Media Response - Speed Limit Changes
Published on 26 November 2024
Response to The Advertiser.
The journalist asked for comments about changes to speed limit zones and in particular:
- When did this change happen?
- How did you let residents know?
- What was the outcome of the community consultation?
- How did the vote occur?
Comments attributed to Martin Cooper, Acting Chief Executive Officer
When did this change happen?
Following an intensive engagement process in March 2023, and with support from the community and approval from the state government, the new 40 km/h area zones were installed in six areas across the city commencing in late March / early April 2024.
How did you let residents know?
Regarding the outcome of the consultation and the final approval from the state government: updates were given to the residents through social media and the Burnside Focus newsletter delivered to every property in the city in early March 2024 and June 2024.
Regarding the installation of the signage: After the 40 km/h area signs were installed, there was further social media promotion and SAPOL also allowed a two month grace period for motorists to become familiar with the changes.
Below: Front cover of the community newsletter delivered to every property (resident and business) in the City of Burnside in June 2024.
What was the outcome of the community consultation?
Six precincts were voted through the community engagement to become 40 km/h area zones with the goal of increasing community safety and reducing damage and injury incidents:
- Rose Park, Dulwich and Toorak Gardens
- Beulah Park and Kensington Park (part – north of The Parade)
- Frewville, Glenunga and Glen Osmond (part)
- Kensington Park (part – south of The Parade)
- Kensington Gardens (part) and Magill (part – west of Penfold Road)
- Magill (part – east of Penfold Road).
Originally seven precincts were proposed in the city, following engagement, feedback came back against speed limit changes in Eastwood, while the other six were in favour by the majority.
Full consultation results for the ‘Safer Streets’ engagements are available for public viewing on www.engage.burnside.sa.gov.au
How did you go about consulting the community?
In 2023 the residents and businesses of each precinct were invited to have their say on the proposal with a survey postcard delivered to every property (residential and business) where residents could reply using the postcard or online; the engagement was promoted via social media and Council eNews to encourage anyone (not just residents of the precincts) to have their say online. The Advertiser also wrote and published an article about the proposal.
How did the vote occur?
As above, for the results of the community engagement, visit www.engage.burnside.sa.gov.au and search for the ‘Safer Streets’ campaigns.
At their meeting on 27 June 2023, the Council reviewed the results of this community engagement and resolved (10 for and one against):
That Council:
- Receives and notes the engagement results, as outlined in this report, regarding the proposal to implement a 40km/h reduced speed limit in the residential streets in the suburbs identified in Attachment A of Report No. 144-23.
- Supports the introduction of a 40 km/h speed limit in the residential streets of the following suburbs:
2.1 Precinct 1 - Rose Park, Dulwich and Toorak Gardens;
2.2 Precinct 2 – Beulah Park and Kensington Park (north of The Parade);
2.3 Precinct 4 – Frewville, Glenunga and Glen Osmond; and
2.4 Precinct 5 - Kensington Park (south of The Parade).
- Authorises the administration to continue discussions with Norwood Payneham St Peters Council, regarding the possibility of including a proposal for 40km/h speed limit along Shipsters Road, subject to community and Department of Transport support.
- Does not support the introduction of a 40 km/h speed limit in the residential streets of Precinct 3 – Eastwood.
- Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to complete any tasks required to meet legislative and Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) requirements to enable the 40km/h speed limit signs to be installed in precincts 1, 2, 4 and 5, which includes:
5.1 seeking written consent from adjoining councils and the Local MP.
5.2 engaging of consultants to prepare a sign schedule and plans showing proposed sign locations and alterations to existing signs.
5.3 preparation of the relevant Traffic Impact Statements to submit to DIT, including the sign schedule and plans, the support letter from the local MP and notification that the Council has endorsed the proposal.
5.4 writing to the Department for Infrastructure and Transport seeking approval from the Commissioner of Highways to install the 40km/h signs as required under section 17 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
5.5 undertaking a promotional awareness campaign before introducing a 40km/h speed limit in the residential streets in the suburbs of the endorsed precincts.
5.6 liaising with SAPOL following the signage installation to ensure that appropriate enforcement of the 40km/h speed limit is undertaken.
ENDS