In June 2021, VicRoads released a project update advising of a new 40 km/h speed zone on the Nepean Highway from Fletcher Road to Plowman Place. This update stated that to make the road environment safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists they were:

• introducing a safer speed of 40km/h on the Nepean Highway between Fletcher Road and Plowman Place
• installing six new electronic speed limit signs to ensure the speed limit is clearly visible to motorists

The above works were expected to be completed in July 2021. As of July 2022, these electronic speed limit signs are still NOT OPERATIONAL.

In late April 2022, despite the speed changes not being clearly visible nor adequately communicated to motorists, an existing fixed speed camera previously set to record speed limits in excess of 60km/h was reset to issue infringements for speeds above 40km/h. Unsurprisingly, this camera has been issuing an excessive volume of speeding infringements which potentially run to millions of dollars in fines in May alone. The area where these infringements are being issued is a six-lane divided arterial in a business area where drivers need to be aware of turning vehicles, cars entering and leaving kerb side parking bays and off-street carparks, cars braking, buses in and out of bus bays etc. Safety requires drivers to watch the road closely in highly trafficked zones. It is therefore especially critical that clear highly visible signage is provided to achieve the desired levels of awareness of changed limits and improved safety - i.e. to maximise the effectiveness of the reduced speed limit and to ensure FAIRNESS to motorists. Many drivers have simply not seen the changed limit due to inadequate signage and have incurred multiple infringements (some up to six!) before even receiving notice of the first in the mail. The social impacts on the community need to be considered. The inadequate signage has caused enormous financial and emotional stress for many, including the potential for licence suspensions, loss of work etc. We are therefore calling for:

1. All speeding fines that have been issued since the camera was reset to 40km/h be waived (including those already paid), and demerit points withdrawn
2. A Senior Road Safety Auditor be appointed to review the current installation and any recommendation implemented immediately
3. An independent investigation into the entire process and implementation of the reduced speed limit to be undertaken
4. The speed camera at the Davey St intersection be switched off, and no further speeding infringements are issued until the completion of reports from a Senior Road Safety Auditor and Independent Investigator are available and the recommendations implemented, and the electronic signals are operating.