New speed limit proposed for Kyabram road

By Jemma Jones

Oct 11, 2024

**Breen Ave, Cooma Rd, and Bolitho Rd intersection has had a few revisions following community support and review recommendations.** Photo by Jemma Jones

Following consultation and pushback from community members regarding safety, the road conditions at a busy Kyabram intersection have changed.

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The intersection at the south end of the Breen Ave walking path, intersecting Bolitho St and Cooma Rd, has seen a readjustment in its layout after council officers observed its unsafe nature.

The announcement of the change came on August 27 when Campaspe Shire Council said it had engaged in an independent review of the intersection following community concerns.

In the announcement, council’s then acting director of infrastructure, Ben Van Zey, said officers witnessed drivers electing to “drive on the wrong side of the road”.

The independent review recommended the addition of a third island on the east side of Cooma Rd, before the intersection.

**A mountable island has been installed on the east side of the intersection along with a new ‘give way’ sign, with hopes that it will create a clearer path for drivers traversing the intersection.** Photo by Jemma Jones

Since then, a new island has been installed on the Breen Ave side, which will direct traffic in a less confusing manner, a concern that the Kyabram Deakin Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Development Group brought up in a consultation with RoadSafe Goulburn Valley executive officer Bill Winters.

Additionally, the ‘keep left’ sign, which previously did not face incoming traffic, has been readjusted to face correctly.

Campaspe Shire Council chief executive Pauline Gordon said the works had been completed to ensure smooth traffic flow.

“Recent works at the Bolitho-Cooma-Breen Ave intersection were completed, which included the installation of a new mountable traffic island at the intersection to ensure smooth traffic flow from Bolitho Rd into Breen Ave and Cooma Rd,” Ms Gordon said.

“Road-name signs, directional markings and chevron signs have also been installed, with the line-marking work scheduled for completion by end of this month.”

Kyabram Development Committee chair Tania Chiswell said, when commenting on the changes to the intersection, the focus should be on the speed limit along Breen Ave, which is home to the new shared walking trail.

“It’s exciting to see the (Breen Ave walking trail) finished, but I still can’t get my head around that there is a fence against the rail line that sees maybe one train per year, but no fence along the road where cars can drive 100km/h,” she said.

She also said the speed limit at the bend around to Cooma Rd should be reduced, where currently the limit along Breen Ave is 100km/h on the approach to the bend.

Ms Gordon said further applications had been made to reduce the speed limit on Cooma Rd and Breen Ave, and there had been an installation of signs to caution drivers to slow to 40km/h around the bend from Breen Ave to Cooma Rd.

“Council has submitted an application requesting speed limit reductions on Breen Ave and Cooma Rd, which is currently under review with Department of Transport and Planning,” Ms Gordon said.