Nelson Street Safety Improvements – What’s Happening and Why
At its meeting on 19 February 2026, Council resolved to apply to the Tasmanian Transport Commissioner to reduce the speed limit on Nelson Street, Smithton from 60 km/h to 50 km/h.
The proposed change covers the section from the Bass Highway roundabout to the intersection of Davis and Smith Streets. If approved by the Transport Commissioner, the new speed limit will be put in place as part of the broader Nelson Street upgrade.
The speed review has always been part of the overall project to improve safety and renew the road.
Why review the speed limit?
Our town is growing, Nelson Street is no longer just a through road - it is a busy, built-up area.
It directly services one school and provides access to another nearby. It is also home to SWIRL (Smithton Wellbeing, Indoor Recreation and Leisure), the Recreation Centre and basketball facilities. That means more pedestrians, more turning vehicles and more local traffic movements.
A 50 km/h speed limit better reflects how the road is used today. Lower speeds reduce the severity of crashes and improve the chances of people walking away from them. It would also bring this section of Nelson Street into line with surrounding roads.
The Council recommendation and Traffic Engineering Assessment can be found in the February Agenda.
Why has the road layout changed?
The road surface had reached the end of its usable life. It had been extended as long as possible. Further delays to replace it would have led to more serious damage beneath the surface - and much higher repair costs for ratepayers.
Rather than simply resurface the 1.3km of road, Council has taken the opportunity to improve safety at the same time.
The changes include:
- Pedestrian refuges near SWIRL, Circular Head Christian School and the Recreation Ground. These allow people to cross in two stages instead of all at once, reducing the time they are exposed to traffic.
- A central median lane so vehicles can wait safely before turning, instead of stopping in the middle of the traffic lane.
- A new asphalt surface to extend the life of the road.
- Crossing points and lane layouts are based on sight distance, traffic volumes, road width and safety standards.
Community feedback
We know that not everyone is comfortable with the changes. We have received feedback from community members and we are listening.
Council is reviewing the feedback received in a structured way, with input from qualified engineers and against the relevant safety guidelines. If adjustments are identified as appropriate, they will be considered. We will update the community once that process is complete.
We also acknowledge that change can take time to adjust to, especially on a road people use every day. Final line marking and signage are still to be completed, which means the road is not currently operating in its final form.
Contact
If you would like to provide feedback or seek clarification, please contact Council’s Customer Service team on (03) 6452 4800 or email council@circularhead.tas.gov.au.
We appreciate the community’s patience as we work through the changes.