Estate residents want hoon crackdown

A group of angry Emerald Park estate residents in Wellard say they are fed up with hoons tearing up and down their street and have started a petition urging the City of Kwinana to introduce traffic-calming measures.

Residents on Crystal Terrace say their street, used as a thoroughfare for speeding and reckless drivers, has become a “ticking time bomb” and they fear for the safety of families and young children.

According to residents, Crystal Terrace had become the major entry point into Emerald Estate from Johnson Road because it was the first point of entry for motorists coming off the Kwinana Freeway at Mortimer Road.

Colin Walpole said the hoon problem had getting worse on a daily basis since he moved into his property in February.

“The coppers would have a field day down here,” Mr Walpole said.

“If you put a camera down the side of road you would pick up at least 20 speeders per day.

“I would say 50 per cent of the blocks in the estate aren’t even occupied yet, so you can imagine what it’s going to be like when it’s full.”

Member for Kwinana Roger Cook wrote to the City of Kwinana in April to voice his concerns over pedestrian and driver safety.

Despite the claims from residents, Mayor Carol Adams said the City of Kwinana had completed an investigation of the traffic, finding the average operating speed to be within the posted limit.

“Between April 26 and May 9, 2016, the City installed traffic counters on Crystal Terrace to monitor the speed and volume of the vehicles,” Cr Adams said.

“This survey found more than 95 per cent of traffic was within or below the speed limit of 50km/h, meaning the road does not qualify for traffic-calming works at this time.”

Labor candidate for Baldivis Reece Whitby said the street was full of families with young kids.

“Front yards are small and only slightly set back from the road,” he said.

“I fear it is only a matter of time before a young child runs out onto the road and is hit by the car.”

The City urged residents who witnessed instances of hooning to report them.

“The City encourages that this be reported immediately to police on 131 444 or through the Traffic Complaint Report on the WA Police website,” Cr Adams said.