Safer crossings but heavy traffic in Wonthaggi

PEDESTRIAN crossing upgrades along Wonthaggi’s CBD have officially been completed after lengthy delays. 

Works involved building two new raised pedestrian crossings on Graham Street, outside Plaza Arcade and in front of Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre.

The works also included upgrading an existing zebra crossing on Murray Street to a raised pedestrian crossing. 

And introducing 40km/h along Graham Street, Murray Street, Billson Street and McBride Avenue in the CBD.

The lights in front of the Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre are anticipated to be switched on in the new year, with the final installation of artwork also to be completed in January 2023.

The $1.76 million project is a jointly funded project from the State and Federal Governments. 

A traffic island was also built along the centre line of Biggs Drive/Billson Street to reduce movements into Murray Street to left-in/left-out only.

While concerns have been raised due to the traffic build up along Graham Street since the crossings were installed, Fiona Fleming of Wonthaggi Newsagency and Lotto was thrilled with the upgrades along Murray Street. 

Fiona highlighted that although she was frustrated by construction delays which impacted the business, she had been strongly advocating for the safety upgrades for years. 

“It’s causing a traffic jam but the biggest issue I have is people that go through the roundabout when they can’t go through (Murray Street) and block off McBride Avenue,” she said.

“People need to learn to drive, have a bit of courtesy, and follow the road rules.

“There’s been a couple of near misses apparently, but people have slowed down to a certain extent.”

She was also pleased with the median strip at Biggs Drive.

“That was something my dad and I were advocating for seven or eight years before it even got in,” she said.

“We were the pushers for it initially to try and get something sorted out with the intersection, because you couldn’t get across to the clinic and to the low income units there, so it’s good to see it finally done.”

The community is also reminded that roadside workers are too often putting their lives at risk when simply doing their job, with stories of distracted drivers, speeding or reckless drivers ignoring traffic management are far too common.

A meaningful landscape design was also produced at all three locations, combining a coastal relaxed theme and Indigenous artwork with support from the Bunurong Land Council - the registered Aboriginal Party to Wonthaggi.

Koorrin Edwards, a proud Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Bunurong, Mutti Mutti and Yorta Yorta mother, partner and community member designed the artwork which was stencilled onto the footpaths representing connection and each individual’s journey in coming together.