Sydney to slash speed limits so low pedestrians can ‘walk faster’ than cars: ‘This isn’t a country town’

The city of Sydney continued with plans to reduce the speed limit in the CBD to just 30km/h despite an alarming lack of public engagement and feedback, a news report has revealed.

The council announced last week that the speed limit will be reduced from 50 to 40 km/h not only in the CBD, but also in inner cities including Glebe and Waterloo.

The measure is part of the ‘Access Strategy and Action Plan’ published in November 2023, which also included plans to introduce 30 km/h speed zones in ‘high pedestrian areas’.

The Daily telegram reported that the public consultation on these plans amounted to an online survey, which received only 107 responses.

Only 23 of them provided detailed answers, only seven were from individuals and only one person expressed ‘general support for lower speed limits’.

Fewer than five respondents to the online survey were in favour of lowering the speed limit to 30 km/h.

This lack of public consultation has led to calls for the council to more actively seek feedback from local people.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has indicated he is not in favour of a 30km/h speed limit, saying the CBD is not a provincial town.

“You could run faster,” he said.

Paul Nicolaou, director of Business Sydney, said the change would be a disaster for local people and businesses.

“This will only create more problems for businesses and we are already seeing a decline in pedestrian traffic in the city,” he told the newspaper.

’30 km/h would be a new death blow to the economy.’

Roads in Annandale, Redfern, Alexandria and Zetland with a speed limit of 50km/h will also be reduced by 10km/h.

The speed limit will be reduced on council-managed roads at Glebe, Forest Lodge, Beaconsfield and Waterloo.

In announcing the plan, Mayor Clover Moore cited the need to reduce vehicle emissions as a factor in lowering the limits.

The action plan also showed that the council wanted to make it safer and easier for pedestrians to walk around the city.

Reducing the speed of vehicles on main streets and in neighborhoods was seen as a way to achieve the goal.

Ms Moore told Daily Mail Australia that lowering the speed limit will save lives and make the city more accessible.

The action plan published last year received fewer than five responses from people in favor of lowering the speed limit to 30 km/h (stock image)

“This is becoming increasingly important as our city becomes more densely populated and we create more space for people to move around on foot and by bike,” she said.

A City of Sydney spokeswoman said the council regularly engages with the community

“Speed ​​changes on Sydney’s roads have been implemented systematically for many years with community support, but have had no negative impact,” the spokeswoman said.

‘Reducing the speed limit is a shared goal of the New South Wales Government and has been working on this for over 20 years.’

Transport for NSW has been approached for comment.