SECTIONS of the Frankston-Flinders Road are set to have their speed limits reduced by the end of the year to enhance safety and address community concerns.
The changes include 1.9km between Tyabb and Hastings (90kph to 80 kph); 4km between Bittern and Balnarring (90kph to 80kph); and 1.8km between Balnarring and Merricks (100kph to 80kph). Other sections include 3.4km between Merricks and Shoreham (100kph to 80kph) and 4.1km between Shoreham and Flinders (100kph to 80kph).
The Department of Transport and Planning announced the new measures earlier this month. “When setting speed limits, we need to carefully balance keeping everyone safe on our roads and keeping people moving,” a spokesperson said.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor and road safety advocate David Gill welcomed the decision, which he said was made possible thanks to shire officers and community groups. “Congratulations and well done to all concerned – both officers and community groups – including Sue Boggan [of the Shoreham Community Association] for the Frankston-Flinders Rd speed reduction,” he said.
“This is part of a road safety process that I have been involved with since starting back on council over eight years ago. The background work of officers has been impressive, and their sustained efforts have helped highlight safety issues and where necessary achieved speed reductions on many of our most dangerous roads. “I believe it is still the case that no fatalities have occurred on any of the roads where speed limits have been reduced which is a greatly improved outcome.”
The shire has made road safety a priority, having recently allocated $13.1 million for road maintenance in its latest budget – a 72 per cent increase on last year, with a further $30,000 to go towards safer speed limits. It will also host a road safety workshop this month bringing together MPs, state officials, and emergency services with its findings to form part of its draft Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy.
Last month the shire also secured a $3.9 million win through the federal government’s Black Spot Program, which will address seven dangerous road sites on the peninsula (“Shire secures $3.9m to tackle road safety” The News 24/06/25).
Meanwhile, the Somers Residents Association is preparing to launch its road safety campaign which will advocate to have the speed limits of all unsealed roads reduced to 30kph.
First published in the Mornington News – 15 July 2025
