The New South Wales government could block a city council-initiated plan to further reduce speed limits in Sydney’s inner city, a move the Premier believes could reduce traffic in the city to walking speed.
A speed limit of 40 km/h will apply on all roads in the Sydney metropolitan area – which includes the central business district and several inner-city suburbs – in the coming weeks.
On roads outside the control of the city administration, such as motorways and main roads, the speed limit still applies.
However, the council has indicated that it will work with state authorities to reduce speeds on these roads as well.
The city council also wants to limit traffic to 30 km/h on other streets in the city center and other highly pedestrian-friendly areas.
Premier Chris Minns said the increase in the number of 30 km/h roads was excessive, adding: “You could go faster on foot.”
The centre of Australia’s most populous city should not be treated like a small town, he told reporters on Wednesday.
“It has wider responsibilities than just to the people who live and pay taxes within its borders … it is a major international city,” Minns said.
Announcing the change on Tuesday, Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said a speed limit of 40 km/h or less would dramatically improve the chances of survival for people hit by a car.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to make our streets as safe as possible for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists,” she said.
Two decades ago, only five percent of the municipality’s roads had a speed limit of 40 km/h or less.
There are now three quarters and more will be added within a few weeks.
“These important changes will not only make our roads safer, they will also be quieter and produce fewer exhaust fumes,” Ms Moore said.
Business Sydney managing director Paul Nicolau said further consultation was needed on the council’s push for a 30km/h speed limit.
“Inappropriately low speed limits risk stifling the city’s business community, which is already struggling to recover,” he said.
“The lack of consultation on this latest change and the apparently broader agenda is a serious concern.”
The business lobby group called on Highways Minister John Graham to intervene and demanded a suspension of the speed limit changes to allow for more consultation.
“We believe that the government is in a position to intervene because the council’s announcement states that the speed limit change will be funded by the government,” Nicolaou said.
Mr Minns said he would talk to Mr Graham about “sensible laws” for the city.
The city council had previously advocated a number of changes to car traffic through the city, including the pedestrianisation of George Street following the construction of a light rail line.
In addition, lanes were removed from several streets to make room for the construction of bicycle paths.