Parkhill drive a step closer to being …

By Kelly Yates
REDUCING the speed limit along Parkhill Drive in Berwick is a step closer after councillors voted to send an application to VicRoads seeking to lower the speed limit from 70km/h to 60km/h.
Casey councillors voted unanimously in support of the speed change at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Residents and a school community joined Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan to rally for the speed to be dropped after 11-year-old Sandra Iredale was killed in a collision along the road back in April.
Sandra’s mother Anna Iredale said the current 70km/h speed limit was ridiculous.
At the time of the collision, Mrs Iredale said she felt like writing 40km/h on a piece of cardboard and sticking it on the speed limit sign to stop drivers from flying down the road.
The fight for the speed limit reduction has been an ongoing issue in the Berwick community since 2004.
According to a report by the City of Casey’s transport manager Paul Hamilton, the traffic volume along the road ranged from 14,400 vehicles at the southern end near the Princes Highway to about 9000 vehicles per day near Ernst Wanke Road.
Council officers said a review of the speed limit was done in May with Victoria Police and VicRoads and at that time, a possible reduction was not supported.
Mr Hamilton said that following ongoing community demand and pressure, a further approach was made by the council in September.
“As part of this consultation, Victoria Police advised that due to the recent road trauma and public interest reflected through the media, they would have no objection to the reduction of the speed limit to 60km/h.”
Mr Donnellan said it was a “marvellous victory” for the community.
“It really was community activism at its best,” Mr Donnellan said.
“I’m overjoyed that the council officers have changed tack and are supporting the reduction in speed.
“Over many years they have been reluctant to reduce the speed and I think the support of councillors and community activism finally broke down their resistance.”
Mr Donnellan said safety had won out over the need for people to drive a little faster.
Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek said the next step as part of the campaign was to try and get a visible crossing installed along the road.