Proposal

Council is proposing to reduce the speed limit around the Gisborne township. This project is fully funded through the Victorian Government's Safe Local Roads and Streets Program, to improve road safety.

The program adopts a Safe System Approach, which focuses on designing and improving roads to reduce crash severity and improve safety by addressing human error and the road environment. The program is a collaborative effort between local governments, the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

Proposed Works

A township-wide speed limit reduction will greatly enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users, with studies showing that reducing speed limits has the potential to decrease fatalities by more than 50 per cent.

Lowering speed limits reduces the severity of collisions. Additionally, slower speeds allow for better reaction times, helping drivers avoid accidents and ensuring greater safety for vulnerable road users. This project will transform streets into safer, more liveable spaces, encouraging more people to utilise active transport options while promoting a safer driving culture.

The project was identified based on the following considerations:

  • Council's Mobility and Road Safety Strategy 2023-2032¸ Strategic Theme 2: Improving Safety and Mobility in and around towns
  • Gisborne Futures Structure Plan, 10.1 Walking and Cycling
  • Gisborne Urban Design Framework 2008
  • The high volume of pedestrian traffic in Gisborne supports the need for a low-speed environment to enhance safety.

    • Proposed roads

    The proposed speed reduction is limited to the core business and activity area, comprising the following roads and proposed lowered speed limits (see map below):
    • Neal Street & Goode Street (Hamilton Street to Robertson Street)
    • Prince Street & Brantome Street (Robertson Street to Fisher Street)
    • Fisher Street (Prince Street to Aitken Street)
    • Aitken Road Service Road (74 Aitken Street to Fisher Street; Fisher Street to Hamilton Street; Hamilton Street to Robertson Street)
    • Lyell Street (Neal Street to Goode Street)
    • Hamilton Street (Aitken Street to Neal Street)
    • Robertson Street (Neal Street to Prince Street)
    • Aitken Street (Jacksons Creek Bridge to 75m past Melton Road roundabout and Mount Gisborne Road roundabout)
    • Hamilton Street (Aitken Street to Melbourne Road roundabout)
    • Melbourne Road (57m past Kilmore Road/Hamilton Street roundabout)
    • Kilmore Road (Hamilton St/Kilmore Road roundabout to Mill Road)
    A map showing proposed speed limit reductions to roads around Gisborne.

    Project Benefits

    Lowering speed limits helps reduce the likelihood of accidents, especially those involving pedestrians and cyclists.

    The slower vehicles are moving, the less forceful the impact in case of a collision, which reduces both the severity and frequency of accidents.

    A study by the Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre showed that speed contributed to the severity of road crashes and resulting injuries, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists.

    The study found that by reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, the chance of a fatal injury is reduced by more than half (from 80 per cent to 26 per cent).

    Slower-moving vehicles make people feel safer walking and cycling. With reduced speeds, pedestrians have more time to cross streets safely, especially at busy intersections.

    This enhances safety and encourages healthier lifestyles by promoting walking and cycling.

    Safer streets encourage people to participate more in activities such as walking, relaxing outdoors, or interacting with neighbours.

    Have your say

    Feedback is currently invited until until Sunday 20 April 2025.

    There are a number of ways you can share your feedback about the proposal.

    Attend a drop-in session

    • Monday 7 April 2025 - 5:30-7:30pm at Council's Gisborne Administration Centre (120 Robertson Road, Gisborne)

    Make an online submission

    Fill out the online submission form below.