MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors are backing moves to reduce speed limits on roads surrounding a “hidden gem of the peninsula”. Four of the five roads – Hodgins, Derril, Graydens and Stumpy Gully – either border or traverse Devilbend Reserve, while the fifth road, Tuerong leads to the reserve from Old Moorooduc Road.
At their public meeting on 6 August councillors agreed with 226 signatories to a petition calling for speed limits on the five roads to be reduced to 60kph. Traffic and transport team leader Brett Whitwam said the five roads were included in an investigation already underway into speed limits on unsealed rural roads. He said the investigation was expected to be completed within three months but any changes to speed limits would need to be approved by the Department of Transport and Planning.
Cr Despi O’Connor hoped the speed limits would be reduced from the current 80kph as the roads near Devilbend were used by runners, walkers, cyclists and “conservation workers”.
Cr David Gill said the roads mentioned in the petition were in “a magnificent area … a hidden gem of the peninsula”.
He said the roads were “obviously dangerous even when driving at 40 or 50”. “The sooner speed limits are reduced the better to help that isolated area,” Gill said. “In future, people living there and those driving through to admire the scenery will be safe.”
Cr Debra Mar hoped people facing similar traffic issues in other areas “follow this lead and put a petition together”.
First published in the Mornington News – 20 August 2024
