I live in West Melbourne and I'm writing to raise a serious concern regarding ongoing speeding issues along Hawke Street, West Melbourne, between King Street and Spencer Street. Despite a recent reduction of the speed limit from 60 km/h to 40 km/h by VicRoads, the majority of motorists—including cars, trucks, and motorcycles—continue to ignore the posted limit.

Please do not donate any money, this call out is to raise awareness about a critical safety issue alerting authorities that needs to be fixed.  

Vehicles travelling south from the Victoria and Errol Street intersection frequently accelerate excessively after catching a green light, attempting to reach the next green right-turn arrow at Hawke and Spencer Streets. This behaviour poses a significant danger to the bus loads of school children who stay at the Miami Hotel, pedestrians using the street to access public transport, cyclists, and all local residents living in the vicinity.

At a recent North & West Melbourne Association (NWMA) meeting, VicRoads advised that traffic volumes on Hawke Street are expected to increase by an additional 5,000 vehicles per day once current Westgate Tunnel Project roadworks are completed. This forecasted increase only heightens the risk of serious injury or fatalities, particularly given the growing number of adults and children using the Hawke and Curzon Street Reserve. 

Given these concerns, I urge you to advocate for:

1. Immediate enforcement measures, including speed monitoring and fines, to deter and penalise speeding motorists.

2. A further reduction of the speed limit on Hawke Street and surrounding streets of West Melbourne from 40 km/h to 30 km/h.

We cannot allow this threat to our community to go unaddressed, as the consequences could be dire. This matter requires prompt attention before an avoidable tragedy occurs.

Notable vehicle-involved incidents in West Melbourne.

29 July 2016 — Fatal hit-and-run (pedestrian) at King & Victoria Streets, West Melbourne.

A 22-year-old woman was killed when a car struck her in the early hours; police later arrested a man in relation to the incident. ABC.

17 November 2016 — Cyclist critically injured by alleged hit-and-run in West Melbourne.

A motorist allegedly struck a cyclist, who was left fighting for life; police investigated an apparent hit-and-run. ABC.

Early February 2023 — Cyclist killed after collision with a truck in West Melbourne.

ABC reported the death of a cyclist after being struck by a truck in Melbourne’s west; the piece discusses a cluster of serious crashes in the same period and local calls for road-design changes. (reported as occurring in West Melbourne / Melbourne’s west). ABC+1.

February 2023 — Death of cyclist Angus Collins (West Melbourne intersection) — calls for changes.

Reporting on the same fatal cyclist crash (Angus Collins) highlighted a dangerous intersection in West Melbourne and community calls for improvements. ABC.

23 October 2024 — Hit-and-run at Dynon Road / CityLink intersection (Melbourne’s west) — cyclist paralysed.

ABC’s 7.30 program investigation reported on warnings about the Dynon Rd / CityLink intersection and a subsequent hit-and-run that left a cyclist paralysed. The location is in the western/city-fringe area (Dynon Rd runs adjacent to West Melbourne/Docklands). ABC.

28 May 2025 — Alleged hit-run (pedestrian) at King & Batman Streets, West Melbourne.

ABC reported police seeking assistance after a visitor to Melbourne was struck near King and Batman Streets (West Melbourne) and the driver left the scene; the victim suffered serious leg fractures. ABC.

Please sign this petition to support our local issue and help ensure the safety and well-being of all West Melbourne residents. Thank you for your time and your continued support of the North and West Melbourne community.