Family outraged as WA transport authority moves to relocate memorial
On a rainy June afternoon in 2020, 16-year-old Tyler Hastie attempted to cross a busy highway in the South West of Western Australia. He didn’t survive the crossing, and since then a white cross has stood near Jaymon Road on Bussell Highway in Stratham, about 185 kilometres south of Perth. For five years, Tyler’s memorial has been a quiet, stubborn landmark in a region known for its road danger and ongoing highway works.
Safety concerns prompt a plan to relocate
Western Australia’s Main Roads Authority has signalled plans to remove and relocate the memorial, insisting that the current location poses a serious safety risk for anyone stopping to pay respects or crossing live traffic. A spokesperson stressed that the decision is not about aesthetics but about safeguarding visitors and motorists on a busy corridor undergoing the Bussell Highway duplication project.
According to Main Roads WA, the agency has a duty to balance compassion for road-crash families with public safety as traffic conditions evolve and roadworks continue along the corridor. The authority said it would work with the Hastie family to identify a suitable relocation site that maintains the memorial’s purpose without compromising safety.
Family reaction: a request to leave things as they are
Tyler’s father, Robert Hastie, voiced a deeply personal plea: “How would you feel if it was your daughter, your son, your family member, that you want to uproot and disrespect and move?” The Hastie family says the memorial is a permanent, tangible reminder of their loss and a place to grieve. Tyler’s grandfather, Brian Hastie, recalled a “funny, cheeky” boy who loved the Harry Potter universe and was taken too soon.
The family maintains that the memorial has already endured years of weather, roadworks and seasonal wear. Their stance is not only about memory; it is about the psychological safety and continuity that a roadside memorial provides for families and friends who need to grieve in a familiar, personal space.
Why road authorities worry about roadside memorials
Authorities emphasize that roadside memorials can become safety hazards as they attract visitors to an active traffic area. The plan to relocate is grounded in policy that aims to reduce risks of pedestrians stepping into traffic or halting other vehicles near high-speed roads.
Supporters of the relocation policy argue that safe, designated sites are essential to prevent additional tragedy while still preserving the memory of loved ones. The policy is informed by inputs from WA Police and the Road Safety Commission and adheres to Main Roads WA’s Roadside Memorial Policy when considering relocation or removal.
The emotional and community impact
Beyond policy, the debate highlights the dual trauma experienced by families who lose loved ones on the road. Grieving families often depend on memorials as focal points for remembrance and healing. Tarryn Sanford, who runs Heart Hub South West, notes that a memorial can be a place to cry, reflect and feel connected to the deceased. For some families, moving a memorial can feel like erasing a moment of their loss, worsening feelings of trauma and in some cases forcing a painful relocation of memory.
Locally, the case has drawn sympathy from residents who value the memorial as a community landmark and a reminder of road safety. As the Bussell Highway duplication continues, the question remains: how can authorities protect both the living and the deceased without compromising the memories that families hold dear?
A path forward for Tyler’s memorial
Officials say they will engage with the Hastie family to identify a respectful relocation site. Ideally, the new site would offer visibility for visitors while minimizing risk to road users. Stakeholders hope a constructive compromise can honor Tyler’s memory and maintain the region’s commitment to road safety.
For the Hastie family, the memorial represents more than a roadside symbol. It is a memory anchor, a quiet witness to their loss, and a reminder to drivers to slow down and reflect on the human costs of road travel.
Conclusion
As WA authorities navigate safety concerns and family grief, the outcome will test how communities balance compassion with public safety. The Hastie family’s plea to preserve Tyler’s memory underscores the enduring impact of road trauma on families and communities across Western Australia.
