By Romy Stephens
Calls are being made for urgent works to be done at a popular intersection along the Warburton Highway.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish is currently conducting a survey to find out where the community believe high risk areas are along the highway and what needs to be done.
Initial results from the survey revealed that 40 per cent of participants wanted to see more turning lanes added, particularly at the intersection of Gembrook-Launching Place Road and Warburton Highway, outside Launch Fresh Fruit & Vegetables.
Ms McLeish said the survey also revealed that the entire highway was of concern for locals, with 95 per cent of participants wanting more safety measures added.
“I have been contacted by many locals who have had or witnessed near car accidents or near misses along Warburton Highway,” she said.
“It’s important to listen to those who use the road on a regular basis and establish multiple safety measures, such as turning lanes and traffic lights, before any more people are seriously injured.”
Launch Fresh owner Anthony Virgona said his business had been impacted by a lack of safety measures at the Gembrook-Launching Place Road and Warburton Highway intersection.
“We have got customers that tell me ‘I want to shop at your shop but I’m scared to turn in’,” he said.
“We’ve got customers doing left hand turns to save them doing a right hand turn, they go up the street, do a U-turn and come back because they won’t turn right.
“Causing them to go up and do a U-turn elsewhere, it only creates another hazard.
“I’ve been on VicRoads’ back for years regarding this intersection. They’ve come out
here, sat back and watched the intersection but nothing is being done.”
Other high-risk collision areas that were regularly mentioned in the survey were the Sunnyside Road intersection in Seville East and Don Road intersection, opposite The Home Hotel.
Both Ms McLeish and Mr Virgona said that speed limits along the highway were of concern but a lack of turning lanes was the major issue.
They both agreed that increasing tourism in areas such as Warburton would only add to the road danger along the highway.
Ms McLeish said she will leave the survey open for some time before taking the issue to the State Government and pushing for urgent action.
“The Upper Yarra community know the danger spots on the road. They know the high-
risk areas and have suggested changes to improve safety measures and save lives. It’s
important to listen and take action,” she said.
To provide input on where danger collision points are on Warburton Highway, visit
Cindy McLeish’s Facebook page or head to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Warburtonhwydangerzones.
