Kids playing on their local streets in Wollongong NSW (Photo source: 30Please.org)

Why NSW needs safer speed limits — and which councils are already leading the way.

How does it feel walking beside traffic travelling at 50 km/h?

Does it feel calm, comfortable, and safe — or loud, rushed, and a little too close for comfort?

Here’s the confronting reality:

If you are hit by a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h, you have only a 10% chance of surviving.
At 30 km/h, the chance of survival jumps to 90%.

These figures aren’t advocacy slogans — they’re evidence-based, globally recognised, and even published by Transport for NSW. Cities around the world have adopted 30 km/h as the safe speed for neighbourhood streets because the science is clear: slower speeds save lives, reduce serious injuries, and create more welcoming places to walk, cycle, scoot, and live.

And yet, in NSW the default speed on local streets remains 50 km/h.

A small number of councils have managed to implement 30 km/h zones, but the process is slow, piecemeal, and often requires multiple layers of approval from the state government. Councils have told us again and again that they want safer speeds — but the system makes it incredibly difficult.

It shouldn’t be this hard to keep people safe.

A new bill could change everything

This month, MP Kobi Shetty proposed a bill to make our streets safer by lowering default speed limits on:

Local residential streets
Streets around schools
Streets near bus stops
to a maximum of 30 km/h.

If passed, NSW would finally join the growing global movement towards safer, people-friendly neighbourhoods — and councils would no longer need to battle a complex approval process just to keep their communities safe.

The bill will return for debate and consideration in 2026.

Which councils are already onboard, and which ones are 30 curious? - Our 30 km/h audit

Better Streets has started reviewing what councils across Australia have implemented or in the process of it. Here’s what we’ve found so far:

Councils with 30 km/h streets already implemented (in NSW):

City of Newcastle – Limited low-speed zones near the city centre
Wollongong City Council
Cootamundra
Albury
Northern Beaches

“30 Curious” councils (Councils that are proposing / considering / investigating 30km/h zones):

Randwick city council
Ballina
Ku-ring-Gai

“Onboard 40” councils ( Councils planning/proposing/implementing 40km/h and may be open to 30km/h at some stage)

Extensive list below. Have a look for your council and consider what the next steps may be for your local area.

It’s time to reimagine our streets. What can you do?

Slower speeds won’t solve everything — but they make our streets quieter, safer, and more welcoming for children, older people, riders, walkers, and everyone who uses public space.

NSW now has a chance to modernise our outdated speed settings and take a big step toward safer communities.

1. Contact your local MP

Find your local member here.

Ask them to support the introduction of 30 km/h streets and be ready for when the NSW bill comes back for debate.

2. Share the evidence

Most people simply don’t know the survival statistics — once they do, support for safer speeds increases dramatically.

3. Join the Better Streets coalition

Help us advocate for safer, people-friendly neighbourhoods across NSW and Australia.

4. Show your council what others are doing

Our audit will give councils a clear sense of the momentum building across the state and country.

5. Write up a case study

Can you write a case study about a 30 km/h streets? Do you have photos, or information that you could share so we can build up resources?

Is your council 30 Curious, or Onboard 40 or maybe a 30 Veteran?