Locals demand action on dangerous intersection

OCEAN Grove’s Kelli Finlayson says she is not going to stop until the dangerous intersection of Orton Street and Presidents Avenue is made safer.

Mrs Finlayson has launched a petition calling on local MPs and councillors to work together to fix the intersection as a priority.

The petition attracted 700 signatures in its first 24 hours and now sits at more than 1,500.

Mrs Finlayson’s campaign comes after her son Austin’s good friend Tyler Peace, 18, was knocked from his motorbike last Monday night, and now remains at The Alfred hospital in the trauma ward.

Tyler, who his family describe as shy, hardworking and a good kid, was riding home from his part-time job at IGA in Barwon Heads when a motorist failed to give way.

He broke his pelvis, pubic bone, left wrist and right elbow in the accident.

“Even when I was a little kid my parents avoided this intersection,” Mrs Finlayson said.

“My sister was also in an accident here 30 years ago, it’s time to make some noise and I’m not going to stop.”

Mrs Finlayson said the intersection had extremely poor visibility for approaching drivers due to its position on a crest and the unusual misalignment of Presidents Avenue’s north and south entry-points to Orton Street.

“Pedestrians also have difficulty with the intersection, which is a well-used crossing point for people going to and from the Ocean Grove main beach.

“Traffic volumes on Orton Street have increased in recent years, substantially increasing the risk for motorists and pedestrians.

“This is not just a peak-season traffic issue.”

Mrs Finlayson said the response to a recent Facebook post on the Ocean Grove-Barwon Heads Community Noticeboard had shown the depth of feeling and frustration by residents, ratepayers and voters about the lack of action to fix the horror intersection.

Mrs Finlayson said she had spoken with local MP Lisa Neville’s office, Simon Ramsay and Liberal candidate Brian McKiterick, who had all voiced their support.

Tyler’s aunty Melanie Marshall has started a gofundme page to help his single mum Clare cope with the major costs of living at the hospital, parking, travel costs and food, while also caring for another young son.

The page has already raised almost $5,000. To donate visit gofundme.com/tyler-peace. To sign the petition visit bit.ly/FixOrton.

“How many more serious accidents resulting in serious, if not life-threatening, injury will it take for action?” Mrs Finlayson said.

“Let’s not wait for a death before we see action.”