December 20, 2012
Gympie Traffic Police have identified a number of possible speed camera sites across the South Burnett, the SBRC’s Traffic Advisory Committee has been told.
The primary criterion for a fixed speed camera site is at least five non-intersection-related speed crashes or serious casualty crashes within the previous five years.
Usually motorists are faced with advisory signs stating “Fixed Speed Camera Ahead” and “Fixed Speed Camera 24 Hours” on approach to a camera site.
Both signs are usually located within one kilometre of the fixed speed camera.
The new cameras are expected to be installed in 2013.
A proposal to reduce the speed limit on Lysdale Road, Greenview from 80km/h to 60km/h, raised by Cr Cheryl Dalton, has been rejected after an investigation found that 85 per cent of vehicles which currently use the road travel at 70km/h.
Speed limits through Durong South are unlikely to change after an investigation by the Department of Transport and Main Roads found that motorists in the area generally adhere to them.
However the Department will conduct an audit of existing signage and schedule replacement signage.
Both actions are in response to a written complaint about road safety in the area.
Signage along Byee Road (known locally as Lancaster Road and Elbow Lane) will be replaced on a cyclical basis along the whole stretch of road in response to an issue raised by Cr Kathy Duff.
No action will be taken on the concealed entrances to 1496, 1499 and 1519 Murgon-Gayndah Road after a Traffic Committee inspection found that all three property entrances have a good line of sight.
The existing 80km/h speed limit zone through Memerambi will be extended as residential development in the area proceeds.
Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee was told the reason for this is that the access driveways for many properties will be onto the Bunya Highway.
The issue is expected to escalate as properties in the development become tenanted.
A request from Cr Cheryl Dalton to upgrade the Home Creek No 2 invert to improve safety during wet weather will see a reseal carried out in the future.
Discussions about full reconstruction of the floodway will also be held with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
A proposal to lower the speed limit around Wheatlands State School from 80km/h to 60km/h will be investigated amid concerns that growing school enrolments and an increasing volume of heavy vehicle traffic pose a safety risk.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised that it will need to conduct a speed audit to change the speed limit.
A request by Mr Dudley Starr to install a Give Way sign at the corner of Prince and Thelma Streets, Kingaroy, is being considered by the Traffic Advisory Committee.
The SBRC has prepared a drawing of the proposed sign but advised it will need to be supported by line marking and raised pavement markers.
Work would be dependent on how much paving and sealing would be required and since this wasn’t part of the current Budget a temporary continuity line could be installed in the interim until funds become available.
Kingaroy Police advised that they support the Council’s recommendation and that if the situation changed in future, the matter could be readdressed.
A proposal to reduce the speed limit in Bell Street, Kumbia, from 60km/h to 50km/h has been rejected because of planned upgrades to signage at Kumbia State School.
However, the 100km/h sign on the Kingaroy side of Kumbia will be repositioned by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The South Burnett Regional Council is looking at ways to address parking problems and road safety issues at Taabinga State School.
The Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee has recommended linemarking parking bays on the western side of Kingaroy Street be considered in the SBRC’s 2012-13 budget.
It has also recommended that the existing pedestrian crossing at the Booth Street intersection and its associated signage be moved.
The school will be consulted about possible options early in the New Year.
