The council’s budget has blown out on the proposal set to reduce the speed limit from 50km/h to 40km/h along city streets in the area between Dawson and Humffray streets and bounded by Mair and Dana streets. 

Initially estimated to cost $75,000, it has now been revealed by Ballarat Councillor Amy Johnson it could cost more than $120,000 to install new signage on impacted roads.

In June, the council voted to introduced the plan for a 12-month trial period.

Streets affected include Sturt, Grenville, Camp, Peel, Little Bridge and Little Channel.

Ballarat Councillor Amy Johnson criticised the surge in funding needed to complete the signage following the revelation. 

Cr Johnson, who campaigned to get the plan overthrown, was the only councillor alongside Vicki Coltman to vote against it. 

"I find this information extremely difficult to stomach," Cr Johnson said. "Obviously councillors made a decision based on the figure we were presented with surrounding the cost for the trail. We expected the information given to us would be accurate and voted based on that figure."

Cr Johnson said councillors had not been given a reason behind the increased costs. 

She said if the trial was deemed unsuccessful the cost in removing the signage would be $40,000 pushing the total expenditure of the project to more than $150,000.

However, Cr Belinda Coates said councillors were aware at the time they voted the figure was only an “estimated cost” and there could be variations. 

“We knew there would be a cost and a benefit,” Cr Coates said. “Any council initiative aimed at improving the well-being, economic activity, environment and health of the community is weighed up on a cost benefit basis and that’s the basis this decision was made on. Any variation doesn’t change the decision or commitment of the project.”   

Her view was echoed by Cr Des Hudson who said the plan could save lives.

“The cost in signage will outweigh health and hospital costs associated with road trauma,” Cr Hudson said. “If this plan is able to prevent serious road trauma and save lives, then it is a responsible investment.” 

However, Ballarat chief executive Anthony Schinck said estimated the cost would only be about $100,000 made up of $20,000 for officer time, $50,000 for physical works to define the speed restriction area and $30,000 for the establishment of base case data for traffic, parking, pedestrian activity and CBD activation.

He said a portion of funding would also be used for a data survey and examination during the trial period. 

An online survey of the plan found almost 70 per cent of 569 respondents were opposed to a reduction in the speed limit. 

The same survey also revealed 62 per cent of the respondents agreed pedestrian walk phase times across Sturt Street were insufficient, with only 28 per cent saying the crossing time was adequate.

The plan was instigated off the back of the council’s community safety action plan. 

It has the support of VicRoads and Victoria police and was backed by the Transport Accident Commission.