The campaign to slow traffic on the short stretch of Coolamon Scenic Drive outside Coorabell Hall is gradually gathering momentum, with Byron Council supporting a lower speed limit despite advice the road may not meet state criteria.
The matter came up for discussion at the 21 May meeting of Byron Shire Council (BSC), where councillors debated safety concerns along the section of Coolamon Scenic Drive between Possum Shoot Road and Coorabell Road.
Deputy Mayor (Independent) Jack Dods said the issue had become more pressing as the area had grown, pointing to the nearby primary school, hall activities and increasing traffic movements.
‘You’ve got Mango Lane that has a primary school on it, you’ve got the hall, which is right on the edge of the road reserve, that often has hundreds of people spilling out, crossing the road to look at the view,’ Cr Dods said.
‘It’s definitely the highest and most active portion of Coolamon Scenic Drive.’
Cr Dods said parking around Coorabell Hall sat ‘at the core’ of the issue, with large events sometimes leading to overflow parking and compliance problems along the roadside.
He said councillors were working with the hall association and neighbouring landowners on options to ease parking pressures before seeking further traffic safety measures.
At the same time, councillors backed in-principle support for a 60km/h speed zone along the stretch, although council staff warned a preliminary Transport for NSW (TfNSW) assessment found the road did not currently meet state standards.
‘It’s not saying there’s not issues on that road,’ BSC Director of Infrastructure Services Phil Holloway said.
‘It does not meet the requirements for a 60km/h speed limit.’
Speed and parking separate issues
Speaking during public access, Coorabell Hall secretary Adele Smout said the hall supported efforts to improve safety, but argued road improvements should not depend on the volunteer-run organisation resolving parking issues first.
Ms Smout said a recent meeting with BSC staff and TfNSW had shifted focus from speeding concerns to hall parking, with recommendations put forward for the hall to address.
‘We think it’s inappropriate that the safety of residents, visitors, road users, dog walkers [and] cyclists… is put on hold and is contingent upon us, a non-profit organisation, fulfilling these conditions,’ Ms Smout said.
Greens councillor Elia Hauge said safety concerns extended beyond the hall precinct.
‘The speed issues along that stretch are about more than just the hall,’ she said.
Council ultimately voted unanimously to support seeking funding for an independent road safety audit of Coolamon Scenic Drive north, and backed in-principle support for a 60km/h speed zone from Possum Shoot Road past Coorabell Hall.
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