February 28th, 2025Calls to reduce limit
Creswick locals are continuing to call for the speed limit on a section of the Creswick-Ballarat Road (Midland Highway) to be lowered from 100km to 80km amid outstanding safety concerns.
Last April, responding to the concerns, the Hepburn Shire Council resolved to contact the Department of Transport seeking the proposed reduction on the short stretch of Midland Highway that passes the main entrance to Creswick’s RACV Forest Resort.
Residents say the section of road is particularly ill-suited to a 100km speed limit with traffic frequently turning in and out of the RACV Forest Resort – where the internal grounds speed limit is 20km – directly onto the 100km stretch.
Residents say the safety of motorists, visiting tourists and pedestrians is the main issue at stake with a permanent bus stop used by school children, visitors and locals an additional factor in the potentially lethal mix.
“It’s actually 20km inside the resort grounds and then right alongside here it’s 100km,” says permanent resident in the RACV estate grounds, Kerry Williams.
“People plant it when they hit the 100km sign. They come hurtling down that hill and at 100km there’s no way they’re going to be able to stop if someone pulls out or walks out.”
Hepburn Shire mayor and Creswickian Cr Don Henderson is among those who say the speed limit reduction is needed to help reduce the risk of serious accidents.
“It’s extremely dangerous and it’s an issue that needs a resolution,” Cr Henderson says.
“It’s a real concern to the residents and to anyone using the Midland Highway and anyone using the resort.”
Creswick wildlife rescuer Marg Phillips says the 100km stretch of road passes right through a pre-existing wildlife corridor and has a particularly high level of wildlife road accidents, in a mix that’s highly dangerous for both people and wildlife.
“The sheer number of incidents here causes a lot of pain and suffering, and subsequent distress,” Marg says. “I’ve had to console a number of traumatised tourists, and the tourists will actually often come here to enjoy seeing the wildlife.
“Many people who collide with our wildlife are often very distressed themselves. And studies show that reducing speed, even by 20km, significantly reduces these incidences. It’s interesting to see just how much car wreckage you find here beside the road.”
Residents also said additional signage to help warn motorists to be prepared to slow down and take extra care for wildlife crossing in the area would also make a lot of sense.
Judy Henderson says efforts to see the speed limit reduced date back to at least 2017 and the town’s former Creswick and District Residents Association.
“I’d just like to know if Regional Roads or Transport Victoria have ever counted the number of wildlife that are getting killed here,” Judy says.
At the moment, however, it remains unclear as to whether there has been much progress at all towards actioning the request at a Departmental level.
“Council followed up the matter with the Department of Transport in late 2024 and is yet to receive an update,” Hepburn Shire Council’s Infrastructure and Delivery acting director Sean Ludeke said.
“Considerations of amendments to speed limits can be complex and it is not uncommon for this assessment to take some time to work through,” he said.
“However council will continue to advocate for these changes on behalf of the community.”
In a prepared statement emailed to The Local, after multiple phone calls, Department of Transport and Planning Barwon South West and Grampians executive director Michael Bailey said: “We are continuing to engage with the Hepburn Shire Council around the speed limit on Midland Highway, to explore how we can make our network safer on this stretch of the road.
“We urge motorists to drive to conditions as we continue to monitor the speed limits on Creswick-Ballarat Road. Speed limits are subject to a rigorous review process and are considered on a case-by-case basis.”
Words & Image: Eve Lamb
