Neglect is killing us

News of yet another death on Furlong Road, outside the Sunshine Hospital, has had them scurrying around all week trying to cover up the years of neglect. A mother of 7 was killed crossing the road, after five years of unsuccessful lobbying to have a pedestrian crossing installed at the location.

Over 19,000 vehicles pass the site every day on the four-lane feeder road. It has been the scene of 5 pedestrian accidents in 5 years.

The Brimbank Leader (27.6.06 p1) reports VicRoads saying in 2005: The site does not meet the necessary criteria to warrant the installation of signals at this stage. Yet one day after the accident, they announced plans to start work. State Government funding was allocated for the project in the 2005/6 budget one year ago.

The unforgivable tragedy could have been avoided but for the delay. A pedestrian crossing and better lighting may well have prevented the tragedy, according to a spokesman for the Police major collision investigation unit (Advocate, 27.6.06).

A clear pattern of neglect has emerged in the West, the result of an incompetent council fumbling aimlessly with an uncaring and remote State government.

Who has forgotten about the lights installed at the corner of Fitzgerald and Tilburn Rds? The lights remained out of service for almost three years before they were switched on. (Brimbank Leader).

In February there were reports of a pedestrian accident on Main Rd. A young girl was hit by a car while walking to school. The student's shocked mother said I went down next morning and had a look... there's not even a crossing near the school. (Leader 14.2.06)

Councillor Capar's recent motion to the council, That traffic management measures previously identified for Billingham Road, Deer Park, be investigated, hides a similar neglect. The roundabouts were approved but never built. They could have prevented an accident where a car ran into the bedroom of a house. In Brimbank you are not even safe even in your own bed from the institutionalised bumbling.

As serious as these indications of a pattern of neglect are, they only scratch the surface of what is really happening out here. Add the overloaded trains, the chronic problems associated with some of the highest gambling taxes in Victoria, the 14 years to act on the Sunshine Swimming Pools (and still not getting anywhere - ed), the poor state of public parks and sports facilities - the evidence mounts to make a formidable argument.

Clearly our elected representatives have no intention of changing their pattern of neglect. It is well past time that residents took their revenge at the ballot box.

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