General News
29 August, 2022
Committee for Maryborough back project to tackle dangerous local intersections
After suffering life-changing injuries in a collision last year, local resident Bronwen Haywood has started a new road safety campaign with the backing of the Committee for Maryborough, aimed at tackling the issue of dangerous intersections head-on...
After suffering life-changing injuries in a collision last year, local resident Bronwen Haywood has started a new road safety campaign with the backing of the Committee for Maryborough, aimed at tackling the issue of dangerous intersections head-on.
Following discussions at a recent board meeting, the organisation decided to advocate for improved local intersections to make it both safer and easier to access local businesses.
The Napier and Nolan streets intersection, as well as the roundabout and pedestrian crossing in Burns Street, outside the Goldfields Shopping Centre, have been identified as areas of concern.
The idea of Ms Haywood, who is also a Committee for Maryborough board member, the project will seek to improve the community for locals and visitors alike and having been involved in a life-changing collision at the Napier and Nolan Street intersection just over a year ago, Ms Haywood said it was clear changes needed to be made.
“I would say my accident was life-changing, it’s affected me and my ability to cycle and I’m still having medical appointments as a result of the collision,” she said.
“To me it makes sense to make changes to the Napier and Nolan streets intersection in particular, we know there have been a number of collisions there already, including my own.
“It’s well known in the community that the intersection is a dangerous one and people actually avoid it if they can.”
On July 7 last year, Ms Haywood was riding her bike through the intersection and was struck by a vehicle that failed to give way, causing fractures to her ankle, heel, pelvis and vertebrae.
Ms Haywood still experiences pain and as recently as last week underwent another surgery on her ankle.
She said the idea of this campaign is to advocate for improvements at key intersections so locals and visitors are able to safely access local businesses without going through what she’s experienced.
“Earlier this year we did a whole new strategic planning exercise and we decided that rather than just being totally focussed on business, we wanted to also do some work in supporting community,” she said.
“Businesses and community working together makes our shire a much better place to live and work.
“If we’re able to instigate changes at dangerous intersections then people will be more likely and more willing to travel through Nolan Street and stop at businesses there.”
The first stage of the project is gathering information on collisions at intersections in Maryborough, with the committee already having records of a number of collisions.
“Our idea is to get data about intersections people are concerned about and advocate for change there,” Ms Haywood said.
The committee is putting the call out for people with information on accidents or near misses involving motor vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians and people using mobility aids in the Maryborough CBD, particularly with dates and times over the last five years.
Committee for Maryborough executive officer Kerrie Dowling said the organisation was taking a holistic approach to the project.
“This is about us looking into how we can provide a safe shopping centre for people to be able to come into the area and visit local businesses, as well as locals being able to shop safely as well,” she said.
“We’re looking more at the broader economic side of this rather than just advocating to have an intersection changed — this is a holistic look at the CBD area, how we can make it safe and economically viable for people to be there.”
Residents with details on collisions or near misses are able to get in touch with the Committee for Maryborough by emailing admin@committeemb.com.au