Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) is a strategic approach used by Council to plan and manage the flow of traffic on local streets. Instead of looking at a single street in isolation, an LATM study looks at an entire precinct. The goal is to improve safety for all road users, discourage non-local traffic ("rat-running") from taking shortcuts through residential areas, and enhance the overall amenity and liveability of the neighbourhood.

Local streets should be safe spaces where residents live, children play, and people can confidently walk or cycle. The primary benefits of an LATM project include:

• Reduced crash risks: Slower vehicle speeds drastically reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.

• Safer active transport: Improved infrastructure encourages more people to walk or ride bikes.

• Better neighbourhood amenity: Less through-traffic results in reduced noise and air pollution.

• Equitable road use: Ensuring that our streets cater to the most vulnerable users, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

LATM uses a combination of physical infrastructure and signage to influence driver behaviour. Common treatments include:

Speed cushions and humps: Physical bumps in the road to reduce vehicle speeds.

Raised intersections and Wombat crossings: Elevating the road to footpath level to slow cars and give priority to pedestrians.

Kerb outstands: Narrowing the road at specific points to reduce crossing distances for pedestrians and naturally slow traffic.

Mini roundabouts: A compact, usually painted or slightly raised, circular intersection used in low-speed, urban areas to control traffic flow and improve safety by reducing speeds at and around intersections.

Speed limit reductions: Implementing 40 km/h or 30 km/h zones on local streets.

Your feedback is a critical part of the process. The data and comments collected from the questionnaire will be combined with independent traffic engineering data (such as speed and volume counts, and crash history) to identify the main issues in the local area.

Following this initial consultation, Council and traffic engineering consultants will draft a concept LATM plan proposing specific treatments. This draft plan will then be presented back to the community for a second round of feedback before any final decisions are made or construction begins.