The tribe has spoken and the proposal struck quite a nerve with some. 321 people completed the survey and here are the results.
Q1 – How concerned are you about road safety and speed zones in the Valley?
From this question, it is clear that the majority of respondents (77%) have some level of concern about road safety and speed zones. It also shows that 23% of respondents are ok with things as they are.
Q2 – Would you support changing the default speed limit in the Valley (not otherwise sign-posted) from the current 100 km/h to 50 km/h?
The proposal to change the default speed limit does not have the support of the majority of the community, although the results are very close. It is possible that the phrase ‘default speed limit’ and which roads it applies to was not well understood, despite them being detailed in the proposal.
Q3 – Do you support the proposal to rationalise the number of speed zones in the Valley (as detailed in the proposal)?
Slightly over half of the respondents were in favour of the proposal as documented, but only just. This cannot be considered a majority view.
Q4 – As the data shows, there have been numerous vehicle accidents and many wildlife kills in the section of Moss Vale Road from Glenmack Caravan Park to Kangaroo Valley Road. Would you support extending the Moss Vale Road 50 km/h speed zone through the valley eastward from Glenmack Caravan Park to Kangaroo Valley Road, to improve human and wildlife safety?
This question shows that rationalising the speed limits on Moss Vale Road is not a favoured option by the majority but it is close.
Q5 – Would you support the introduction of a 50 km/h speed zone from Kangaroo Valley Cemetery to Kangaroo Valley Road, to also improve human and wildlife safety?
The proposal to reduce the speed limit on Moss Vale Road along a shorter section of road was only slightly more popular.
Q6 – Would you support a trial of ‘dusk to dawn’ speed zones in areas where wildlife and vehicle accidents are prevalent?
This question shows that there was support to try some options (like ‘dusk to dawn’ speed limits) to try and address people’s concerns. This may be further investigated.
Q7 – In which locality do you reside?
This chart is simply informative but interestingly it does closely align with the 2021 Census in terms of population in localities. The ratio of respondents against localities appears to closely match their total population.
Q8 – If you would like to make a specific comment regarding speed zones and safety on the road you live on, please select the road and enter your comment
163 comments were provided by the respondents. These comments are all detailed in the latest version of the proposal document. There is a link to this document later in this article.
Q9 – Do you have any further comments you would like to make in regard to this proposal?
153 comments were provided to this question. They are also detailed in the latest version of the proposal document. Some of the content may offend some readers. The comments contained a consistent theme around law enforcement of existing speed limits and road rules. Does this mean residents would be in favour of fixed and/or mobile speed cameras? That remains to be seen.
In summary, what this proposal and survey have shown is that whilst the majority of respondents have some level of concern about road safety and speed zones in the Valley, the proposal as it stands, is too radical or does not contain the desired corrective measures, to be widely accepted. There is an appetite for change, just not this much change. Therefore, the proposal will not be taken to Shoalhaven City Council and Transport for NSW. The proposal document has been updated to reflect this and the survey results and is available here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-qub-UdE66Lf62jWKukHm0zQ047Jk0Qk/view?usp=sharing or by scanning this QR code
If you have suggestions for discussion that could address the community’s concerns around road safety, please email us at kvccb@kangaroovalley.nsw.au. The next KVCCB General Meeting is Tuesday the 28th of May 2024 at 6:30pm in the Kangaroo Valley Hall.
Societal comment by the author: Based on the interactions that this proposal generated, it appears we have lost the ability (or desire) to have a rational debate. Why are we no longer able to put forward a point of view for discussion without being maligned? Not everything is a conspiracy or personal attack; sometimes it’s just a conversation. Is this a side-effect of ‘the socials’? We seem to have lost the will to listen with the intent to understand. If we stop listening, we stop learning. I hope that is not where we are heading.
Al Lockyer
Safer Roads Working Group
Kangaroo Valley Community Consultative Body
