THE state government will cut the speed on North Stradbroke Island’s East Coast Road from 100km/hr to 80km/hr.
East Coast Road is the main thoroughfare between Dunwich on the island’s west coast to Point Lookout on the east coast.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the cut in road speed was to help improve safety for road users and wildlife.
“The seven kilometre section between Aranarwai Creek and Point Lookout Road will be reduced from 100kph to 80kph following a recent safety review,” Mr Bailey said.
“The local speed management committee endorsed a reduction in the speed limit.
“Speed limit reviews can be triggered for several reasons, including increased traffic, a change in road condition, environmental conditions and accident history.
“This committee is made up of representatives from Redland City Council, Queensland Police and Transport and Main Roads.”
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said the decision to drop the speed limit had taken key transport and tourism operators by surprise.
Mr Robinson said it showed the government had again been caught out failing to listen.
“Labor have consistently ignored the inputs and needs of small businesses, ferry and bus companies, and tourism operators when it comes to the future of North Stradbroke Island,” he said.
“How on earth do we grow tourism to save Straddie from Labor’s laws that ended mining prematurely and cut hundreds of local jobs, if the government ignores the key tourism and transport operators.
“Slowing down the buses will cause them to miss the ferries causing long waits and transport mayhem for tourists and residents alike.”
Mr Robinson said the key to an integrated solution to bus and ferry transport was to introduce a Translink ticketing system on Straddie.
“Today I am calling on the Palaszczuk Labor government to introduce a Translink ticketing system for the bus and ferry services of North Stradbroke Island,” he said.
“If Labor intend to push on with slowing the buses down to miss the ferries, the lost time could be made up by bringing the archaic system into the 21st century under Translink.
“Rolling out a Translink Ticketing system will streamline services, saving time and reducing costs for Straddie residents and tourists.”
Mr Bailey said reducing the speed limit would not only improve safety for motorists but also for pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife.
Motorists needed to be mindful of the new speed limit as it was enforceable from when signs were installed.
