On Thursday afternoon, Clutha District Council became the latest authority to tackle a review of its speed limits, following controversy surrounding the matter elsewhere in the South, including in Dunedin this week.
The local authority reviews are a consequence of the government’s new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022, which came into force in May last year.
Clutha councillors considered which recommendations to include in a consultation document which will go out to residents on November 1.
Revised limits are expected to be in place by the middle of next year.
A report to the council provided options for sealed and unsealed rural roads, urban roads and roads outside schools.
Although councillors were unanimous on favouring reduced speed limits outside schools — to 30kph in most places — they leaned towards the status quo elsewhere.
Councillors spoke strongly in favour of recommending retaining 100kph limits on sealed rural roads and 50kph on urban roads.
"We’re expected to drive to the conditions. I strongly feel we should keep the speed for sealed rural roads at 100km. If you go putting it down to 80, you’re only going to make people angry and they’re not going to follow it anyway," Cr Ludemann said.
Similar arguments were made in favour of retaining a 50kph limit in urban areas.
There was some debate regarding the speed on unsealed rural roads, however.
Cr Gaynor Finch said she had been a lifelong resident of rural roads and their quality could be "variable".
"Potholes and surfaces can be extremely variable, and this can catch out those who aren’t familiar with a road. I live on a gravel road, and I believe we should limit speeds to 80."
Cr Finch was supported by Crs Jock Martin and John Herbert.
A motion to include 80kph for unsealed rural roads as the council’s recommendation was moved by eight votes to five.
Although councillors were unanimous in their support for slower speeds around schools, there was disagreement regarding whether new limit recommendations should be permanent (24/7) or variable (time and day specific).
Following extended debate, the council will propose making any new speed restrictions on school roads permanent.
In line with the new legislation, five remote rural schools with smaller rolls will receive proposed speed reductions from 100kph to 60kph.
They are the Romahapa, Tahakopa, Clutha Valley, Warepa and Waikoikoi schools.
