Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne, City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali and Director of Infrastructure Gary Randhawa visited key intersections and high-traffic areas where safety concerns are mounting.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne was taken on a scenic tour of Greater Shepparton’s poorly conditioned roads last week, gaining first-hand insight into the urgent need for state investment in the region’s transport infrastructure.
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Joined by City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali and Director of Infrastructure Gary Randhawa, Ms Horne visited key intersections and high-traffic areas where safety concerns are mounting.
Among the top priorities discussed were the River Rd/Goulburn Valley Hwy intersection and the Wanganui, Numurkah and Ford Rds intersection — both recognised as critical blackspots in need of significant upgrades.
Over the past five years, the River Rd intersection in Kialla has been the site of 14 reported crashes.
A roundabout, identified as the most effective safety measure, is estimated to cost between $15-$20 million.
The Ford and Wanganui Rds intersection has seen four crashes in the same period, with $7 million required to install a roundabout.
“Safety at multiple sites across our municipality is of great importance,” Cr Sali said.
“We have crash data for several sites, but council cannot fund improvements on our own, the time we spent driving around with Minister Horne was extremely valuable to discuss the high-priority roads.”
Several high-risk intersections in Tatura and Mooroopna were also shown to the minister, including the Midland Hwy junctions with Toolamba and Echuca Rds, Turnbull and Dhurringile Rds, and Echuca Rd and Lancaster-Mooroopna Rd.
Cr Sali said concerns were also raised regarding other critical areas such as the Graham St/Numurkah Rd intersection near GV Health, the intersection near Kialla West Primary School, and multiple junctions along Archer St.
“The desperate need for a second river crossing was also addressed with the minister,” Cr Sali said.
“The October 2022 floods exposed the vulnerability of our network.
A new Goulburn River bridge is essential to ensure safety and connectivity, particularly in emergencies.”
As Greater Shepparton’s population climbs, currently at 68,873 with a projected annual growth of 1.2 per cent until 2031 — Cr Sali said infrastructure must keep pace.
“These are goals that can’t be achieved by council alone,” Cr Sali said.
Mayor Shane Sali, Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne and Director of Infrastructure Gary Randhawa visited Carroll Rd.
Shane Sali and Melissa Horne visited a new roundabout.
Mayor Shane Sali and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne visited the Wanganui, Numurkah and Ford Rds intersection to identify blackspots.
