Tessari on the campaign trail

The Nationals candidate for Bass, Brett Tessari is campaigning for a solution to a dangerous intersection at Cardinia.

As well as being used by locals, the intersection is well known to many who travel along Cardinia Road on the way to Phillip Island.

Mr Tessari said the intersection of Ballarto, Cardinia and Dalmore Roads is a dangerous one, particularly at school drop off and pick-up times when children are moving in to and out of the Cardinia Primary School.

“I recently visited the school, meeting with the principal and teachers who have been campaigning for some time for improvements to the intersection,” Mr Tessari said.

“I have seen a number of times myself just how congested this area can get with parents reversing into traffic out of the school car park and with children coming and going on foot and on bikes and in cars, it certainly is an accident waiting to happen.”

Mr Tessari raised the issue with The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath who raised the matter in State Parliament for the attention of the Minister for Roads and Roads Safety.

“The Minister has highlighted the introduction of variable electronic speed signs, which is positive, but doesn’t address the fundamental challenge of the intersection,” Ms Bath said.

Mr Tessari said he will continue to work with the Cardinia community and the government to deliver a more permanent solution. 

Both Tessari and Bath have backed the pledge to invest $125 million into the Triple Zero service if the Nationals and Liberals win the upcoming state election.

Melina Bath said Triple Zero is a service that all Victorians rely on, and Latrobe Valley locals would welcome an additional $125 million injection into the service.

“Every Victorian deserves to have confidence that when they dial Triple-Zero, someone will answer their call and help will be on the way. It’s critical to get Triple-Zero working again, restore community confidence and ensure help will be there in an emergency.”

The recent report by the independent Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) confirmed 33 Victorians died due to Triple-Zero failings.

The Nationals and Liberals announcement will provide an additional $125 million on top of the $333 million allocated in the 2022-23 budget to fix Triple-Zero, by:

• Upgrading all IT systems including a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and a fully functional new back-up system with sufficient capacity for surge demand,
• Facilitating multiple service training for 50 per cent of all call taking and dispatch staff,
• Refocusing staff recruitment on frontline call taking and dispatch roles, not corporate positions,
• Delivering sustainable ongoing funding, which Triple-Zero has been requesting since 2015.

The Nationals candidate for Bass Coast, Brett Tessari said it’s been well documented how the Triple Zero crisis has been impacting everyday people – from significant delays in call answering to not having their calls answered at all.

“The Triple Zero crisis has been incredibly distressing for so many families across Victoria,” said Mr Tessari.

“It’s not unreasonable to expect that your call to emergency services is answered and an ambulance is dispatched when you need it. The Nationals and Liberals are committed to fixing public health care so it’s accessible to all.”