2019-03-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                       12 MARCH 2019


Consultant recommendations
The consultants have recommended that slower speed limits be extended in the following
locations:
   Noosa Drive, near Weyba Bridge (east)
   Eenie Creek Road near Monks Bridge (east)
   Cooroy-Noosa Road, near Gyndier Drive, Noosa Parklands
   McKinnon Drive, near Yellowwood Close, Tewantin
Council officer comments
On advice from Council’s Transport Infrastructure Management section it is unlikely that a speed
reduction will be achievable on most of the suggested roads. Speed is largely determined by the
class and function of the road and additionally how the road feels when driven. For example, if a
road feels like a 60km/h road most motorists would not travel at 40km/h even if sign posted with
a 40km/h speed limit sign.
Council’s Transport Infrastructure Management section advises that given the primary function of
the arterial road network of Noosa has been designed and built to carry traffic (generally at higher
speeds), lower speeds on such roads are counterintuitive and may alter the road network traffic
composition, as traffic may shift to alternative routes perceived to be quicker but perhaps with
greater urban impact to residents.
Table 3 provides a brief response from Councils Transport Infrastructure Management staff on
the proposed speed limit reductions as recommended by consultants.
Roadway                           Comments from Traffic Infrastructure Management
Noosa Drive near Weyba Bridge     Sub-arterial road: controlled by NSC, currently 60km/h, reducing
                                  speed limit unlikely to achieve motorists compliance and unlikely to
                                  be supported by Traffic Advisory/ Speed Management Committee.
Eenie Creek near Monks Bridge     Major arterial bypass road: currently 80km/h, reducing speed limit
                                  unlikely to achieve motorists compliance and may lead to traffic
                                  issues elsewhere on the road network.
Cooroy-Noosa Road near Gyndier    Major Arterial road: west of Gyndier Dr controlled by TMR, east of
Road                              Gyndier Dr controlled by NSC, both 80km/h. Plans are already in
                                  place to reduce the NSC section to 60km/h as part of
                                  roadworks/corridor improvements.
McKinnon Drive near Yellowwood    District collector road: subject section controlled by NSC, currently
Close, Tewantin                   60km/h, reducing speed limit unlikely to achieve motorists
                                  compliance and unlikely to be supported by Traffic Advisory/Speed
                                  Management Committee.
Additional roads (not included
in audit)
McKinnon Drive North at           District Collector road: controlled by TMR, currently 80km/h, but
Cooloothin Creek                  unlikely that TMR would support a lower speed limit.
Yurol Forest Drive, Pomona        Sub-Arterial road: controlled by TMR, currently 100km/h, but
                                  unlikely that TMR would support a lower speed limit.
              Table 3. Council’s Transport Infrastructure Management comments on
                                 proposed speed limit reductions
In recent discussions with TMR staff it is likely that sections of rural roads such as McKinnon
Drive and Yurol-Forest Drive will reduce from 100km/hr to 80km/hr over time.
The Noosa Council Traffic Advisory & Speed Management Committee provides advice to Council
on traffic safety issues. The committee consists of Council Infrastructure Services, TMR and Qld
Police. One of the known koala ‘hotspots’ is on Noosa Drive leading to Weyba Bridge.
Construction of hard infrastructure such as fencing is not feasible due to multiple side roads and
a roundabout. In this location installation of an additional koala sign and a lowering of the speed
limit are considered the only feasible options.

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