Speed camera gets red light after typo
May 23rd, 2009 by admin
TRANSPORT officials have been left red-faced after announcing fixed speed cameras were to be installed on the Warrego Highway at Rosewood and Muirlea.
Although Rosewood residents were delighted with the news, they have now learnt that no such camera will be installed in their community.
An incorrect press release issued by the State Government should have said a camera was instead destined for Redwood, in the Toowoomba Range.
Ipswich City Councillor David Pahlke said he was outraged by the bungled announcement.
“When I first heard a speed camera was going in, I thought they meant (at) the Haigslea-Amberley intersection, which is a death trap,” Cr Pahlke said.
“I know Rosewood isn’t on the Warrego Highway, but when I first heard it I thought that’s where it was going to go because of all the speeding there because it is the closest town.”
Mr Pahlke said he did not blame Premier Anna Bligh for the mistake but was concerned an error slipped through.
“I’m disappointed to find a typing error from the minister’s office and I do blame the highly paid public servants (who) got it wrong,” he said.
Mr Pahlke said a fixed speed camera at the Haigslea-Amberley intersection could have improved safety at the deadly intersection.
“Perhaps they should honour what they originally announced,” he said.
Despite the error, one fixed speed camera will still be installed on the eastbound lanes of the Warrego Highway at Muirlea between Pine Mountain and Waterworks roads before July.
Cr Cheryl Bromage said although the news was welcome the location was puzzling.
“There have not been a lot of crashes on that section of road but obviously police have data to support the installation,” Cr Bromage said.
A Queensland Transport spokesman said there were 22 recorded crashes on the Warrego Highway at Muirlea between 2002 and the end of 2007 including 16 hospitalisations and one fatality on February 25, 2006.