Lovell calls for more action to make Labuan Rd safer

By Gabriel Garcia

Feb 14, 2024

More needed: State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell is calling for the government to do more to improve Labuan Rd’s safety.

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell used the first week of Parliament to renew her call for the state government to urgently implement a safety upgrade at the intersection of Labuan Rd and Murray Valley Hwy near Strathmerton.

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The intersection was the site of a horrific accident that claimed five lives in April last year.

Ms Lovell has said that since the fatal April crash, nothing has been done to improve visibility and safety, and temporary measures that were installed have been removed.

“Nine months have passed since the devastating accident that claimed five lives, and still nothing has been done to improve visibility or safety at the intersection,” Ms Lovell said.

However, the state government says they had put in several measures to prevent further road catastrophes, including approval for the speed limit change from 100km/h to 80km/h and working with Google Maps to advise road users not to use Labuan Rd as a shortcut between Shepparton and Tocumwal, as well as having Google mark it as a non-preferred route for heavy and trailered vehicles.

Ms Lovell also said there was almost no warning on Labuan Rd that drivers were approaching a major highway and that visibility of the intersection was severely restricted by a large hump on the road and a line of trees.

Ms Lovell also said that the road surface was degraded and the rumble strips were so worn that they were ineffective.

Ms Lovell urged Minister for Road Safety Melissa Horne to implement numerous safety upgrades, including:

Removal of the hump just before the intersection.
Changing the give-way signs to stop signs.
Installing flashing lights and a warning sign on Labuan Road.
Resurfacing the approach to the intersection and restoring the rumble strips.
Removing some trees that restrict drivers’ views of Murray Valley Hwy traffic.
Lighting the intersection at night.

Though the crash is subject to a coronial inquiry Ms Lovell said there was no need for the minister to wait before taking steps to improve safety now.

A state government spokesperson has refuted Ms Lovell’s claims and said they continue to make the Labuan Rd area safer.

“We’ll continue to work with Moira Shire Council to make this intersection safer and ensure that findings from the coroner are considered in any changes,” the spokesperson said.