The Shire of Northam Council has denied a request from developers of the Northam Eco Lifestyle Village to review the current speed limit on Mitchell Avenue.
In the proposal presented to the council, Shire staff listed their recommended speed limits as; 50km from Newcastle Street to Fernie Road roundabout, 60km from Fernie Road Roundabout to Purkiss Drive and 80km from Purkiss Drive to Great Eastern Highway.
If passed the review would be undertaken by MainRoads who would make an independent decision on speeds they deemed appropriate.
Councilor Steven Pollard said the drop in speed made sense to him due to the built up area of houses around the swimming pool.
“Now is as good a time as any to address the speed limit,” he said.
Councilor Julie Williams who opposed the proposal, said the request was self serving by the Eco Lifestyle Village.
“I haven’t heard of any complaints about the speed of Mitchell Avenue,” she said.
“This will affect everyone who uses the road for the sake of the few who will live in the new village.”
Councillors Michael Ryan and Attila Mencshelyi were also against the recommendation, saying they supported the slower speed in the built up areas closer to town but had an issue with the proposed 60km/h and 80km/h limits.
Councillors voted 4-5 against the recommendation.
