by Gabriella Vukman
Plans to change the speed limit on parts of Wellington Road are underway due to high accident numbers and community concern.
After assessments of the road, it has been decided that the current 100 km speed limit along Wellington Road will be reduced to 80 km. The short section of 90 km will also be reduced to 80 km.
Member of the Emerald SES Neil Fisher said, “Along the 100 km zone that is on Wellington Road between Lysterfield East and Clematis, there have been multiple accidents at high speed in the vicinity of Cardinia Lake Road and also in the intersection outside of the Little Joey’s early learning centre.”
“In addition to that, we know that the Berwick Road intersection with Wellington Road which is already a signposted 80 km area is a troublesome black spot and there are frequent accidents at that location,” Neil said.
“We have also attended multiple requests for assistance to extricate trapped persons (where someone has been mechanically trapped) at the intersections of Dorning Road and Cardinia Creek Road.”
Poor weather conditions and wildlife interferences heighten the driving risks on Wellington Road.
Neil said, “The intersection around Aura Vale Road is a sweeping corner and cars in the wet, if they are not driving to the conditions, are losing traction and then having accidents. Some of those have included trucks mounting embankments, resulting in the extraction of persons.”
“We know that the other issue through that stretch of Wellington Road is wildlife related. Kangaroos and wombats are unlikely bystanders in these instances and the Clematis Fire Brigade attend a lot more requests for assistance for vehicle wash aways as a result of vehicles impacting wildlife in the area.”
Wellington Road was originally earmarked for an upgrade and lane duplication in 2021 when the Victorian Government as part of Victoria’s big build project, initiated an investigation into the road’s upgrade.
According to the ‘Engage Victorian Government’ website, the investigation considered potential options to:
“Upgrade Wellington Road between Napoleon Road and Berwick Road.
Modify intersections along Wellington Road between Napoleon Road and Berwick Road.
Identify walking and cycling opportunities along Wellington Road between Napoleon Road and Berwick Road.”
Planning work for the road’s upgrade progressed through the stages of traffic modelling and social and environmental investigations before informing a Business Case which was finalised in 2022.
These plans to upgrade Wellington Road came to a halt in October 2022 when the Australian Government, in line with their new budget, withdrew the funding for the project.
Whilst Neil believes that lowering the speed limit on Wellington Road will “certainly reduce the severity of accidents that occur,” he noted that the SES would also support a road widening project.
Neil said, “It is a known fact that Wellington Road needs to be widened so that there is a dual carriage way and two lanes in each direction.”
“We are very supportive of a road widening project on Wellington Road, especially between Clematis and Rowville,” he said.
“Overall, the State Emergency Service supports any initiative that makes the road safer. If lowering the speed limit to 80 km per hour achieves that, then we are in full support of that initiative.”
A spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning confirmed that they are “in the process of planning a speed reduction from 80 km/h to 70 km/h in Rowville and the adjoining areas.”
“When determining safety improvements, the Department of Transport and Planning consider a range of factors such as the road environment, the types of road users, the site’s historical safety record, and the impact the improvements would have on the surrounding road network,” the spokesperson said.
“When safety improvements are under consideration, the Department of Transport and Planning also engages with the local community to seek their feedback and local knowledge.”
