Gerald Lynch
The Joseph Road Precinct Action Group has a clear message – “we want action, and we want it now“.
The action group meets regularly to discuss the best ways to improve and enhance their community. The group has 10 main concerns it wants Maribyrnong council to address.
Group member Sam Meredith said “decisive“ action was needed.
“Immediate and decisive action is imperative by our decision makers on all levels of government to support the safety of the residents of the Joseph Road Precinct. The safety concerns within the precinct directly jeopardise the wellbeing of hundreds of residents in our area. Truth, transparency and action is needed“ she said.
“The safety issues are prevalent – we are continually having to ask for the basics. Furthermore, the acting CEO in a recent article stated that Joseph Road was not getting started until the second half of the year and will take up to a year to complete. Meanwhile, other roads in our JRP will not be touched.”
The group has a number of requests for improving safety on Joseph Road including a pedestrian crossing and improved safety for pedestrians and bikes at the Joseph Road entrance.
They would also like to see the removal of the yellow caps on the pathway, citing them as a safety hazard, especially for the vision impaired.
In addition, a number of stone slope/concrete barriers on the side of the road are causing similar concerns.
The group also wants a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Warde and Hallenstein streets, along with traffic lights at the intersection of Hallenstein Street, Moreland Road and Hopkins Street.
Neilson Place has also been raised as a key area of concern. A lack of disability access on the Liberty One block and a site clean up of the pathway is needed. There are large metal gates propped up, a telephone pole on the footpath, a steep slope with metal poles in the ground, and extensive rubbish lying around.
Neilson Place lacks lighting and is almost completely dark at night.
Work on Lilardia Park, scheduled to be completed early 2024, is yet to commence.
Maribyrnong mayor Cuc Lam said the council recognises the residents’ concerns and is working on improvements within the precinct.
“Council has completed design work to support improvement works at the Hallenstein Street pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Warde Street,“ she said.
“Blind spot concerns at the corner of Joseph Road and Hopkins Street are also being addressed.
“Council is also currently finalising the tender process to undertake a full reconstruction along South and North Joseph Roads from Hopkins Street to the Heavenly Queen Temple.“
The works are expected to commence in the second half of the year and will take around 12 months.
It will include more footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and safer bike lanes along Joseph Road.
Department of Transport and Planning was also contacted for comment.
