Feedback sought on lower limit

The Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire Council has called for feedback on the 40kmh speed limit trial occurring on the main streets of Bridgetown, Balingup and Donnybrook.

It has launched an online survey to allow residents and road users to give feedback on the change, with the results to be included in a report to be delivered to the Community Liaison Group, which is chaired by Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray.

Shire president John Nicholas said he had received anecdotal feedback about the change.

“Predominantly people are more than pleased the speed limit has come down,” he said.

Cr Nicholas said he thought most councillors supported the change and encouraged the public to voice their opinion on the trial.

“If people are apathetic and don’t take the survey or don’t register their support for the 40kmh speed limit, there’s a very good chance the Minister (Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts) might say ‘it doesn’t seem like the community’s interested, we’ll go back to where we were previously’,” he said.

“It’s important people are heard so they can support what the Minister is trying to do for us in terms of this trial.”

Laurel Keenan from Bridgetown Mini Mart said she thought the lower speed limit was a good idea.

Donnybrook-Balingup shire president Brian Piesse said he believed the trial should be extended, as traffic on South Western Highway had been reduced due to COVID-19.

“Some of the days the traffic in Donnybrook in particular, was down by 40 per cent,” he said.

“To have a trial run when the traffic is 50 per cent of what it was prior to the lockdown, is probably a bit difficult.”

Cr Piesse said most of the feedback he had received was positive.