• How is this project funded?

• This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Northern Beaches Council.

• Why are some of the speed limits proposed to be reduced to 40km/h, 30km/h or 10km/h?

• Area extending from Beach Road (Palm Beach) down to Careel Head Road (not including Barrenjoey Road as that is a State Road) are proposed to be dedicated 30km/h zones. Area extending from and including Careel Head Road to Marine Parade are proposed to be dedicated 40km zones. The two areas that have been designated 10km/h streets were chosen due to their high pedestrian activity for beach access and the need to help keep everyone safe.

• Did you update the maps/ concept designs during consultation?

• Yes, we updated the maps / concept designs on the 15 October following a Resident Association Meeting held on 14 October, that provided us with some feedback on the need to further clarify the maps/concept designs.

  The area has also been extended to include Iluka Rd, Nabila Rd, Thyra Rd.

• Is Barrenjoey Road a State Road?

• Yes, we have no jurisdiction to make changes to the speed limit on this road (as well as Beach and Ocean Roads in Palm Beach) and it is not included as part of the Safer Neighbourhoods Program.

  In NSW, the differences between state government roads and local government roads primarily relate to their management, funding, and purpose.

  State Government roads are:

  - managed by the NSW State Government, specifically through Transport for NSW,

  - typically include major highways and arterial roads that connect regions, cities and towns,

  - are crucial for facilitating long-distance travel and freight transport, and

  - funded by state budgets and federal government allocations for maintenance and upgrades.

  Local Government roads are:

  - managed by local councils, which are responsible for the roads within their specific geographic areas,

  - local streets, access roads, and rural roads that serve residential neighborhoods and local businesses,

  - focused on maintaining accessibility for residents and businesses, and may also include recreational paths and community infrastructure, and

  - funded typically from local rates, state grants, and federal contributions.

• Why are you proposing to install a raised pedestrian crossing?

• Raised pedestrian crossings are more visible to motorists. They provide an opportunity for people to cross a street safely, making pedestrians more visible to drivers and reduce vehicle speed at the conflict point. The treatment clearly indicates pedestrian priority, increasing accessibility for elderly, children or people with a disability.
  

• Would there be a loss of parking on Whale Beach Road if this scheme is implemented?

• Some parking would be removed in the vicinity of the new pedestrian crossing at Whale Beach Road near the intersection of Barrenjoey Road in line with statutory requirements, to provide visibility and sight lines for pedestrian safety.

  This removal would include approx. 3 parking spaces on the northern side and approx. 3 spaces on the southern side of the Whale Beach Road intersection with Barrenjoey Road.

  Line marking adjustments around a number of tight bends would increase parking in some instances (by moving lines 3m from the kerb), and would require the removal of parking at others. This would assist drivers to stay within their lanes, improve visibility, traffic flow and ensure access for waste and emergency services vehicles.

• How would my travel time be impacted?

• Speed limits are a small factor in what determines your total travel time in local streets and neighbourhoods. Travel times are mostly influenced by traffic volumes and frequent stopping at intersections and traffic lights.

  Appropriate speed zones reduce the likelihood of crashes. Fewer crashes ease traffic delays and lower emissions.
  

• Are roundabouts proposed in the upgrade?

• There are two proposed roundabouts at Palm Beach Road and Pacific Road intersection and at Surf Road and Bynya Road intersection.

• Why are you proposing to put in new street lights in some areas?

• To comply with Australian/New Zealand Standard 1158, some new street lights are required for road safety measures. All street lights designs are carried out and installed by Ausgrid in accordance with relevant standards.

• ​What is the process of implementing a new speed limit?
• As Transport for NSW is responsible for amending speed limits on NSW road, Council will write to Transport for NSW to seek approval for a 40km/h, 30km/h and 10km/h high pedestrian activity area in the Avalon Beach to Palm Beach precinct, including all relevant signage and line marking.
• Are other areas currently proposed for the Safer Neighbourhoods Program?

• Yes. The Safer Neighbourhoods Program is being proposed in a number of local traffic areas across the Northern Beaches LGA.

• Are speed cameras an option to manage speeds?

• The installation of speed cameras is not an option that is available to Council to manage speeds. Speed cameras can only be installed by Transport for NSW and tend to be located in locations where traffic volumes are high, compliance with applicable speeds is low and crash rates high.

  Fixed speed cameras would rarely be installed on local roads with self enforcing measures such as roundabouts or speed humps or other forms of physical traffic management devices viewed as more appropriate on local roads.

• Why aren’t more widespread bans on boat and trailer parking being proposed as part of this proposal?

• Council reserves the use of parking restrictions such as No Parking Motor Vehicles Excepted or 8P timed parking restrictions for locations where boats caravans and trailers are parking in large numbers.

  While Council has already introduced these types of restrictions in parts of the Avalon to Palm Beach area and may introduce further restrictions in problem locations in the future, widespread use of such restrictions within the proposed 30km/h speed limit zone is not proposed.

• Why isn’t Council considering introducing a resident parking scheme given the parking issues in the area?

• There are Transport for NSW guidelines which govern the introduction of resident parking schemes and Council is obliged to follow them.

  The purpose of a resident parking scheme is not to make parking on a street available for residents only, but to make it easier for residents who cannot park off-street to find parking on-street.

  Resident parking permits are only issued for vehicles which cannot be parked off-street. As most homes within the Avalon to Palm Beach area have off-street parking for their vehicles most residents would be ineligible for permits and Council is not considering introducing such a scheme.

Project timeline and construction

• When would construction begin?

• Works are expected to start in mid-2025 and be completed by summer, weather permitting.

• What could be the potential impacts during construction?

• We understand the difficulty of completing work without causing disruptions, especially during bad weather. We would work closely with the contractors to minimise temporary impacts on traffic, pedestrians, noise, and dust.

  To minimise traffic impacts during the day, some operations may be scheduled for nighttime. We would notify our neighbours before night work takes place.

  Residents on the affected streets would receive direct communication from the contractors with additional details prior to the commencement of any work.