Speed limit changes are coming to Gisborne South, but not on the road residents are hoping for.
Twenty Cabbage Tree Lane residents put a petition to Macedon Ranges council last month, requesting to reduce the 80km/h speed limit on the road.
At the July 23 council meeting, councillors adopted speed limit changes in response to the petition – but not to Cabbage Tree Lane.
Council will instead seek approval from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to reinstate the speed limit along McGeorge Road, Gisborne, between Couangal Road and Brooking Road to 80km/h from 60km/h.
Council will also request approval from DTP to reduce the speed limit along Weigall Road, Gisborne, to 80km/h from 100km/h.
In the petition, residents raised concerns over increased traffic volumes, road geometry near Olive Lock Bridge, and the growing presence of heavy vehicles and construction on Cabbage Tree Lane.
Cabbage Tree Lane connects from Couangalt Road via Weigall Road to McGeorge Road, which was reduced to 60km/h in 2022 due to increased traffic from the filming of The Block.
Council said traffic data collected by council officers suggests traffic from Couangalt Road is preferring to travel along Cabbage Tree Lane and Weigall Road to access McGeorge Road instead of travelling directly along McGeorge Road due to the 60km/h limit.
Cabbage Tree Lane is also classified as a rural road, to which usually a 100km/h speed limit would apply. Council considers the 80km/h limit as a reduction already.
Traffic along Cabbage Tree Lane is expected to reduce with the changes, with drivers deterred from using the road as a bypass for the 60km/h speed limit on McGeorge Road.
Council said there is very little compliance with the 60km/h speed limit on McGeorge Road.
Cr Andrew Scanlon said council should still keep an eye on Cabbage Tree Lane.
“I think we still need to be mindful why that petition went forward in the first place because there’s obviously some safety issues with people coming into their driveways,” he said.
Cr Scanlon also said council officers should monitor visual conditions and safety issues surrounding Olive Lock Bridge on Cabbage Tree Lane.
Cr Jennifer Anderson said council is happy to hear feedback from residents on the results.
As part of the motion, council will notify residents of the speed limit changes.
