Speed limits to be reduced in Mildura after council backs plan

Mildura’s speed limit in the CBD will be reduced following a controversial vote at a council meeting aimed to get people walking.

Speed limits will be reduced to 30km/h in Mildura’s CBD after councillors voted in favour of a new safety plan at its meeting on Thursday night.

The plan is a part of the broader Mildura CBD Plan 2020-2035.

It also includes more disabled parking, more cycle paths to encourage less car use in the CBD, new signage showing distances and walking times to key CBD locations, more all-day parking in several prominent CBD car parks, and better access to public transport.

The plan hopes people will be less reliant on cars with 90 per cent of trips via motor vehicle including trips of 2.5km or shorter.

“Creating a more accessible city will be especially important as Mildura’s community ages. Creating a city that is accessible to all, including those too young or old to drive will help increase the quality of life for many of Mildura’s residents,” the report says.

The trial of 30km hour speed limits will run for 12 months, after which time the council will consider if it has been successful and vote on whether to implement the other aspects of the plan and if the speed limit should remain low.

It is expected to begin immediately.

Previously the speed limit was 40km/h.

Thee councillors voted in favour of the motion while two were against it.