Moreland Council scraps plan to reduce speed limit to 30km/h in Brunswick and Coburg

A POTENTIAL policy to reduce speeds to 30km/h in inner north streets has been scrapped despite a local councillor saying the rejection of the plan ‘disturbs me greatly’.

Nicholson St, Coburg is one street that could have been slowed down by speed limit advocacy from Moreland Council. Picture: Mark Dadswell

A PLAN to introduce 30km/h speed limits in Moreland has been thrown out by the council as part of a contentious debate.

Two actions in the draft Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy called for a gradual roll out of the limit on roads, beginning with the southern suburbs, and advocating for reduced speed limits on arterial roads.

An amendment from North West Ward councillor Helen Davidson at last week’s meeting to remove those two actions was passed 5-4, despite passionate pleas of support from multiple councillors.

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Neighbouring Yarra Council will trial the limit later this year, while multiple European cities have similar rules in place.

“To move this motion now, which actually moves against the input of our community, actually disturbs me greatly,” South Ward councillor Mark Riley said.

“This process is going to go through another iteration of democracy, engagement, consultation and to take these options out of this report actually removes a whole shift in our city that other cities are taking.”

Residents have argued for speed reductions on Nicholson St, Coburg. Picture; Mark Dadswell

Cr Dale Martin agreed, arguing the limit would remove rat running in residential streets.

Cr Annalivia Carli Hannan said any decisions to slow down cars further should be made following the completion of the council’s current plan to introduce 40km/h limits throughout the city, a project that is about 40 per cent complete.

Before the meeting, RACV mobility advocacy manager Dave Jones told the Moreland Leader a blanket 30km/h limit was not supported by the RACV.

“The RACV’s current policy is a blend of 60, 50 and 40km/h limits on Melbourne’s local roads where it makes sense to have graded speeds,” he said.

Feedback on the strategy will be taken until August 17.

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