THERE is potential movement towards a resolution which involves installing traffic lights at the notorious intersection between High Street and Hamilton Street in Broadford, with a recent Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) community questions meeting providing more clarity on road plans in the area.
Pushed by the Broadford Residents Action Group (BRAG), the move to include it in the upcoming MSC Budget advanced after three years of discussions.
According to a BRAG document, more than 800 signatures have been gained on a petition to make changes to the intersection.
“BRAG have begun a petition to the Victorian Legislative Assembly to highlight the passion of residents to have something done about the intersection. In the last four weeks we have more than 800 signatures. It has created a lot of discussion throughout the community,” it reads.
“Common statements while signing the petition are: ‘Should have been installed years ago’, ‘Oh yes that is a dangerous intersection’, ‘We avoid the intersection when possible’ and ‘We use Dairy Lane to avoid the intersection’.
“BRAG have worked closely with MSC to achieve this.”
According to the BRAG document, the Broadford Structure Plan has made mention of the intersection on three occasions.
“Residents originally advocated to have a roundabout constructed to solve the problem and allow for the continual flow of traffic along High St,” the document read.
“MSC and Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) engineers investigated this possibility so that it ‘may’ be included during the Hamilton St rail bridge construction.
“The outcome was that a roundabout had far too many design issues in catering for pedestrians, the extra service roads, and provision for large vehicles, especially when freeway traffic is diverted from time to time through the intersection.
“Traffic management lights was suggested as the next best solution.”
The petition has proven to be popular with Broadford residents.
“The petition of residents in the wider Broadford area draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly the plans of Inland Rail that do not provide signalled traffic lights at the dangerous intersection of Hamilton Street and High Street, Broadford,” it read.
“This decision threatens the safety of all road users and pedestrians and does not provide duty of care to all users of this dangerous intersection.
“The new bridge will be 1.7 m higher than the current road deck and the distance to High Street is the existing distance of 54 metres.
“The steep descent will impact the waiting traffic, the turning and traversing through the busy, dangerous intersection.
“Without signalisation, this will cause even more accidents, near misses and poses an unacceptable risk to Broadford and to all road users. Broadford citizens are being ignored by the Federal and State Government.
“The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly of Victoria call on the Government to ensure traffic lights and pedestrian safety measures are implemented on the bridge as a matter of priority.”
At the May 12 MSC Community Questions and Hearings Committee meeting, MSC CEO Mary Agostino addressed the matter in relation to its position on the Budget.
“This project has been included in the budget for design 2026/27 and delivery 27/28 though is included as funded from unconfirmed grants at this time,” she said.
“Council is advocating strongly for the funding and construction of this intersection following the Inland Rail works. Council and the DTP have required the Inland Rail project to ensure future signalisation is feasible as part of their design and limit any cost shifting or additional works onto Council or DTP as part of this. Inland Rail have been working to this intent with their current proposal.”
Ms Agostino confirmed that there have been discussions to improve cyclists and pedestrian safety across the new bridge.
“Council have been working with DTP and Inland Rail to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians over the new bridge,” she said.
“At present no safety fencing is proposed on the north side of the Short St Bridge between the footpath and the road, given sight line issues for Rupert Street and Sutherland St traffic.
“Council are continuing to work through design and safety items at this site with Inland Rail and John Holland Group (JHG). Deflecting the footpath away from the back of the kerb on the northern side of the road and bridge is one item still being worked through with Inland Rail and JHG.”
Ms Agostino confirmed that MSC were still resolving design issues with bridges on Hamilton and Short Streets, and that traffic management plans were yet to be finalised.
“Council is still resolving design concerns at Short Street and Hamilton Street with Inland Rail and JHG. These items are to be resolved post construction issued drawings,” she said.
“Council is unable to share the Traffic Management Plans we have received with the community, unless first released by Inland Rail. Inland Rail and JHG are responsible for these and sharing them with the community. Council and the DTP are still resolving some aspects of the plans with JHG. These have not yet been fully signed off.”
