The recent car accident in the intersection of Mandurah Road and Catalina Drive on Friday last week that left a driver with minor injuries reopened the local debate about the safety of the intersection.
Catalina Drive is the only direct entry point by road to the Lakelands private estate, which includes the Mandurah Baptist College, Lakelands primary school and the currently under construction Lakelands shopping centre.
The suburb has also been identified as one of the fastest growing suburbs in Mandurah by the City.
Local member David Templeman said he felt frustrated after years of fruitless fighting with Main Roads to upgrade the intersection and provide a safer environment for the local residents, and called for action.
“This is very frustrating,” he said.
“This is a dangerous intersection, and the crash proves that.
“The next election is too late, we shouldn’t have to wait for action, it’s high priority.”
Mr Templeman urged residents to write to minister for transport Dean Nalder with their concerns, and said he was going to raise the issue in Parliament in two weeks time.
When asked for comment, Main Roads said despite being congested at peak times they didn’t consider the intersection to be dangerous since most crashes hadn’t been severe.
They said congestion on Catalina Drive should be alleviated by building additional entry points to Lakelands from Mandurah Road, but it was up to Peet, the estate developer, to provide them.
The new planned entry points would be located at Lake Valley Drive and Baksiadale Gate, they have been approved by Main Roads and are due to be completed by the end of 2016.
The new shopping centre wouldn’t be allowed to open for trading until the new roads accesses are put in place.
“The congestion at Catalina Drive will improve greatly when these additional signalised accesses to Lakelands area completed,” Main Roads said.
“In addition, an access from Lakelands to Mandjoogoordap Drive will also be completed at a similar time, further alleviating congestion at Mandurah Road.”