FAQs

The community raised concerns about speeding vehicles and requested the introduction of a 40km/h area speed limit.

Speed is a major factor contributing to road accidents. Lowering the speed limit can reduce the number and severity of crashes. Lower speeds give all road users more time to react to avoid a collision. If a crash does occur, lower speeds reduce the severity of an injury or death to pedestrians and bike riders. Lower speed limits are proven to have an immediate impact on crashes. They also create a better environment for residents and encourage more people to walk and ride. When people feel safer on local streets, they are more likely to spend more time on the street.

A 40 km/h speed limit has the potential to:

• save lives
• prevent or reduce the number and severity of accidents
• create a safer environment for cyclists
• improve safety for pedestrians
• maintain the existing road environment (no need for road humps, driveway links or other traffic calming devices)
• improve the amenity of your neighbourhood with reduced vehicle noise
• decrease through traffic.

All of these benefits without impacting motorist travel times.

There would be minimal impact of lower vehicle speeds on travel times. Travel time is more likely to be increased by stopping at intersections, congestion, short street lengths and on-street parking. Delays experienced by drivers due to a speed limit change would be minimal and is outweighed by improved safety benefit.

The results from this engagement will be collated and a report will be presented to Council to help inform their decision regarding the proposed introduction of a 40 km/h area speed limit to Cumberland Park, Daw Park and Colonel Light Gardens West.

The first step of the project is to seek your views on a 40 km/h speed limit on residential streets within the Cumberland Park, Daw Park and Colonel Gardens West area. Following consultation a report will be presented to Council on the outcomes of the engagement and the recommendations. A proposal may then be developed for review by the community and key stakeholders prior to seeking approval from the Minister for Transport for a change in speed limit. If supported by the community, the Council, and the Minister for Transport, the process for implementation may take 3 -6 months.

The Council must follow the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) Speed Limit Guidelines when considering speed limit changes. Under these guidelines, a 40km/h area-wide speed limit can only be proposed in specific areas that meet certain criteria.

One key requirement is that the area must be bounded by arterial, collector, distributor, or other major roads. This means that a 40km/h speed limit cannot be applied across the entire Council area but can only be considered within smaller, defined precincts.

Additionally, the guidelines state that the average speeds on all ‘relevant streets’ within the proposed area must be less than 10 km/h above the suggested speed limit. In other words, if most vehicles are already travelling at speeds close to 40km/h, a speed limit reduction is more likely to be supported. However, if the existing mean speed is significantly higher, additional traffic-calming measures or further assessments may be required before a lower speed limit can be considered.

Before recommending a speed reduction in any area, the Council must undertake a detailed assessment of current traffic conditions, including vehicle speeds and other relevant factors outlined in the DIT guidelines. This ensures that any proposed changes are justified, align with state regulations, and contribute to a safer and more efficient road network for all road users.

As Winston Avenue and Edward Street are considered distributor roads the speed limits will remain 50km/h.

As part of the upgrade of the Winston Avenue and Caulfield Avenue intersection it is proposed that the speed limit is reduced to 40km/h on both approaches to the intersection within 100 to 200 metres.

For more information please visit the Your Say page.