Council consultation under microscope following speed limit response

THE BOROUGH of Queenscliffe says it will review its public consultation processes after conceding it failed to capture community sentiment on a plan to reduce speed limits to 30kmh.

Councillors and officers will meet with organisers of a petition against the plan in a bid to find common ground before making a final decision on its Active Transport Strategy (ATS).

Opponents tabled a 1,730-signature petition at April’s council meeting and councillors heard from several community objectors during public question time.

The campaign had attracted statewide media attention in recent weeks, with the plea attracting supporters and signatories from Geelong, Melbourne and beyond.

A proposal to make the borough Australia’s first 30kmh municipality was a key strategy identified in the council’s draft ATS, which it released in response to its Climate Emergency Response Plan.

The strategy found that the speed limit would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists at roads with limited or no footpaths as it encouraged more people to walk or cycle.

Councillors said that the overwhelming opposition to the idea should prompt a rethink of how it engaged with residents in the future.

“It would be appropriate for council to consider strengthening its community consultation and its communication, and examining how to do that in a way that reflects our demographic that provides everyone an opportunity to contribute in varied ways and the ways that suit them,” mayor Isabelle Tolhurst said. “We know not everyone’s online. Not everyone is on Facebook, but also people are on those important channels and platforms.”

Cr Donnie Grigau agreed the council should reconsider how it gauged community sentiment for such decisions.

“I would like to thank the community for actually to speak on the workings of the council, but it really shouldn’t take a petition to actually get to be heard.

“We really need we really need to be out there, out in the streets and actually listen people to people face to face.”

Cr Mike Grout said the council must take the strength of opposition into account ahead of its final decision.

“I think the amplification of the petition by the number of people that attended tonight shows the strength of feeling about this particular issue, and definitely this is something that we will consider.”

Consultation on the draft Active Transport Strategy ended on Monday this week, with councillors and officers to take submissions received including the petition into account before a final decision on its implementation at a future council meeting.