Ms BURNET – Thank you. Premier, I hope you can provide a solution for this issue about the Leith intersection. As you’re aware, up on the Bass Highway the intersection has been problematic for quite some time and the community has raised concerns with me. I went up with Mayor Fuller and Mayor Jarman and also Minister Abetz. The community doesn’t feel their requests for a safety solution have been answered. Why haven’t their requests for safety upgrades been heeded?
Mr ROCKLIFF – There has been a fair amount of work done in terms of consultation at the very least. I can come to that at a moment, because I know this has been a very big challenge for the local community. There was a commitment, if my memory serves me correctly, of $10 million for an overpass, which didn’t engender a great deal of enthusiasm amongst local residents. There have been very strong advocates for the overpass as well and that’s been very difficult.
The upgrading works to the Bass Highway junctions at Short Street and Braddons Lookout Road were completed in August last year, apart from installation of street lights – this is the Leith junction. Temporary lights were installed on the site at the completion of works until permanent lighting could be installed. Permanent streetlights were installed in early May 2024. The junction upgrades were delivered for significantly less than the original $15 million commitment, with the balance of funds to be reallocated to further improvements to the Bass Highway.
The Department of State Growth will continue to monitor traffic conditions and safety performance to ensure the risk of crashes is mitigated. There has been a lot of discussion around this. I met with a number of residents in April 2021, from memory, and I know there’s been a lot of discussion. I’ve had correspondence from a lot of people regarding this – people very passionate about an overpass, the residents not wanting an overpass, and it’s a very challenging situation.
Any further to add to that, Denise?.
Ms McINTYRE – Just that the department will continue to monitor how the upgrades are operating.
Ms BURNET – What do you think the most cost-effective solution would be? We talked before about the speed limits changing. I can’t understand why that’s not a solution for that, particularly turning right from Braddons Lookout.
Mr ROCKLIFF – So, you come to that road past Harvest Moon on the left where the river is, then you turn right, you’re crossing over northwest-bound traffic and into the southern base lane, which is-
Ms BURNET – 100km there.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We did reduce the speed limit there at some point?
Ms BURNET – No, it hasn’t been.
Ms McINTYRE – During all of the works there was a reduced speed limit, then it was reinstated.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Look, there are lots of competing issues there including freight efficiency and all sorts of areas.
Ms BURNET – It is not a very long stretch.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Safety should be most paramount, of course, in my book. I know it’s been challenging to find a solution that covers all those aspects and is supported by the community as well. We’ll continue to monitor it, Ms Burnet. I am sure we will hear more from the community that are expressing their concerns.
