The Macarthur Chronicle launches a renewed campaign to fix Appin Rd once and for all
TODAY the Macarthur Chronicle launches a renewed campaign to have Appin Rd fixed once and for all following the tragic death of Therry Catholic High School teacher Melissa Bond.
TODAY the Macarthur Chronicle launches a renewed campaign to have Appin Rd fixed once and for all.
We ask for the establishment of a taskforce involving the three Macarthur region councils, Wollongong Council and all federal and state politicians from the Macarthur region and the Illawarra.
We believe there has been enough talk and too many deaths. The time for talk is over — we want action.
We want a two-lane highway in both directions to replace the Appin Rd route, which has remained largely unchanged since the colonial era.
As our community again mourns the loss of another life — this time 25-year-old John Therry Catholic High School teacher Melissa Bond — we beg our politicians to listen to our plea.
Miss Bond is the second fatality on the road this year. In January, a 40-year-old Minto man was killed near Kings Fall Bridge, south of the Appin township.
In the past 20 years, 36 people have been killed on Appin Rd, the RMS reports.
Many others have been hurt, often seriously, in 500 recorded injury crashes.
A total of 1014 crashes were reported on the 27km link across the two decades.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said a safety strategy for the road would be completed by mid-2016 after he inspected the road with Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren following the death of the Minto man.
Mr Warren said he was in constant contact with Mr Gay.
“We need to see the plan and need to see it now,” he said.
“I welcome the minister’s engagement on this issue but if it doesn’t meet the community’s expectation, it doesn’t meet my expectation.”
Wollongong deputy lord mayor John Dorahy said in February he supported the idea of collaboration between councils and the government.
Wollondilly Council recently sent a letter to Mr Gay outlining its concerns.
Wollondilly state Liberal MP Jai Rowell said he was also in touch with Mr Gay following the latest fatality.
“The upgrade of Appin Rd is something this government has continued to push,’’ he said.
“Nothing was done on it for 10 years. We’re currently doing upgrades as we speak, it’s an ongoing issue that we are taking very seriously.”
Macarthur federal Liberal MP Russell Matheson said he would raise the issue with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull when he visits Campbelltown today.
“It’s just devastating. One death is too many; 36 is absolutely tragic,” he said.
“Hopefully we’re going to be able to solve this issue.”
TEACHER KILLED IN CRASH ON NOTORIOUS ROAD
THE John Therry Catholic High School community is shattered after the death of 25-year-old teacher Melissa Bond in a crash involving a truck on Appin Rd last Monday.
Miss Bond, of Thirroul, died when her car and a truck collided head-on as she was travelling south on Appin Rd at about 5.30pm.
The much-loved teacher died at the scene.
The truck driver was taken to Liverpool Hospital suffering from back and neck pain.
The school has offered counselling services to devastated students, teachers and other staff. Miss Bond was the Year 9 adviser at the school and taught PDHPE.
Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong director of schools Peter Turner described Miss Bond as an “outstanding young teacher and role model”.
“The community of John Therry Catholic High School in Rosemeadow have been deeply shocked and are heartbroken by the sudden and tragic death of Miss Melissa Bond,” he said.
“I ask that you keep all of Melissa’s family, friends and workmates very much in your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult of times.
“The wider Catholic community deeply mourns the loss of a fine young woman, a wonderful and passionate teacher who cared most about her students, their learning and their wellbeing.”
Grief-stricken students and friends of Miss Bond have issued heartfelt tributes on social media.
“Being woken up to the most dreading [sic] news that such an amazing woman had been taken so early. Miss Bond you had such a strong relationship with everyone from John Therry and no one can grasp the fact that such a beautiful woman like you had to be taken so early,” Gabrielle Dillon wrote on Facebook.
“You built such a strong relationship with everyone; someone who wasn’t a teacher but a friend, it just doesn’t feel real. RIP you beautiful woman, you will forever hold a strong part of our hearts.”
Former student Monique Steele also left a message of support. “RIP Miss Bond. I and all past and present students at John Therry will miss you so much,” she wrote.
The school sent out a text message to parents on Tuesday morning informing them of Miss Bond’s death.
“We regret to inform you of the tragic death of our beloved teacher and Year 9 co-ordinator Miss Melissa Bond in a car accident yesterday,” the message read. “There will be limited supervision at the school today. However, if students feel they need support they are encouraged to attend. CatholicCare counsellors available.”
The school set up a small memorial last week where students, teachers and staff could leave messages of love and thanks.
Funeral details are not known at this stage.
Miss Bond is the 36th person to die on the notorious stretch of road in the past two decades.
The police Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit is continuing its inquiries into the crash. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Add your voice to the call to fix Appin Rd on our Facebook page.
MP’S CALL FOR ACTION
CAMPBELLTOWN state Labor MP Greg Warren has pushed for an urgent safety review of Appin Rd following the death of a 40-year-old Minto man at Kings Fall Bridge, south of Appin, in January.
The man was killed on Appin Rd when his car was involved in a collision with a coal truck.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay and RMS chief executive Peter Duncan inspected the road with Mr Warren at his invitation following the fatal crash.
The MP has twice written to Premier Mike Baird and raised the matter in parliament. Mr Gay said the government committed to a full safety review of Appin Rd in 2012, which was finished in 2014.
He said the development of a draft corridor strategy was underway.
LITANY OF TRAGEDY ON APPIN ROAD
Maria Machuca holding a picture of her brother Alex who was killed in a car crash in 2004.
Dec 14, 2015: Drivers trapped in four-car crash near Copperfield Drive
Nov 27, 2015: Two male drivers in their 20s trapped and seriously injured in two-car crash
Jan 10, 2015: 27-year-old Sydney man dies at scene of crash between a ute and lorry near West Cliff Colliery
Sept 17, 2014: Woman killed in a two-car crash near Campbelltown 4km south of Kellerman Drive. PIC
June 10, 2014: The 28-year-old Hill Top resident Rene White killed after losing control of her car and collided with an oncoming vehicle.
Sept 29, 2013: Four injured in police crash with two vehicles at St Johns Road and Appin Road
May 4, 2012: Two seriously injured in five-car pile-up, road closed off during medical airlift.
September 2012: an eight-year-old Ambarvale boy was killed in a crash on the road.
October 2012: 19-year-old Kearns man Thomas Scott-Dobbie died in a two-car crash.
July 2011: Ashleigh Connor, 21, of Rosemeadow, is killed when she crashes into a tree at 9.30pm, 4km from the F6 turn-off as she drives home from Wollongong after a meeting with her Illawarra Stingrays team.
March 3, 2010: Toddler seriously injured in two-car crash 19 people were injured when this mini-bus overturned in 2009.
Dec 12, 2009: a mini-bus carrying 19 people, left Appin Road and overturned in bushland in single-vehicle crash
April 16, 2007: Fatal crash 4km east of Colliery
August 16. 2004: Two people killed following a single car crash on Appin Road, 5km west of Bulli Tops
Feb 2, 2003: Driver killed after car crashes into a tree during a police pursuit
YOUR SAY ON APPIN RD
“It’s taken many deaths before they even consider fixing the road. Yes you need to drive to conditions but the Campbelltown end is full of potholes and is very unforgiving if distracted or make small error in driving. It’s about time Campbelltown Council fix their end of the road.” - Donna Crane
“This road is a joke! There has been hardly any upgrades since I moved here in ’84. Council and government know it’s a bad stretch of road but do nothing!” - Paul Liddell
“Another life taken. I heard the impact of this accident yesterday afternoon and it was absolutely gut wrenching. I have lived in Campbelltown for 30+ years and too many lives have been taken on this road. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.” - Marion Marshall
“Forget fixing Sydney’s arterial roads and start upgrading Appin-Bulli road. It is a disgrace for our community.” - Ronald Behrmann
“Very very sad. The school will not be the same for a long time. She was a vibrant, happy teacher that the kids loved and could all relate to.” - Rachael Dowse
“Our deepest sympathy to the family, friends, fellow teachers and students of John Therry.” - Cheryl Stevancevic
“Such terrible news. Condolences to her family, friends and the school community.” - Leeanne Hudson
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