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Darren Chester renews call for action on delayed Lakes Entrance traffic lights and pedestrian safety upgrades

Darren Chester has renewed calls for action on long-delayed Lakes Entrance traffic lights, citing safety concerns, cost blowouts, lack of consultation, and stalled progress despite federal funding commitments.

By news@gippsland - 28th July 2025 - Back to News

Almost five years since funding was announced for traffic lights at a busy Lakes Entrance intersection, there's been no action on the ground to improve safety, according to local MP Darren Chester. The Member for Gippsland secured $4 million for the Eastern Beach Rd intersection from the previous Coalition government at the end of 2020, but the project has stalled due to a lack of state government contribution.

No progress has been made to enhance safety at a busy intersection in Lakes Entrance, even though Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured funding for traffic lights nearly five years ago

Highway upgrade inquiry

Mr Chester said he had written to both the state and federal ministers, Melissa Horne and Catherine King, to establish the status of the project after it was included in 2025-26 budget documents. "I believe it is now referenced in the 2025-26 Federal Budget Estimates, Infrastructure Investment Program as 'Princes Highway Safety Upgrades', with a total cost of $8.3 million."

"The line item indicates a $6.6 million federal government funding commitment with $6 million to be spent in the current financial year. My purpose in writing is to confirm the scope of works for this project and to ascertain the level of consultation which has occurred with relevant stakeholders," Mr Chester said.

Pedestrian safety priority

Mr Chester said he had met with nearby business owners who have not been consulted for several years and are keen to see a design that takes pedestrian traffic away from the semi-industrial area. "I have had extensive conversations with local business owners and community representatives over a period of more than five years, and some people were consulted by Regional Roads Victoria in the initial development of the project, about seven years ago."

"The strong preference from local traders was to proceed with traffic signals and relocate the footpath to the other side of the Princes Highway, to avoid the inevitable conflict between industry and walkers/cyclists. In conversations with East Gippsland Shire Council, it was agreed that it would be possible to link the footpath to Clarke's Rd and the new signalised crossing point at Eastern Beach Rd," he said.

Boardwalk link needed

Mr Chester added, "At the same time, the development of the proposed boardwalk link between Eastern Beach Caravan Park and the existing foreshore shared pathway would also accommodate pedestrians and encourage locals and visitors to avoid the conflict point with the industrial area on the highway."

"After several on-site inspections, my view is the safety issues surrounding pedestrians and vehicles in front of the boat repair, tyre shop and carpet outlet will not be resolved unless the footpath is relocated," Mr Chester said. Mr Chester said he was disappointed the long delays had resulted in cost blowouts, and he was still waiting for a reply from either minister.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com