‘TO WHOM it may concern,
‘I am writing requesting serious and immediate consideration of vegetation and habitat overgrowth clearing and maintenance at a troubling stretch of road located at Lynnes Road and Inverloch-Kongwak Road, Wattle Bank.’
‘On Tuesday, January 14, (I) was involved in the second serious motor vehicle accident for the year at this intersection…’
The four-way intersection, though functioning more like a T-junction, resembles thousands of others across Australia. Yet, in a span of just weeks, three serious collisions have occurred—one before Christmas, another in the first week of the new year, and the latest on January 14.
“The biggest concern is the flow of traffic,” local farmer and writer of the letter, Ben Hurst told The Sentinel-Times.
“We have these great, expensive flashing lights that only work intermittently. We often see technicians working on them – one will flash, both will flash or neither will flash when a car is approaching on Lynnes Road.
“Then, the roadside vegetation is overgrown.”
Mr Hurst, who lives and works near the intersection, describes the dense gum trees and roadside vegetation as a serious obstruction to visibility.
“You’ve got to practically park in the middle of the road to see what’s coming when you’re turning from Lynnes Road.
“Poor vegetation, poor vegetation maintenance, trees covering signage, especially the flashing LED signs – it makes it pretty hard to see anything at all.”
Mr Hurst speaks from first-hand experience. Not only was he involved in the January 14 crash when his car, travelling southbound along Kongwak-Inverloch Road, was struck by a driver pulling out of Lynnes Road, but just weeks earlier, he was among the first on the scene of a crash that left Korumburra Secondary College staff member Kim Cross with severe injuries.
“Since my crash on January 14, they haven’t replaced the end of the road curve marker – the one that everyone looks for when there’s an end of the road. It’s another thing nothing has been done about.”
Mr Hurst is not the only local calling for immediate action.
Tony Cuzzupi, who regularly passes through the intersection on his commute between Wonthaggi and Jumbunna, has been pushing for safety improvements for years.
“(The road) has always been a concern for me,” he said, noting he originally contacted local council. However, after persistently following up, he eventually received an email stating the vegetation and pruning had been completed – only to find it untouched. He was then informed it was, in fact, a VicRoads issue.
“VicRoads wrote an email back saying they patrol the area every two weeks and there is no concern there. For six to eight months, I kept pushing them, and finally, they admitted, ‘We can see what you’re talking about, we’ll get that cleared,’ and they fixed it."
Mr Cuzzupi contacted VicRoads again after Mr Hurst’s accident, urging immediate vegetation clearance – but received no response.
“On Thursday (January 30), I contacted them again because I had a close call at the intersection.
“You can only see vehicles when they’re about 50 metres away, and even then, you have to stick your nose out onto the road (to see oncoming traffic).”
Like many others, Mr Cuzzupi urgently wants to see overgrown vegetation cleared before there is another fatality.
Local Wattle Bank resident Mr Alan Brown agrees.
“Everybody locally agrees – it is a highly dangerous intersection,” he stated.
“The (overgrown) vegetation urgently needs to be removed, as drivers cannot see adequately.”
Mr Hurst, fortunate to escape with minor injuries, is still recovering.
The 64-year-old male driver of the other car, who resides in Melbourne but is understood to work nearby, was airlifted from the scene, whilst Mr Hurst was transported via road ambulance to Wonthaggi Hospital.
“I’m still recovering from my seat belt injuries, it’s bruising, but (the crash) was completely avoidable.
“We go through the intersection at least twice a day – people are constantly jolting forwards and pulling out in front of us.”
Local firefighters agree that it’s a problem corner, though they attribute many of the crashes to driver error with one local firefighter stating they “hate the intersection. There are warning signs everywhere, but drivers don’t see them.”
Inverloch Fire Brigade Captain Shane Maskell agrees.
“If drivers can’t take notice of the signs already there, they won’t take notice of more signage – flashing or not,” Captain Maskell said.
“It comes down to driver awareness. Tourists may not be aware of roads locally, but locals are becoming complacent.
“Recently, over peak holiday season, two mid-20s drivers were drag racing up and down Sandymount Avenue in Inverloch. They didn’t care.”
According to Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, Ambulance Victoria data on rural road emergencies highlights the deteriorating state of regional roads and the parallel spike in serious road trauma.
“Intersections like Lynnes Road and Inverloch-Kongwak Road have known safety issues that are exacerbated during holiday periods,” Ms Bath said.
“In 2022, Bass Coast Council conducted a speed limit review on Lynnes Road to assess and address safety issues for Wattle Bank residents.
“The intersection is eligible for black spot funding, yet the Allan Government has turned a blind eye.
“I, like many locals want to see public safety improved at this dangerous intersection.”
According to the Department of Transport and Planning, Side Road Activated Speed signs were installed at the intersection in 2020, along with some improvements to signage, road markings, and pavement. The department states they “continue to regularly maintain” vegetation at the intersection to enhance safety.
“Everybody has a role to play in ensuring our roads are safe, and we always encourage drivers to drive to conditions and obey all signage,” Beth Liley, Executive Director (Gippsland Region) Department of Transport and Planning said.
"We are constantly monitoring our roads and looking into ways we can improve safety for everyone using them.”
There were no recorded injury crashes at this intersection in the five years leading up to June 30, 2024, according to the department. However, they have been made aware of two recent crashes – on December 2, 2024, and January 14, 2025 – which Victoria Police are now investigating.
Victoria Police confirmed officers attended two reported collisions at the intersection in 2024, but acknowledged that many more likely go unreported if police presence is not required. Between 2013 and 2019, five serious crashes were recorded, including one fatality on May 7, 2014.
Furthermore, the Department of Transport and Planning stated that it is “continually monitoring” the safety of this intersection and will work with the local council and Victoria Police to consider potential safety upgrades in the future.
But according to Mr Hurst, “anything is better than what we’ve got – rumble strips, a flashing sign on Lynnes Road of cars approaching the intersection on Inverloch-Kongwak Road.”
“It’s going to end up with more fatalities if nothing’s done.”
Bass Coast Shire Council has not responded to questions regarding vegetation along Lynnes Road.
Side Road Activated Speed Signs
The Department of Transport and Planning stated to The Sentinel-Times last week that the Side Road Activated Speed Signs were last inspected on December 27, with crews resetting the signs and noting they were in ‘good working order’.
Crews were set to re-inspect the signs last week following concerns from community members.
“We encourage members of the public to report concerns with the road network by calling our hotline on 13 11 70.”
Lucky to be alive
KIM Cross is lucky to be alive after surviving a terrifying car accident on December 2 at the intersection of Inverloch-Kongwak Road and Lynnes Road, Wattle Bank.
“For over 10 years, I’ve travelled this road daily, commuting to and from work without incident,” Ms Cross explained.
“However, on that afternoon (December 2, 2024), around 4.45pm, my routine journey home from Korumburra to Inverloch turned into a life-threatening experience.
“I was driving along the bitumen, slowing down to 70 km/h as I approached the light indicators when I suddenly caught a glimpse of a gold car in my peripheral vision.
“Before I could react, the car struck me at full speed from the side, coming from the dirt road at an estimated 100 km/h.”
The impact sent Ms Cross’ vehicle spinning before it crashed into a tree on the driver’s side. The force resulted in significant injuries, including a fractured right collarbone, four broken ribs, and a dissection of an artery in her neck.
“Thanks to the quick actions of a courageous off-duty paramedic who happened to be a witness, I was able to receive immediate assistance before emergency services arrived.
“This individual remained calm under pressure, ensuring the car was safely turned off, checked my limbs, and stabilised me for the paramedics. Despite the severe damage to my vehicle, which left me trapped against the tree, I was eventually freed by the fire department and SES personnel.”
Due to the severity of Ms Cross’ injuries, she was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where she was assessed for neck and spinal damage.
“I am thankful that, despite the seriousness of my injuries, I did not suffer permanent damage in those areas. However, I’ve had to take seven weeks off work to recover, undergo extensive physiotherapy and (have) numerous scans.”
For Ms Cross, the accident is a stark reminder of how dangerous this intersection has become.
“The combination of high-speed traffic, limited visibility, and poorly designed road access puts all drivers at risk. My car was written off, and the driver of the other vehicle has since been charged.
“I am lucky to be alive, but not everyone will be as fortunate unless we take action.
“Ben Hurst, who assisted in this accident, has also been involved in a similar incident. I urge the local council and relevant authorities to address the safety hazards at this intersection before more lives are impacted.
“The people who use this road every day deserve to feel safe, and it’s time for change, especially the dirt road, even just speed bumps to slow people down and keep on top of tree growth for visibility.”
The scarred tree that Ms Cross' vehicle collided with stood visible at the scene of Mr Hurst’s accident on January 14.
“I want to express my gratitude to Officer Joshua Hill, who assisted my daughter during this traumatic event, as well as to the paramedics, the fire department, and the SES for their life-saving work.”
Kim and Ben were lucky, as have the other drivers who have narrowly escaped disaster at this intersection. But luck isn’t a safety measure, and it’s only a matter of time before someone doesn’t make it home.