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Outcomes of school speed zone meetings to go to next Council meeting

Strong community support for school based speed zones has emerged

By Latrobe City Council - 22nd June 2001 - Back to News

Strong community support for school based speed zones has emerged as the overwhelming opinion of participants at a number of consultative meetings initiated by Latrobe City Council in the past few weeks.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said that participants at each of the community meetings were keen for 40 kph school time based speed zones to be introduced on all roads around primary schools, and there had also been good overall support for the Statewide 50 kph residential speed limit.

"Judging from comments received at the four meetings there was overall support for a 40 kph speed limit on all roads abutting primary schools, and some participants suggested that this limit should apply between the time school starts and finishes. Comment was also made that some of the 60 kph roads should be reduced to 50 kph near schools," Cr Jenkins said.

Cr Jenkins said that all school councils and representatives from VicRoads and the Police had been specifically invited, in writing, to attend the public meetings, and advertisements had also placed in inviting citizens to attend the meetings.

"We were extremely pleased with the response to these meetings, and with the enthusiasm generated in the community to discuss issues relating to appropriate speeds.

"On 22 January 2001 the general speed limit for urban areas was lowered from 60 kmh to 50 kmh by the State Government after a very short public consultation period. This new speed limit applied to all streets in urban areas that were not signposted with a different limit, streets considered either as collector or arterial roads functioning for through traffic. These arterial and feeder roads are usually posted at 60kmh and in some cases, at even higher speeds," Cr Jenkins explained.

"Council recognised there was widespread concern in the community about the appropriateness of these speed limits when children are on their way to or from school, and decided it should provide a forum for citizens to express their own opinions on these matters, resulting in these meetings," Cr Jenkins said.

It is a concern that has not escaped the notice of the State Government either, which since our own consultation process began, has now announced its own review of appropriate speeds at school zones," Cr Jenkins said.

"At its next meeting, Latrobe City Council will consider the extremely helpful contribution made by those attending our community meetings and decide what advice we will furnish to the Minister on behalf of the Municipality," Cr Jenkins concluded.

The next Latrobe City Council Meeting will take place at 7pm Monday 2 July at the Moe Town Hall.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com



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