Call for speed reduction along pedestrian, koala corridor

A GROUP of Mount Helen residents are advocating for safety measures to help protect pedestrians and koalas crossing a busy section of road.

Their petition received support from the City of Ballarat last week for chief executive officer Evan King to address the matter with the Department of Transport and Planning.

The petition called for the speed limit along the state-managed Geelong Road around Moss and Shire avenues to be reduced from 70km/h to 60km/h. Those behind the petition also argued for safety calming measures in this area to be implemented.

A group of families living around the intersection between Boak and Gear avenues – which featured bus stops, houses and local businesses – have instigated advocacy for the change.

“The traffic from both directions is intermittent: the average time between cars can be anywhere between two and 32 seconds with an estimated average of 15 seconds,” resident Linda Zibell said.

“The Geelong Road traffic has steadily increased over the past 40 years.”

Ms Zibell said the intersection was a complex stretch of road.

“Mount Helen’s intersection is unique in its length, width and complexity,” she said. “The traffic is unpredictable. It’s cross [on foot] in one go or nothing: there is no half-way safety zone.”

The Koala Alliance’s Jess Robertson said a consistent 60km/h speed limit along the road between Mount Clear, Mount Helen and Buninyong was required.

“The stretch between University Drive and Gear Avenue is a known koala corridor,” she said.

“Over the past five-and-a-half years, seven koalas have been recorded as hit or stranded along Main Road. Five of those incidents occurred within the petition area.”

Ms Robertson said the proposal was about protecting both residents and wildlife.

The Department of Transport and Planning continuously monitored speed limits across the road network.

In regards to the road between Moss and Shire avenue, Michael Bailey, the Department of Transport and Planning’s executive director for Barwon South West and Grampians, said: “When setting speed limits, we need to carefully balance keeping everyone safe on our roads and keeping people moving.

“We’re aware of concerns relating to koalas in the area, and koala warning signs are in place between University Drive and Buninyong.”

Further information was requested about the Gear and Boak avenue intersection, but was not received before print deadline.