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Of particular concern is the Joseph Road apartment precinct, where cars turning left from Joseph Road into Hopkins Street tend not to see the faded bike path and are not checking for cyclists. This has resulted in several incidents. The Age recently obtained documents showing that prior to the tragic death of 23-year-old Angus Collins, multiple warnings about the Footscray and Dock Link roads intersection were ignored. My constituent asks: will the minister commit to undertaking an urgent safety audit and appropriate corrective action for the Joseph Road–Hopkins Street precinct to prevent further tragedies into the future?