Speed zone signage SHOCKER!

Macrossan Street Speed Limits

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

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The post by Denise Collins on the original Port Douglas/Mossman buy swap sell Facebook which triggered a flood of outrage over the painted speed zone markers. Picture: Facebook

Oversized and overstated bright red road painted speed zone signs in the tourism heart of Port Douglas have outraged hundreds of residents, more than 250 taking to social media since they appeared on Friday to express their disgust.

Residents and traders have taken to “the original Port Douglas/Mossman buy swap and sell” Facebook page threatening to scrub the signage off, calling for them to be “prettied up” and mocking them for “not being big enough’’.

Newsport has contacted the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the authority responsible for the signage, to voice the community’s call for its removal.

While many of the comments made jokes over the signage, many feel it detracts greatly from the tourist town ambience of Port Douglas and will have a detrimental impact on the high street casualness and trade.

Janet Morris asked “What has happened to aesthetic consideration in our village?’’

“I’m not against 30kmh but please preserve the integrity of the beauty we have, why we live here and why tourists enjoy their visit to PD and return again and again,’’ she said.

“Oh dear, What an eyesore in our picture-perfect village,’’ added Wendy McWilliam.

“That is disgusting if they are going to leave that. We have a hideous entrance to our town and now this,’’ added Barbara Wolveridge.

“What is wrong with this stupid Council can’t they sort this out. I’m just so fed up with it all.’’

The work is not the doing of Douglas Shire Council but the responsibility of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Newsport first broke the news of the speed limit changes for Macrossan Street on October 30, reporting that the Department of Transport and Main Roads had issued a notice of works to reduce the speed limit in Macrossan Street, Port Douglas, to 40km/h from Davidson St to Grant Street and 30km/h from Grant Street to Wharf Street to improve pedestrian safety.

“The speed reduction is expected to take effect in mid-November, weather and conditions permitting for works to be completed,’’ the provided information stated.

“The works will include speed zone pavement entry markings at various locations.’’

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A snap poll by Newsport, and interviews with traders about the changes received a mixed reaction, with the poll showing 55 per cent of 215 responses were in favour of a reduction in the speed limit, although comments were in favour of a flat 40kph speed limit.

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Newsport has made contact with the Department of Transport and Main Roads for comment, asking up front if a different speed zone signage plan will be considered on the back of the community outrage.

Other comments from the around 250 on the page include:

“We are not stupid ……looks aesthetically terrible, can't believe they would do something so awful.’’ -  Loraine Robertson.

“Flippin Heck! Is this why tourists, locals, Macrossen and Grant Street businesses have been majorly inconvienienced for how many days? What an eyesore’’ - Ann Ireland

“They match the flowering poinciana trees at the moment!’’ - Vivienne Ruffles 

“The talk is going round town that it's so big and bright that it can be viewed from space and even the astronauts are laughing also.’’ -’ Eli Pitt.

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