People power sways council

The Dardanup Shire Council has approved a $35,000 commitment to upgrade a hoon hotspot next to a retirement village in Eaton.

Residents of the Bethanie Esprit retirement village have been sending letters to the council, requesting barriers be put in along the wall facing Edith Cowan Avenue.

Councillors on Wednesday approved the installation of a barrier and a median strip in the road.

“It’s a problem we needed to fix,” Dardanup shire president Mick Bennett said.

“Because of the incidents that have occurred, it was in our best interest to address the situation.”

The 90-degree intersection with Recreation Drive is a popular hooning spot and several crashes have occurred involving the village’s walls.

The last crash happened on March 28, and while there was damage to the wall, there were no injuries.

Council had four options to choose from at its meeting: a barrier; putting a median strip in the road; landscaping; and realignment of the road.

Bethanie Esprit village manager Colleen Fitzgerald said she was pleased with the outcome.

“We do acknowledge it is an encumbrance on them but we appreciate what they’ve decided to do,” she said.

The original officer’s recommendation put forward to the council was just for the barrier, with an estimated cost of $27,900.

After a discussion, councillors voted on including the installation of a median strip in the road’s bend, costing about $7000.

Cr Bennett said the $35,000 was the cost of doing business.

Australind officer in charge Brett Cassidy said he welcomed the decision.

“Any road-calming measure is welcomed by the WA Police and we will continue to target the area,” he said.