Proposal

Council is proposing to reduce the speed limit along selected roads within the Riddells Creek 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 (50km/h to 40km/h).

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 walk or cycle 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.
  • Recommendations from the Riddells Creek Movement Network Plan.
  • The high volume of pedestrian traffic in Riddells Creek's business activity areas and access to public transport 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):
    • Station Street (Foodworks to train station car park access point)
    • Hamilton Street (Station Street to Fitzgerald Street)
    • Fitzgerald Street (Hamilton Street to Sutherlands Road)
    • Sutherlands Road (Foodworks to east side of Stephen Street)
    • Stephen Street (Hamilton Street to Sutherlands Road)
    • Sutherlands Road (east side of Stephen Street to 141 Sutherlands Road)
    A map showing proposed speed limit reductions to selected roads around Riddells Creek.

    A map showing proposed speed limit reductions to selected roads around Riddells Creek. This includes traffic count data that helped to inform these decisions.

    Project Benefits

    The proposed work will provide the following benefits to the broader community:

    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 50km/h to 40km/h, the chance of a fatal injury is reduced by more than half (from 80%t to 26%).

    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 Monday 7 July 2025.

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

    Attend a drop-in session

    • Tuesday 17 June, 5:30-7pm: Riddells Creek Community Centre, 74 Main Rd, Riddells Creek

    Make an online submission

    Fill out the online submission form below.