Mount Duneed residents plead for action over Boundary Rd truck danger

The much anticipated opening of a multimillion-dollar intersection and road extension in Geelong’s fast growing south has created an unexpected nightmare for residents who cite several safety issues.

Entry to Lifestyle Communities Mount Duneed is off Boundary Rd. Picture: Lifestyle Community Mount Duneed.

Residents living in a gated community that is only accessible from an increasingly busy thoroughfare in Geelong’s fast growing southern suburbs are pleading with City Hall to enhance safety measures.

Members of the Lifestyle Communities Mount Duneed homeowners’ committee lodged a petition at council’s Tuesday night meeting that outlined a series of safety concerns.

At the top of the list was the number of heavy vehicles travelling at speed as residents turn into the complex from Boundary Rd, nearby the recently completed $7.6m Baanip Blvd intersection that opened less than 12 months ago.

With a lack of a road shoulder and no turning lane into Lifestyle, the group said there were far too many “unnerving” instances of vehicles “barrelling” down the road and braking heavily at the last minute, despite the 50km/h speed limit.

“It’s very unnerving for us,” a spokesman told councillors.

“It’s also very unnerving and concerning for our neighbours along Boundary Rd … many with young families who have joined the petition to express their concern about their safety issues.”

The Baanip Blvd and Boundary Rd signalised intersection opened less than a year ago. Picture: City of Greater Geelong.

The group said – without providing any data to back their claim – that Boundary Rd, since its extension to the west, has become the “road of choice” between Baanip Blvd and the Surf Coast Highway.

“We don’t know why they don’t go down Baanip Blvd, which is an 80km/h zone,” the spokesman said.

“They (trucks) come down Boundary Rd, but there’s no reason why they should be in our vicinity because there’s no roadworks, there’s no development works in our area, they come from the other (east) side of the Surf Coast Highway.

“It’s really a danger for us in cars, but also a danger for pedestrians.”

Traffic noise was also raised as a concern and the group asked council take action, including deterrent measures for heavy vehicles.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj noted the petition and thanked the group for its presentation.

Originally published as Mount Duneed residents plead for action over Boundary Rd truck danger