GLENN STERLE

LABOR SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SENATOR FOR HASLUCK

NALDER AND MORTON “PETTY POLITICS” CAMPAIGN TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Senator Glenn Sterle said that the recent media event held by Transport Minister Dean Nalder and Nathan Morton to highlight the traffic black spot at the junction of Hale Road and Woolworths Drive in Forrestfield was just not good enough on the part of elected representatives.

This issue has been known to federal, state and shire representatives for many years.  In fact it’s been used as a political football by federal representative Ken Wyatt for some years also.

The truth is that Forrestfield residents have long complained about the intersection and the lack of progress in resolving this traffic black spot.

After a number of complaints to my office I wrote to the Shire of Kalamunda who told me that the only realistic option was the installation of traffic lights.  This is because Woolworths Drive is privately owned meaning that there is insufficient road reserves for a roundabout.

However, this solution is dependent on finding a way to manage traffic flow along Hale Road because of traffic lights at Strelitzia Avenue.

So I wrote to the state Transport Minister Dean Nalder who said that the Shire of Kalamunda could speak to the Department of Main Roads at any time, and make a submission to the State Government's local roads fund.

What is absolutely clear is that the Shire of Kalamunda has identified a way forward and the Department of Main Roads need to assist the process.

Here’s a thought, maybe the Minister and state member can facilitate a meeting with the Shire and the Department of Main Roads that will prioritise a solution.