HAMILTON Street in Broadford will get traffic lights under an election promise from the Labor Government if re-elected in this month’s election under an $8 million commitment.
The announcement was made by State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes on Friday, who made the call alongside newly-announced Labor Candidate for Euroa Julian Kelly.
Ms Symes said it was a big announcement for the town.
“I personally saw two accidents at this intersection, and I know there’s many more than that, because you can talk to the local businesses around hearing the noise and coming to see if anybody was injured,” she said.
“I know this is something that has troubled the community for some time and that the advocacy and the petition that’s been put together through the Broadford Residents Action Group (BRAG) really demonstrated the mood of the community about wanting to see some improvements here.
“So off the back of BRAG’s work, I did, as minister, asked VicRoads to do some costings around what it would take to put in traffic lights here at this intersection.
“It’s a really expensive exercise – I didn’t realise traffic lights were actually that expensive, but fortunately we have been able to do the work and have a commitment for the community of Broadford, that a re-elected State Government will spend $8 million here at Hamilton Street to ensure that traffic lights could be installed and all that safety is at the forefront of any work.”
Mr Kelly congratulated BRAG for their advocacy as part of his first public speech introducing himself.
“I have lots of experience in agriculture. All my children have embraced the agriculture industry in various areas. I’ve been involved in it all my life,” he said.
“I was brought up in Trawool, on the banks of the Goulburn River, I know the area, I played sport up and down the electorate, I’m a life member of a footy club in New South Wales where I started from nothing, life member of the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia where I have a huge amount of respect in that industry.”
“I congratulate the Action Group for doing what they’re doing. Without the community and the efforts you put in, you don’t get pressure on it.”
Mitchell Shire was represented by Mayor Councillor John Dougall, as well as Councillors Bob Humm and Andrea Pace. Cr Dougall said a large amount of engagement made the potential project possible.
“Mitchell Shire’s DNA is engage, advocate and partner,” he said.
“In terms of engagement, it’s very clear that this community here in Broadford, led by Brian and the team, with BRAG, have made it clear to Council that this is a really important priority for Broadford. It’s safety, it relates to Inland Rail, John Holland and the safety for the community along this strip of road.
“In terms of advocacy, we accept that, we have worked hard to make this deliverable, working with Inland Rail and John Holland to make this intersection forward-compatible for either a roundabout or, in this case, a signal intersection, which is fantastic.
“The third layer is partnering. We need partners, and we’re happy to work with all partners, and in this case, the State Government, we very much welcome your commitment to this intersection, so thank you very much. It’s a combination of listening, advocacy and delivery.”