Almost 100 concerned residents gathered at a community meeting on Tuesday 24 October.
It was hosted by Casey MP Aaron Violi and Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence in a show of support for the planned upgrade to the Maroondah Highway and Killara Road intersection.
Ms Vallence said that she has raised the project in State Parliament on 16 occasions.
“The Allan Labor government is putting the safety of pedestrians and motorists at risk by failing to upgrade the Maroondah Highway Coldstream and fix the dangerous Killara Road intersection,” she said.
Residents shared stories of accidents, near-misses, congestion and an inability to safely cross the highway as they agreed to not give up the fight to have this dangerous intersection upgraded as promised.
Coldstream resident Amilia Tuisawau shared concerns about local children, including her own, crossing the highway safely.
“There is no crossing. The council put in the pump track and the walking track, but no one can walk there because there is no intersection that people can cross,” she said.
“While you want to spend money in local business, you can’t get across the road.
“It’s very frustrating…especially when they’ve got the money there to do it. It’s a safety thing.”
Fellow resident Sue Rushton was disappointed that a member of state or federal Labor hadn’t come out to listen to the issue.
“We have had so many meetings and we’ve never had a member from state or federal Labor come out so we can address these issues with them, talk to them and ask them why it is taking so long when this intersection is dangerous,” she said.
Local resident Vanessa McKernan expressed many residents’ fears of turning right out of Killara Road.
“You can’t turn right onto Maroondah Highway out of Killara Road, so many of us turn left then right onto Station Street, then do a U-turn to turn left onto Maroondah Highway. Otherwise, you can sit there waiting for six to ten minutes,” Ms McKernan said.
Mr Violi and Ms Vallence said they would keep on working for the funds until the project is confirmed.
“The turnout at our meeting shows that Yarra Valley residents want to see this intersection upgraded for the safety of all drivers, for their children to be able to cross the road safely, so the CFA can turn out in emergencies and to reduce unnecessary road accidents,” Mr Violi said.
