Grievance Debate

Curtis Road

Mr GEE (Taylor) (15:19): Again, I wish to speak about Curtis Road. I recently spoke about all the issues affecting the part of Curtis Road between Main North Road and the Northern Expressway. Today, I am going to speak about a dangerous intersection on Curtis Road where it intersects Heaslip Road on the western side of the Northern Expressway. To give some perspective on this intersection, Curtis Road runs from Main North Road in the east to Angle Vale Road in the west, and Heaslip Road runs from Angle Vale in the north to Waterloo Corner Road in the south.

All traffic travelling east or west on Curtis Road is required to stop at the intersection with Heaslip Road, where stop signs and lines are clearly marked. Those vehicles travelling on Heaslip Road have an unrestricted right of way through the intersection. Vehicle approach from all directions to this intersection is up to 80 km/h, and it is situated in a semirural setting. That said, I can inform members that the Angle Vale community adjacent to this intersection has been identified as the fastest growing in South Australia.

This intersection is the main route for vehicles, including heavy vehicles, travelling from Angle Vale, Lewiston, Two Wells, Virginia and beyond to the metropolitan area. I use this road to drive to Two Wells, Angle Vale and Virginia, and I am always cautious as I approach this intersection. There is an agreed solution to this intersection, which is the installation of a roundabout and a reduction in the speed limit from all directions.

I have been advised that a deed has been signed by the landowners, the City of Playford and the state government that includes a roundabout at this intersection at some time in the future. However, residents are reporting at least one near miss at this intersection each day and a high number of crashes. There was a fatality at this intersection last year where a 22-year-old man from Virginia lost his life. It is always tragic when we lose a member of our community but even more so when it can be prevented. We need to act before another family loses a loved one.

I have been campaigning on this issue since I became the local Labor candidate, alongside the Angle Vale residents association, to achieve an upgrade to make this intersection safer for all road users. I want to acknowledge the grassroots campaign that has been led by the association, particularly Clint Marsh. Clint raised the profile of this issue with his Facebook page and as a state election issue, and he continues to ensure that all candidates and the Playford council do not forget about this issue.

Clint is the captain of the local Dalkeith CFS brigade. He has attended many road accidents and knows how dangerous this intersection is. Also, as a local resident with a young family, he wants to see action now before another avoidable tragedy occurs. The truth with this issue is that some drivers are refusing or failing to stop at the stop signs. I have written to the previous and current transport ministers regarding this issue and know that, following my contact with the previous minister, DPTI conducted a survey and study at this intersection.

It was pleasing to see that both the Liberal and SA-Best candidates supported urgent action at this roundabout during the recent state election campaign. The Liberal candidate for Taylor, Sarika Sharma, started a petition for action at the intersection, stating:

The Curtis road and Heaslip road intersection has been a continuous traffic danger hazard for commuters…where countless accidents and multiple deaths have occurred due to its high speed zone and sharp turning corners.

She further advised the Bunyip newspaper that, while she was standing at the intersection, an accident could occur every single second. The City of Playford have advised that they will not initiate a reduction in the speed limit on the part of Curtis Road under their care and control, which is disappointing. However, I believe the community campaign is achieving some success. The Playford mayor told the Bunyip newspaper:

It is important that the Curtis and Heaslip and Womma and Stebonheath intersections are upgraded and, further, that council hopes proposed roundabout developments can be brought forward.

I want to speak about the Womma and Stebonheath intersection at another time, as this is another dangerous intersection. This upgrade also has widespread support from the local community. The Angle Vale residents association, local communities, myself, the City of Playford and Ms Sharma are all supporting the urgent upgrade of this intersection. I am calling on the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to meet with the members of the Angle Vale residents association.