
Changes to speed limit settings by the National government last year require recent permanent speed limits to be reversed, without the need for community consultation.
The council has been asked to provide a list of speed limit reversals on "specified roads" to the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi by Thursday.
In a report, council transport analyst Maddie Pascoe said the government’s changes allowed lowered speed limits around schools to be retained if they were in place before October last year. In Dunedin, permanent speed limits of 30kmh were applied to roads around schools in June 2023.
Based on a staff review, the council proposed most speed limits around schools remain, Ms Pascoe said.
Speed limits on six roads around Abbotsford School would be submitted for reversal, returning to 50kmh with a 30kmh limit during school drop off and pick up times.
Permanently lowering the speed limit around the school to 30kmh had not produced a "desired outcome", Ms Pascoe said.
"Staff have discussed the proposed changes with Abbotsford School and have received feedback that they would like to see infrastructure changes and electronic signs alongside the variable speed limits to improve compliance and therefore safety outcomes," she said.
"The proposed list of specified roads minimises adverse effects on road safety and disruption to the community and minimises unbudgeted costs."
Speed limits on six other stretches of Dunedin road had been considered for reversal but staff found they did not meet the government’s requirement for "specified roads" and were not included in the submission.
If approved, the speed limit reversals will be applied by July 1.
Councillors will consider the report at Wednesday’s meeting.
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