Donnybrook residents were not having a good Thursday morning earlier this month after two trucks collided on the intersection of Donnybrook Road and Serrata Avenue, Donnybrook.
Emergency services were called to reports of a collision involving a 60-year-old driver, who was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated before being transported to hospital.
As a result, Donnybrook Road was closed in both directions between the Hume Freeway and Epping Road.
The closure affected residents such as Courtney Rickard and her 2-year-old toddler, who were stuck in heavy traffic and desperately trying to get home to her husband, who was caring for their hungry three-month-old.
Anyone who knows Donnybrook Road and its surrounding infrastructure, including Ms Rickard and Olivine resident Helen Franks, can attest to how quickly traffic can grind to a halt, especially during peak times.
Residents are now urgently calling for the duplication of Donnybrook Road on the eastern side, as well as the duplication of the Hume Freeway flyover bridge.
Last year, Major Road Projects Victoria completed a dedicated left-turn lane for southbound traffic onto the Hume Freeway, with other improvements including widening the on-ramp, upgrading street lighting, modifying traffic islands, and resurfacing the road.
From November 30, 2024, the Department of Transport and Planning will reduce the speed limit on the northbound lanes of the Hume Freeway between Donnybrook Road and Cameron Street, from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. Additionally, U-turns will be prohibited at the median openings on Cameron Street and Gums Lane.
However, the absence of further infrastructure improvements has left locals frustrated and questioning when the much-needed road duplication will be addressed, especially with new estates being developed.
Ms Franks said the new speed limit signalled that the State Government recognised the serious issues surrounding the road, but she described it as a ‘minimalist approach for the north.’
“We want a duplication of Donnybrook Road from the Hume Freeway, right the way through,” she said.
“This is something we’ve been pushing all year.
“[Our concern is] emergency services, that’s a big concern for people on Katalia, Olivine, and Peppercorn Hill for a couple of years because of the situation that is the level of traffic.”
Ms Rickard said that a duplication would improve traffic during emergency situations.
“[The duplication] would make it less likely [that] the accident would have occurred, it would make the road safer … probably safer for police to direct traffic and manage the traffic situation, or the roundabout with more space,” she said.
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell spoke in parliament recently, calling on the State Government to urgently duplicate Donnybrook Road, and provide alternative entrance and exit routes for all estates along the road.
Ms Lovell said the need for an upgrade had become a talking point in the community.
“Traffic chaos in Donnybrook will continue as long as the Allan Labor Government delays major road upgrades in the area,” she said.
“Labor must prioritise the safety of Donnybrook and Kalkallo residents by urgently duplicating Donnybrook Road on the eastern side of the Hume Freeway, and also exploring and planning alternative entrance and exit routes for all estates on Donnybrook Road.”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the State Government had invested in some of Melbourne’s fastest-growing communities in the north and remained committed to sustaining the support.
“We’ve invested billions in building and upgrading schools, hospitals and transport infrastructure, to deliver better services to some of the fastest growing communities in Melbourne’s north,” they said.
“We’re working with councils and industry to identify opportunities to reform how infrastructure for growing communities is funded, so that housing growth is more sustainable, and infrastructure is delivered to residents in communities like Donnybrook when it’s needed.
“Last year we upgraded Donnybrook Road/Mitchell Street, reducing congestion and travel times and providing access to the Hume Freeway for locals.”
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has undertaken extensive planning for a future Donnybrook Road upgrade, including determining the road’s ultimate layout and reserving land for future acquisition.
The government spokesperson also said the DTP and the Victorian Planning Authority continued to work with Stockland to deliver a nearby interchange on the Hume Freeway at Gunns Gully Road.
The interchange will provide an alternative connection to and from the Hume Freeway for Cloverton residents, reducing the reliance on Donnybrook Road.
In the meantime, the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Fund (GAIC) has allocated $1.2 million to improve the Toyon Road Pedestrian Bridge.
The upgrade will provide off-road access, linking Cloverton residents to Donnybrook Railway Station and connecting Donnybrook Road residents to nearby schools and active open spaces at Cloverton.
The next GAIC funding round will open for applications in early 2025 and will be targeted towards high priority transport projects.
