I am disappointed that Transport for NSW’s review of speed limit reduction from 60kmph to 50kmph between Newport and Palm Beach on Barrenjoey Road has not changed its decision on any stretch of road, despite community opposition.

I managed to secure two deferments of implementation while the decision was reviewed, but was unable to reverse the decision. The reduction was rolled out from 28 August 2025 with a 4-week grace period on enforcement granted by NSW Police. Read the Transport for NSW detailed brochure Speed limit changes on Barrenjoey Road, Newport to Palm Beach outlining the changes and why the reduction is being introduces here.

You can read my latest media release in response to the final decision here.

The decision to reduce the speed limit was the result of a two-year government investigation requested by the former Member for Pittwater two years ago. I was not part of this process and reversing the decision was always going to be difficult at such a late stage.

I challenged the change after thorough review of the NSW Speed Zone Standards for setting of speed limits in NSW and Austroad guidelines and the NSW Design of Roads and Streets Principles, on the following grounds:

• the lack of required community consultation
• strong technical arguments regarding Newport Hill, supporting the common-sense view that, using TfNSW terminology, is not a ‘self-explaining’ 50kmph road. No one would expect a six-lane arterial road to be 50kmph
• proposing an alternative to trial to improve safety using parking changes at Newport Hill.

TfNSW provided more detailed reasoning, although not detailed enough in my opinion. TfNSW did indicate that crash data for the short stretch in Newport, including two accidents at the bottom of Newport Hill on the weekend I requested a review, exceeded the typical crash rate thresholds, resulting in 80% injury rate.

• Read my letter to TfNSW asking for the speed limit reduction to be reversed in specific section here.
• Read the response from TfNSW here.

I’ll be asking further questions about the speed limit reduction in Parliament.

If you would like the speed limit change to be reversed, please sign my petition.

Jacqui