Livingstone Shire Council recently completed consultation with residents regarding ongoing concerns about vehicle traffic and pedestrian safety on Ocean Park Avenue.
Based on the feedback received, Council is moving forward with plans to reduce vehicle speeds and volume, and eliminate 'non-local' traffic, including trucks, from Ocean Park Avenue.
Consultation Update
Council has now completed installation of a Gross Load Limit (8 tonne) regulatory sign at each end of Ocean Park Avenue. These are regulatory signs that can be enforced by our Local Laws Officers and the Police. Breaches of the load limit can attract a maximum penalty of $3,200.
Council will now be distributing educational material to the businesses in McBean Street to make them aware of the new rules.
Background
As a result of the outcomes of an online survey conducted in December 2023, council implemented a trial closure of Ocean Park Avenue on January 22, intended to deter non-resident traffic from the area. It was found that the trial closure also restricted local traffic, and this was of concern to residents in the surrounding area.
At a Special Council Meeting on 6 February 2024, councillors recognised the ongoing concerns of residents and identified the need for further investigation into traffic calming devices.
Council resolution of 6 February 2024:
THAT:
- Although not necessarily supported by traffic data collected over the past 12 months, Council recognises the concerns of some residents of Ocean Park Avenue about road safety caused by non-resident traffic “rat running” this through-route increasing traffic volume and speed and vehicle size on a road not intended for such purpose.
- Accordingly, Council directs that:
- A permanent closure of the road is not an acceptable outcome.
- Council prefers other Local Area Traffic Management solutions such as vertical deflection (e.g. speed humps) and will consult further on the preferred solution once a detailed design has been completed.
- The outcome of the consultation, along with previous options analysis will be presented to as recommendations to Council.
- While the latest review and consultation are undertaken, other traffic calming (temporary one-lane slow point) will be installed along Ocean Park Avenue to enable the trial road closure to be discontinued.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Infrastructure Standing Committee Resolution of 2 July 2024:
On the 2nd of July 2024, Council's Infrastructure Standing Committee resolved for the committee exercises its delegation under s257c of Local Government Act 2009 to:
- Rescind the Council Resolution from the Special Council Meeting held on 6 February 2024;
- Remove the three temporary one-lane slow points currently installed in Ocean Park Avenue;
- Implement a temporary road closure trial at the western end of Ocean Park Avenue for a period of 8 weeks;
- Undertake traffic counts during the temporary road closure in order to quantify the outcomes of the trial;
- Report back to Council at the conclusion of the trial road closure.
At the end of the trial, the road will reopen whilst Council assesses the future permanent options best suited for the road, based on data and community feedback.
Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 15 October 2024
During Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 15 October, Council adopted the recommendations for Ocean Park Avenue traffic matters presented by officers during this month’s Infrastructure Standing Committee, specifically that council resolves to:
- Note the results of the resident survey;
- Implement six one-lane slow points along Ocean Park Avenue in order to reduce vehicle speeds and volumes;
- Allocate $25,000 in 2024/2025 for design and $250,000 in 2025/2026 for construction;
- Immediately install Load Limit signs at the eastern and western ends of Ocean Park Avenue to eliminate large heavy vehicles from the street; and
- Request the Queensland Police in Yeppoon undertake random speed enforcement campaigns to support the road safety strategy.
Moved by: Councillor Watson
Seconded by: Councillor Mather
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Council officers will immediately begin works to install load limit signs along Ocean Park Avenue as well as well progress designs for the six one-lane slow points to be installed next financial year.
You can read the Ocean Park Avenue officer’s report to the Infrastructure Standing Committee on 1 October 2024, which contains a detailed breakdown of the community engagement results and the officer’s recommendations. A summary of the outcomes of the Infrastructure Standing Committee minutes is also available by clicking the link under the documents tab.
Council officers completed a comprehensive traffic review (in November 2022 and in June 2023) to understand and quantify resident concerns. The following data was recorded:
- The highest traffic volume recorded was 2,542 vehicles per day at the Tabone Street end of the road.
- The highest actual speed recorded was between 120- 130 Km/hr, outside #33 Ocean Park Avenue
- The highest average speed recorded was 51km/hr, outside #50 Ocean Park Avenue
- The mean exceeding speed (average of a data set for those vehicles exceeding the speed limit) was 64.3 km/hr outside #50 Ocean Park Avenue
- The highest actual speed recorded by a heavy vehicle was between 80-90 km/hr outside #33 Ocean Park Avenue
- The highest actual speed of a Heavy Articulated vehicle (semi-trailer) was between 60-70 km/hr at #33 Ocean Park Avenue
- And, on average, 197 heavy vehicles transit the roadway per day outside #33 Ocean Park Avenue.
Key traffic statistics measured include:
Average speed = 51km/hr
85% percentile speed = 56km/hr
Average volume = 2,170 vehicles per day
Maximum volume = 2,540 vehicles per day
Heavy vehicle percentage of volume = 12% at mid point or 200 trucks per day.
Council undertook further monitoring during the mid block road closure from 19 - 23 February 2024 and again during temporary installation of the one lane slow points from 24 February to 22 March 2024. See detailed statistics below:
Mid block road closure (adjacent to Number 1 Ocean Park Avenue) - 19 to 23 February 2024
Average number of vehicles per day – 550
Average speed – 38km/hr
Heavy Vehicles – 7.2% (30 trucks per day)
85% speed – 46km/hr
Mid block road closure (adjacent to Number 50 Ocean Park Avenue) - 19 to 23 February 2024
Average number of vehicles per day – 700
Average speed – 47km/hr
Heavy Vehicles – 8.0% (56 trucks per day)
85th percentile speed – 55km/hr
3 x one lane slow points (adjacent to Number 33 Ocean Park Avenue) - 24 February to 22 March 2024
Average number of vehicles per day – 1,274
Average Speed – 40km/hr
Heavy vehicles – 7.5% (95 trucks per day)
85% speed – 48km/hr
Council is measuring traffic data during the current road trial closure. This information will be made available to the public in the coming weeks.
Western end road closure (adjacent to Number 26 Ocean Park Avenue) – 10 July to 13 August 2024
Average number of vehicles per day – 916
Average speed – 41km/hr
Heavy Vehicles – 8.4% (77 trucks per day)
85th percentile speed – 49km/hr
Western end road closure (adjacent to Number 1 Ocean Park Avenue) – 10 July to 18 August 2024
Average number of vehicles per day – 1,762
Average speed – 37km/hr
Heavy Vehicles – 14.8% (261 trucks per day)
85th percentile speed – 42km/hr
In November 2023, council sought feedback through an online survey following ongoing concerns from residents of Ocean Park Avenue regarding increased vehicle traffic and pedestrian safety. The survey was open to residents for two weeks, with results as follows:
Survey respondents: 59
Do you believe there is an issue with traffic speeds in Ocean Park Avenue?
Yes - 59, No - 0.
If yes, what time of day does this approximately occur?
Morning - 1, Afternoon - 4, Evening - 2, Always - 52.
Do you believe there is an issue with traffic volumes in Ocean Park Avenue?
Yes - 59, No - 0.
If yes, what time of day is the traffic volume highest?
Morning - 5, Afternoon - 7, Evening - 0, Always - 47.
Do you think council needs to take action to reduce the speed of vehicles or, the volume of traffic and the heavy vehicles using Ocean Park Avenue?
Yes - 59, No - 0.
If yes, which of the below options would you support? Please rank the options below in order of preference with your first choice at top of the box.
Results in order of preference:
Road Closure - 5.09.
Load limits - 4.42.
Speed limit reduction - 4.42.
Traffic islands (chicanes) - 2.68
Raised platforms - 2.68.
Signage - 1.44.
Line marking - 1.39.
Would you support the trial of a temporary road closure for 8 weeks around the mid-point of the road? (For example, a temporary road closure at approximately mid-way point of #33/ #26 Ocean Park Avenue to enable Council to understand any potential impacts and future planning)
Yes- 49, No - 10.
Atlantic Drive (adjacent to Number 3) – 21 May to 31 May 2021
Average number of vehicles per day – 324
Average speed – 36km/hr
Heavy Vehicles – 8.2% (27 trucks per day)
85th percentile speed – 47km/hr
Atlantic Drive (adjacent to Number 3) – 6 August to 21 August 2024
Average number of vehicles per day – 540
Average speed – 40km/hr
Heavy Vehicles – 14.9% (80 trucks per day)
85th percentile speed – 49km/hr
