Question details
Morwell electorate
(1596) My constituency question is to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, and my question is: why is the Allan Labor government reducing the speed limit on Hazelwood Road instead of fixing the road itself? Hazelwood Road is a major arterial route and has been littered with ‘Rough surface’ signs for more than a decade, yet no attempt has been made to repair the road. I have written to the minister, raising motorists’ concerns about the pothole-ridden surface, broken edges and dangerous sections where water actually pools on the road, and the response was telling. Instead of acknowledging the dangers, the minister dismissed the concerns and said the condition of Hazelwood Road is generally comparable to other similar roads in Gippsland. Well, Minister, as Gippsland is home to some of the worst roads in the state, this is a very little comfort. The minister must get serious about ensuring the safety of regional Victorians. Minister, again, why do you insist on cutting the speed limits on Hazelwood Road instead of repairing the road itself?
I thank the Member for Morwell for his question.
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) advises that it recently reviewed the speed zones on this road as a pro-active safety measure, particularly in response to the number of crashes identified and increasing traffic volumes.
This work aligns with the Victorian Government Road Safety Action Plans under the broader Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 which identifies speed management, including reducing speed limits, as a key means to reduce road trauma and move toward zero deaths by 2050.
A review of the past five years of crash data on this road identified several crashes resulting in serious injuries and one fatality. Most incidences involved vehicles failing to stop in time behind turning traffic and failing to give way at intersections. Reducing the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h provides for safer conditions by reducing the risk of losing control, increasing reaction time and lowering both the likelihood and severity of crashes.
DTP advises that the speed reduction is supported by its key road safety partners, Victoria Police and Latrobe City Council. The change is expected to add no more than two minutes to travel times, depending on the time of day, while delivering important safety benefits.
Churchill-Traralgon Road (Hazelwood Road) is classified as a Road Management Category (RMC) 4 arterial road and is inspected on a fortnightly basis in line with the requirements of the Road Management Plan. These inspections are undertaken to identify and address safety hazards, with defects repaired in accordance with established intervention levels and timeframes as outline in DTP’s Road Management Plan.
Hon Melissa Horne MP
Minister for Health Infrastructure
Minister for Ports and Freight
Minister for Roads and Road Safety