50kph well overdue
report from the roundtable - 9 feb
For many years now, I have campaigned to get speed limits through our townships lowered to 50kph. In the four and a half years as a Yarra Ranges councillor, out of a total of 13 towns the shire has campaigned for we have successfully gained 50kph zones in only TWO townships. The townships we still want a 50kph zone for are Belgrave South, Coldstream, Montrose, Millgrove, Mt Evelyn, Mount Dandenong, Selby, Tecoma, Wandin North, Woori Yallock and Yarra Glen.
To say I'm frustrated would be an understatement. In our last attempt to make our townships safer back in April, 2008, the Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas, said that our townships didn't meet the Vic Roads guidelines in that there is not continuous retail development on both sides of the roads for at least 200 metres.
It is obvious that the guidelines do not take into the unique situation of Yarra Ranges. We have challenging topographies, reduced sightlines, rural roads, increased traffic volumes and an increased numbers of pedestrians. Because of our unique situation at Yarra Ranges I moved a motion calling for the Minister to review the guidelines as they do not take into account the specific safety needs and infrastructure constraints for communities in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Motion:
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.
Councillors voted unanimously in support of the motion.
Do we have to wait for a tragedy before anything is done? Our community has long asked for these changes to speed limits. Given the Shire's poor road fatality record (the worst in the state) I would have thought that slowing traffic would be an easy ask of Vic Roads and the Minister.
I look forward to a positive response from the Minister and special consideration of our unique situation.
If you'd like to help, you can. If you live in a town where you want a lower speed limit write your own letter to the Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, and I'd really like a copy too (s.dunn@yarraranges.vic.gov.au).
Labels: 50km/h, cr samantha dunn, pedestrian safety, speed limits in towns
posted by Samantha Dunn @ 11:03 PM
2 Comments:
Samantha, I don't think it's particularly needed for Mount Dandenong village. Unlike nearby villages like Sassafras and Olinda (which already have the 50kph), Mount Dandenong doesn't have a school or kindergarten in the middle of it (or close to the centre of it) and doesn't have tourist shops on both sides of the road, meaning people aren't constantly crossing over as they do in Sassafras or Olinda.
The real problem in Mount Dandenong, as I see it, is the existing 60kph on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road just outside Lady Hawke cafe, where there is a school crossing. Many drivers drive much too fast at that point, and the lollipop lady has almost been hit by drivers braking at the last minute as they come round the bend and find themselves upon the school crossing. Because the school isn't actually on that road (it's in a side street), the usual 40kph doesn't apply to it - but kids do cross there, and it is quite dangerous.
Liz (Gabe's mum)
Hi Liz, this is another issue we recognise at Yarra Ranges. There are a few schools in the same boat as Mount Dandenong Primary with 'remote' school crossings (that's the official term). The Shire has been advocating for a 40kph zone for these sites for the very reasons you outline. Cheers and thanks for the comments. Samantha
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