Nicholson Street, Coburg

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — My adjournment matter tonight is directed to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, the Honourable Luke Donnellan. I am asking the minister to look into measures to improve pedestrian safety on Nicholson Street outside the Coburg IGA. This section of Nicholson Street outside the shopping centre is a really dangerous area for pedestrians. There is a speed limit of 60 kilometres an hour. There are more than 100 apartments in the area, numerous local shops, a mosque and a church.

Tragically, Helene Khouzi, a much-loved grandmother who was helping her son at one of the local cafes, was struck and killed while crossing that section of the road on 22 October this year. My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Ms Khouzi. I have spoken to them, and I know they are still coming to terms with this tragedy. She was actually standing in the middle of the road trying to cross in front of the IGA. Police are still investigating the matter. It appears the driver was not speeding, but the speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour in that area. Nothing can bring Ms Khouzi back to her family, but they are hoping that something can come from this tragedy, and they have been supporting a local campaign to investigate pedestrian safety improvements in the area.

A pedestrian crossing at the corner of Moore and Nicholson streets would be the best option, but I understand this will take a lot of time. In the meantime I am seeking that some action be taken to lower the speed limit to 40 kilometres an hour to install flashing warning lights in this area. The local community has already undertaken a big campaign. There have been information campaigns running with the local community about slowing down in that area. There are signs up, and they have spoken to VicRoads. Unfortunately VicRoads, I understand, has told them that there need to be two more deaths or two more serious incidents in the area before it will consider taking action, so we really need the minister to step in and act on this issue.

I hope that out of this tragedy there can be some good. I ask that the minister help me to improve pedestrian safety on Nicholson Street by immediately lowering the speed limit around that area.

REPLY:

I am sorry to hear about the recent tragic incident that occurred on Nicholson Street. I understand that this is a major concern for members of the local community.

VicRoads advises me that one of its officers attended a meeting on 9 November 2016 at the East Coburg Community Centre in which approximately 30 people attended to discuss safety concerns with local residents. The main issues raised were the speed limit and pedestrian facilities near the Mosque and IGA supermarket. As a result, VicRoads is committed to conducting a speed limit review, pedestrian survey count, street lighting assessment and review of the signal phasing at the intersection of Nicholson Street and Moreland Road as part of the overall safety evaluation at this location.

In the meantime, VicRoads will install pedestrian warning signs on the northern approach to this location to make it more conspicuous to motorists. VicRoads expects these signs to be installed by the end of December 2016. The review of speed limits on Nicholson Street will also be completed by the end of December 2016.