Action over pledges

NOW that the Victorian Parliament is no longer sitting and all eyes are on the State election on November 24, we can expect plenty of attention from politicians in the coming weeks.

In the lead-up to an election, that attention most often comes in the form of promises or funding announcements as parties jostle to capture the public’s imagination before they enter the ballot box, with schools, hospitals and roads usually the recipients.

The state opposition, led by Matthew Guy, have been making such pledges all year, with a Minister for Geelong, police kiosk in the Little Malop St mall and a 100km/h speed limit on the Princes Hwy among the election promises already made public.

But today’s announcement of $1 million to upgrade a dangerous intersection that was the scene of two accidents at Ocean Grove earlier this year is one that shouldn’t need an election to come to fruition.

Following young motorbike rider Tyler Peace’s sickening accident in April, more than 2200 people signed a petition to improve safety at the ‘blind spot’ intersection of Presidents Ave and Orton St, calling for a roundabout or traffic lights to be installed.

The intersection is in a busy spot, linking the town’s main shopping centre to its surf beach.

With summer approaching — bringing with it a huge influx of visitors and traffic — the danger identified by locals following Mr Peace’s crash, will only intensify.

Last summer’s ChristmasNew Year period was marred by a series of crashes along the surf coast and Great Ocean Rd that nobody would want to emulate again this year.

When one little intersection can stir the passion of thousands of people, it is worth the attention of politicians — whether there is a looming election campaign or not.

Hopefully all sides of politics can agree on the merit of the safety upgrade so that Ocean Grove residents can breathe easier, no matter who lands in power after November 24.