The Speed Hump soap opera

At a very well-attended community meeting on October 7 there was a lot of discussion around the need for more serious speed deterrents than a 40kph limit for hoons and other speedsters.

People felt this lower limit would be of no use unless enforced (eg by a regular police presence, or better still by a fixed speed camera) and accompanied by other measures like marked crossings (perhaps).

Many doubt that appropriate levels of speed enforcement would eventuate; and, in any case, a lower limit would not solve the ‘footpath problem’.

We heard that the HCC has stood firm on the need for speed humps ever since its earlier speed survey (like the one now in progress with straps across the road in two places) showed unusually high rates of excessive speed.

But the Department of Infrastructure, the Energy and Resources (DIER) has the final say – it is they who have come up with the 40 kph limit proposal. It seems they are not keen to prolong the argument further through the courts.

• We decided to send a letter to the council and DIER, insisting that speed humps are the better option and that we have been promised they will be installed, and that simply lowering the speed limit will be ineffective. It was suggested that we also write to the police seeking input from them on how active they could be in supporting a lower limit. All community members will have the chance to sign the correspondence, which a small Action Group is currently preparing.

• Dorka’s offer of her wall facing Romilly Street for a community painting advocating a safer street was enthusiastically accepted, and other kinds of direct action were raised but not decided on at this stage.

• We also decided that it was time to go for broke and come up with a streetscape plan for Waterworks Road as a whole, one that reinforces our sense of community and resolves road issues at the same time. We will seek the help of experts and go back to Council and DIER with a concept. There is a lot of funding available at the moment and we may be able to access some for this worthy cause! The Action Group will also start this process rolling.

The Action Committee consists of Dorka, Philip, Russell and Jenny. Anyone who has information/ideas should contact the committee – emails are on the website in the Contacts section. If you have difficulty accessing that section, email Trish (stootrish@gmail.com) who will pass your ideas to the group.