The long-awaited upgrade of a “dangerous” intersection on the Southern Ports Highway between Beachport and Rendelsham is drawing closer.
There have been repeated calls to improve the T-junction where the Southend Access Road meets the Southern Ports Highway.
The Southend Progress Association, Wattle Range Council and MPs Tony Pasin and Nick McBride have sought action on the State Government road but the Department of Transport and Infrastructure has declined to act citing insufficient crash data.
However, successful negotiations between the DoTI the council have taken place paving the way for an extended slip lane.
In essence, the State Government will pay the council $400,000 to do the work.
Council chief executive Ben Gower had told the June 25 special council meeting that his staff had been working with DoTI personnel on an alternative design for the slip lane at the T-junction.
Mr Gower said the DoTI had previously indicated around $3m was needed for the upgrade but he felt a lower figure was possible.
He said there was the potential for another works project for the council and a staff report was coming to the chamber.
In response, Councillor David Walshaw said council had previously agreed there would be no new projects in 2024/25.
“Read the report,” Mr Gower replied.
His written report was subsequently presented to the July monthly council meeting and it outlined the manpower required to extend the slip lane.
Mr Gower suggested the works program schedule could be assisted by a delay in the replacement of the grader.
His suggestions were supported by the chamber and council voted to accept the $400,000 State Government offer.
“Southend has wanted this for ages,” Councillor Richard Cassidy said during the brief debate.
A celebratory gathering was held onsite a few days later with the customary bottle of bubbly.
The celebration was attended by Mr McBride, Mr Pasin, Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll, acting chief executive Paul Duka, engineering services director Peter Halton, ward councillors Richard Cassidy and Sharon Cox, local residents and members of the Southend Progress Association.
“We thank Tony Pasin, Nick McBride and the Wattle Range Council for tirelessly supporting the turning lane that we have been campaigning for, for so long,” a Southend Progress Association spokesperson said.
Mr Pasin has welcomed the $400,000 cash contribution but is highly critical of the approach of the Labor State Government.
“The plight of Southend intersection has been an example of rural and regional roads being neglected because the Labor State Government spending priorities lay elsewhere despite two third of all road fatalities occurring on rural and regional roads,” Mr Pasin said.
“The fact that Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis has finally conceded and accepted the Wattle Range Council’s costings is a win for common sense.
“It’s extremely disappointing that it has taken so long to achieve this outcome.
“What we need is a State Government that respects locals and their representatives.
“Had they done these works could have been completed years ago.
“Nevertheless, I congratulate the local community and Wattle Range Council for their persistence.
“The end result will ultimately improve road safety for all road users and that’s a win worth celebrating.”
In response, Minister Koutsantonis provided this statement.
“The Southend intersection has been a long-standing issue and at Country Cabinet, the State Government committed to reviewing it,” Minister Koutsantonis said.
“‘Due to it having no crash history, it has been unsuccessful in receiving National Black Spot Program coordinated by the Australian Government – even when Tony Pasin was the Chair of the Commonwealth Black Spot Panel under the former Turnbull and Morrison Liberal Governments.
“The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has worked with the Wattle Range Council to implement a sealed left turn slip lane, which will be in place, later this year.”