Latest news with #MainRoads
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Funding to help fix accident ‘hot spot' in northern suburbs
A notorious accident hot spot in Morley will receive $4 million in State Government funding to fix the road layout. Works at the intersection of McGilvray Avenue and Morley Drive include removing the right turn out of McGilvray implementing a left-in, left-out configuration, modifications to the left turn in to McGilvray and installation of a U-turn on Morley Drive between McGilvray and Bagshot Place. The City of Bayswater had advocated for the changes, highlighting the unsafe nature of the intersection and the importance of improving the road for the safety of motorists. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti has campaigned for upgrades to the intersection since 2021. 'The city welcomes the State Government's commitment of $4m towards upgrading the intersection at McGilvray Avenue and Morley Drive,' she said. 'This is a dangerous intersection and the city has advocated to Main Roads for funding to make it safer for our community.' Bayswater North ward councillor Josh Eveson has also advocated for improvements alongside the mayor. The intersection becomes messy as there is a shopping precinct 1.2 km down the road. Credit: Sophie Gannon 'This funding shows the voices in our community are being heard,' Cr Eveson said. 'I hope this $4 million investment signals the beginning of broader upgrades in the area, particularly along Morley Drive, another major corridor in need of renewal.' WA Premier Roger Cook said it was part of a major investment to help improve some of the worst congested areas across the northern suburbs. 'WA is a rapidly growing State but my government's prudent financial management means we are able to deliver on these commitments,' he said. In a social media post from March last year, Cr Eveson shared his personal view on what he believes the works may end up looking like. Credit: Facebook 'We will never stop working to ensure Western Australians have access to the infrastructure we need.' The upgrade is part of a $113.4 million project targeting congestion 'hot spots' in Perth's north. A more detailed design of the layout is expected to be completed in 2025/26 , and community consultation will be taken, giving locals an opportunity to comment on the design.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Aussie roads dark for months as sinister $100 million trend escalates
It's an illegal, dangerous and growing trend right across Australia, and now copper theft has even left streets without lights in the country's west after opportunists stripped several major thoroughfares dry. A "lucrative and attractive venture for thieves", metal theft, and in particular stealing copper, has increased in prevalence in recent years, according to police. Authorities have warned those responsible for selling items like cables to scrap metal dealers, who melt and reshape them for use in electronics. They say not only is the act costly and inconvenient to energy providers and new homeowners, it's also extremely unsafe, with tradies often left to pick up the pieces after criminals rob worksites. In WA, roads in Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah have been left in the dark after thieves targeted streetlights. The lights have remained out for months along stretches of the Kwinana Freeway — including the Thomas Road, Safety Bay Road and Karnup Road off-ramps — as well as throughout Rockingham, in Ravenswood, and along Old Coast Road from Falcon to Dawesville, following a spate of cable thefts, according to local publications. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, the federal government has estimated the annual cost of metal theft is valued at well over $100 million, with criminals frequently targeting worksites, new home builds, railway lines, electricity substations, sewerage works, hospitals and even schools. In WA, the state's Main Roads department agreed. It said locally, the figure had soared into the millions. In some cases, scrap dealers offer up to $6 per kilo for pure copper, $7 per kilo for mixed copper, and $2 per kilo for copper wire. Only gold and platinum fetch higher prices, trading for as much as $50 per gram. Main Roads confirmed that copper cable theft is a growing concern, with a spokesperson stating the agency is working closely with WA Police and other authorities to "mitigate the impacts and prosecute those illegally accessing vital public infrastructure, including assisting with the identification of stolen Main Roads cable when recovered." Thieves dressed as tradies costing millions in sinister nationwide trend Tradie's disbelief as thieves 'rip out' $300 item from under home Tradie's jaw-dropping act after client allegedly refuses to pay "As a result of copper cable theft, there are currently lighting outages across the road and path network, and Main Roads is working to restore these as soon as possible," the spokesperson told Sound Telegraph. In December, the department revealed a shocking 800,000 metres of cable had been stolen over the past five or six years. It's estimated that some $3 million worth of replacement cable is required per year. Copper theft isn't just a problem in WA, though, with reports of thefts increasing in all regions of Australia and overseas. Last year, Yahoo News spoke with a tradie who was stunned to discover copper had been stolen from a property left vacant for a few weeks between tenants. Local plumber and bathroom specialist Mick was told the house he was heading to in Coffs Harbour, NSW, had "no water" inside the home, yet the new tenants moving in could hear the sound of liquid "p**sing out" from somewhere under the house. After turning on the water, Mick noticed that it was "shooting straight up" from the ground under the house. Investigating its source, he found a "little copper pipe" sticking out that looked as though it had been "ripped off". The pipe should have been supplying the entire house with water. In Queensland, where the crime is particularly prevalent, thieves cost the state a whopping $4.5 million in damages to the electrical network in 2023 alone, with culprits even reportedly dressing a tradies to avoid detection while they make away with live wires. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Road headaches for residents as ‘urgent works' incomplete
The troublesome intersection of Guildford Road and King William Street in Bayswater continues to remain untouched as residents call for intersection works to be completed. The City of Bayswater's annual general meeting of electors in March backed a motion from local resident Georgina Ker that the city's CEO ask Main Roads to 'urgently complete' intersection works and to raise the issue to the relevant State Government bodies. Ms Ker said at the meeting the improvements were budgeted for in the State's Black Spot program in 2018 but the project didn't proceed due to high construction cost estimates. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 'At the time we were promised upgraded pedestrian facilities, extension of turning pockets and installation of 'M' arms,' she said at the time. Ms Ker said the City of Bayswater approved the closure of Whatley Crescent for train station works in 2021 on the condition that the State Government fund and implement the improvements to the intersection. 'Now it's 2025, the train station works have been fully completed, we're still waiting on these long promised and much-needed improvements,' Ms Ker said. Ms Ker said there was a history of crashes at the intersection. According to Main Roads data, over the past five years there have been zero fatalities, three hospital crashes and 21 medical treatment crashes at the intersection. There were no crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists. The busy intersection awaits further works. Credit: Sophie Gannon A Main Roads spokesperson said Main Roads had not made any commitments to upgrade the intersection but had started work to identify potential future upgrades. 'Main Roads is constantly reviewing the entire road network to identify improvements and upgrades, but with over 100,000 intersections across the State there is always a requirement to prioritise resources,' the spokesperson said. Bayswater mayor Filomena Piffaretti said the city had been advocating to Main Roads WA for improvements on Guildford Road for years. 'During this time, we have been successful in securing a dedicated right-turn signal phase for city-bound vehicles turning from King William Street onto Guildford Road, as well as pedestrian warning lights added on the left-turn signal phase,' she said. 'The city will continue to raise this matter with the local member and Main Roads WA as this stretch of road is under their control.'
West Australian
05-06-2025
- West Australian
Mother's plea after daughter survives head-on crash in the Pilbara
Michelle Leslie was on the other side of Australia in Ipswich, Queensland, watching her nephew's AFL match when she received the news her daughter was involved in a head-on collision near Roebourne. Jasmine Whitfield, 24, was in the car with friends when the Toyota Prado collided with a Toyota HiLux on North West Coastal Highway on May 23, claiming the lives of both drivers, 29-year-old Dakota Tahi Tahi and a 21-year-old man. 'I was just in shock when I heard the news,' Ms Leslie said. 'I was panicking, just in disbelief, all the emotions — my family were with me when I received the call. Not knowing if she was all right was what made it harder. 'The crash happened that afternoon. We didn't find out until night time. 'Our deepest love and condolences for Dakota's family.' Ms Leslie is calling for financial support through GoFundMe , so she can be at her daughter's side during her recovery in the trauma unit at Royal Perth Hospital. 'It's hard because I don't have leave from work, so this is why we've put the GoFundMe out, to raise funds just to help with Jasmine; if she needs things and getting me to and from the hospital. Accommodation is a big factor too, it's expensive,' she said. 'Any help I can get, we both really appreciate this, because I'm going to extend my stay from four weeks to 10-12 weeks to be with Jasmine through all of her appointments. 'I've got no income coming in, as of next week.' Three other female passengers in the Prado were injured, including 19-year-old Manawa Hinaki, who was also flown to Royal Perth Hospital with critical injuries. The collision brings the number of road deaths between Karratha and Roebourne to four in 2025 so far, compared with two in 2024. Teenagers Dennis Hicks, 16, and Ethan Howard, 17, died in a motorbike crash near Cleaverville Road in March this year. The Pilbara community is now calling for better safety measures on the highway. In a statement, a Main Roads spokesperson said in recent years, they had delivered a range of upgrades to improve safety on North West Coastal Highway, including two overtaking lanes, widening, and installing an audible edge and centre lines on the 38km section between Roebourne and Karratha. 'When travelling on regional roads, it's critical all road users plan ahead, manage fatigue and distractions, and be aware of the road conditions when travelling long distances,' the spokesperson said. 'As with all fatal crashes, a police investigation will be undertaken. 'In accordance with Main Roads' crash investigation policy, the agency will also undertake its own fatal crash investigation to determine if any road environment factors contributed to the severity of this crash.' Pilbara District Acting Supt Matt Froude urged all motorists to drive safely at all times. 'We continue to remind motorists to always drive safely on our roads right across the State, and keep in mind the wellbeing of others,' he said. 'WA Police continue to see crashes from drivers that fall victim to the 'fatal five' across the State, which continue to be overrepresented in fatal and serious crashes. 'These are speeding, impaired driving (alcohol/drugs), non-use of restraints/helmets, distracted driving (use of mobile phones), and fatigue. 'Our officers do not want to knock on your door to deliver devastating and life-changing news about the loss of a loved one on our roads. Please take care on our roads so everyone can arrive at their destination safely.'
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Perth traffic: Socceroos v Japan FIFA qualifier at Optus Stadium expected to cause heavy traffic
The battle to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place tonight at Optus Stadium and Main Roads WA is encouraging the public to stay safe - whether driving, ride sharing or taking public transport. Main Roads advised the public to be aware of increased foot traffic and frequently stopping vehicles in the Burswood sporting precinct and surrounds before and after the big clash. Punters were also encourages to take up the offer of free public transport included in the ticket price as tow away zones would be in place. Transperth advises the public that direct trains and the Suburban Event Bus Network would not operate before the match but would come into operation 45 minutes after the end of the game. The ride share drop off spot is Sailani Avenue, East Perth, encouraging the use of the Matagarup Bridge. The do or die clash between Australia and Japan will take the winner a step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup - a competition to be held across three venues for the first time, the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. Gates to Optus Stadium open at 5:15pm with kick off at 7pm. Those wishing to take public transport can visit Transperth Journey Planner for the easiest way there.
