The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has congratulated Elphinstone locals for their work in having the speed limit restored to 80 km/h on part of the Pyrenees Highway near Chewton.
Ms Broad met with locals and visited the site, then organised a meeting with the Minister for Roads and Road Safety on August 27 to put the residents’ case.
Ms Broad said she was delighted by the outcome.
“Elphinstone residents have been campaigning for several months for a review of the recently changed speed limits on the southern entry to Castlemaine,” Ms Broad said.
“They also organised petitions which received solid support from the community.”
Ms Broad said the controversial new 50 km/h speed limit along the 6.4km stretch of the Pyrenees Highway between White Gum Track, Chewton and the Castlemaine CBD was introduced in March 2024. The new zone replaced a mix of 50, 60 and 80km/h limits.
“The new limit was introduced following a community campaign to slow traffic through the busy roadway and improve safety, but the reduced limit extended too far.
“Since then, residents have been campaigning strongly to have an 80km/h limit reinstated on a section of the road between White Gum Track and Chewton.
“They say this section of road is in reasonable condition and is sparsely populated but the change had created ‘appalling driving conditions’.
“Trucks had to use their brakes to slow from 80km/h to 50km/h in a very short distance, creating excess noise for residents. Drivers were reportedly becoming frustrated and angry, and overtaking in unsafe places and engaging in abusive behavior.
“I congratulate the local community for their advocacy on this issue.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
