UPDATE 24 May 2023
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to the survey regarding a speed limit reduction along Honour Ave, Chelmer/Graceville/Sherwood.
A total of 444 people responded to the survey, which asked whether they support a lowering of the speed limit on Honour Ave to 40km/h through the Graceville SCIP (Wylie St to Mortlake Rd); a lowering of the speed limit to 50km/h along the entirety of Honour Ave; retention of the existing 60km/h speed limit (except the existing 40km/h section at the southern end approaching Sherwood Station); or other. The results were as follows:
60% of respondents indicated their support for some form of speed limit reduction on Honour Ave, and 49% of respondents supported lowering the speed limit through the Graceville SCIP to 40km/h.
Honour Ave is an extremely busy thoroughfare, with high volumes of both young and elderly pedestrians, servicing:
- Sherwood, Graceville and Chelmer train stations;
- Local schools, churches and community groups; and
- Numerous shops, hospitality venues in the Graceville SCIP between Wylie St and Mortlake Rd.
Given the strong support for a lowering of the speed limit through the Graceville SCIP, I have asked Council to investigate and consult on delivering a speed limit reduction on Honour Ave, Graceville through the Graceville SCIP to improve pedestrian, bike and vehicle safety. This does not mean there will be a change and I will keep you updated if any is considered.
March 2023
Under City Plan 2014, Honour Ave is classified as a District Road and is expected to routinely carry between 6,000 and 15,000 vpd.
In 2019 I undertook a survey of residents living along and adjacent to Honour Ave (western side) approx 1000-1200 homes were letter-box dropped with a survey.
Of the 164 responses received, 81% favoured a speed reduction and 19% supported the current 60km speed limit. The survey results demonstrated a strong consensus that a reduction in speed along the busy pedestrian thoroughfare of Honour Ave, which services shops, schools, several rail stations, a major cycling route and significant informal recreational activity is supported by the local community.
Of the 81% in support of a speed reduction:
- 40% supported making the Graceville SCIP area 40km
- 28% supported making the Graceville SCIP area 50km
- 19% supported making Honour Ave (entire length) 50km
- 13% supported making Honour Ave 50km and the Graceville SCIP 40km (unprompted feedback)
Following the community survey, Council undertook a traffic survey on Honour Ave, Graceville between Mortlake Rd and Verney Rd W for seven days between Wednesday 27 November and Tuesday 3 December 2019. The results show:
- Average two-way traffic volume — 13,538
- Average speed — 49kmph
- Speed of 85% of traffic surveyed — 56kmph
- Busiest day — Thursday 28 November, 2019
Since this time, I have used local allocations to install flashing slow down speed warning sign at each end of the Graceville Shopping precinct and two, rotating SAM smiley face signs, one in Chelmer and one in Graceville, to prompt voluntary compliance.
I am now seeking wider community feedback about whether a speed reduction would be supported along part or all of Honour Ave. Any recommendations made to Council will be based on community feedback, so please have your say.
Complete the survey online here.
Survey closes 30 April 2023. I look forward to your views. If there is strong and consistent support for a speed reduction along Honour Ave, I will pursue the matter with Council again for our community.