City of Greater Geraldton receives petition for Drummond Cove Rd speed limit reduction and added signage

A community petition is calling for a speed limit reduction on a residential road in Drummond Cove, amid claims it is being used as a hoon hotspot and “drag strip” putting the safety of residents at risk. The petition, which was handed to the City of Greater Geraldton last week, received signatures from 76 community members. Drummond Cove resident John Niemeyer presented the petition calling for the City to lower the speed limit on Drummond Cove Road from 60km/h to 50km/h, stating the current limit was too high. The petition also calls for the installation of speed mitigation systems, such as chicanes, a 360C CCTV camera at the beach parking lot at the bottom of the street and signage that indicates the road is not a through road and has no access to John Batten Hall. Mr Niemeyer said the road had excessive traffic flow from backpackers, emergency vehicles and the public travelling towards John Batten Hall because there was not enough signage indicating the road was not a through road. He said wildlife and pets were killed by speeding vehicles, a hooning vehicle mounted the kerb and nearly hit a six-year-old child and behaviour of off-road bike users disrupted the wellbeing and safety of residents. “Drummond Cove Road is generally beautiful, peaceful and quiet until the hoons arrive in their 4WD vehicles and their dirt bikes and use the road as a drag strip and see how fast they can go from top to bottom,” Mr Niemeyer said. “There parking lot at the bottom is often used as a place to do donuts and wheelies, and with all the young kids in the area, sooner or later somebody is going to get hurt.” At the June 27 council meeting, City CEO Ross McKim said the petitioner had been advised of the City’s limitations when it came to signage and that it was in the hands of Main Roads. The council unanimously voted to receive the petition and require the CEO to provide a report on the subject. A Main Roads spokesperson said the review, approval and installation of no through road signage was the responsibility of the City and changes to speed limits could only be implemented following a request and review of required traffic volumes and road conditions. “Main Roads would be happy to work with the City to address any safety concerns uncovered, if it chooses to investigate the safety concerns raised by residents,” the spokesperson said.