CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr LEESER (Berowra) (09:36): I rise to support some amazing mums in my community who are campaigning for road safety improvements at one of the most dangerous intersections in my electorate outside Asquith station on the Pacific Highway near Baldwin Avenue. I recently met with Belinda Fitton, Erin Wilkins and Heather Newland who are speaking up for residents who use this intersection every day.

Erin's petition has gathered over 2000 signatures. This shows that there's real local concern, and I want to support their calls for action. Parents are concerned with their children crossing the intersection twice a day, given residents' reports of near misses.

A Hornsby High School student said that this crossing can be dangerous, as a few times he's seen cars just drive straight through when it's a green light for pedestrians. Children should be able to walk to school—there are four schools in that area—and catch a train safely. Parents should have confidence that crossings are designed to protect their children.

Erin Wilkins has gathered stories from across the community reporting personal experiences or witnessing a dangerous incident, including collisions or vehicle accidents, pedestrian incidents and near misses. One parent reported their child was struck after a collision caused a vehicle to swerve towards the child while waiting at the crossing. Police and paramedics attended, and the child was taken to hospital.

Another respondent described a vehicle processing through the stop sign and narrowly missing a woman and a toddler. Residents describe drivers concentrating on entering traffic rather than watching for pedestrians, including people crossing with a green signal. Submissions mentioned vehicles failing to stop at the stop sign and raised red-light concerns.

Asquith is growing. Increasing apartment development, heavier traffic and greater congestion mean our infrastructure must keep pace as more children, commuters and pedestrians use that intersection. There's a tragic history here.

In 2017, a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection. That loss deserves to be remembered as we continue to make this area safer. The intersection involves a state road and an adjoining council road.

Transport for New South Wales and Hornsby council need to work together on a coordinated response, and I call on them to undertake an urgent road safety assessment, listen to residents and identify immediate improvements and a lasting solution. That assessment should examine pedestrian visibility, turning movements, traffic signal timing and the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians, particularly during school travel times.

It should address residents' concerns about dangerous right turns and confusion surrounding the 'keep clear' road markers. Residents deserve to know what can be done when improvements will be delivered. Belinda, Erin and Heather have suggested installing a red-light camera and extending the 40 kay school zone.

This is a great idea. These proposals deserve assessment alongside the community suggestions for changes to traffic signals and improved visibility. I want to thank everyone who signed the petition.

I stand with them in seeking safer crossings and timely action. I will continue to advocate for the Asquith community. As Asquith grows, our children and our families deserve to know that they will be safe crossing the road.