A BIRKDALE homeowner is calling for urgent safety improvements at a local roundabout after a late-night crash caused extensive damage to his property and left him and his wife shaken.
Bernard Trebilco, whose home is located on Mary Pleasant Drive, said the incident occurred about 9.30pm on February 13 when a vehicle drove straight over the roundabout near his property.
The car crashed directly into his large brick fence, causing significant damage.
The force destroyed a sliding gate, a personal gate, two brick pillars, and an automatic gate system.
Debris from the crash also damaged a garage door and struck a parked car inside the property.
Despite the severity of the crash, the two occupants of the vehicle reportedly walked away with minimal injuries.
The driver allegedly fled the scene, and Mr Trebilco said police did not arrive until 12.30am the following morning.
According to Mr Trebilco, when they attempted to locate the driver, police were unable to find him.
“The insurance company is still working on it, but I’d estimate the damage to be between $50,000 and $60,000 – maybe more,” Mr Trebilco said.
“It’s incredibly frustrating, especially because we’ve raised concerns about safety before.”
In 2021, Mr Trebilco and his wife approached the Redland City Council with concerns about the safety of the roundabout, but they claim their concerns were dismissed.
They are now renewing calls for improvements, specifically asking for measures to be put in place to prevent similar incidents.
“We just wish the Council would listen to us and put something in the middle of the roundabout to stop this from happening,” Mr Trebilco said.
“Anything to alter the roundabout to make it safer for us exiting and entering our home.”
A spokesperson for Redland City Council acknowledged the incident but attributed it to speeding and hooning – matters for the Queensland Police Service.
The Council stated that if it received a Traffic Investigation Report from Queensland Police Service, any recommended safety improvements would be implemented as required.
“At this stage, Council has not received a Traffic Investigation Report for the Mary Pleasant Drive incident
but has requested the information,” the spokesperson said.
“Council urges all motorists to drive safely, to conditions and in accordance with the road rules.”
All hooning behaviour in the Redland City area should be reported to the Queensland Police Service through the Hoon Hotline at 134 666 or Policelink at 131 444.
