Speed could drop on key road

THE speed limit of the Ross Creek section of Sebastopol-Smythesdale Road could be lowered to eighty kilometres per hour.

Resident feedback is being sought on the potential change by the Golden Plains Shire, after a suggestion to shift the limit from 100 kilometres per hour was made by locals living nearby, due to it being a busy stretch, a crash site, and a place where drivers regularly speed.

This particular section of Sebastopol-Smythesdale Road runs for 3.5 kilometres between the end of the current 80 speed zone west of Vaggs Road, and the boundary of the City of Ballarat, which is northeast of the Bells Road intersection.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby said the municipality’s northern population is growing and the number of vehicles on the road is increasing.

“Sebastopol-Smythesdale Road… is a popular road corridor towards Ballarat,” she said.

“With the road linking Smythesdale and Ross Creek, it’s important that we ensure that the road remains safe for residents and drivers, which is why council is seeking feedback on reducing the speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour.

“This feedback will be used to see if council further pursues the speed change and will also support council’s lobbying efforts for government funding for further safety improvements on the busy road.”

Submissions can be made online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations, by email at [email protected], or by mail to Manager Asset Services, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, Victoria, 3331 until Monday, 11 October 2021.  Mail should be marked ‘Urgent – submission.’

If proposed changes are favoured by the Shire, they will be assessed by the Department of Transport before they’re approved.