Falcon residents are calling on the City of Mandurah to reconsider a roundabout project they say may not be the best solution for road safety. The City received $382,478 in Blackspot funding in 2023 for the intersection of Lynda Street and Baroy Street, with construction scheduled to begin this month.
Petition Against the Roundabout
A petition with 60 signatures opposing the roundabout was presented to the council at its last meeting, urging the city to explore other options before proceeding. Lynda Street resident Hollymaree Modolo told the council that “nearly all of” the street’s residents are against the roundabout.
Ms Modolo expressed frustration over communication, stating that after an on-site meeting in January, city staff promised a design review. In February, residents were told the review was underway. However, after two months of silence, residents followed up and were informed only a week ago that the design was unchanged and work would start in June.
“If we had not followed up, it appears residents may not have been told anything further before work simply commenced. With respect, that’s not good enough,” Ms Modolo said. “Affected residents shouldn’t have to chase the city for basic updates about works that will permanently affect the street in front of their homes.”
City Defends Roundabout Design
City director of built and natural environment Matthew Hall told the council that the roundabout design had been reviewed and endorsed by an independent, certified road safety auditor and supported by Main Roads WA. The design includes road surface treatments, lighting, and warning signage to slow vehicles on each approach.
Mr Hall noted that since 2020, there have been five significant crashes at the intersection. “Traffic speed data on Baroy Street shows that the 85th percentile speed is around 60km/h to the east of Lynda Street, which may also be a factor in the severity of the crashes, being that is approximately 10km/h over the legal speed limit for those roads,” he said.
“It appears that the incidents were through vehicles not giving way and rolling or moving through the intersection and colliding with vehicles in the other direction. The roundabout with pre-deflection as designed is targeted at reducing speeds on the approach to and at the intersection and will result in one directional flow through the intersection. This improves road safety through forcing drivers to slow down and travel in a single direction, reducing the expected speed and conflict point at the intersection and accordingly the severity of any crashes.”
Alternative Route Consideration
Cr Jacob Cumberworth asked if the city had investigated redirecting traffic to Galatea Road to reduce traffic on Lynda Street. Mr Hall said this had not been considered as it would have amenity impacts on Galatea Road. “Galatea Road and Baroy Street are both classified as local access roads within the city’s road hierarchy, so there’s no distinction between those two in terms of the volumes of vehicle that they should be carrying,” he explained.
The council acknowledged the petition but has not yet made a decision to halt the project.
