The status of long-awaited pedestrian crossings on Blackshaws Road in Altona North remains unclear, as the state government, Hobsons Bay council and private developers bicker of over who is responsible.
Blackshaws Road is a busy major east-west thoroughfare that is expected to get even more traffic thanks to The Fabric, a housing precinct being built adjacent by developer Mirvac.
With residents already moving into The Fabric, the lack of progress on pedestrian crossings is of increasing concern for Hobsons Bay deputy mayor and Altona North ward representative Rayene Hawli.
“The fact that there is no timeline for delivery for these crossings is incredibly frustrating,” Cr Hawli said.
“That’s why I contacted our local MP Melissa Horne to help us get this project done sooner.”
Ms Horne is also the roads and road safety minister and last month wrote to Hobsons Bay council urging them to work with Mirvac to ensure the crossings were delivered as soon as possible.
“Council really needs to act to get the developer to install the pedestrian crossings as was agreed when they granted the permit for the developments,” said Ms Horne when asked about her letter by Star Weekly.
In response, a council spokesperson said because The Fabric was a private development next to a state government-controlled road, council was limited in what it could do.
“Council does not have control over the timing of development in precinct 15 (The Fabric) and 16 and associated works, other than ensuring the timely assessment and approval of design submissions,” said the spokesperson, adding that Mirvac had informed council that the progress had slowed due to lower than expected sales figures.
Mirvac confirmed to Star Weekly said it was working closely with council to ensure all its developer obligations were met.
Spokesperson for local community action group Better West, Rowena Joske, called on council and the state government to co-operate for the sake of community safety.
“We hope the council and the state learn from this experience and set up an ongoing process to ensure we get best practice crossing and intersection along Blackshaws Road,” Ms Joske said.
