July 9, 2012
The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie and the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Transport Darren Chester have met with a concerned resident at the dangerous Calder Alternate Highway and Calder Highway intersection at Ravenswood.
Senator McKenzie said her role as a local parliamentarian was to ensure Coalition decision makers were aware of local challenges.
“The intersection is a significant black spot and residents are worried about increased B-double traffic, heavy with grains, fruit and vegetables from Victoria’s northern producers.
“Safety concerns around the Ravenswood intersection have been raised in The Nationals party room and with the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary personally.”
Mr Chester said he had met with the Calder Highway Improvement Committee both in Canberra and in Bendigo, and was keen to help deliver a better outcome for residents and road users.
“There have been severe accidents, fatalities and casualties at this intersection, and it’s important to get a first-hand appreciation of a major safety issue like this one.
“I will take today’s experiences back to the Coalition as we prepare our policies for the next election.”
Mr Chester said it was disappointing the Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons had attacked his visit as a political stunt.
“I’m here to find a solution for the community, whereas Mr Gibbons is prematurely sitting in the departure lounge more than a year before he retires from politics.”
Local resident Bronwyn Young urged all levels of government to work together to fix the intersection.
“You can stand there for half an hour and always see a near miss.”
Senator McKenzie said safety should be the number one priority.
“Anything we can do to work together across party lines, across state and federal government to improve the safety outcomes of this intersection must be done.”