RESIDENTS in Wandong are fed up with unsafe sections of the Epping-Kilmore Road approaching Heathcote Junction.
It is the only sealed southern arterial into the Heathcote Junction and Wandong townships, and reduced speed limits will make it much safer.
Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group Inc. have written to the Honourable Minister for Transport and Infrastructure (DTP) Danny Pearson, MP for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage and Mitchell Shire Council Chief Executives twice.
They first wrote in December 2024, before writing again this year in May.
Their letters bring attention to the anomalies of the Epping-Kilmore Road.
Firstly, the series of speed limits between the Wallan-Whittlesea Road turning north towards their townships do not do enough to accommodate the dangerous driving surfaces—potholes, sharp bends and worn to slippery surfaces.
On the seven kilometre stretch of road alone there is a variance between 100 km/h and 40 km/h with illuminated signage for the slippery driving conditions.
At peak hours, twice a day, traffic is banking up at the Heathcote Junction boom gates, sometimes queuing on a 100 km/h road.
Another startling concern raised by the group is that school children are crossing the same road to access their school bus stop in Rail Street, Heathcote Junction.
Residents claim the road immediately south of Heathcote Junction is in ruin, and that when Inland Rail, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) project team behind the bridge works, commences work, Heathcote Junction traffic will be mayhem.
Secretary Allen Hall has heard from Mitchell Shire Council (MSC) Traffic and Transport Team Leader of Engineering, Transport and Subdivision to say that they have raised the matter a number of times, verbally and in writing with the DTP Manager of Movement and Safety, Loddon Mallee Hume Region.
In a media release on February 27, The Minister for Roads, and Road Safety Space Melissa Horne said over $250 million is now allocated to Victorian road safety projects.
This boost in funding will ensure greater levels of safety by targeting notorious crossing, intersections, and thoroughfares across Victoria, further reducing the risk of crashes that cause fatal or serious injuries.
“We’ve been asking them [DTP] for ten years now to put turning lanes at Heathcote Junction,” Mr Hall said.
“Have you ever heard of a 100 km/h road going through a town?
“We had a response from our second letter to say it was addressed to the wrong minister, but they would forward it onto the right minister.
“We heard nothing back from our first letter.”
A Wandong builder, Matthew Maugueret, is developing an estate on Epping-Kilmore Road which is on the right-hand side heading south—flanked by Caladenia Court and Wallan-Whittlesea Road.
The DTP will not approve the 16-lot development until significant intersection and infrastructure upgrades are made at the developers expense.
Mr Maugueret is baffled as to why the upgrades are triggered by a 100 km/h zone when the current signage is 80 km/h.
“It’s not even a 100 km/h road, the locals want it to be reduced to 80 km/h,” he said.
“They want me to build an intersection for a 100 km/h zone, it’s way over the top.
“I’m trying to build houses, you know there is a housing crisis.
“The Mitchell Shire Development Team are A1, they are about helping this community about getting housing.”
The DTP replied on May 19 with a clarification and basis for their new demands.
Mr Maugueret has requested the DTP to make time for a site visit and the DTP Director of Regional Operations and Development will attend this week.
