Needs of the Southend community have recently been brought to the attention of the highest levels of the State Government.

Face-to-face meetings with such powerbrokers as Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close and Transport and Infrastructure Department chief executive Joh Whelan have raised hopes on such issues as coastal erosion and the “dangerous” intersection of the Southern Ports Highway and the Southend Access Road.

Among the lobbyists have been the Southend Progress Association, Wattle Range Council, Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Member for MacKillop Nick McBride.

All State Government ministers and departmental chiefs were in the region earlier this month for a State Cabinet meeting and they made numerous on-site inspections.

Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll met with Mr Whelan and was made aware of the many demands on the departmental budget.

Mr Noll said initial departmental estimates of $1.6m to make the Southern Ports Highway intersection safer could be reduced by removing lighting.

Dr Close also holds the Environment portfolio and she visited Southend and met with Mr Pasin, Mr McBride, council representatives and over 20 locals.

Mr Pasin said he wrote to the minister 12 months ago on behalf of the community at Southend in relation to coastal erosion.

“More recently I wrote again to Dr Close to visit and see first-hand the beach, or lack thereof,” he said.

“Credit goes to the minister for accepting my invitation and hearing from the Southend community about how important it is that a long-term solution to this issue be found.

“One particular comment from a member of the community rings true – ‘please do not forget about us’.”