With more houses being built on Ballarat's south-western edge, Golden Plains Shire Council has proposed changing the speed limit on an arterial road to prevent further accidents and improve safety.
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The Sebastopol-Smythesdale Road, between Kirks Road and Bells Road at the shire's boundary, is currently a 100km/h zone, and according to Golden Plains Shire, it's had five accidents since 2016.
Of these, two resulted in serious injuries.
In a media release, council said it had received several requests from residents for a change, and police had observed speeding behaviour in the 3.5km stretch.
"Under the proposal, the speed limit would be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h along a 3.5-kilometre section between the end of the existing 80km/h speed zone west of Vaggs Road and the City of Ballarat boundary northeast of the intersection with Bells Road," the release states.
"If Council determines to proceed with the proposal, Council will finalise an application with the Department of Transport to have the speed limit reduced. This process is expected to take some time before any potential changes take effect."
Residents have been invited to have their say via council's website, with submissions closing October 11.
Golden Plains Shire Council mayor Helena Kirby said the route was getting increasingly busy as growth continued southwards.
"With the road linking Smythesdale and Ross Creek, it's important that we ensure that the road remains safe for residents and drivers, which is why Council is seeking feedback on reducing the speed limit to 80km/h," she said in a statement.
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"This feedback will be used to see if Council further pursues the speed change and will also support Council's lobbying efforts for Government funding for further safety improvements on the busy road."
The federal government allocated $360,000 to upgrade Craddocks Road in Smythesdale as part of its Black Spot funding program this year - works on new safety barriers, intersection treatments, and signage along 1.4km of the road is expected to be complete by mid-2022.
Several other upgrades were also completed around Mount Mercer this year.
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