Frustrated residents in the coastal town of Torquay have launched a scathing attack on a newly installed roundabout sign, labelling the $80,000 piece of infrastructure confusing, poorly designed, and a genuine safety hazard.
A Costly and Confusing Intervention
The controversy centres on the roundabout at the intersection of Surf Coast Highway and Fisher Street. In an attempt to improve navigation, VicRoads installed a large, overhead directional sign. However, locals argue the move has backfired spectacularly.
Community members state the sign, which cost approximately $80,000, is positioned in a way that obstructs the view of oncoming traffic for drivers entering the roundabout from Fisher Street. Instead of clarifying the rules, they say it creates a dangerous blind spot, forcing drivers to edge perilously forward to see past it.
"You cannot see if there's any cars coming from the right," one local explained, highlighting the core of the safety concern. The sentiment is echoed widely, with another resident bluntly stating the intersection is now "more dangerous than what it was" before the sign's installation.
Community Backlash and Official Response
The discontent has been formally channelled through local representatives. Sarah Hathway, the Surf Coast Shire's Bellarine Ward councillor, confirmed she has received multiple complaints from concerned citizens. Acting on their behalf, she has escalated the issue directly to the roads authority.
"I've written to VicRoads about it and asked them to reassess it," Cr Hathway stated. She emphasised that the community's feedback is clear: the current design is not fit for purpose and is actively making the roundabout more hazardous for daily users.
As of now, VicRoads is reviewing the concerns raised by the council and the community. The authority has acknowledged the correspondence but has not yet announced any specific plans to modify or remove the contentious sign. The community awaits a response and, more importantly, a commitment to rectify what they see as an expensive mistake.
What Happens Next at the Problem Roundabout?
The situation leaves Torquay drivers navigating what they perceive as an increased risk every day. The primary demand from residents is straightforward: immediate action to eliminate the blind spot created by the sign's placement.
Potential solutions could involve repositioning the sign, altering its design, or even its removal if no safe configuration can be found. The episode serves as a stark reminder of how well-intentioned infrastructure projects can have unintended consequences when end-user experience and local insight are not fully prioritised.
For now, the $80,000 sign remains in place, a focal point of local frustration and a testament to a community's willingness to speak up for common-sense road safety. All eyes are on VicRoads to provide a swift and effective resolution.
