Speed Limits through Townships in the Shire

Speed Limits through Townships in the Shire
YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES – 09/02/10 10

Throughout the municipality there are varying speed limits on our roads that are

determined based upon criteria established by VicRoads. Over recent years continued

advocacy has occurred with VicRoads, on behalf of the community, for lower speed limits

through township centres. Whilst VicRoads has supported speed limit reductions for a

number of areas, the townships of Belgrave South, Coldstream, Montrose, Millgrove, Mt

Evelyn, Mount Dandenong, Selby, Tecoma, Wandin North, Woori Yallock and Yarra Glen

presently have a speed limit of 60 km/h through the shopping precinct. VicRoads have

previously been refused a lower speed limit for these townships on the basis of them not

meeting criteria associated with their speed limit guidelines.

VicRoads criteria for a lower speed limit in rural and outer metropolitan town centres

require:

· There is continuous and directly abutting, predominately retail development on both

sides of the road for not less than 200m (or majority of car parking is on the opposite

side of the road);

· There is frequent movement of pedestrians across the road;

· There is kerbside parking resulting in frequent parking manoeuvring;

· There is support from the local community and municipal Council; and

· There are any pedestrian casualty crashes.

It is considered that the inconsistent approach for providing safer and lower speed limits

for shopping centre precincts within township centres creates confusion for motorists who

do not readily distinguish between the need to slow down in one township compared to

others.

It is therefore recommended that Council write to the Minister for Roads and Ports seeking a review of the VicRoads speed limit guidelines such that consideration is given to improving safety within all township centres throughout the municipality.

Moved: Cr Dunn

Seconded: Cr Warren

That:


1. Council writes to the Minister for Roads and Ports, The Hon Tim Pallas, with a copy
to local MPs, to request a review of the Vic Roads guidelines for outer metropolitan
townships as this criteria does not take into account the specific safety needs and
infrastructure constraints for communities in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.


2. The review particularly takes into account the townships of Belgrave South,
Coldstream, Montrose, Millgrove, Mt Evelyn, Mount Dandenong, Selby, Tecoma,
Wandin North, Woori Yallock and Yarra Glen which have not previously qualified for
a 50km/h speed limit under the current guidelines.


The motion was carried