Attn: Macedon Ranges Shire Council

PETITION TO LOWER SPEED LIMIT TO 50 kph

For the Benefit of Wildlife & Local Residents’ Safety & Amenity

Relating to the full lengths of the following roads:

·       Gap Road (Riddells Creek – Cherokee)

·       Shannons Road (New Gisborne)

·       Sandy Creek Road (Riddells Creek)

·       Cherokee Road (Cherokee – Kerrie)

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We, the undersigned residents and ratepayers of Macedon Ranges Shire, Victoria, formally request Council to impose permanent speed limits of 50 kph along the abovementioned forest roads, most of which are unsealed.

At present these roads are subject to undefined speed limits, or limits of 80 kph. Many vehicles travel at 80 kph or faster throughout these narrow road networks.

Cherokee, Riddells Creek and Kerrie comprise some of Victoria’s most distinctive wildlife habitats; the area is home to a broad range of protected species, including: wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, possums, echidnas, as well as locally important bird, reptile and amphibian species.

We call for the creation of 50 kph speed zones throughout these roads to mitigate persistent roadkill, and to help preserve this precious wildlife for future generations.

SUPPLEMENTARY JUSTIFICATIONS FOR 50 kph SPEED ZONES  

1.     Private properties abut these roads – speeding motorists threaten not only wildlife, but also domestic pets, pedestrians, and children. (NB: there are no roadside paths.)

2.     These roads abut mature trees – speeding motorists are at risk of death or injury from collisions.

3.     Speeding traffic stirs up dust, particularly in summer, which lands on rooftops and contaminates water tanks and hot water systems.

4.     Dust from high-speed vehicles degrades the effectiveness of solar panels.

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Please sign this petition ONLINE before 5pm, SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2020.

Thank you!