Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester says Ministers have 'blood on their hands' for ignoring repeated crash warnings on Princes Highway
Darren Chester says State and Federal Ministers have "blood on their hands" for ignoring repeated warnings about a dangerous stretch of Princes Highway near Lakes Entrance with a history of serious crashes.
State and Federal Transport Ministers who have repeatedly ignored urgent requests to fix a dangerous section of the Princes Highway near Lakes Entrance have 'blood on their hands', according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
Darren Chester says State and Federal Transport Ministers have repeatedly ignored urgent requests to fix a dangerous section of the Princes Highway near Lakes Entrance
Warnings ignored repeatedly
Mr Chester said he had warned the Victorian Roads Minister Melissa Horne and Federal Minister Catherine King about the high frequency of crashes between Swan Reach and Lakes Entrance, with one corner the scene of multiple run-off-road and head-on accidents.
"Both Ministers have blood on their hands because they have been warned about the dangers of this stretch of road and refuse to take any permanent action on the corner which has been the scene of the most crashes," he said.
Incomplete crash data
Mr Chester also said, "In 2023, I pleaded with them in writing to undertake a complete safety audit and meet with emergency service workers and tow truck drivers who knew the full tally of crashes on the Forestech corner. Minister Horne admitted that the Department of Transport didn't have a full record of crashes because it relied on casualty reports to Victoria Police."
"If the police aren't contacted, the data doesn't reflect the number of incidents, but local tow truck drivers and the CFA certainly know how many times they are called out to crashes on that particular stretch of highway," Mr Chester said.
Dismissed local concerns
Mr Chester said he had raised the issue again this year after a nearby resident raised safety concerns about the corner. Minister Horne replied in writing that there were "no plans to implement major changes at the bend" because "no conditions have been identified that would support such improvements".
The Minister wrote: "A review of crash data from the past five years reveals one serious injury crash, and Victoria Police concluded that the road design was not a contributing factor. If other crashes have occurred at this location, I understand they have not been officially reported to Victoria Police or included in the records."
Minister blames drivers
Mr Chester said the Minister should stop blaming drivers and take some responsibility for the condition of the road. "They don't even know how many crashes have occurred at the corner. The suggestion from the Minister that the road surface and drainage are functioning as expected and the road is in an acceptable condition is an insult to motorists' intelligence and shows no respect for the local emergency service crews who are traumatised by repeatedly attending serious crashes along this section of the Princes Highway.
"On the one hand, the Minister says there's nothing wrong with the road, and this week there's six new temporary speed restriction signs in place. The Ministers should stop relying on advice from bureaucrats and actually drive from Sale to the New South Wales border themselves and experience the conditions first-hand."
"The Allan State government has cut road maintenance funding, and the Albanese Federal government has not provided any new money for capital works, so the Princes Highway is falling into disrepair. At a time when road deaths and trauma are increasing across Victoria, it is staggering that we are not listening to the locals, and seeing a focus on improving the condition of the road network to save lives and reduce serious injuries," Mr Chester said.
Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com

Darren Chester showed support for 'Everything Disability and Ageing Expo' held at Club Eastwood on 18 July 2025

Darren Chester visits George Grey Centre as they celebrate 60 years of empowering people with disabilities

East Gippsland Council to cease insurance for Crown assets, saving $57K and support to committees will continue

Lakes Entrance intersection upgrade stalled as questions mount over delays, costs and government silence

Martin Cameron along with the Nationals vow to fight Labor bill allowing forced access to private farmland for transmission projects

Melina Bath oppose Labor's Bill allowing forced access to farmland and heavy fines for landholders

Threatened native species safely relocated during Gippsland Water's Warragul sewer upgrade to protect local biodiversity

Tim Bull raises concerns on still neglected Mallacoota jetties five years after fires, despite state government's recovery promises

Tim Bull warns Labor's mismanagement leaving concession card holders waiting months for non-mains energy support payments
