I recently brought together community leaders and representatives from local schools, sporting clubs, cultural organisations, churches, and community associations to discuss the long-awaited widening of New Line Road.
While the organisations represented different parts of our community, the message was remarkably consistent: congestion on New Line Road is worsening and the impacts are being felt by everyone.
School representatives spoke about the challenges families face during peak drop-off and pick-up times. Community groups highlighted the difficulties many seniors experience travelling to activities and events, while sporting organisations described the impact traffic has on members travelling across the region for training and competition and how it restricts their growth potential.
A key concern raised throughout the discussion was the growing pressure being placed on local roads as surrounding areas continue to develop. Participants also highlighted how worsening congestion is creating “rat runs” through residential streets, with motorists increasingly diverting through local neighbourhoods to avoid traffic delays. This is placing additional pressure on roads never intended to carry significant through traffic and raising concerns about safety for local families and pedestrians.
Safety was another recurring theme, with concerns raised about pedestrian access, busy intersections and increasing traffic volumes. Many attendees also noted that congestion now extends well beyond traditional peak periods and affects people throughout the day and on weekends.
The meeting reinforced what local residents have been telling me for years: our community has waited long enough for action. That is why I am continuing to advocate for the widening of New Line Road and encouraging residents to support the community petition calling for this critical project to be prioritised.
