LET THERE BE LIGHTS
But power and roads authorities continue blame game
THE state’s road and power authorities continue to blame the other for a near threemonth delay as a notorious set of Leopold traffic lights was finally connected to the main power supply yesterday.
The lights at the intersection Melaluka and Portarlington roads were hooked up to the main power grid at 3pm yesterday after community backlash and media attention.
The community campaigned for traffic lights after then 16-year-old schoolboy Lachlan Mackinnon was hit by a bus when crossing the road in late 2016.
A $1.2 million upgrade to the intersection was announced in 2017 and was expected to be opened in February this year.
A series of unknown delays pushed the opening of the signalised intersection back to April. But even then, the job was not complete.
Authorities say administrative issues left the lights unable to be connected to mains power and from their unveiling April until yesterday the signals were powered by a dieselfuelled generator. Residents had contacted the Geelong Advertiser complaining the gen- erator had failed on a number of occasions causing traffic chaos.
Both Powercor and VicRoads deflected the blame to each another and the problem was only rectified when crash victim Mr Mackinnon expressed shock that the project was not finished nearly two years after he was injured.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Luke Donnellan said yesterday he was pleased the lights had been switched on and that surrounding safety lights were also powered.
“We’re pleased the lights at Melaluka Rd and Portarling- ton Rd are now connected,” Mr Donnellan said. But he expressed his dissatisfaction in the delays which he blamed on Powercor’s processes.
“I’ve made my views on this issue clear to both Powercor and VicRoads — and will be requesting a meeting with Powercor to see what can be done to improve their processes and ensure delays like this don’t happen again,” Mr Donnellan said. “The Liberals sold off the electricity grid to private corporations whose priority is their shareholders.”
A spokesman said for Powercor said the company had re- ceived the service order request it needed to complete the job yesterday morning.
“We have fast-tracked the connection process and have had a crew on site this afternoon,” the spokeswoman said. “The public lights at the site were connected yesterday afternoon.”
But Powercor also refused to take blame for the delay and blamed VicRoads.
“We have been speaking with VicRoads about steps they can take to minimise delays, and will meet with them to discuss the connections process further,” she said.