A troublesome intersection that has been the scene of some “terrible” accidents is receiving some belated improvements.
The junction of Edmund and William streets at Shelly Beach is being upgraded after it was earmarked as a black spot by the federal government in June 2021.
A $143,000 grant was provided to Sunshine Coast Council to deliver a range of works, which were outlined by a council spokesperson.
“Council is currently installing the street lighting and electrical works as part of this project, which is expected to be completed by late November,” they said.
“Following the lighting installation, traffic islands and signage will be installed and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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“To improve safety and awareness, a vehicle-activated sign and delineation devices, which include islands and road markings, will be installed (for) when drivers approach the intersection.
“These works are expected to be completed in the new year.
“Community safety is Sunshine Coast Council’s top priority, and to ensure everyone commutes safely on our roads we continuously monitor the safety and operation of our transport network.”
A review of council’s database showed there were five recorded collisions at the intersection since 2016.
Local resident Greg Brown said it was a dangerous area and he indicated there were likely many more unrecorded accidents there.
In mid-October he contacted Sunshine Coast News wondering when work would be done, “out of frustration of being a nearby neighbour who attends and clears up regular crashes” there.
“There was another terrible accident in the weekend,” he said then.
“And at this time of year with tourists visiting there are regular crashes with unaware drivers.”
William Street is a key connector between Moffat Beach and Shelly Beach, while Edmund Street is a well-used link between Shelly Beach and Kings Beach.
The grant was initially expected to be delivered to Sunshine Coast Council last financial year but Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said it took some time for the process.
“Much like other federal government road funding programs, the payment for works is issued to state road transport authorities and the delivery of the works is done by the respective local council or state/territory road transport authority,” he said.
“The funding for the intersection was to be delivered in the 2022/23 financial year. However, it has been renegotiated with the state government Department of Transport and Main Roads, to be delivered in the current financial year.”
A federal government Department of Infrastructure and Transport spokesperson said the upgrades should “slow down drivers entering the roundabout” from all directions.
Community groups, motorist organisations, industry organisations, councils and individuals can nominate black spot sites to be considered for future treatment via the Black Spot Program.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
