A fresh push to improve road safety could see speed limits in parts of Campbelltown, South Australia reduced to 40km/h, with local councillors voting to consult the public on the proposal.
Dylan Anderson
The City of Campbelltown, located in Adelaide's northeastern suburbs, is considering reducing the default 50km/h limit across some residential streets west of Lower North East Road and south of Darley Road. The move is part of a broader transport management plan aimed at improving pedestrian safety and enhancing community liveability.
The Plan in Motion
On Tuesday night, the council endorsed plans to begin public consultation on the proposed 40km/h zone. Community feedback will be gathered over the coming months, with a report expected within six months. Council officials stress the importance of gauging local support before implementing any changes.
Why Lower the Limit?
Reducing speed in residential areas is supported by data indicating significant safety improvements. Austroads data reveals that the risk of death for pedestrians struck at 50km/h is 80 per cent. That figure drops dramatically to 32 per cent at 40km/h.
Crash data from the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA) shows that while minor crashes in Campbelltown have decreased over the past decade, serious crashes resulting in death or significant injury have increased slightly. Between 2014 and 2023, there were two fatalities and 19 serious injuries recorded.
The RAA backs the proposal, noting that 40km/h zones can make neighbourhoods safer and more welcoming without significantly impacting traffic flow.
Dylan Anderson
A Wider Trend Across Adelaide
If approved, Campbelltown will join several other Adelaide councils that have already implemented reduced speed zones. These include Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Burnside, Prospect, Unley, and Onkaparinga. The City of Adelaide is also currently exploring a potential shift to a 30km/h limit in its CBD and North Adelaide precincts.
Norwood Payneham and St Peters, which borders Campbelltown, rolled out 40km/h limits in April 2025, with entire residential blocks now operating under the lower speed limit.
What Happens Next
The Campbelltown Council will survey residents and ratepayers to determine community sentiment before making a final decision. The process is expected to be completed before the end of 2025.
If implemented, the speed limit change would prioritise safer streets and reflect a broader movement across metropolitan Adelaide to support vulnerable road users such as children, older adults, and cyclists.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available data and council proceedings as of June 2025. For official updates, visit your local council website.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
