Queenscliffe's Need for Speed Reduction: Debunking the Myths Behind 30kph Zones

The Borough of Queenscliffe wants to be Australia's first Local Government with default 30 kph local speed zones.

By Stephen Coulter, Co-Founder of Zipidi and CREDZ and Point Lonsdale resident

The Benefits of Implementing 30 kph Speed Zones in Queenscliffe

Queenscliffe, a borough consisting of two seaside villages, made national headlines last week by announcing plans to become Australia’s first local government area with default speed zones of 30 kph. However, the proposal has been met with local resistance due to a lack of public communication and education prior to the announcement. As a result, a petition started by locals against the proposal has garnered over 1,700 signatures at the time of writing.

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As local residents and mobility specialists, we believe it is important to address the community concerns and unpack the reasons behind the proposed initiative.

About The Borough of Queenscliffe

Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale are two local seaside villages, around 5 km apart, which make up the Borough. The land area of the main settlements is less than 7 square km. Characteristics of the streets in the two villages are quite different — Point Lonsdale has narrow tree-lined streets, mostly without footpaths. Queenscliff has mostly wide streets with footpaths.

Link to full size map

Queenscliffe’s permanent population in the 2021 census was just under 3,300, with a median age of 62 and over 54% of residents aged 60+. In tourist season, it grows to nearly 20,000. Queenscliffe also has around one million people arriving or departing on the car and passenger ferry each year, creating regular traffic with their hourly departures and arrivals.

Facts and Fallacies About the 30 kph Speed Zones for Queenscliffe:

Fallacies:

• Every street in Queenscliffe will be 30 kph.
• The plan will be implemented across all of Queenscliffe straight away.
• Local journeys will be significantly slower.
• There are very few accidents, so it is not needed.
• Slow speeds use more carbon because it takes longer to get somewhere.

More information on the myths of 30 kph speed zones is in this article from The Conversation;

Busted: 5 myths about 30km/h speed limits in Australia

Facts:

30 kph speed limits will only apply to residential streets and high-activity zones.

“Main road” speed limits will not be subject to 30 kph. Queenscliffe has 12 km of “main roads” identified in blue below, representing around 35% of all streets and over 80% of all traffic. The 30 kph speed zone will apply to the 31 km of minor streets.

• Journey times will have little difference. It is only the beginning and end of a journey in smaller streets where the lower limit applies — typically less than 400m of any journey.

The 30 kph speed zones are being trialled first in “Old Lonsdale” and Murray Rd (highlighted in pink)— around 0.7 sq km of Queenscliffe. 90% of the borough will not be affected until after a review of the trials.

• Accidents still occur in Queenscliffe. Since January 2017, 29 accidents resulting in hospitalisation have occurred, with four victims being pedestrians and three being cyclists. Other accidents occurred, resulting in minor injuries and damage to cars and possessions.
• Slow speed limits result in smoother traffic flows with less stop/start driving, resulting in lower carbon emissions. Using Australia’s top-selling car, the Ford Ranger, a 5km journey at 50 kph creates 625 grams of CO2; at 30 kph, it creates 375 grams.

Live Map Available at this Link

Underlying Traffic/Mobility Issues in the Borough:

• Pedestrians and cyclists do not feel safe in the borough due to the lack of safe infrastructure.

Borough of Queenscliffe Active Transport Strategy Concept Draft

• There are over two million car journeys of less than 5km in the borough each year, with most less than 3km. Many of these can be completed by active and sustainable forms of transport if people feel safe.
• The median age of the borough is 62, and more than 50% of residents are over 60. Research shows that this demographic is the most vulnerable to traffic accidents.

There are many benefits to 30 kph speed zones in local neighbourhoods:

1. Improve safety: Slow-speed zones can improve safety by reducing the likelihood and severity of accidents. By designating certain areas within the village as slow-speed zones, drivers are required to slow down and exercise caution when driving through these areas. This can be particularly important in areas with high pedestrian and bicycle traffic, such as village centres or residential areas.
2. Reduce congestion: By encouraging drivers to slow down and be more mindful of their surroundings, slow speed zones can help to reduce congestion in the village. This can be particularly important during peak travel times, such as weekends or holidays, when there may be a higher volume of visitors.
3. Promote sustainable transportation: Slow-speed zones can also promote sustainable transportation options such as walking and cycling by creating a safer and more pleasant environment for these activities. This can help reduce vehicles on the road and promote a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.
4. Create a sense of community: By encouraging people to interact with one another and creating a more vibrant village atmosphere, slow-speed zones can help create a stronger sense of community in the village. This can help promote social cohesion and improve residents’ overall quality of life.

By promoting safety, reducing congestion, and creating a more enjoyable and vibrant environment, slow-speed zones can help to create a more livable and sustainable community for everyone.

We understand the concerns of locals when changes are announced without adequate communication and hope this article clarifies what we understand is being proposed, allays local concerns and leads to better safe mobility outcomes for Queenscliffe, its residents, local businesses and visitors.