By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
RESIDENTS who regularly take their lives into their own hands when they cross Magid Drive near Westfield Fountain Gate have urged Casey council to consider funding a pedestrian crossing at the site.
Westfield enlisted a traffic consultant to develop a proposal for the crossing after a 400-signature petition was presented to the shopping centre’s management last year by residents concerned with the lack of pedestrian safety measures along Magid Drive.
Westfield’s proposal is now subject to VicRoads’ approval.
While council has been involved in discussions with Westfield over the matter, City of Casey manager Transport outlined in a report last month that Westfield should install the crossing at its own cost because council believes it will principally be used by customers to access the shopping centre.
Marlene Fox, a key player in putting the petition together and who lives in nearby Fountain Drive, said that Magid Drive was not only crossed by pedestrians to access the shopping centre but also the surrounding sporting clubs at the nearby reserves, the bus stations, Casey Arc, Casey Library and the City of Casey offices.
“It’s a council responsibility as well. It should be whatever helps get a crossing for people that use it,” Marlene said.
“It’s the wrong attitude to just make Westfield pay.
“All we need, at the end of the day, is a crossing.”
A group of roughly 20 worried residents and sporting club representatives met with Westfield regional manager Charlie Rimmer and Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley last week to flesh out the centre’s Magid Drive proposal.
Kerrie Puts, from the area and another driving force in organising the petition, said the meeting was extremely encouraging and that Mr Rimmer was keen to work toward a solution.
Ms Puts also recognised council’s consultation with Westfield, noting the area will also be used in future years for the Casey Cultural precinct, to be opened by 2017.
Ms Graley commended the residents and sporting club representatives for leading the charge on the crossing over the past three years.
She also said she would write to VicRoads to request the speed limit in the area be lowered to 60 kilometres an hour.
“I am very pleased that we now seem to be making progress with Westfield and I look forward to the City of Casey getting on board and facilitating the delivery of a pedestrian crossing on Magid Drive,” Ms Graley said.
“It is urgently needed to ensure the safety of local residents attempting to cross Magid Drive to get to Westfield Shopping Centre.”
City of Casey Manager Transport Paul Hamilton only re-iterated that the section of Magid Drive in question was under Westfield’s management.
Mr Rimmer could not be reached before deadline.
