A new intersection on the bypass is set to go ahead, despite a roundabout being installed at Fairway Drive to alleviate safety concerns.
Under a WA Planning Commission regulation, an intersection into Old Broadwater Farm is required to provide multiple access points into the subdivision for emergency services.
In parliament last week, Vasse MP Libby Mettam said there had been around 24 crashes at the Fairway Drive intersection throughout 2015 and 2016.
Ms Mettam directed a grievance to the Transport Minister Rita Saffioti to address safety concerns about the proposed intersection at Old Broadwater Farm.
“I am pleased that Main Roads WA is currently progressing a roundabout at Fairway Drive to address these safety concerns,” she said.
“What does not make sense to me, minister, is that we are addressing the current safety issues at Fairway Drive intersection, but then, in the future, we will create another dangerous T-intersection further west at the Old Broadwater Farm subdivision.”
Ms Mettam said the proposed intersection would only service a limited number of people who resided nearby with little overall benefits to motorists.
“Given the bushfire risk in this area is low, I believe that the benefits of dispersing traffic at a new intersection onto the bypass are outweighed by the residents’ safety concerns,” she said.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said in parliament that the grievance was a surprise to her because people normally wanted more access to main roads.
Ms Saffioti said having multiple access points at different positions of an estate was a key consideration in urban design and public safety.
Ms Saffioti said unless Main Roads WA were concerned about safety issues at the intersection then she would be unwilling to change the plans.
A Main Roads WA spokesperson said designs were being finalised for the new access road to include left and right turning treatments onto the bypass to provide a safe intersection.
The spokesperson said the plan was endorsed by the WA Planning Commission in 2003, based on planning principles including urban design, public safety, access and permeability.
Have your say: Does Old Broadwater Farm need an access point from the Busselton Bypass? Why or why not? Email editorial.bdmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
