We are now welcoming community feedback on the 12-month review of the Safer Speeds Trial.

There are multiple ways you can contribute, scroll down to let us know what you think.

The Safer Speeds Trial is a partnership between the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and RAC, with support from Main Roads WA. This three year initiative is designed to reduce the likelihood of people being killed or seriously injured by introducing lower speed limits on roads managed by the Shire.

A working group established for the Trial reviewed research on best practice approaches, alongside local road and crash data and community feedback, to determine the new speed limits. The working group includes staff members from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, RAC, Main Roads, WA Police and consultant PJA.

The Trial applies a holistic, area wide approach to speed limit setting, with a focus on minimising harm. Speed limits have been set consistently for similar roads, according to the road function, context and safety features. Reduced speed limits apply across the area west of Bussell Highway, from Cowaramup to Augusta, covering approximately 550 roads within the Shire.

The Trial will be reviewed after 12-months and three years. The review will be used to measure the impacts of the Trial and identify where adjustments may be required.


  • Why reduce speeds

    • Speed is the number one cause of car crashes according to the WA Road Safety Commission.
    • 59 people were killed or seriously injured in the Shire between 2019 and 2023, 28 of these on local roads managed by the Shire.
    • Even experienced drivers can make mistakes or encounter unexpected hazards. Travelling at a higher speed means you have less time to react and avoid being involved in a crash.
    • Lower speeds reduce stopping distance and improve crash outcomes.

  • ​Which roads are being targeted

    • The reductions apply to sealed roads west of Bussell Highway managed by the Shire.
    • Roads managed by Main Roads WA are not part of the Trial, including Caves Road and Bussell Highway. There is small stretch of Bussell Highway (within Augusta) that is part of the Trial.

  • Evaluation approach

    • The Trial will run for three years to ensure the full impacts of the speed limit reductions can be properly evaluated.
    • Comprehensive reviews will take place 12 months after commencement and again after three years.
    • The 12-month review is currently underway, including a representative survey of RAC members living in the Shire.
    • A specialist transport consultancy will conduct the evaluations, which includes analysing tube count data, TomTom data and survey feedback from a sample of the community.

  • Key metrics

    Key metrics to be monitored, evaluated and reported on include:

    • Changes in the number of crashes
    • Changes in speeds and the risk of crashes
    • Community perceptions
    • Impact on fuel consumption
    • Impact on journey times

Key information about the Trial can be found on the Safer Speeds Trial website.

Other key documents underpinning the Trial include:

  • Why are we seeking feedback

    Data collected from this engagement will be considered alongside results from the full 12-month evaluation to help us:

    • understand the impacts of the Trial so far
    • identify where adjustments to the Trial may be required


    The results of this review will not impact the length of the Trial, which will run for three years.

  • What we are seeking feedback on

    The 12-month survey asks for feedback on:

    • Perceptions of appropriate speed limits
    • Positive and negative impacts of the Trial
    • Roads that may be too fast or too slow
    • Signage issues

  • Submit your feedback

    • Complete the community survey
    • Drop a pin on our interactive mapping tool
    • Register to attend a community engagement session
    • Submissions are open from 25 May to 24 June 2026

Take the community survey

Protecting your privacy

By completing this survey, you are providing the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and RAC with personal information about yourself. All personal information collected is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. Overall demographic and personal information will de-identified before being provided to Council.

Please click here to view: Shire of Augusta Magaret River Privacy Policy

Please click here to view: RAC Privacy | RAC WA

Drop a pin on the interactive mapping tool

How to get involved:

1. Use the 'Address Search' to find an address, nav or pan the map to the general location you want to add your comment.

2. Please select "Add marker" button in bottom right corner of map.

3. Select your location.

4. Please select category and complete your thoughts in the attached form.


Categories

Community engagement sessions

Get involved – Safer Speeds Trial community engagement sessions

We are inviting local businesses and community members to express their interest in participating in upcoming Safer Speeds Trial community engagement sessions as part of the 12‑month review.

These sessions will bring together a range of local perspectives to help inform how the road network can continue to be refined, guided by the principles of harm minimisation, context-sensitive decision making and consistency.

Two community engagement sessions will be held in Margaret River:

  • A session for local businesses: Monday 22 June, 5.30 to 6.30pm
  • An open session for the community: Tuesday 23 June, 5.30 to 6.30pm

At the sessions you will have the opportunity to share key issues, experiences and insights to help shape the discussion.

Community input remains essential to ensuring the Trial reflects local knowledge, road safety risks and road characteristics.

To maintain a balanced and impartial process, Shire staff, elected Council members (Councillors), political candidates, and their immediate family members cannot participate in the roundtable discussions. Elected Council members may attend in an observer capacity only and will not participate in discussions.

If you would like to take part, please register your interest by completing the form below before 5pm Wednesday 10 June 2026. If you are selected to attend, a member of the Shire team will contact you to confirm and share the details of the event.