Kallista Village Inc. has launched a petition calling on the Department of Transport and Planning to permanently lower the speed limit on Monbulk Road to 40 km/h through the heart of Kallista.
This petition responds to growing concerns over the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in the area.
The petition has already gathered strong support, with 235 signatures in just one week.
Kallista Village secretary, Dr Miki Schwartzbord, said the push for a speed limit change reflects the ongoing concerns from residents and traders.
“Multiple residents and traders have raised worries about the speed of vehicles through town, and there have been near-misses, including a fatality of a pedestrian crossing the main street in the past decade,” Dr Schwartzbord said.
“We’re seeking a permanent speed reduction to make our community safer.”
Kallista Village is a volunteer-run group that organises local events, environmental projects, and manages the popular Kallista Market.
Dr Schwartzbord emphasised the importance of community backing for this initiative.
“We’ve met with Lyster Ward Councillor Peter Mcilwain, who has been very supportive and encouraged us to formally petition the council,” he said.
“The road falls under the Department of Transport and Planning’s authority, and the council will need to request a speed zoning review, and community support is key to advancing this cause.”
Kallista business owner, Tamarind Croft of Wilga Clothing, which has been operating in the area since 2004, is one of many raising the alarm.
“I often see parents chasing toddlers near the road in panic,” she said.
“It’s a busy, dangerous stretch, especially with trucks, during peak times, it’s sometimes impossible to cross safely for 10 minutes.”
Ms Croft’s concerns are not hypothetical, in 2006, her young son ran across the road, and although she managed to catch up with him, it was a close call that serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing danger.
“My son ran across the road when he was two, and I couldn’t catch him right away, he had a small head start and was very fast, luckily, the road was clear at that moment,” she said.
“It’s a clear danger, an accident waiting to happen.”
Many locals voiced their opinions on social media, urging the petition to prioritise a permanent pedestrian crossing on Monbulk Road instead of a speed limit reduction.
Dr Schwartzbord acknowledged the concerns but said parking in the area is already limited, and he is hoping the department proposes a solution that does not negatively impact local traders, parking, or public safety.
The petition also calls for safer pedestrian crossings near Kallista Primary School, where the current crossing operates only during pick-up and drop-off times, which leaves pedestrians – especially the elderly and schoolchildren most vulnerable outside those hours.
Ms Croft said other towns in the Dandenong Ranges have benefitted from similar speed limit reductions.
“Belgrave has a permanent 40 km/h limit plus pedestrian crossings, which has definitely made it a safer area for children, busy parents, and the elderly,” she said.
The community’s efforts are further supported by the success of speed limit initiatives in nearby areas.
Dr Schwartzbord said the impact of a digital speed sign on Kallista-Emerald Road near Kallista Primary School has been immensely positive.
“The digital sign displaying your speed has definitely had an impact on driver behaviour,” he said.
“Police patrols around school drop-off and pick-up times have also helped enforce the speed limit.”
“When setting speed limits, we need to carefully balance keeping everyone safe on our roads and keeping people moving,” the Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said.
“We will continue to monitor safety along Monbulk Road.”
Currently, there’s a speed limit of 50 km/h that operates along Monbulk Road through the Kallista township, which is reduced to 40 km/h only during school drop-off and pick-up times.
The push for a safer Kallista is not just about improving traffic flow, or public safety it’s also about preserving the charm and character of the beautiful village.
“People choose to live and work in Kallista because of the quiet and the sense of community, we want to ensure it remains a safe and pleasant place for all residents, visitors, and local businesses,” Dr Schwartzbord said.
For Ms Croft, the change is personal.
“The stretch of shops is less than 100 meters, so a 40 km/h limit wouldn’t significantly impact travel times,” she said.
“We have to keep the shop door closed because of the traffic noise, which shows just how heavy the traffic is.”
The petition can be found online: www.change.org/SafeSpeedLimitInKallista
