Yarra Council is recommending the 30km/h speed limit remains in parts of Fitzroy and Collingwood, after an evaluation of the 12-month trial.

By the end of the trial, residents’ support for the 30km/h limit had increased, according to the evaluation. Similarly, levels of non-support had decreased.

The independent evaluation also showed that speeding – and especially excessive speeding – reduced in the area during the trial period, which ran from October 2018 until October 2019.

Yarra will now apply to the Department of Transport to make this speed limit permanent in the trial area.

“The 30km/h speed limit area trial was the first of its kind in Australia, and we thank everyone in the community for being involved. Yarra residents have led the way in creating safer roads and decreasing the chances of injuries on the road,” said Yarra Mayor, Cr Misha Coleman.

“We’re trying to turn our streets into places that are much safer for people to walk, ride their bikes or drive their cars.”

“When people feel safer, they’re more likely to spend time in our streets, connect with their next-door neighbours and choose transport options that are healthier for themselves and the planet,” Cr Coleman said.

Research from around the world shows that 30km/h is the safer speed for areas where there are higher volumes of pedestrians and cyclists.

The 30km/h zone applies to neighbourhood streets bounded by Alexandra Parade, Johnston Street, Hoddle Street and Nicholson Street. The Brunswick and Smith Street shopping strips are still excluded from the 30km/h limit.

The trial evaluation was carried out by the Monash University Accident Research Centre and Transport Accident Commission.

Councillors unanimously endorsed the proposal that 30km/h become the permanent speed limit in a Council Meeting on Tuesday 17 December 2019.

Find out more about 30km/h on the Thanks for 30 website.

Council resolution 17 December 2019, Item 11.4

1. That Council:

(a) notes the contents of this report;

(b) notes that a permanent change to the speed limit in the trial area requires approval by the Department of Transport (DOT);

(c) endorses the proposal to make the 30km/h speed limit permanent in the trial area, subject to DOT approval;

(d) instructs officers to apply to the DOT to make the 30km/h speed limit permanent in the trial area;

(e) endorses extension of the trial 30 km/h maximum speed limit pending the outcome of the above application to DOT; and

(f) consider further extension of 30km/h maximum speed including as part of LAPM reviews, subject to DOT approval.