Grievance Debate

Wireless Road-Penola Road Intersection

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:11): I rise today to talk about the Wireless Road-Penola Road intersection in my electorate, which is rated by the RAA as the riskiest intersection in South Australia. This issue has gone unresolved for almost 10 years now, and I am the local member representing a community that is demanding a solution to be found.

Traffic volume estimates according to DPTI in March 2014 show 10,800 vehicles per day along the Penola Road and Jubilee Highway intersection and between 9,600 between Wireless Road and Allison Street. According to RAA traffic counts, we are getting close to triggering government set warrants. The issue is that many people avoid that intersection due to the risky nature as outlined previously. RAA Senior Road Safety Manager Charles Mountain said his main concern was that there was inadequate crossing or turning opportunities and also flagged poor visibility as there is a rise in the road coming up to this intersection.

This intersection is of great concern to me, and I have taken it up with the Minister for Transport who has kindly called a meeting and we have had a very brief meeting on this. In addition, there are over 700 signatures sitting on my desk in Mount Gambier in the form of a petition indicating that something needs to be done to rectify this intersection. I note that the Minister for Transport has indicated that he will be down in the South-East before the end of this year and I am hoping that holds true going forward where we can work together to look at some solution to this notorious intersection.

I also want to praise the new mayor of Mount Gambier. His name is Andrew Lee. Andrew Lee is of Hong Kong descent and led a good campaign through doorknocking and face-to-face interaction. Andrew has been on council for four years and felt that he owes a debt to Mount Gambier and the community due to the wonderful life that he and his family have had in our region. Mr Lee left Hong Kong in June 1998 when he applied to live in Australia to pursue a better life for himself and his family.

Two years later Mr Lee moved to Mount Gambier where he established his own restaurant, the Mandarin Restaurant. Although apprehensive about starting his own business, he has received great support from our community and has raised his three girls: Vivian, a psychiatrist; Vanessa, a bank consultant; and Vernice, a lawyer. Mr Lee has contributed a lot to our community, and I would like to publicly acknowledge him for the work he has done and the offer of working together in the near future for our community.

On the same note, I would also like to acknowledge our elected councillors: Steve Perryman, who is our former mayor; Penny Richardson, who has been re-elected, together with Ian Von Stanke, Hanna Persello and Des Mutton. I welcome new councillors Frank Morello, Sonya Mezinec, Christian Greco, Josh Lynagh and Mark Lovett.

Our election campaigns for the council of Mount Gambier were unprecedented. Eight people nominated for mayor and over 15 nominated for council positions, and it shows that there are a lot of people interested in serving our community and getting involved, and I congratulate all those people who took the time to nominate. Even though they were unsuccessful, their contribution was greatly appreciated. With that, I close my remarks.