I had some communications recently with senior Council officers on the burnouts, and it is pleasing to see that Council is now looking at the problem and considering options.
In discussions with a Council Director on 13th and 14th November he told me about some of the changes that they were contemplating. These changes could have had unintended consequences with a negative impact on road user safety, so I told him that and asked him if we could discuss these changes with Council before they were implemented, and I followed the discussion up with an email on 15 November that included the following:
“I suggested to you that, in the interim before you made any such changes, that we organise a meeting at NAC with some community members and your traffic people to discuss options. That way we can identify issues that could arise from any such changes. The police should also be involved in the discussion.”
To date I have not had a response to this suggestion.
I also received an email from the Acting General Manager on 13th November, as follows:
“I write in reference to your concerns relating to unlawful activity by some drivers at the North Arm Cove turn off. I note your concern that the behaviour of drivers undertaking these actions comprises a safety risk for the North Arm Cove Community.
I note that you have been advised that Council is considering options. This matter is currently being actively reviewed by staff and a determination will be made within the next two weeks. We will advise you of Council’s position as soon as possible.
In the interim, I encourage you and any community members who witness this behaviour to contact and inform the police.”
There has been nothing further from the Acting General Manager.
On 16 November a NAC resident wrote to all Councillors about the burnouts requesting “your collective action to resolve the dangerous Hoons’ activities which has been constantly happening at Gooreengi Road, North Arm Cove.”
The Mayor, Councillor Claire Pontin, responded on 17 November with:
“Thanks for providing additional information on this. We did discuss it at Council last week.
As a result of those discussions, and noting that this is a law enforcement issue, I will be writing to the local Police Command urging some appropriate action and investigating how we can assist in this.
I can appreciate the concerns over public safety by those living locally and look forward to a suitable resolution.”
This afternoon I got a phone call from the Directors secretary, who advised that Council's Executive Manager Transport was looking at options, and somebody would get back to me next week.
At this time, we don’t know what actions Council is planning on taking to stop the burnouts, and repair the damaged pavement and road markings. Hopefully we will find out soon.
So watch this space!
In the meantime, if you do see or hear a burnout happening, please call Policelink on 131444 and request that a patrol be sent out ASAP.
