Residents in Hastings are calling on Mornington Peninsula Shire to install speed humps in residential streets, saying the measures are needed to slow traffic and reduce hooning behaviour in the area.
A local resident, Bethany, told STPL News the concerns extend across the West Park neighbourhood, with particular attention drawn to the intersection of Ardent Court and Curacoa Drive. She said vehicles regularly take the corner at speed, including traffic coming from nearby streets such as Onslow Court.
“The intersection that we’re talking about is Ardent Court and Curacoa Drive Hastings.”
“People continue to speed around the corner from Onslow Court Hastings.”
Bethany said residents want Council to implement speed humps and other traffic calming measures throughout residential streets to discourage hooning and improve safety for families, older residents and people with disability who regularly walk through the area. She said residents believe the roads involved are Council-managed and should be assessed by the Shire.
Calls for safer pedestrian crossings on Frankston-Flinders Road
Residents are also calling for improved pedestrian crossing infrastructure along Frankston–Flinders Road, particularly near Cool Store Road, outside the Ford dealership area, and near Hodgins Road, close to the United Service Station and King Creek Hotel.
Bethany told STPL News she believes the only pedestrian crossing lights in Hastings are located near McDonald’s, leaving long stretches of Frankston–Flinders Road without a safe, signalled crossing point.
She said she has contacted Transport Victoria seeking additional pedestrian lights and was told:
“We don’t believe it is necessary at this time.”
Residents are now asking the Shire to advocate on their behalf to the state road authority for additional pedestrian crossings along the road.
Local Hastings MP less than helpful
Bethany told STPL News she has contacted Hastings MP Paul Mercurio seeking support on road safety and broader safety issues such as crime. She claims she, along with other residents, that Mr Mercurio has blocked them on Facebook and refuses to engage them via email after raising concerns such as crime and safety.
STPL News can confirm that our own Facebook page was blocked by Mercurio following coverage of a community protest earlier this year following an incident at Somerville Central involving three youths brandishing an imitation firearm at shoppers.
The member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio MP, has developed a reputation of blocking residents who ask difficult questions around crime and safety. This is an interesting tactic for the first term MP in a marginal seat to take.
The next state election is on the 28th of November 2026, less than 12 months away.
Response from Cr Michael Stephens
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor Cr Michael Stephens told STPL News he has welcomed the concerns raised by locals.
“I thank the residents of West Park for getting in touch,” Cr Stephens said.
Cr Stephens said he will be getting in contact with residents to discuss speed calming measures in the West Park area.
Regarding pedestrian safety on Frankston–Flinders Road, Cr Stephens said he will write to the Member for Hastings and advocate for a pedestrian crossing near the King Creek Hotel.
Residents with information, correspondence with authorities, or views on road safety in Hastings are invited to contact STPL News via email on contact@stplnews.com.au.
They are not spped humps. to be politically correct they are called traffic calming devices