Lead petitioners meet local Members of Parliament about Gumbuya World intersection

Lead petitioners seeking change at the intersection outside Gumbuya World at Tynong North last week took their case to local Members of Parliament.

Within hours of a fatal collision at the Princes Hwy intersection on January 25, Krystal Clark and Rob Scali had launched a petition calling for an overpass to create a safer flow of traffic outside Gumbuya World.

Within two weeks, almost 7000 people had signed the change.org petition.

Last week, they voiced their concerns at a meeting with federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent and Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood.

Ms Clark said all parties agreed at the meeting that change needed to occur.

“Neither of us want to see any more accidents occur.

“During the meeting it was acknowledged that with the urban sprawl there are a number of intersections that are currently being looked at including those in Maryknoll, Tynong North and Bunyip. 

“We look forward to the progressing of this initiative in the hope of a soon to be a long term solution with no more road deaths,” Ms Clark and Mr Scali said.

Both Ms Clark and Mr Scali are urging drivers to slow down and take care when travelling within the area until changes occurred and the blind spots are rectified.

Mr Blackwood recently raised the issue in State Parliament, saying the intersection had been a major concern since activities expanded at Gumbuya World.

“I have been working with Regional Roads Victoria for some time now about this blackspot and one further west at Tynong North Rd. Regional Roads Victoria has been very responsive and has committed to investigating both sites for solutions both short and long term and getting back to me by the end of this month,” he said.

Mr Blackwood paid tribute to Ripplebrook residents David Young and his daughter Olivia, who were following the truck that was involved in the accident and were first on the scene. 

“The reports I have received from David Young indicate a tremendous response from those first on the scene, and he was amazed at the ambulance arriving in less than 15 minutes and all emergency services being on the scene very quickly. 

“I commend and thank our emergency services for their rapid response and also the two off-duty nurses who pulled over in separate cars to assist,” he said.

Ms Clark and Mr Scali urged community members to continue signing the petition.  The petition can be signed at: www.change.org/p/vicroads-road-overpass-needed-for-tynong-nth-on-the-princess-fwy-at-gumbuya-world-intersection