Perth Voice Interactive

FARRINGTON Road is set to become less dangerous after the WA government announced safety upgrades for the stretch east of Bibra Drive. 

The upgrade will include a signalised pedestrian crossing near the intersection of Aulberry Parade, which services the nearby Leeming Senior High School and the local shopping centre on Farrington Road. 

Additionally, the speed limit on Farrington between Bibra Drive and the eastern end, over the freeway, will be reduced from 70kmh to 60kmh. 

A group of community members, including Leeming residents, parents, Melville and Cockburn council staff and councillors, state member for Jandakot Stephen Pratt, have been advocating for the changes since 2019. 

Leeming resident Con Abbott was part of the group of community members pushing the changes, and says they are a “really good outcome” for an area which has been a “nightmare” for pedestrians and drivers alike. 

“You can never stop reckless drivers, but you can assist people who are sensible and apply common sense, and that’s what these crossings do,” Mr Abbott said.
“Does it mean the road is perfectly safe? Of course not, but we’re really pleased that we’ve been able to tick of a number of the key initiatives that the community identified nearly six years ago.”

A request had been made to the State government in September last year, which was knocked back by deputy premier and transport minister Rita Saffioti who said the 70kmh speed limit was “appropriate” and “in line” with other roads in the Leeming area. 

However, following strong advocacy from the group, the Government appears to have reversed its decision in what Mr Abbott calls a “common sense approach” to improving Farrington’s safety. 

“Governments are a bit like aircraft carriers, they take a while to change position, so we’ve had to be patient,” Mr Abbott said. 

“Patience has its reward, and so does the advocacy efforts of everyone involved… unless you’re pursuing it, change doesn’t necessarily happen.

“The world is run by people who show up, and results are achieved because people are willing to advocate, and if they receive a knockback, advocate all over again.”  

Mr Abbott says he is keen to see the Road Safety Commission become independent from the state government “with its own statutory authority” in order to more effectively address road safety issues statewide. 

Enforcement

“Road safety is more than just law enforcement, more than just education, and more than road design, it’s all those things and more,” Mr Abbott said. 

“[An independent Commission] would actually drive the safety agenda, rather than being a subset of another public sector organisation, and would have the governance to drive change. 

“If there was a school shooting in the middle of Perth, it’ll be on every news service for the next week, but if three people die in a road crash which happens all the time, there’s a blush of news and then it’s gone… road safety needs to become a far higher priority.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER