Main Drive to get 23 new lights following community calls

The gloomy stretch of road in Bundoora where Aiia Maasarwe was killed in January will be made safer for walkers following a student-led push from nearby La Trobe University, with details of the project now revealed.

People lay tributes at the site where Aiia Maasarwe was murdered. Picture: Tony Gough

The stretch of road where Aiia Maasarwe got off the route 86 tram stop on Plenty Rd and was tragically murdered in January, will get better lighting.

The upgrades, which come after community calls, will see 23 lights installed along Main Drive, between Copernicus Crescent and Grange Boulevard in Bundoora at a cost of $242,800.

The State Government kicked in $184,000 for the works, while Darebin Council contributed $58,800.

Darebin Mayor Susan Rennie said everyone deserved to feel safe walking home.

“Aiia’s death was a tragedy and should not have happened,” she said.

“The council believes there’s no place for any kind of violence in our community and everyone has the right to get home safely.”

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She said the works would address concerns raised by residents and students about the lack of lighting along Main Drive that connects the Polaris shopping centre, La Trobe University and student accommodation.

Crime prevention minister Benn Carrol said the works were the result of residents telling them how to create safer communities.

Four lights were previously upgraded following Aiia’s murder.

Upgrades to lighting at La Trobe University and Polaris will also be considered.

Main Drive works will start in 2020.

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