Yes, council officers reviewed the current speed environment in consultation with the Department of Transport and Planning (Regional Office) and Victoria Police.

Both agencies expressed in-principal support for the proposed reduction to 80km/h along the identified section of Baranduda Boulevard.

This approach is consistent with the VicRoads Speed Zoning Technical Guidelines, which recommend 80km/h zones for rural or peri-urban roads that feature emerging development, increased traffic volumes, or direct property access.

The VicRoads Speed Zoning Technical Guidelines are a policy framework used by VicRoads and councils to assess appropriate speed limits and seek to provide consistency across the state by recommending limits for different road types. They are therefore not legally binding, and a council can propose a lower speed limit where there are significant safety concerns.

This said, VicRoads is the approval authority and must therefore be satisfied that a reduction outside that of the 80km/h guideline is justified and consistent with broader network safety and efficiency.

Any reduction in speed will add some length to a trip. Modelling undertaken by council officers shows that the travel time for the 1km stretch of road is approximately 36 seconds.

At 80 km/h, it will take 45 seconds and at 60 km/h 1 minute.

Accordingly, it is only expected to add between nine and 24 seconds to travel time.