The Yarra Ranges Council have demanded the State Government to address a dangerous pathway to a Launching Place bus stop after pedestrians experienced close calls with oncoming traffic.
It came after multiple near misses were reported at the pedestrian walkway next to the Warburton Highway Don Road intersection, as the guard rail pushed the path up against the road into a unsafe position.
Don Valley resident Catherine Aulich spoke at the 24 June council meeting and recalled how her son was “quite horrified” that he had to choose between walking next to the dangerous Warburton Highway, or risk being bit by a snake.
“Over the summer it gets very overgrown and he almost stood on a snake,” she said.
“Being able to get off the school bus safely and be able to walk home, I think, is really important.”
She questioned why there hadn’t already been a footpath established in that spot since it connected the township of Don Valley to public transport.
“Basically it’s just a question as to why there is a walkway that’s leading pedestrians across the bridge, but there’s no footpath that safely allows them to walk from the bridge and the township of Don Valley to the bus stop and access public transport safely.”
The guard rails are underneath the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) jurisdiction and therefore the council can’t make any changes to it.
The Warburton Highway has a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour along that stretch of road.
Cr Tim Heenan spoke to the motion, supporting Ms Aulich’s position while hoping the State Government take action in a “short space of time rather than once again dragging it out”.
“So, we’re definitely on your side, Catherine, for the sake of obviously your children and others in the area,” Cr Heenan said.
Cr Jim Child said the Yarra Ranges Council Built Environment and Infrastructure team had already called on the DTP to fix the issue.
“They have done their utmost to try and get this particular issue resolved in the department, and it just is not happening,” Cr Child said.
The motion to call on the DTP was moved unanimously.
