Vic Park proceed in move to lower city speed limit to 40km/h
City staff recommended the council approve proceeding to the third stage of the 40km/h Safer Speeds Project based on engagements, information gathering and research studies.
At the council meeting on Tuesday night, Councillor Jesse Hamer spoke in opposition of the implementation, stating he read a lot of opposition in community submissions regarding the implementation of speed reductions in any parts of the town.
Mayor Karen Vernon referred to how the City of Vincent implemented their speed reductions, siting that once it got underway it mitigated a lot of the communities concerns.
Only Cr Hamer voted against the item, and it was carried.
In April last year, the town engaged in project planning, began funding applications for signage and the preliminary stages of design, and in October held a concept forum where it assessed the City of Vincent's implementation of a lower speed limit.
Between August 2024 and July this year, the town held council briefings, community engagement and analysis.
Overall, 439 people responded, with most saying their choice of transport in the area was by car.
Although there was overall support for safer roads, some respondents shared doubts around the effectiveness of speed reductions and called for local evidence to support the need for the speed change, as well as requesting incorporating other road safety measures, while sharing additional concerns regarding congestion and longer travel times.
There was support for speed reductions on streets around schools, parks and shopping areas, rather than on high-volume roads, with fears a speed reduction could cause excessive delays to commute times. The town considered that a 20 per cent reduction in speed limits results in a 200 per cent increase in likelihood of surviving a collision. Credit: Victoria Park
The third stage includes preparation of an evaluation framework, data collection on local roads and community engagement, confirmation of a Perth Inner City Group funding application to the Road Safety Commission, implementation of communication plan and branding, signage design, and approval application with Main Roads WA.
'Staff have confidence the project offers significant benefit to community safety, satisfactory community support, with strong community engagement at this early stage.' the report said.
According to the report, the town has an 'endorsed position to support' further reductions, which would slow motorists down to 30km/h in activity centres, however 'area-wide reductions to 30km/h are not within the scope of this project'.
It said it would be more financially efficient to reduce speeds at the same time as other PICG councils, costing around $600,000, but if it was delayed it would cost about $950,000.
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Perth Now
18-07-2025
- Perth Now
Vic Park proceed in move to lower city speed limit to 40km/h
The Town of Victoria Park will be proceeding to the next stage to cut speeds on local roads, joining a growing number of councils taking part in a 40km/h road project. City staff recommended the council approve proceeding to the third stage of the 40km/h Safer Speeds Project based on engagements, information gathering and research studies. At the council meeting on Tuesday night, Councillor Jesse Hamer spoke in opposition of the implementation, stating he read a lot of opposition in community submissions regarding the implementation of speed reductions in any parts of the town. Mayor Karen Vernon referred to how the City of Vincent implemented their speed reductions, siting that once it got underway it mitigated a lot of the communities concerns. Only Cr Hamer voted against the item, and it was carried. In April last year, the town engaged in project planning, began funding applications for signage and the preliminary stages of design, and in October held a concept forum where it assessed the City of Vincent's implementation of a lower speed limit. Between August 2024 and July this year, the town held council briefings, community engagement and analysis. Overall, 439 people responded, with most saying their choice of transport in the area was by car. Although there was overall support for safer roads, some respondents shared doubts around the effectiveness of speed reductions and called for local evidence to support the need for the speed change, as well as requesting incorporating other road safety measures, while sharing additional concerns regarding congestion and longer travel times. There was support for speed reductions on streets around schools, parks and shopping areas, rather than on high-volume roads, with fears a speed reduction could cause excessive delays to commute times. The town considered that a 20 per cent reduction in speed limits results in a 200 per cent increase in likelihood of surviving a collision. Credit: Victoria Park The third stage includes preparation of an evaluation framework, data collection on local roads and community engagement, confirmation of a Perth Inner City Group funding application to the Road Safety Commission, implementation of communication plan and branding, signage design, and approval application with Main Roads WA. 'Staff have confidence the project offers significant benefit to community safety, satisfactory community support, with strong community engagement at this early stage.' the report said. According to the report, the town has an 'endorsed position to support' further reductions, which would slow motorists down to 30km/h in activity centres, however 'area-wide reductions to 30km/h are not within the scope of this project'. It said it would be more financially efficient to reduce speeds at the same time as other PICG councils, costing around $600,000, but if it was delayed it would cost about $950,000.
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02-07-2025
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