Sheed calls on roads minister to address safety issues on Dookie roads

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed raised concerns about three safety issues on Dookie’s roads with Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll, who said he would work with Greater Shepparton City Council on two dangerous intersections.

 

Following discussions with Dookie police earlier this year, Ms Sheed wrote to the minister expressing serious concerns about two intersections in Dookie.

 

“Dookie police reported that they attended an accident between a utility and a prime mover with a trailer on the intersection of Kellows and Cosgrave-Caniambo Roads in November last year,” Ms Sheed said.

 

“Police fear that a serious injury – or even a fatality – could occur at the dangerous intersection if the “Give Way” signs were not replaced with “Stop” signs.”

 

In a letter responding to Ms Sheed’s concerns, Minister Carroll said the Department of Transport would raise the safety issues about the Kellows and Cosgrove-Caniambo Roads with Greater Shepparton City Council, as it fell within the council’s responsibility to understand if stop signs may be more suitable.

 

Ms Sheed’s staff spoke to a representative from building material company Boral about the five-way intersection of New Dookie, Old Dookie, Berry, Kellows, and Quarry Roads.

 

“You only need to look at a map to see why this intersection is potentially extremely dangerous,” Ms Sheed said.

 

Minister Carroll’s letter stated that he requested the Department of Transport to arrange a meeting with Greater Shepparton City Council to discuss road safety issues at the complex intersection of New Dookie, Old Dookie, Berry, Kellows, and Quarry Roads, to identify if any safety improvements were required.

 

In his response to Ms Sheed, Minister Carroll said the Department of Transport considered a request for new speed signage and line marking on the approaches to the Dookie township nearing the grain silos, but higher priorities took precedence in recent grant rounds.

 

“The minister assured me the Department of Transport would explore interim safety improvements,” Ms Sheed said.

 

Media contact

Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466 │elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au

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