By Parker McKenzie
Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling is asking the State Government to install traffic lights and upgrade the Burwood Highway and McMahons Road intersection in Ferntree Gully, regardless of the result of the next state election.
On Friday 18 March, The Victorian Liberal Party committed to upgrading and signalising the intersection if elected in the November state election. They previously made the same commitment in 2018.
Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy said the intersection upgrade would ensure local people using it would remain safe.
“Today’s commitment to install traffic lights at the Burwood Highway and McMahons Road-Clyde Street intersection will deliver safer roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in Ferntree Gully,” Mr Guy said.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals will keep local communities safe by making the right investments in our road networks.”
Mr Wakeling, who has raised the issue 41 times in parliament, said the State Government should commit to the upgrades regardless of the result of the November election and start the project before November.
“My constituents have asked if the Andrews Government will follow the lead of Liberal Party by finally listening to their needs and committing funding in this year’s state budget,” Mr Wakeling said.
“Residents have waited too long to this. We want the government to follow our lead and commit to fixing this issue.”
Mr Wakeling’s electorate of Ferntree Gully is being abolished at the next federal election, with parts of the suburb — including the intersection at the centre of the commitment — being absorbed into the Bayswater electorate.
Current Bayswater Labor MP Jackson Taylor said his campaign to deliver traffic lights at the intersection has received hundreds of signatures so far.
“It’s clear locals are over the talk fest and empty promises by others,” Mr Taylor said.
“They want action and my petition will be directly presented to the Minister to show the depth of support from locals.”
The Victorian state election will be held on 26 November 2022. With the changes to electoral boundaries, Mr Wakeling may run in the Bayswater seat currently held by Mr Taylor.
Mr Taylor said if the commitment by the Liberal Party was “yet another promise based on the outcome of an election.”
“I am absolutely committed to making sure with community support, with their voice, that we will get this done,” he said.
“Others have promised this for many years and no action. Zero. As the Labor Member for Bayswater and member of the State Government, I’ve been out listening to locals across the community around their concerns at this intersection and it’s clear, they want to see it get done.”
Mr Wakeling said the State Government shouldn’t wait until the election to ensure the lights are installed as soon as possible.
“They should just come out now, like we announced, and say we’re going to match it and we’re going to build it.” Mr Wakeling said.
