The City of Sydney pushed ahead with plans to lower the speed limit to just 30km/h in the CBD despite an alarming lack of public engagement and feedback, a news report shows.
The council announced last week the speed limit will be cut from 50km/h to 40km/h in not just the CBD but inner suburbs including Glebe and Waterloo.
The move is part of the ‘Access Strategy and Action Plan’ that was published in November 2023, which also included plans to introduce 30km/h speed zones in ‘high pedestrian areas’.
The Daily Telegraph reported that public consultation on these plans amounted to an online survey that got only 107 responses.
Only 23 of those provided detailed submissions, only seven from individuals, and just one expressed ‘general support for lower speed limits’.
Less than five responses to the online survey supported the speed limit being cut to 30km/h.
Such flimsy public consultation has prompted calls for the council to be more active in seeking feedback from locals.
NSW premier Chris Minns indicated he did not support a 30km/h speed limit, arguing the CBD was not a country town.
The move is part of an action plan the council published in November, 2023 to introduce 30km/h speed zones in ‘high pedestrian areas’ (stock image)
‘You could walk quicker than that,’ he said.
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said the change would be a disaster for locals and businesses.
‘All this is going to do is create more problems for business and we’re already seeing falling numbers of foot traffic in the city,’ he told the newspaper.
’30km/h would be another nail in the coffin for business.’
Roads across Annandale, Redfern, Alexandria and Zetland with 50km/h speed limits will also be cut by 10km/h.
The speed limits will be reduced on council managed roads at Glebe, Forest Lodge, Beaconsfield and Waterloo.
In announcing the plan, Lord Mayor Clover Moore cited the need to cut emissions from vehicles as a factor in cutting limits.
The action plan also indicated the council wanted it to be safer and more convenient for pedestrians to walk in the city.
Reducing vehicle speeds along main streets and neighbourhoods was identified as a way to achieve the objective.
Ms Moore told Daily Mail Australia reducing the speed limit will save lives and make the city more accessible.
The action plan published last year received less than five responses from people, who supported the speed limit being cut to 30km/h (stock image)
‘This is increasingly important as our city becomes more densely populated and we create more space for people to get around on foot and bike,’ she said.
A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the council regularly engaged with the community
‘Changes to speeds on City of Sydney roads have been made methodically over many years with community support and no negative outcomes,’ the spokeswoman said.
‘Reducing speed limits is a shared goal of the NSW Government, which has been undertaking this work for more than 20 years’.
Transport for NSW was contacted for comment.
