Liberal councillor Callum Pull is pushing for Newcastle council to formally oppose proposed traffic changes on Minmi Road, including a 40km/h speed zone and speed humps, which he previously described as 'disastrous and awful'. The changes were approved in principle at an October council meeting last year as part of conditions for Winten Property Group's housing development in Fletcher Green.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Cr Pull will move a motion calling for the council to oppose the changes, with the exception of school zones. He argues that despite some councillors publicly stating their opposition to the speed limit reduction, the council never formally adopted that position.
The proposed alterations, which are ultimately the responsibility of Transport for NSW, include a four-way intersection, speed humps, and a 40km/h zone on Minmi Road. These measures are intended to protect pedestrians and cyclists accessing the new housing estate and future recreation facilities.
If the motion passes, the council will write to Transport for NSW and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison to make its position 'unequivocally clear'. The council would request that speed zones on Minmi Road remain at about 50km/h, including through the housing estate.
The development conditions also require cycle lanes on both sides of the road, bus stops, street trees, landscaping, a planted central median at the intersection, and wide pathways. A concrete median will be installed at T-intersections with left-in, left-out restrictions, and pedestrians will be able to cross at traffic lights.
City of Newcastle has previously advocated for Minmi Road to be taken over as a state road. The proposed changes could slow traffic on one of the key links to the M1 motorway.
