Frustrated Mount Duneed residents are pleading with authorities to take immediate action on what they describe as increasingly dangerous truck traffic along Boundary Road, following multiple near-miss incidents that have left the community fearing for their safety.
Residents at breaking point over truck menace
Local homeowners have reached their limit after witnessing numerous close calls involving heavy vehicles and vulnerable road users, including children walking to nearby schools. The situation has become so concerning that residents are now demanding urgent safety upgrades before a tragedy occurs.
Mount Duneed resident Kylie McDonald told the Geelong Advertiser that the problem has escalated significantly in recent months. "We've had multiple near-misses with trucks and children," she revealed, highlighting the growing fear among parents in the area.
The community's concerns center around Boundary Road's transformation from a quiet rural route to a major thoroughfare for heavy vehicles, many of which use the road as a shortcut to avoid traffic congestion on the Princes Highway.
Children's safety becomes primary concern
With several schools and early learning centers located along the corridor, parents are particularly worried about the risk to young pedestrians. The combination of heavy truck traffic and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure has created what residents describe as a perfect storm for potential disaster.
Another local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their frightening experience. "I was walking my dog and a truck came so close I could feel the wind," they said. "If I had been a child on a bike, it would have been a different story."
The problem appears to be worsening as the area experiences rapid residential growth, with new housing estates bringing more families to the region without corresponding upgrades to road infrastructure.
Calls for immediate safety solutions
Residents are calling for several specific measures to address the Boundary Road safety crisis, including:
- Reduced speed limits for heavy vehicles
- Improved pedestrian crossings near schools
- Better signage and traffic calming measures
- Increased police presence to enforce existing regulations
The City of Greater Geelong has acknowledged community concerns and indicated that investigations into potential safety improvements are underway. However, residents argue that the pace of change is too slow given the immediate nature of the threat.
Local authorities face the challenge of balancing the needs of freight operators with the safety concerns of residents in one of Geelong's fastest-growing suburbs. The situation highlights the broader infrastructure challenges facing rapidly expanding communities across regional Victoria.
As the community waits for action, Mount Duneed residents continue to monitor the situation closely, documenting incidents and maintaining pressure on decision-makers to prioritize their safety concerns. The message from the community is clear: they want solutions implemented before someone gets seriously injured or killed.
