City of Nedlands held on to $1.5m for roundabout metres away from fatal Dalkeith car crash

The City of Nedlands is sitting on more than $1.5 million in Federal funding to build a speed-reducing roundabout just metres from the site of the devastating Dalkeith car crash that claimed the life of student Elizabeth Pearce. The West Australian can reveal the roundabout installation was supposed to go ahead late last year, was fully funded and had progressed to detailed design stage before the project was delayed due to “staffing issues”. Ms Pearce died on February 15 after Perth obstetrician Rhys Bellinge allegedly drove his Jaguar on the wrong side of Birdwood Parade in Dalkeith and slammed into the Uber she was a passenger in. Police allege Dr Bellinge had been drinking and driving erratically leading up to the crash, speeding on the nearby suburban streets of The Avenue, Jutland Parade and Bruce Street. The City of Nedlands had successfully applied for Black Spot funding worth $1,549,200 for road safety measures in the area, including a roundabout at The Avenue and Birdwood Parade intersection. A spokesman told The West Australian that while design work began immediately after the council approved its annual budget last August, because of staffing issues the roundabout now may not be completed until the end of this year. “The city experienced and it is still experiencing significant staffing challenges which affected this and other projects,” the spokesman said. “The detailed design phase commenced in September 2024 and the construction works were then scheduled to be completed by the end of the financial year. “The administration has secured an extension of time approval, which extends the grant funding until the end of December 2025. “This extension allows the city to deliver the project by the end of 2025 without any loss of grant funding.” Police allege Dr Bellinge drove through the intersection at more than 130km/h before colliding with an Uber containing driver Muhammad Usman and his passenger Ms Pearce. Mr Usman was seriously injured. There had been 17 previously reported crashes in The Avenue in the five years to last September, with medical treatment required at three. According to local residents and Nedlands councillors, speeding in the area has been an ongoing issue, with some claiming the stretch has been a “sports car speedway” for years. “This has actually been a very big issue for a very long time, and there have been many many residents actually contacting us over the years about this,” Cr Noel Youngman said last September during a council meeting discussion to give the roundabout project the green light. “There’s certain individuals in very expensive and very loud cars that like to use The Avenue as a racetrack.” Councillor Fergus Bennett added: “Many residents have contacted me over the years asking for traffic calming along The Avenue, something basically that just mirrored what the City of Perth has done on their side of The Avenue. “I live within earshot of The Avenue and I can tell you it is non-stop speeding motorcyclists, sports cars, you name it.” Hundreds of mourners, including the injured Uber driver, gathered at Ms Peace’s funeral last Thursday to commemorate the life of the UWA graduate. Mr Bellinge has been charged with manslaughter over her death, dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Usman and driving under the influence. He remains in custody at the maximum-security Casuarina Prison and is next due in court later this month. Ms Pearce’s family have set up the Elizabeth Pearce Marine Science Fund in honour of their daughter. To donate visit uwa.edu.au/oceans-institute.