The community has rallied around a push for a roundabout to be installed at a busy Mount Gambier intersection.
Last week The SE Voice reported that Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier Ben Hood had written to the State Government asking for a roundabout to be created at the Lake Terrace and Bay Road intersection.
Mr Hood wrote to Infrastructure and Transport Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Corey Wingard seeking an upgrading of the intersection to incorporate a roundabout to ease traffic difficulties after meeting with local residents who outlined their concerns about the intersection.
He also launched an online petition with already has attracted more than 600 signatures in support of the measure.
Mr Hood said the intersection was notoriously difficult to either turn right off Lake Terrace East or travel across Bay Road to Lake Terrace West because of the slope upwards to the south and the inability to see north-bound traffic from the Blue Lake precinct in time to safely turn or cross.
“The problem is particularly an issue during the busy period of school drop off and pick up as the intersection is used by many families from the east of Mount Gambier to access Reidy Park, Mount Gambier High and Tenison Woods College,” he said.
“During the weekends, the intersection is very busy with visitors to the city traveling to and from the Blue Lake precinct.”
Mr Hood said the creation of a roundabout could be done in conjunction with the beautification of the entrance to the city’s lakes precinct.
“I have had a huge response from the community on my advocacy for this issue,” he said.
“In speaking with people over the last week I acknowledge there are challenges with any solution with this problem intersection.
“But just because something is hard does not mean we should not tackle it head on.”
Mr Hood said he was determined to continue to “fight for this issue and other issues in Mount Gambier like health, housing and growing our industry”.
“I am very pleased with the response to this matter, I knew this would be an issue that many people connected with, again I thank the residents in the area for raising it with me and allowing me to help them get the best result,” he said.
