Darwin City council proposes lower speed limits across CBD streets

Darwin City council is seeking public opinion on a blanket speed limit reduction across the CBD. Have your say in our reader poll.

Darwin City Council is reviewing speed limits, with a 40km/h restriction across the CBD under consideration. Picture: Elise Derwin

Darwin city speed limits could be slashed with the council proposing a 40km/h rule across the CBD.

The majority of the city’s streets currently have a 50km/h speed limit.

However City of Darwin mayor Kon Vatskalis said a recent council report showed 85 per cent of city motorists were already travelling slower than that limit.

“Although the CBD speed limit is 50km/h our study showed drivers are already driving to the conditions and driving below the speed limit,” he said.

“While states like Western Australia, NSW and Victoria have reduced speed limits we don’t think a 30km/h speed limit would be suitable for Darwin.”

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the council’s review of CBD speed limits would play into the possible creation of designated bike lanes. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

Mr Vatskalis also said the council was considering the introduction of designated bicycle lanes in the CBD.

“More people are riding bikes to work nowadays and it’s something we want to encourage because it fits with City of Darwin’s aim for a cleaner greener city,” he said.

“But we have to find a way of safely accommodating bike riders in our road safety mix.”

The City of Darwin is seeking feedback on three different zones, with survey respondents asked whether they support a 40km/h rule in the blue zone or blue and yellow zones combined.

Survey respondents can also indicate whether they approve the 40km/h limit extended to the CBD boundaries of the Esplanade, Daly, Bennett and Herbert streets, as well as McMinn Street – including the section that is currently 60km/h.

The City of Darwin is considering lowering the speed limit throughout the CBD, asking residents whether they would like it lowered to 40km/h in the orange, yellow or blue zones. Map: City of Darwin

A council report states low-speed streets have proven benefits including “low crime levels, more physically active residents (and) greater social connectedness”.

The speed reduction is also expected to boost spending in local businesses while reducing carbon emissions, according to the report.

“The proposed reduction aims to make way for diverse modes of transport such as more bike paths and extended business activations including parklets, which use council car park spaces and shared areas for dining and other business and social activities,” the report reads.

Community consultation is open until April 14.

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Originally published as Darwin City council proposes lower speed limits across CBD streets