South Australians have their say: Lower beach speed limits in favour

Tuesday, 11 July 2023

The wheels are in motion for speed limits on beaches across South Australia to be lowered to improve safety, following extensive public consultation earlier this year.

A reduction to the default speed limit, which is currently 100km/h where there is no signed speed limit, received overwhelming support from respondents to a yourSAy survey launched in February.

Based on thousands of respondents, South Australians’ preference, on average, was for a default speed limit of 40km/h and 25 km/h when passing or within 100 metres of a pedestrian.

This was also supported by key stakeholders including National Parks and Wildlife and South Australian Coastal Councils Alliance.

Additional options presented as part of the yourSAy survey included:

1. A default beach speed limit of 40km/h
2. A default beach speed limit of 25km/h
3. No change to the default speed limits.

Currently, beaches in South Australia are considered ‘road related areas’ under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the Australian Road Rules.

Beaches where there has already been a reduction or a speed limit of 40km/h or less will remain regardless of the direction taken.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport recently approved a speed limit of 10 km/h for Moana, Aldinga and Sellicks beaches and a 40km/h speed limit for Goolwa Beach, in the interest of safety.

All feedback from the engagement process is being considered to inform a final decision on a new default beach speed limit by the end of 2023.

The Speed Limits on South Australians Beaches Community Engagement Outcomes Report can be viewed at https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/speed-limits-on-beaches/news_feed/consultation-report