Winchelsea intersection gets $6 million for roundabout

THE federal Coalition has committed up to $6 million to install a roundabout at a dangerous intersection south of Winchelsea.

Last week, Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson announced that this week’s federal budget would contain funding to upgrade the intersection of Cape Otway Road and Winchelsea- Deans Marsh Road.

Ms Henderson said she had been lobbying for funds for the upgrade at the “notorious” intersection for some time, including in May last year.

“There have been a number of terrible accidents at this intersection. Cape Otway Road and Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Road are popular inland tourist routes to the Great Ocean Road.

“I am delighted our government will deliver $6 million to construct a roundabout to improve safety for motorists at this intersection.

“There have been a number of accidents and near misses involving international drivers – an issue about which I am very concerned.

“I have called on the Victorian Labor Government to urgently implement a Code of Conduct governing the rental of vehicles to international drivers, and will continue to advocate on this issue.

“A lot of international drivers are obviously travelling to the Great Ocean Road using our inland routes, they’re following their GPS, they’re not understanding or appreciating the importance of stopping. We’ve seen many incidents here; this is a very dangerous intersection.”

She said the Coalition would like construction to start on the roundabout as soon as possible.

“I’ve been incredibly disappointed with the sluggish manner in which VicRoads has been upgrading regional roads.

“In mid-2016, we announced $5 million for Forrest-Apollo Bay Road, including for safety passing lanes. There’s been a little bit of drainage work done on that round and the $5 million was eventually matched by the state government. We’re getting close to three years but they still haven’t started work on the passing lanes.”