Greater Dandeong Council says pleas to fix road were ignored before child’s death

A council in Melbourne’s southeast claims its cries to fix a dangerous road where a toddler was killed previously fell on deaf ears.

A two-year-old was hit by a car and killed in Dandenong North on Sunday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A mayor in Melbourne’s southeast has slammed the state government, claiming it ignored urgent calls for a pedestrian crossing where a toddler was killed.

Greater Dandenong Council mayor Lana Formoso said her council had lobbied for a safe crossing where a two-year-old boy was struck by a car on Sunday at Stud Rd for “many years”.

“Council has worked with the Department of Transport and Planning to produce a well-advanced design for traffic signals and much-needed pedestrian crossing facilities at the intersection of Stud Rd and McFees Rd,” she said.

“We’ve been calling for a safer pedestrian crossing here for many years, but we don’t feel the State Government has shared our sense of urgency.

“I wrote to the Minister for Roads in recent months on this matter, and I’ll be seeking a meeting with her soon.

“Once more, we implore the State Government to fund this project as a matter of urgency.”

According to the Transport Accident Commission, the boy was the sixth person to die on that road in the past 10 years.

Cr Formoso said the council was “extremely saddened” by the boy’s tragic death.

“We’re heartbroken to have lost a young member of the community in these horrific circumstances,” she said.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and all those affected by this terrible loss.”

It comes as locals told the Herald Sun the area was a major safety concern with residents petitioning for the state government to make changes to ensure safety.

One concerned resident said it was “heartbreaking”.

“It’s an absolute nightmare trying to cross over to get to the bus stop. I worry about my grandchildren,” she said.

“There’s no crossing. There’s nowhere for the kids to cross safely going to or from the bicycle track or the sports stadium.

“It’s a terrible thing for the family. I feel really sad for them, especially during Christmas time.”

The aunty of the little boy, who did not want to be named, said the two-year-old was standing in the bike lane of Stud Rd in Dandenong North with his father before the tragedy unfolded about midday on Sunday.

Family members could be heard crying and were being consoled by police.

Family members at the scene where the toddler was hit by a car. Picture: 9 News

Police console grieving relatives at the scene. Picture: 9 News

The two-year-old boy was standing in the bike lane of Stud Road in Dandenong North when the tragedy unfolded. Picture: 9 News

“The father and son were waiting to cross the road and were standing in the bike lane,” the aunty told the Herald Sun.

Senior Sergeant Dave Hewatt said the scene was traumatic.

“Obviously involving a young child it is pretty traumatic and no one wants to attend that but as with most collisions it is always pretty confronting,” Sergeant Hewatt said.

“At this stage we have the driver of the vehicle and he is providing us with the information for that to clarify what has happened. At this stage we are not in a position to determine how the accident has actually occurred,” he said.

The child was with his father before he was hit by a car. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“The family was nearby and are also providing us with information regarding what has occurred.”

“We are trying to work out if it was simply an accident. There are indicators that say it is an accident but we want to make sure we are ticking everything off.”

The aunty said the little boy and his dad were on their way home after spending the day in Cranbourne.

Residents nearby told the Herald Sun they had been petitioning to have Stud Rd’s speed limit reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h due to safety concerns.

Police say it was a confronting and traumatic incident. Picture: Valeriu Campan

One local said there was a bus stop and kids ran across the roadway to catch it to and from school.

Children also play sport at Dandenong Stadium which is directly across from where the accident occurred.

“Drivers don’t have very good visibility, pedestrians struggle to cross the road,” Miguel Torres said.

“People definitely coming out of this stadium, they can’t see very well.”

Emergency crews at the scene in Dandenong North.

Neighbours said the intersection is notorious for speeding cars and crashes.

Father of three Dias Garusinghe said he was concerned there could be another tragedy.

“I’m scared and worried for my kids, this could happen to them,” he said.

He said drivers regularly speed down Stud Rd and it’s concerning there is no pedestrian crossing near the bus stop.

Another concerned resident Paz, 25, said: “They have installed these barriers but the issue is there is no visibility of cars over the boundaries.

“Even if people don’t die, there are always collisions here.”

Debbie Pirie, 64, said: “It’s not the first time a child has been hit out here. Unfortunately it’s happened before.

“We’ve even asked for a pedestrian crossing but the council said no because they have traffic lights near the basketball stadium.”

Ms Pirie said cars frequently speed around the area.

“We’ve had a car come flying into our garden and my girlfriend who used to live across the road had a car climb her fence.

“Before they put in speed humps, people were using this part of Stud and McFees Rd as a freeway to get to Gladstone Rd,” she said.

Another resident Roberta was emotional about the toddler’s death on Sunday saying it was “absolutely devastating”.

“I’m worried it could be someone I know.”

Another neighbour Caitlin said it was devastating.

“I had goosebumps when I heard. My heart and thoughts go out to the family. It’s so sad.”