Portarlington residents brace for ‘chaos’ at dangerous intersection

Residents fed up with an “intersection of death” near a growing Bellarine Peninsula town have again called on government intervention to help curb a spate of accidents.

A Portarlington group fed up with inaction over an “intersection of death” near the growing Bellarine Peninsula town have again called on government intervention to help curb a spate of accidents.

Passionate campaigner Sue Cairns has written to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), VicRoads, City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) and local members calling for a “better plan” following another near tragic collision at the intersection of Portarlington Rd, Point Richards Rd and Batman Rd last week.

It comes after another alleged “close shave” was reported at the intersection on Saturday morning, with one vehicle swerving to miss another.

Portarlington resident Sue Cairns (front) has had enough of safety concerns at the intersection of Point Richards Rd and Portarlington Rd. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ms Cairns and more than 100 ratepayers with property near the site formed a community group earlier this year to lobby against the newly constructed road, introduced to accommodate more than 300 homes as part of the Panorama housing estate.

“It is frustrating that the powers that be can’t understand the seriousness of this,” she said.

“Deaths will occur, it’s inevitable.

“It is just nuts.”

A 65-year-old woman was killed at the intersection last year and a growing number of crashes have been reported.

Ms Cairns said things would “only get worse” if the DTP didn’t look at introducing traffic lights or a roundabout, and feared another fatality could occur as summer approaches.

Point Richards Rd is used to access the Portarlington boat ramp, which has become even busier due to the closure of the nearby St Leonards facility due to a multimillion dollar upgrade.

It is unlikely to be completed or open by December.

“The (Portarlington) boat ramp is out of control,” she said.

“People wanting to turn right from Point Richards Rd to go back to Geelong are having to sit and wait for ages for all the traffic coming into town.

“Some just get impatient and take a risk, and that’s when accidents happen.”

Two people, including a teenage girl, were rushed to hospital last week after a two-vehicle smash on the road.

Police and paramedics were called to the corner of Batman Rd and Portarlington Rd last week following a car crash that resulted in two people being hospitalised. Picture: Supplied.

Traffic is only set to increase when construction begins on the Panorama estate.

“Once the subdivision starts we are just going to try and find an alternative route,” Ms Cairns said.

“It is going to be chaos.”
Panorama development manager, Lisa Thompson, said they had built the intersection as instructed by the DTP and CoGG.
“We don’t dictate to Geelong council or the Department of Transport and Planning, they guide us,” she said in April.

Panorama Estate at the corner of Point Richards Road and Portarlington Road. Picture: Brad Fleet

Plans to build a state-of-the-art chocolate factory on land adjacent to Point Richards Rd will only further increase congestion if developers get their way.

The proposal was blocked by the CoGG earlier this year, but a revised plan is expected to be tabled.
The project has divided the town, with many prominent business leaders claiming it could provide a $59m windfall for the Bellarine Peninsula and further propel the booming area.

DTP executive director of Barwon South West, Michael Bailey said he welcomed community feedback but didn’t address if any future safety plans were slated for the intersection.

“Our priority will always be on ensuring that any changes are safe for all road users,” he said

Originally published as Portarlington residents brace for ‘chaos’ at dangerous intersection