During the period 2017 to 2021 inclusive, a total of 46 crashes occurred at the Kensington Road / George Street / Giles Street intersection. Of these, 17 crashes resulted in an injury and included 9 right-angle and 5 right-turn type crashes. An investigation to develop design options to deliver improved road safety outcomes at the intersection was undertaken by Council, and a preferred design option was identified. Council was successful in obtaining funding via the 2024-2025 Commonwealth Infrastructure Investment Black Spot Program to deliver the preferred option in order to significantly reduce crashes at the intersection.

A wide centre median will be installed on Kensington Road to prevent right-turn and through movements for vehicles travelling to and from George Street and Giles Street. The median will also provide separate refuges for pedestrians and cyclists crossing Kensington Road. Minor widening of Kensington Road will be undertaken to cater for the installation of the centre median. This will include the provision of new kerbs and kerb ramps, the relocation of 3 side-entry drainage pits, the construction of a new side-entry drainage pit and minor pavement works. Pedestrian refuges and cyclist storage areas will also be constructed in the centre of George Street and Giles Street to allow staged crossing of these roads to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety.

A pedestrian or cyclist refuge is a designated, safe area within a road, such as a break in raised island, where pedestrians and cyclists can pause while crossing, allowing them to cross one direction of traffic at a time and reducing the risk of collisions.

Early investigative works to locate underground utility services infrastructure will be undertaken prior to construction works to support safe and efficient delivery. The median construction works are expected to commence in early 2026 and will take approximately 4 months to complete. The Council is engaging with local stakeholders and residents to limit the impact of construction activities on local businesses and residents where possible while ensuring the safety of workers and road users.

The construction works to upgrade the intersection will require traffic restrictions at different times throughout the project’s delivery. We will be working closely with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and the selected Contractor to derive a construction approach that manages access requirements and minimises impacts to peak hour traffic flows.

No, there will not be any changes to the speed limits on Kensington Road, George Street and Giles Street. Kensington Road will remain at 60km/hr, and George Street and Giles Street will remain at 40km/hr.

Vehicle and pedestrian access to residential properties will always be maintained throughout construction.

To construct the new kerb and water table on George Street, 2 street trees will be removed. Council will replace the street trees during it’s Annual Tree Planting Program following completion of the project.