Five people died in a crash at the intersection of Labuan Rd and the Murray Valley Hwy near Strathmerton on April 20, after a car allegedly drove through a ‘give way’ sign on Labuan Rd, hitting a ute which was then involved in a collision with a truck on the highway.
Until this week, the preferred route that would be shown on Google Maps to take motorists between Shepparton and Cobram would suggest taking them down Labuan Rd.
Since the crash — the second fatal one at this same intersection in 14 months — there has been much said in online community groups and from community leaders about how Labuan Rd should not be the preferred route.
Moira Shire Council acting chief executive Joshua Lewis said Google contacted the council to discuss the route that traffic should take only a couple of business days after the accident occurred.
“They reached out to us. They were very proactive about it,” Mr Lewis said.
“We’re rapt they did extend the olive branch.”
He said the council wanted to discourage the use of Labuan Rd for the majority of people travelling from Cobram to Shepparton.
“From council’s perspective, the best road is the Goulburn Valley Hwy,” Mr Lewis said.
There is also the option of driving on Benalla-Tocumwal Rd, before turning on to Katamatite-Nathalia Rd and then Katamatite-Shepparton Rd.
A check on Google Maps at a few different times on Thursday found that this was the option Google was now showing as the best one.
Mr Lewis said both were better options for drivers than taking Labuan Rd.
“They are all arterial roads. They are better than a local road.
“They have better safety features.”
Mr Lewis was pleased that Labuan Rd was no longer shown on Google Maps as the main option to travel.
Google was contacted for comment.
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