Patonga Progress Association is celebrating, following the reduction of the previous 50km/h speed zone in the beachside suburb to 40km/h after a campaign lasting several years.
Association President, David Nash, said the group first started agitating for a reduction in the speed limit in 2018.
“Community members were concerned about the amount of traffic and speeding in an area which is a shared zone,” he said.
“We felt a 50km/h limit was inappropriate.
“We don’t have footpaths or kerb and guttering and so many children and parents are walking on the road and riding bikes, particularly in school holiday periods, when there is an influx of visitors.”
Nash said he would have liked to see the speed limit reduced even more, but the 40km/h zoning, together with a range of other safety measures, was proving effective.
“We requested traffic management in front of the hotel – with visitors arriving by ferry or by car with caravans it was a recipe for disaster,” he said.
“Council has now installed speed humps at the entry point to Patonga and just past the hotel and that’s working very well from what I can see.”
Nash said Council has also erected warning signage.
“It’s the first step in making our nice little village more safe,” he said.
“The residents always make sure we report any comings or goings and some people have put up CCTV cameras and the police are always responsive when something happens.”
Nash credited Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, with taking up the cause and making representations to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) regarding a speed limit change.
Tesch said she was happy TfNSW had made the “sensible decision to protect what is a very active and busy area that is enjoyed by so many”.
“Now, those who visit or live in Patonga can be assured that they have a safer community,” she said.
Nash said Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart, had been the one who “really got things rolling in terms of speed humps and zoning”.
“Mr Hart has been very supportive and came down to address the community early in June,” he said.
“He allowed everybody to express their views and gave us a sense of confidence in Council.”
Terry Collins