Locals fight for lower speed limit

RESIDENTS of Berganns Rd at Witta can expect a greater police presence and potentially a lowered speed limit after raising concerns about safety hazards.

Division 5 councillor Jenny McKay recently met with residents, police and council officers to discuss the safety of the 80kmh road and what measures could be taken to make it safer.

Cr McKay said waiting for a speed limit change could be a long process, but action would be taken in the meantime to ensure safety.

"The main problem is that police and council have no control over lowering the speed limit.

"It's all approved by a speed review committee, which can sometimes take a long time.

"In the meantime residents and drivers can expect more police presence and additional roadworks to make it safer."

Cr McKay said the current speed was in place because the road was classified as being rural rather than residential.

"This classification needs to be changed as there are quite a few people living there, and it's not safe," she said.

"Around 30 properties come off the road itself.

"Residents have said they would like additional roadworks to help them get out of their driveways."

Berganns Rd resident Peter Van Mil said he had seen several fatilities on the road since moving to the area 16 years ago.

"There's been a head-on and a hit and run on this road just in the last year," he said.

"When they first made this road it was made for trucks, not people.

"They really need to have a speed that matches the activity going on in the area."

Mr Van Mil said he had seen a lot of people cutting the corner from Maleny-Kenilworth Rd into Berganns Rd from his property.

"I see it every day, and it's just dangerous," he said.

"I'd like to see the road shifted over so it's safer to turn.

"The authorities need to come here around school time when it's at its worst."

Cr McKay said council would put in more signs and a clearer white line on the first bend of the road where many problems were experienced.