Unhappy with the safety of their street – Pastor Darryl Kilker, John Hyland, Lorraine Hyland and Carmen Camilleri. Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Melissa Meehan
FALLING Waters residents say road safety in their estate has fallen short of their expectations.
More than 30 residents have signed a petition demanding that the Cardinia Shire Council address a number of issues regarding Falling Water Drive.
Their main problem is that all traffic to and from the estate is forced to use Falling Water Drive, as it is the only way in and out of the estate. The group says the roads are not wide enough to cope with the large amount of traffic, as well as a dangerous bend.
But the council says the road meets all State Government requirements.
Petition organiser Lorraine Hyland said the traffic problem had been bad enough without the hundreds of houses expected to be built to the north of Falling Water Drive.
“The dangers of the road will be compounded dramatically,” Ms Hyland said.
“There are no other inlets or outlets to and from Army Road, despite being led to believe there would be when we moved in.”
She said the original design of the estate had a direct connection from Falling Water Drive opposite Racecourse Road.
Not only is access to and from the estate an issue for residents, but also the speeds travelled by some people who use the road.
“They scream around the roundabout and down the street,” she said.
“It’s not safe for anyone, let alone for those of us who need to park our cars on the street.”
She said planter boxes dividing each side of the road had also caused safety issues for drivers, who could not see past the overgrown plants.
“They are the reasons for many near misses for motorists turning right into Falling Water Drive,” she said.
Pastor Darryl Kilker, from the Pakenham Baptist Church located at the entrance of the estate, is also a resident of Falling Water Drive.
He said his main concern, along with the width of the road, was the dangerous bend in the middle of Falling Water Drive.
“At times with two or three cars parked along the bend the roadway is reduced to one lane,” he said.
“It’s pretty dangerous, especially for the people who hoon down the road and may not know it very well.”
Council spokesman Paul Dunlop said the roads in Fallingwater Estate met the state requirements for emergency vehicle access, to enable cars to park with enough space for other cars to get past and to enable motorists to travel at appropriate speeds.
“Widening the roads won’t necessarily make streets safer and could actually encourage faster driving, increasing the potential for hoon behaviour as wider open streets can give motorists a false sense of security,” he said.
“The speed limit is 50km, and this could not be changed without VicRoads consent.”
He said the council discouraged hoon behaviour of any kind and encouraged residents to report any incidents to the police.
“We are working with police and community groups and organisations to increase perceptions of community safety in Cardinia Shire,” he said.
“Council understands residents’ concerns and will continue to work with the community on this issue.”
