NSW Safer Speeds Debate: Why 30 km/h isn’t likely to Pass — and What Happens Next
“but it was absolutely essential to protect older citizens crossing the road”
Unfortunately, NSW — the first state in Australia to attempt introducing a default 30 km/h speed limit on local streets — was not successful this time (officially the debate isn’t over but unlikely to be supported). Thanks to all the organisations, experts, and community members who supported the bill.
The bill, proposed by Kobi Shetty MP (Greens) in May 2025 and debated round one in March 2026, will likely continue in May 2026.
The debate so far has revealed something important.
Acknowledging the concerns raised
Members of Parliament who spoke in opposition did not dismiss the safety case for 30 km/h. In fact, many explicitly acknowledged it.
There was recognition that:
Lower speeds reduce harm
Vulnerable road users — particularly children and older people — are at greater risk
Street design and speed play a critical role in safety outcomes
One striking moment in the debate highlighted this tension.
An MP opposing the bill spoke about campaigning in their own electorate to reduce speeds on a main road after older people were hit by vehicles. They acknowledged that older people take longer to cross the street and that lower speeds were necessary in that context.
And yet, the same member did not support a broader legislative shift.
This contradiction is telling.
“But we’re not Balmain”
A consistent theme throughout the debate was the idea that:
“This might work in Balmain — but it won’t work here.”
This “but we’re not Balmain” argument came up repeatedly — a reference to the electorate of Kobi Shetty.
What exactly this meant was less clear.
Was it:
Socio-economic differences?
Different travel behaviours?
Street layouts or geography?
Political perceptions of community attitudes?
The debate didn’t resolve this — but it exposed a deeper issue:
Many decision-makers see their communities as exceptions.
The concern about community readiness
Another strong and valid theme raised by MPs was the need to bring the community along.
There were concerns about:
Community acceptance of lower speed limits
The risk of backlash if changes are introduced too quickly
The appropriateness of a blanket rule across all local streets
These are important considerations.
Like any major public policy reform, safer speeds cannot rely on legislation alone.
They require:
Clear communication
Public education
Visible benefits over time
So where does that leave us?
The debate made one thing clear:
The barrier is no longer the evidence — it’s confidence in implementation.
There is agreement that safer speeds save lives.
But there is uncertainty about how to make them work across diverse NSW communities.
The path forward
NSW may not pass this legislation this time — yet.
But the debate has moved us forward.
What will Better Streets do?
This is where Better Streets has a critical role to play.
We will continue to advocate for safer speeds — because the evidence is clear and the need is urgent.
But just as importantly, we will focus on building the confidence needed to implement them.
Our next steps
1. Continue to recommend safe speeds
We stand by our position and will continue to advocate for safer default speed limits.
👉 (link to position paper)
2. Strengthen community understanding
We will continue to support messaging that connects safer speeds to:
protecting children
safer neighbourhoods
better local streets for everyone
3. Build real-world case studies
We will document how safer speeds have been implemented:
What has worked
What hasn’t
What lessons apply to NSW
Across Australia and globally, this is critical to overcoming the “it won’t work here” mindset.
4. Support civic engagement
We will encourage communities to engage directly with decision-makers — including:
Letter writing to Members of Parliament
Local advocacy and storytelling
5. Track progress and accountability
We are developing a scorecard to highlight government policies and actions that support (or hinder) safer speeds.
Reach out if you’d like to be involved contact@betterstreets.org.au
