More locals call for Leongatha ‘Kamikaze Corner’ fix

MORE Leongatha and South Gippsland locals have added their names to a petition calling for action to fix a notorious intersection in Leongatha dubbed “Kamikaze Corner”.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien tabled petitions with a further 83 signatures in State Parliament during the week, bringing the total to nearly 700 people who want to see the intersection fixed.

“It doesn’t take a road engineer to see that the South Gippsland Highway-Bass Highway intersection at McCartin, Roughead, Anderson, Long and Hughes Streets in Leongatha is in urgent need of attention,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I tabled signatures on both an e-petition and a hard copy version collected by locals earlier this year, but the resultant publicity led to calls for an extension to allow more people to sign.”

Mr O’Brien said the people of Leongatha and right across South Gippsland have strongly backed the campaign that calls on the State Government to deliver planning and capital funding for the Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route stage two in order to fix the disastrous intersection that resulted from stage one.

“This intersection is already known by locals as ‘Kamikaze Corner’ and is only being further complicated by the Great Southern Rail Trail extension through Leongatha.”

Access to a new carpark on the Leongatha Railway Precinct is also expected to create further chaos.

“I’ve also raised the matter in Parliament twice this year and will continue to advocate for this very important roadwork to be completed before a serious accident occurs.”

Mr O’Brien said the State Government cannot continue to ignore this project.

“The South Gippsland Shire Council has listed the project as one of its priorities for advocacy.

“This intersection in Leongatha is the bane of many drivers and they want it resolved.

“I’ll continue campaigning with the people of South Gippsland until we fix this issue.”