Charlotte Varcoe
GRANT District Council will officially report back to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport after conducting community consultation regarding changing the speed limit on beaches.
A staff recommendation was put forward to elected members during this week’s meeting, suggesting elected members support a default speed limit of 40km per hour, and 25km per hour when approaching or passing within 100m of people, dogs or children.
It also suggested the 25km per hour speed limit change around drainage, fisherman, cyclists, horses or signed protected areas such as native fauna or shorebird nesting areas.
Currently, the default speed limit for vehicles on beaches remains at 100km per hour with beaches in built up areas being 50km per hour unless signposted otherwise.
Council went to community consultation about the potential change with 36 mixed responses tabled to elected members.
Throughout the responses, many suggested a variable speed to prevent 4×4 vehicles from getting bogged in the sand, with the speed limit slowing to 25km per hour around certain criteria.
Other issues raised through the consultation included the protection of shorebirds, 4×4 practicalities and outlier comments such as questioning why there was a move to change the limit in the first place.
During the chamber meeting, elected members discussed the change of speed limits on the beach, with signage an option as well as the variable speed.
Cr Rodney Virgo questioned whether a speed limit of 50km or 60km per hour would be possible instead of the current 100km per hour default limit.
Council’s growth and tourism manager Rebecca Perkin said it was not an option in the survey but could be part of a suggestion put towards the department.
The initial motion was denied by elected members and was instead discussed further under the Community Engagement update report.
Elected members further discussed the issue, with Cr Clarke questioning what the “general vibe” was to the responses.
Ms Perkin said reducing the speed limit warranted for more vehicles getting bogged and there were a number who did not want the speed limit changed.
She said some responses stated people driving on the beach should use “common sense” and drive to the conditions.
Cr Clarke responded suggesting elected members provide the feedback received to the department clarifying some respondents wanted to change the limit and some did not.
He also requested more “clear and coheres” reasons why the limit may needed to be changed.
The meeting procedures were suspended for elected members to speak freely, with signage also being brought up as a possible solution.
Cr Katherine Greene suggested signage, stating it may be a better alternatives yet acknowledged the potential costs.
Cr Megan Dukalskis also chimed in stating many drivers on the beaches were not from South Australia and would not know the laws, reinstating signage was important.
Elected members decided to officially recommend to the department that the speed limits be changed to 25km per hour when within 100m of pedestrians, drainage, dogs and children with the default speed limit remaining.
They also recommended asking for signage to be implemented and sending the report to the department.
