Dunedin City Council – Kaunihera-a-rohe o Otepoti

McMaster Road

Last updated: 19 Oct 2026 12:05am

We're proposing reducing the speed limit on McMaster Road from 100 km/h to 60 km/h to improve safety for all users and better reflect how the road is used.

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 McMaster Road is 100 km/h.

We first proposed reducing the speed limit on this road to 60 km/h in our draft Speed Management Plan, which was open to public consultation in 2023.

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

About this road

McMaster Road is an unsealed rural road currently subject to the default rural speed limit of 100  km/h. The road is sometimes used as an alternative route between Brighton/Waldronville and Mosgiel.

Reasons for reducing the speed limit:

  • Community members have raised concerns about road safety, dust generation, and the suitability of the road for through traffic.
  • The average operating speed is approximately 47 km/h, significantly below the current speed limit.
  • A lower speed limit would better align with the road environment and how the road is currently being used.

The proposal

Option 1 - Reduce the speed limit from 100 km/h to 60 km/h

Travel time impact: Approximately 1 minute 39 seconds.* The cost impact analysis tool used to estimate travel time impacts is not intended for speed limit changes greater than 30 km/h. Travel time estimates should therefore be treated as indicative only.

The proposed change would reduce the speed limit on McMaster Road from the default rural speed limit of 100 km/h to 60 km/h. The proposed speed limit would apply over a 2.5 km section of road.

McMaster Road is an unsealed rural road where average vehicle speeds are already significantly below the current speed limit. Community members have raised concerns about road safety, dust generation, and the suitability of the road for through traffic.

The proposed speed limit would better align with the road environment and current operating conditions while responding to community concerns about the road's use as a through-route between Brighton/Waldronville and Mosgiel.

Option 1 - Map

McMaster Road - Proposed speed limit changes map

Option 2 - Status quo

No change to the current 100 km/h speed limit.

Have your say

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

Online feedback form

Requirements under the Rule

  • Cost benefit disclosure statement

    The Rule 2024 requires us to complete a cost benefit disclosure statement for the proposed speed limit changes. This sets out the expected impact of the speed limit changes on safety and travel times, and the expected implementation cost.

    RoadMcMaster Road
    Distance2.5 km
    Existing Speed Limit100 km/h
    Proposed Speed Limit60 km/h
    Number of crashes in last 5 years1
    Estimated reduction in number of crashes each year0 serious injury crashes
    0 minor injury crashes
    0.4 non-injury crashes
    Current average operating speed47 km/h
    Decrease in expected mean vehicle operating speed 16 km/h
    Estimated impact on individual travel time1 minute 39 seconds**
    Estimated impact on collective travel times based on annual average daily traffic volumes1,446 hours
    Implementation cost$4,000
    ** The cost impact analysis tool used to estimate travel time impacts is not intended for speed limit changes greater than 30 km/h. Travel time estimates should therefore be treated as indicative only.

  • Role and function of the road

    Role and function of the roadMcMaster Road is an unsealed rural access road that provides access to rural properties and connects the Brighton and Waldronville area with Mosgiel.
    How it’s usedMcMaster Road is used by residents, rural property owners, agricultural vehicles, and motorists travelling between Brighton/Waldronville and Mosgiel. It also serves as a local access route for rural activities and properties along the corridor.
    Why a speed reduction has been proposed over other measuresA speed reduction is proposed in response to community concerns regarding road safety, dust generation, and the suitability of the road for through traffic. Average operating speeds are already well below the current 100 km/h speed limit, indicating that a lower speed limit would better reflect the road environment and how the road is currently used. Lowering the speed limit is a relatively low-cost measure that can improve safety without requiring significant infrastructure upgrades.
    Alignment of proposal to the road safety aspects of the GPSA speed limit reduction on McMaster Road aligns with the road safety objectives of the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport by supporting a safer transport system, encouraging travel speeds that are appropriate for an unsealed rural road, and reducing the likelihood and severity of crashes for all road users.

  • Data sources

    Existing speed limit NZTA National Speed Limit Register
    Proposed speed limit Based on road classification and consultation
    Number of crashes in the last five years NZTA Crash Analysis System
    Estimated reduction in the number of crashes each year Calculated using the NZTA Optional Cost Impact Analysis Tool
    Current average operating speed Megamaps
    Estimated average operating speed when new speed limit is in place Calculated using the NZTA Optional Cost Impact Analysis Tool
    Estimated impact on individual travel time Calculated using the NZTA Optional Cost Impact Analysis Tool
    Estimated impact on collective travel times Calculated using the NZTA Optional Cost Impact Analysis Tool

Still didn't find what you were looking for?