John Wilson Ocean Drive and Kettle Park Road

We're proposing reducing the speed limits on John Wilson Ocean Drive and Kettle Park Road from 50 km/h to 30 km/h to improve safety for everyone and ensure the speed limits better reflect the diverse range of people who use these roads.

We want to hear your views on the proposed change. Tell us what you think before public consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 30 November 2026.

Background

The current speed limit on John Wilson Ocean Drive and Kettle Park Road is 50 km/h.

We first proposed reducing the speed limit on these roads to 30 km/h in our draft Speed Management Plan, which was open to public consultation in 2023.

We are consulting again now following the introduction of the Government's Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2024, which changed the process for setting speed limits.

About these roads

John Wilson Ocean Drive and Kettle Park Road provide access to recreational destinations, including Marlow Park Destination Playground, sports clubs and grounds, beach access points and the John Wilson Ocean Drive promenade. The area experiences high levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity and is expected to become busier when improvements at Marlow Park Destination Playground are completed.

Speed limit reductions on these two roads will better reflect the way the roads are used and improve safety outcomes in a recreational area with a diverse mix of road users.

Reasons for reducing the speed limit:

• The area experiences high levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity, including families with young children, older people, dog walkers, and people with disabilities.
• Pedestrians and cyclists travelling between destinations often share the roadway because there is no dedicated footpath or shared path.
• Future improvements at Marlow Park Destination Playground are expected to increase activity in the area.
• Average vehicle speeds are already low, with recorded operating speeds ranging from approximately 16 km/h on Kettle Park Road to 29 km/h on John Wilson Ocean Drive.
• John Wilson Ocean Drive is a wide roadway with angled parking and frequent vehicle manoeuvring.
• Five crashes have been recorded in the area between 2021 and 2025, including four non-injury crashes and one minor injury crash.
• DCC has received reports of unsafe driving behaviour and antisocial vehicle activity.

The proposal

Option 1 – Reduce the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h

Travel time impacts: John Wilson Ocean Drive, approximately 20 seconds. Kettle Park Road, approximately 20 seconds.*

*Travel time estimates are based on a standard assessment methodology used to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed speed limit changes. Actual travel times will vary depending on traffic conditions and driver behaviour.

The proposed change would reduce the speed limit on John Wilson Ocean Drive and Kettle Park Road from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.

The proposed speed limit would apply from the Victoria Road roundabout to the bollards on John Wilson Ocean Drive, including Kettle Park Road, over a total distance of approximately 980 metres. Average vehicle speeds are already relatively low, ranging from approximately 16 km/h to 29 km/h. The proposed speed limit would better reflect how the roads are currently used and support a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

Have your say

We want to hear your views. Submit your feedback before 5pm on Monday 30 November 2026.

Requirements under the Rule

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