Speed limit reductions could be trialled on popular Cockburn roads to protect turtles from road mortality

Temporary speed limit reductions could be rolled out on busy Cockburn roads to protect vulnerable nesting turtles.

Cockburn councillors voted last week to trial a 10km/h speed limit reduction on Hope Road, Progress Drive and Bibra Drive during the 2027 turtle nesting season from September to December.

A city-first turtle underpass will also be considered at Progress Drive, providing a specialised wildlife crossing beneath the road for turtles to avoid vehicles. The city will clarify with Main Roads WA whether this project could be funded through the Bibra Lake urban road safety program.

However, local environmental group Walliabup Wildlife Warriors told councillors while they were pleased to see steps being taken to protect the turtles, they didn’t believe the city’s proposal was “strong enough”.

“Walliabup Wildlife Warriors support any genuine effort to reduce turtle road mortality at Bibra Lake. However, we believe the city proposal actions can be strengthened, accelerated, and better aligned with evidence-based mitigation,” member Rina Burrows said.