40km Speed Zone for Mapleton

Last reviewed: 28/01/24

Speed Limit Changes - 2023

The Department for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has recently conducted two speed limit reviews on separate sections of the Nambour to Mapleton Road. TMR have confimed that they undertook the assessments prompted by public concerns independant of the MADCA, and have installed new speed signage in accordance with the MUTCD and QRSTUV guidelines. NB: The 40km Speed Limit petition (2022) related to Mapleton village only.

  • 2 kilometres of Nambour–Mapleton Road, from just east of De Vere Road intersection through to west of Smith Road intersection has been reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h
  • 2.6 kilometres of Nambour–Mapleton Road, from just to the west of the Dulong Road intersection through to the existing 60 km/h limit near the Henenbery Road intersection has been reduced to 60 km/h
  • 400 metres of the 60 km/h speed zone on Obi Obi Road through the Mapleton township and adjacent the primary school has been reduced to 40 km/h /li>

Following the speed limit reduction on Obi Obi Road, the 40km/h school zone signage was removed as the speed is now permanently 40 km/h (ie not specific to school starting and finishing times).

This change has not included any amendment to the existing children's crossing, which is marked with permanent 'school crossing ahead' signage but is only in operation when the children's crossing flags are displayed.

NB: Children's crossings do not have 'stripes'. These line markings are only installed as part of pedestrian (zebra) crossings that operate on a permanent basis.


MADCA's Role in Ensuring Safe Speed Limits in Mapleton Village

The Mapleton community has long been concerned about the safety of pedestrians and drivers in the business centre of Mapleton with the speed limit of 60km/hr. The narrow Obi Obi Road and the complicated K intersection of Obi Obi Road, Post Office Road, and Flaxton Road in the Village centre posed unacceptable safety risks at a speed limit of 60km. In 2022 MADCA formalised these concerns.

  • people crossing Obi Obi Rd to visit the shops and medical facilities
  • people exiting their cars after parking on Obi Obi Road
  • vehicles exiting Post Office Road to turn left onto the Mapleton- Nambour Road, and
  • vehicles exiting Post Office Road to enter Obi Obi Road.

MADCA wrote to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on a number of occasions and met with engineers from TMR to discuss a way forward.

The Department for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) had studied the situation and considered that any improvement was a low priority as there were no recorded deaths at that corner and in the village. Discussions included making a roundabout and installing slip lanes but the topography did not lend to such engineering options. The TMR engineers have indicated that the lowering of the speed limit through the Village might be a suitable strategy to address these concerns, however there would need to be considerable community support for the matter to be considered.

As a result, MADCA went down the path of establishing a petition to gauge support for the proposal to maintain the 40km/h speed limit through the Village on a permanent basis. The proposal was to reduce speed limit on Obi Obi Road from Emu Walk to the T intersection, and to have the reduced speed limit on Flaxton Road from approximately outside Mapleton Realty to Smith Park. Post Office Road would remain as 50km/h with the stop sign at the corner.

The petition with over 650 signatures, was lodged in Parliament in October 2022 and on the 11th November 2022, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Baily MP responded (in part): "I refer to petitions 3780-22 and 3826-22, lodged with the legislative Assembly by Mr Robert Skelton MP, Member for Nicklin on 12 and 13 October 2022, about the speed limit through the township of Mapleton. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) confirms it is undertaking a formal speed limit review on the eastern end of Obi Obi Road in the township of Mapleton, towards the intersection of Nambour–Mapleton and Montville–Mapleton roads."

Subsequently, the area of the review was extended to include the section of Nambour-Mapleton Rd north of the K intersection and the section of Flaxton Drive, south of the K intersection, as per the wording of the initial petition. The Minister’s response also included the following paragraph: "When a review of a posted speed limit is undertaken, the recommendations are tabled at a meeting of the Speed Management Committee for the committee’s deliberation and endorsement. The committee includes representatives from the local council, the Queensland Police Service and TMR. TMR will advise Mr Skelton (MP) of the outcome of this process in due course".

The Petition


To: The Honourable Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.

Electors of Nicklin draws to the attention of the House that the Mapleton community is concerned about the safety of pedestrians and drivers in the business centre of Mapleton with the current speed limit of 60 km/hr. The narrow Obi Obi Road and the complicated K intersection of Obi Obi Road, Post Office Road and Flaxton Drive in the village centre pose unacceptable safety risks at the current speed limit.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to improve road safety. We the undersigned request that the present school zone with its speed limit of 40 km/hr be made a permanent 24/7 speed limit with the northern boundary of the zone, on Nambour-Mapleton Road, extended north to include the K Intersection.



TMR's Role in Ensuring Safe Speed Limits on the Nambour-Mapleton Road

When it comes to ensuring safe speed limits in the area, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) follows a comprehensive process that adheres to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Queensland Road Safety Technical User Volume - Guide to Speed Management. These guidelines are designed to establish consistent and appropriate speed zones and signage throughout the state, instilling confidence in road users that speed limits are determined with their safety in mind under normal driving conditions.

The guidelines consider several crucial considerations when determining speed limits for specific road sections. These considerations include the road function and environment, such as whether it falls under the category of a highway, urban area, or rural road. Traffic volumes and prevailing speeds are carefully assessed, along with the speed environment, which includes elements of the road and traffic surroundings that influence the perceived appropriate travel speed. Roadside development, pedestrian and cyclist activities, road characteristics (such as alignment, lane width, junctions, intersections, and adjoining road sections), and crash history are also factored into the decision-making process.

Completed speed limit reviews undergo scrutiny by the local Speed Management Committee, which includes representatives from the Queensland Police Service (QPS), Local Government, and TMR. These reviews are essential in ensuring that speed limits are set and modified based on a thorough assessment of the aforementioned factors. By involving multiple stakeholders, the committee ensures a balanced and informed approach to speed management.

In early 2023, the TMR conducted two speed limit reviews on separate sections of Nambour-Mapleton Road, prompted by public concerns. Although TMR stated that they did not receive a petition requesting these reviews, they undertook the assessments and have installed new speed signage in accordance with the MUTCD and QRSTUV guidelines.

The TMR advise that for inquiries regarding the enforcement of road rules, or for any concerns with motorists speeding or not respecting the school crossing when active is the responsibility of the Queensland Police Service. You can reach out to your local police station or contact Policelink at 131 444. Alternatively, you can send an email to policelink@police.qld.gov.au for further assistance.

For additional information on the process of setting and reviewing speed limits, please refer to the following link:

The TMR have advised that their commitment to ensuring road safety remains unwavering, and they will continue working diligently to address community concerns and prioritise the well-being of pedestrians and drivers in Mapleton.

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