Redland City Council has reduced speed limits to improve safety on Karragarra Island following a request by residents.
Redland City CEO Bill Lyon said the decision recognised the Island’s small size and high levels of shared use and also opened the door to the possibility of golf-buggies to be driven on local roads subject to State Government and Police approval.
“Karragarra Island is a small island with a large amount of vehicle and pedestrian interaction, so Council felt that 40km an hour across the island with 20km an hour at the jetty was appropriate,” Mr Lyon said.
“The recommendation for the reduced speed limits was formally approved at a Speed Management Committee (SMAC) meeting in March which included representatives Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Department of Transport and Main Roads representatives.
“While the SMAC approval is not directly related to the driving of golf buggies on public roads, the local Councillor has also been approached by residents wanting approval to drive these vehicles on roads and this decision allows that discussion to continue.
“Council will now write to the Department of Transport and Main Roads to shows our in principle support of golf buggies being driven on local roads on the island – subject to the department’s and police final approval.
“We will also provide a letter of support on a case by case basis to residents who will then need to obtain a letter from the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Police and get concessional registration before they can drive these vehicles on the road.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads and QPS have final approval over anyone driving vehicles on the road, so Council’s decision is only a minor piece of the puzzle.
“At the end of the day public health and safety must be taken into consideration and the State Government and Police are the ultimate decision makers in this regard, so if they decide against allowing golf buggies on the road based on safety concerns, Council will respect and support the decision and we ask residents to do the same.”
More information read the Department of Transport and Main Roads Guideline for Conditionally Registered Vehicles in Queensland Form 17 Version 3.1 February 2014.