By Matthew Sims
Western Metropolitan Senator Bernie Finn has called for Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll to allocate funding for a separated bridge for pedestrians and cyclists to use.
Throughout 2020, the state government delivered works to strengthen the Queen Street bridge.
However, Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn raised a constituency question during the Legislative Council sitting on Wednesday, June 9 calling for Minister Carroll to commit the funding to deliver further works to install a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Unfortunately, despite a strong local campaign, the project did not include provision for a safe and accessible crossing for cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
“The Queen Street bridge carries over 19,000 vehicles a day and it poses a major threat to pedestrians and to cyclists attempting to cross it.
“This is a significant safety issue for many of my constituents.”
Hobsons Bay council has called for the state government to allocate $1.5 million to fund a separated bridge over Laverton Creek.
The council has produced plans for a 60-metre shared use bridge with a 3.5-metre width and lighting.
The design solution would run alongside the existing road bridge and is designed to retain views across Laverton Creek and the Ramsar Wetlands.
Mr Finn said the allocation of the funds was an “urgent matter” for the state government to address.
“The only thing missing is a funding commitment from the state government,” he said.
“When will the government provide the necessary funding for the Queen Street crossing to be built?”
Hobsons Bay Cherry Lake Ward councillor Daria Kellander said the community should not have had to wait this long for the bridge.
“I wouldn’t ride a bike with my child over this bridge, and I don’t expect our community to do this either,” she said.
“This is a fundamental safety issue, it’s a no brainer, and it continues to be one of my priorities.
“It shouldn’t take this long, our residents deserve better.”
