By Ethan Benedicto
A beloved and historic site in the heart of Berwick is in need of crucial infrastructural support, locals say, as the dangers of vehicles to crossing pedestrians at the entrance of Wilson Botanic Park show no signs of dwindling.
Akoonah Ward council candidate, Samuel Dennison has recently highlighted the lack of a proper crossing at the park’s entrance, adding that the people’s safety should be a priority.
“This particular area has been a sore point for many in our community, with multiple near misses and tragically, a number of deaths over the years,” Dennison said.
The park, which is known for its lush flora and its historic rock formations is a common go-to destination for not just locals, but residents throughout the City of Casey.
However, on busier days, especially on weekends, it is not uncommon for groups of people, from cyclists to families with children in prams to be crossing the Princes Highway, a four-lane road with an 80kph speed limit.
“We need to make sure that kids and families crossing that road to access the Botanical Gardens have a safe way to do so,” Dennison said.
“When the car park becomes regularly full at the gardens, people then park across the road, and then obviously have to then walk across a major highway.”
A signalised pedestrian crossing is what is needed, according to Dennison, in addition to street lighting improvements; where currently the entrance of the gardens holds only two lampposts.
The City of Casey’s CEO, Glenn Patterson said that following pedestrian fatalities in 2017 and in 2023, Casey has “been advocating to the Victorian Government for pedestrian-operated signals”.
“[As well as] improved street lighting on Princes Highway at the entrance to Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.”
Mr Patterson added that a signalised intersection on the Princes Highway at Coniston Avenue and Wilson Botanic Park access road, including pedestrian crossings to bus stops and street light upgrades, have been planned by the council.
The intersection, which is under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Transport and Planning, has been identified by the council as a priority project, with an estimated cost of $10 million.
Jenny Duncan, president of the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park is of the same mind, recalling the many times that members of the Friends have seen people taking “many risks” when it came to crossing the road.
Speaking for the Friends, their “general feeling is that we would like to see some lights there.”
“Not just a marked pedestrian crossing, but one with lights; there is also a bus stop on either side and there is no other way but to cross the highway in order to get to either side of the road.
“It’s extremely dangerous, I’m a walker and I know what it’s like standing in the middle and waiting for cars to zoom past,” Ms Duncan said.
To Jennifer Robson, a Berwick local who has been in the area for over 25 years, it’s integral that something is done about the lack of proper pedestrian access and safety.
“It’s the lighting, early in the morning or late at night, there is no lighting and it’s very difficult to see,” Ms Robson said.
Adding to the fact that it is “dark and dangerous”, crossings at Berwick Village and the intersection at Parkhill Drive and Mansfield Street are not effective options for parkgoers.
“You’ve got to take into consideration people of all abilities, not everyone has the capacity to walk 150 to 200 metres, so people take a chance to cross the road.
In the meantime, Mr Patterson said that visitors to Wilson Botanic Park are “encouraged to park and walk to enter the park” through Kramer Drive and Bournevale Drive pedestrian entrances.
“If walking from the William Road and Berwick township, [pedestrians are] to use the pedestrian pathways for safe access.
“Council has implemented a range of initiatives to help visitors safely access Wilson Botanic Park; we recently trialled temporary traffic lights at some of our larger events, which was well-received by visitors and local residents.,” he said.
While Casey Council has identified the need for upgrades at the intersection, there have been no funding commitments made by the State Department of Transport and Planning.
