East Fremantle Residents Demand Immediate Action on George Street Speeding Crisis
The Town of East Fremantle is facing mounting pressure from residents to take immediate action against drivers who are flouting the 40km/h speed limit on George Street. At a recent council meeting, locals voiced their fears that without swift intervention, a tragic fatality could occur on this narrow and busy road.
Resident Outcry Over Dangerous Speeding
East Fremantle resident Kim Waters addressed the council at its February 17 meeting, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures. She described George Street as very narrow, with recent changes to traffic flow increasing vehicle usage, exacerbating the speeding problem.
"There's a sign saying 40km/h next to the kindy and there's another one up the road ... but drivers just either don't see them or think it doesn't apply to them," Ms Waters said. "The amount of near-misses is frightening. Mums and dads, kids, dogs, old people — everyone in that area should not have to deal with the speed that is going on in a very condensed area."
Ms Waters shared a disturbing personal experience where she attempted to slow down a speeding driver. "Some fellow was coming down Sewell Street very fast. He went through George Street, so I walked out into the street, put my hand out and said 'could you slow down?' He called me a c... and spat at me. The reality is that's not a one-off incident," she recounted.
Council's Response and Planned Measures
In response, Technical Services Executive Manager Jacqueline Scott acknowledged the concerns but warned that implementing changes could take time. The town is actively pursuing funding from Main Roads for road safety works and has engaged a consultant to review all roads in the area.
"We're reviewing all areas of the town to work out where we would prioritise," Ms Scott said. She indicated that while efforts are underway, significant progress might not be seen until 2027-28, stating, "If it didn't happen in 2026-27, I'd be very surprised if we weren't there by 27-28."
Despite the potential delays, the council has taken a step forward by approving $13,000 from a payment in lieu of parking reserve. This funding will be used to hire a consultant to design a shared pedestrian-vehicle road along parts of George Street between East Street and Stirling Highway.
Community Support and Additional Concerns
Councillors expressed strong support for addressing the issue. Cr Cliff Collinson said he was "very pleased" to see George Street being addressed, while Deputy Mayor Lucinda Maywood emphasized it was of "extreme importance" to residents.
The shared street environment is a key component of the George Street Place Plan Vision and Community Action Plan, which aims to revitalize the iconic street. Ideas for implementation will be tested at a "Streets Alive Masterclass" scheduled for March 11.
In addition to speeding, other traffic issues were raised at the meeting. Sewell Street resident Carolyn Austin requested improved hydrant signage and enforcement against illegal parking, noting that vehicles often park over hydrants all day without consequences. Town CEO Jonathan Throssell assured that the town would investigate and contact the Department of Fire and Emergency Services regarding this matter.
Background and Future Outlook
The Town of East Fremantle released its George Street Place Plan Vision and Community Action Plan last year, with principles focused on prioritizing people through accessible parking, traffic calming, and safer crossing points. Proposed measures include reducing the speed limit to 30km/h and trialling a one-way traffic system.
However, residents like Kim Waters argue that action cannot wait. With confusing traffic flow changes and persistent speeding, the community remains on edge, hoping for timely solutions to prevent a tragedy on George Street.
